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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize sound quality, particularly for music and calls, and need active noise canceling for environments like air travel, the Apple Airpods Pro may be worth the premium price despite being less suitable for gaming or TV due to latency. They also provide better portability and are optimized for use with Apple devices, offering features like spatial audio and head detection. However, if budget is a concern and you need headphones more for exercise, as they are sweatproof and dustproof, or you prefer longer battery life, the JBL Tune Buds could be a more cost-effective choice, although they offer less effective noise isolation and have no active noise canceling. 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 Pro
- Good for phone calls
- Excellent for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the JBL Tune Buds
- Good for exercise
Key differences
Music
6.8
6.2
The Apple Airpods Pro and JBL Tune Buds are both only fair for music, though the Apple Airpods Pro is somewhat better.
Phone Calls
7.4
4.9
The Apple Airpods Pro is good for phone calls, while the JBL Tune Buds is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.3
5.8
The Apple Airpods Pro is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Tune Buds is poor.
Noise Reduction
9.1
6.7
The Apple Airpods Pro is excellent for noise reduction, while the JBL Tune Buds is only fair.
Battery
5.0 Hours
10.4 Hours
The Apple Airpods Pro has 5 hours of battery life. The JBL Tune Buds has 10.4 hours of battery life.
Cost
$260
$50
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Apple Airpods Pro has a price of $260 and the JBL Tune Buds costs $50.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Apple Airpods Pro has excellent build quality, while the JBL Tune Buds has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.1
5.4
The JBL Tune Buds and Apple Airpods Pro are both poor for gaming.
TV and Video
5.7
6.1
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers JBL Tune Buds to be only fair for TV and video, while the Apple Airpods Pro is poor.
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How the Apple Airpods Pro and the JBL Tune Buds compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods Pro | JBL Tune Buds |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$260 | $50 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2019 | May 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.9/10 | 6.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.4/10 | 4.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.2/10 | 5.5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.7/10 | 6.1/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.1/10 | 7.6/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | 10.4 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | 5.3 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 24 | 30 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | No | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 6/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5.4 Grams | 10.8 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Apple Airpods Pro
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Adam Molina | January 2023
"For just $50 USD more than the original model with the wireless charging case, this is definitely the pair of buds to get. The AirPods Pro (1st generation) sounds better than the originals and has a way better fit and active noise canceling to boot. If you have an iOS device, just get this."
JBL Tune Buds
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PC Mag
Tim Gideon | September 2023
"JBL’s Tune Buds stick with the company’s signature bass-heavy sound by default, but a quality in-app EQ lets you sculpt the audio to taste. These noise-cancelling true wireless earphones also mitigate environmental distractions fairly well for the price and offer good battery life. If you're specifically seeking bold, bass-tuned audio out of the box, the Tune Buds are worth a listen."
Get a great deal on the Apple Airpods Pro or the JBL Tune Buds
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.
By the numbers
108
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11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
124,100
Recommendations made
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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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