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Updated April 11, 2024·
If you exercise often and prefer earbuds, the Beats Powerbeats Pro are sweatproof and have ear hooks for a secure fit, making them a better choice for workouts, whereas the JBL Tune 660NC headphones, being bulkier and not sport-specific, may not be as suitable. For frequent travelers, the Beats also offer a longer battery life without the case. However, if you prioritize cost and want a more immersive experience with superior noise isolation for everyday use and travel, the JBL Tune 660NC with active noise cancelling could be a more cost-effective option. The JBLs also fold for portability and have a detachable cable which can be handy if the battery runs out. If you're an Apple user, you might prefer the Beats for their H1 chip integration, offering features like adaptive sound and lower latency. The JBL Tune 660NC may cater better to Android users and those looking for a simple, wallet-friendly overhead headphone option. 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 Powerbeats Pro
Good for phone calls
Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the JBL Tune 660NC
The JBL Tune 660NC has no clear advantages over the Beats Powerbeats Pro.
Key differences
Phone Calls
7.0/10
5.1/10
The Beats Powerbeats Pro is good for phone calls, while the JBL Tune 660NC is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
9.2/10
5.7/10
The Beats Powerbeats Pro is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Tune 660NC is poor.
Noise Reduction
4.6/10
6.0/10
The JBL Tune 660NC is only fair for noise reduction, while the Beats Powerbeats Pro is poor.
Battery
10.0 Hours
42.0 Hours
The Beats Powerbeats Pro has 10 hours of battery life. The JBL Tune 660NC has 42 hours of battery life.
Cost
$124
$50
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Beats Powerbeats Pro has a price of $124 and the JBL Tune 660NC costs $50.
Build Quality
8.8/10
8.0/10
The Beats Powerbeats Pro and JBL Tune 660NC both have very good build quality, though the Beats Powerbeats Pro has somewhat better build quality.
"Sweat resistance, actual noise isolation, and a secure fit in your ears make these the true wireless earphones you want in Apple-land. Android users may find other options they like better, as these only support AAC."
"The JBL Tune 660NC is the best value you can get from a set of on-ear headphones. There's no companion app so you don't get many additional features, but everything the JBL Tune 660NC sets out to do, it does well. At this price, the JBL Tune 660NC is an easy recommendation for on-ear headphone lovers"
Get a great deal on the Beats Powerbeats Pro or the JBL Tune 660NC
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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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.
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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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.