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Airpods (3rd generation)
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Tune Flex
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What we think

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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

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Gaming

5.4
Airpods (3rd generation)
Tune Flex
8.5
The JBL Tune Flex is very good for gaming, while the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is poor.

Phone Calls

7.6
Airpods (3rd generation)
Tune Flex
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
Airpods (3rd generation)
Tune Flex
7.8
The JBL Tune Flex is good for TV and video, while the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is poor.

Noise Reduction

2.5
Airpods (3rd generation)
Tune Flex
6.5
The JBL Tune Flex is only fair for noise reduction, while the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is poor.

Cost

$179
Airpods (3rd generation)
Tune Flex
$60
Product image
Product image

$50

$100

$150

$200

$250

The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) has a price of $179 and the JBL Tune Flex costs $60.

Build Quality

9.0
Airpods (3rd generation)
Tune Flex
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

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Music

7.1
Airpods (3rd generation)
Tune Flex
7.3
The JBL Tune Flex and Apple Airpods (3rd generation) are both good for music.

Podcasts and Audiobooks

8.6
Airpods (3rd generation)
Tune Flex
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
Airpods (3rd generation)
Tune Flex
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

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Spec Comparison

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Apple Airpods (3rd generation)JBL Tune Flex
Apple Airpods (3rd generation)JBL Tune Flex

GENERAL

Price
$179
$60
Brand
AppleJBL
Release Date
October 1, 2021September 1, 2022
Form Factor
EarbudsEarbuds
Connectivity
WirelessWireless

SOUND

Music Score
7.2/107.3/10
Phone Calls Score
7.6/106.3/10
Gaming Score
5.4/108.6/10
TV and Video Score
5.6/107.8/10
Exercise Score
7.2/107.7/10

PERFORMANCE

Battery life
6 Hours6.5 Hours
Wireless charging
YesNo
Charging time
1.5 Hours2 Hours
Bluetooth version
55.2
Case Battery Life
3018

FEATURES

Active Noise Cancelling
NoYes
Noise Reduction Score
2.5/106.5/10
Virtual Surround
YesNo
Android App
NoYes
iOS App
YesYes
Mic Quality
7/105.1/10

BUILD AND DESIGN

Build Quality
9/108.5/10
Comfort score
7/107.6/10
Size
MediumLarge
Weight (headset or single earbud)
4.3 Grams9 Grams
Microphone style
IntegratedIntegrated

Shopping

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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

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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.

By the numbers

108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
123,500
Recommendations made
18,525
Consumer hours saved

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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