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Updated April 10, 2024·
If sound quality during calls and gaming is a priority and you prefer earbuds that are lightweight and optimized for exercise, the Google Pixel Buds A Series would be the better choice with better mic quality and a sweatproof design. However, they have poor noise isolation. Meanwhile, the JBL Tune 660NC headphones are a better option if you're looking for active noise cancelling, longer battery life, and the ability to fold for increased portability, though they may not be as comfortable for long periods. Both are similar in sound quality for music but the JBLs are not optimized for calls or gaming. 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 Google Pixel Buds A Series
Very good for phone calls
Very good for gaming
Good for TV and video
Good for exercise
Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the JBL Tune 660NC
The JBL Tune 660NC has no clear advantages over the Google Pixel Buds A Series.
Key differences
Gaming
8.6/10
5.4/10
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is very good for gaming, while the JBL Tune 660NC is poor.
Phone Calls
8.5/10
5.1/10
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is very good for phone calls, while the JBL Tune 660NC is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.4/10
5.7/10
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Tune 660NC is poor.
TV and Video
7.8/10
5.6/10
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is good for TV and video, 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 Google Pixel Buds A Series is poor.
Battery
5.0 Hours
42.0 Hours
The Google Pixel Buds A Series has 5 hours of battery life. The JBL Tune 660NC has 42 hours of battery life.
Cost
$58
$50
$0
$20
$40
$60
$80
$100
The Google Pixel Buds A Series has a price of $58 and the JBL Tune 660NC costs $50.
Build Quality
7.4/10
8.0/10
The JBL Tune 660NC has very good build quality, while the Google Pixel Buds A Series has good build quality.
"For the person who doesn’t want to think about their earphones while using them, Google has created the Pixel Buds A-Series. For a reasonable price, Google packs in a bevy of features like touch controls and a good fit into this Android-friendly set of earbuds to make productivity and life easier."
"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 Google Pixel Buds A Series or the JBL Tune 660NC
About Google
Mainly known as the most popular search engine on the planet, Google is a multinational technology company that also offers a variety of audio-oriented products. Beside their smart speakers under the Nest product line, Google offers several models of true wireless earbuds under the Pixel line, some of which happen to be an affordable but very powerful option for those already in the Android 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.
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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.