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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 10, 2024·
If you're on a budget, Apple Earpods are significantly less expensive and offer good overall sound quality for music, calls, and video. They're comfortable and have a very good mic quality but lack wireless functionality and have poor isolation and exercise usability due to their open design. On the other hand, the JBL Tune Flex provides very good closed earbuds sound with active noise cancelling and a low latency mode, making them suitable for a variety of activities including exercise and air travel, but their mic quality is poor. If wireless, noise cancellation, and exercise durability are priorities, consider the JBL Tune Flex despite the higher price. If budget and wired mic quality are your main concerns, the Apple Earpods could be the better choice. 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 Earpods
- Very good for phone calls
Advantages of the JBL Tune Flex
- Good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
7.8
7.3
The Apple Earpods and JBL Tune Flex are both good for music, though the Apple Earpods is somewhat better.
Phone Calls
8.0
6.3
The Apple Earpods is very good for phone calls, while the JBL Tune Flex is only fair.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.4
9.0
The JBL Tune Flex is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Apple Earpods is good.
Noise Reduction
2.5
6.5
The JBL Tune Flex is only fair for noise reduction, while the Apple Earpods is poor.
Battery
N/A
6.5 Hours
The Apple Earpods does not have a battery. The JBL Tune Flex has 6.5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$20
$60
$0
$20
$40
$60
$80
$100
The Apple Earpods has a price of $20 and the JBL Tune Flex costs $60.
Build Quality
7.6
8.5
The JBL Tune Flex has very good build quality, while the Apple Earpods has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Gaming
8.3
8.5
The JBL Tune Flex and Apple Earpods are both very good for gaming.
TV and Video
7.4
7.8
The JBL Tune Flex and Apple Earpods are both good for TV and video.
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How the Apple Earpods and the JBL Tune Flex compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Earpods | JBL Tune Flex |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$20 | $60 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2012 | September 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.9/10 | 7.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8/10 | 6.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.4/10 | 8.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.4/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | 7.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 6.5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 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 | N/A | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 8.3/10 | 5.1/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 7.6/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 6.5 Grams | 9 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | In-Line | Integrated | |
Shopping
Apple Earpods
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Dig into reviews and images
CNN Underscored
Michael Andronico | May 2023
"Apple’s wired buds sound just fine for the price, and their handy inline controls and clear microphone give them an edge on wireless earbuds that are much more expensive. Plus, you never have to worry about running out of battery — or worse, a stray earbud going missing."
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 Earpods 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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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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