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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 10, 2024·
If you prefer a seamless experience with Apple products, choose the AirPods; they have spatial audio and H1 chip integration for better connectivity with Apple devices but aren't great for TV or gaming due to poorer latency. Conversely, the JBL Tune Flex offers a very good gaming experience with its Low Latency Mode, although the mic quality is inferior to the AirPods. Both earbuds are good for exercise, with the JBL being sweatproof. The AirPods excel in portability and have a longer battery life, but they lack noise cancellation unlike the JBL, which might matter if you often travel by air. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple Airpods (3rd generation)
- Good for phone calls
Advantages of the JBL Tune Flex
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Gaming
5.4
8.5
The JBL Tune Flex is very good for gaming, while the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is poor.
Phone Calls
7.6
6.3
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is good for phone calls, while the JBL Tune Flex is only fair.
TV and Video
5.5
7.8
The JBL Tune Flex is good for TV and video, while the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
6.5
The JBL Tune Flex is only fair for noise reduction, while the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is poor.
Cost
$178
$60
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) has a price of $178 and the JBL Tune Flex costs $60.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) has excellent build quality, while the JBL Tune Flex has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
7.1
7.3
The JBL Tune Flex and Apple Airpods (3rd generation) are both good for music.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.6
9.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers JBL Tune Flex to be excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is very good.
Battery
6.0 Hours
6.5 Hours
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) has 6 hours of battery life. The JBL Tune Flex has 6.5 hours of battery life.
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How the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) and the JBL Tune Flex compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods (3rd generation) | JBL Tune Flex |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$178 | $60 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2021 | September 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.2/10 | 7.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.6/10 | 6.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.4/10 | 8.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.2/10 | 7.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6 Hours | 6.5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 30 | 18 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 5.1/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4.3 Grams | 9 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Apple Airpods (3rd generation)
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Lily Katz, Christian Thomas | February 2023
"The Apple AirPods improves upon the 2019 model with its more ergonomic, yet unsealed, fit, water-resistant build, MagSafe charging case, and advanced software features. You can enjoy a wholly immersive movie experience with the new AirPods' spatial audio with head tracking, and enjoy HD audio during FaceTime calls. Of course, most of these features are limited to Apple hardware."
JBL Tune Flex
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Dig into reviews and images
MajorHiFi
Gabby Bloch | May 2023
"JBL is offering a similar design and arguably better resolution than the more expensive AirPods 3rd Generation. Add to that a comfortable and versatile fit, an equalizer and pretty decent ANC, and you’ve got a quality wireless earphone. I would have loved longer battery life and more crystal calls, but for the price, you can’t complain. A solid deal overall."
Get a great deal on the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) or the JBL Tune Flex
About Apple
Apple Inc. is an American technology company, founded in 1976, known for its wide range of premium products, including smartphones, computers, and audio solutions. Apple offers the very popular personal audio line AirPods, highly regarded for their wireless, smart capabilities and their seamless integration with the iPhone, iPad and Mac devices. They provide a high-quality sound, comfort and lifestyle features perfect for all users invested in their ecosystem.
About JBL
JBL is an American audio equipment manufacturer. Owned by Harman International which is, itself, owned by Samsung Electronics. JBL markets a wide array of monitoring speakers, professional headphones and consumer market headphones and earbuds. It was founded in 1946 by James Bullough Lansing (whose initials give the company its name) and has become one of the most prolific audio companies ever. Their products were responsible for audio during the 1969 Woodstock Festival.
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Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
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