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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 10, 2024·
If you prioritize sound quality for music and a sturdy build, the Beats EP may be worth the extra cost despite being wired and lacking some features like wireless connectivity and app support. However, if you're looking for wireless convenience, longer battery life, and built-in controls that the Beats EP lacks, the JBL 510BT offers good value and is more suitable for air travel thanks to its foldable design. Note that the JBL has no active noise cancelling, which both lack, and if call quality is crucial, the JBL fares better despite its overall fair sound quality. 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 Beats EP
- Very good for music
- Good for TV and video
Advantages of the JBL 510BT
- Good for air travel
Key differences
Music
8.1
6.2
The Beats EP is very good for music, while the JBL 510BT is only fair.
Gaming
6.3
5.4
The Beats EP is only fair for gaming, while the JBL 510BT is poor.
Phone Calls
4.2
5.1
The JBL 510BT and Beats EP are both poor for phone calls, though the JBL 510BT is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.8
5.6
The Beats EP is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL 510BT is poor.
TV and Video
7.6
5.5
The Beats EP is good for TV and video, while the JBL 510BT is poor.
Battery
N/A
38.0 Hours
The Beats EP does not have a battery. The JBL 510BT has 38 hours of battery life.
Cost
$100
$30
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Beats EP has a price of $100 and the JBL 510BT costs $30.
Build Quality
8.0
6.5
The Beats EP has very good build quality, while the JBL 510BT has only fair build quality.
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Key similarities
Noise Reduction
5.3
5.3
The Beats EP and JBL 510BT are both poor for noise reduction.
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How the Beats EP and the JBL 510BT compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Beats EP | JBL 510BT |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$100 | $30 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Beats | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 1, 2018 | February 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.1/10 | 6.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.3/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 5.5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.6/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 5.8/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 38 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 226.7 Grams | 158.7 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Beats EP
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphonecheck
Ulf Kaiser | 2015
"With the EP model, Beats delivers a stylish headphone with cable connection and hands-free functionality that should please consumers seeking a balanced sound for playback on mobile devices."
JBL 510BT
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Dig into reviews and images
SoundGuys
Sam Smart | September 2023
"The JBL Tune 510BT is affordable and compact, making it a great companion for a commute, so long as you don't need active noise canceling. If you wear glasses or have ear piercings, the on-ear design might not be comfortable, since the ear cups will squish your ears."
Get a great deal on the Beats EP or the JBL 510BT
About Beats
Beats is an American, consumer-focused, audio products manufacturer. Founded originally by American rapper and producer Dr Dre, the company is now a subsidiary of Apple. Beats sells a wide range of audio products, including several models of headphones, earbuds and speakers as well as full car audio systems.
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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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