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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
The JBL 510BT are budget-friendly on-ear headphones suitable for air travel and music listening in quiet environments but offer poor comfort and noise isolation. The JBL Live Flex 3 earbuds are pricier but provide better overall sound quality, very good noise isolation, and features like sweat and dustproof certification, making them excellent for exercise. With the Flex 3, you also get advanced codecs like LDAC, wireless charging, and a smart charging case with LED touch display for more intuitive control. However, both models have limitations for calls, gaming, and TV, with poor scores in those areas. Consider whether features like comfort, portability, and specific usage like exercise are more important to you than cost savings. 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 JBL 510BT
- Good for air travel
Advantages of the JBL Live Flex 3
- Very good for music
- Very good for exercise
Key differences
Music
6.2
8.0
The JBL Live Flex 3 is very good for music, while the JBL 510BT is only fair.
Noise Reduction
5.3
8.3
The JBL Live Flex 3 is very good for noise reduction, while the JBL 510BT is poor.
Battery
38.0 Hours
10.0 Hours
The JBL 510BT has 38 hours of battery life. The JBL Live Flex 3 has 10 hours of battery life.
Cost
$30
$216
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The JBL 510BT has a price of $30 and the JBL Live Flex 3 costs $216.
Build Quality
6.5
8.5
The JBL Live Flex 3 has very good build quality, while the JBL 510BT has only fair build quality.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.4
5.5
The JBL Live Flex 3 and JBL 510BT are both poor for gaming.
Phone Calls
5.1
5.2
The JBL Live Flex 3 and JBL 510BT are both poor for phone calls.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.6
5.9
The JBL Live Flex 3 and JBL 510BT are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks.
TV and Video
5.5
5.7
The JBL Live Flex 3 and JBL 510BT are both poor for TV and video.
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How the JBL 510BT and the JBL Live Flex 3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL 510BT | JBL Live Flex 3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$30 | $216 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2021 | June 1, 2024 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.2/10 | 8.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.2/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.5/10 | 5.5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 5.8/10 | 8.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 38 Hours | 10 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.3 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 40 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 6.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 5.5/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 158.7 Grams | 8.8 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
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 JBL 510BT or the JBL Live Flex 3
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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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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