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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
The JBL 510BT is suitable if you're on a budget and need wireless convenience for casual listening and exercise, with fair sound quality and a notable 38 hours of battery life. However, the Rode NTH-100M, despite being more expensive, offers better overall sound quality, comfort, and exceptional microphone quality, making it a solid choice for calls, meetings, and gaming. Additionally, the Rode's headphones provide an option for a detachable cable and boast a robust build quality. If you prioritize sound, comfort, and mic quality over wireless functionality and are okay with a wired connection, the Rode NTH-100M would be a better fit. 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 Rode NTH-100M
- Very good for music
- Best in class for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
6.2
8.2
The Rode NTH-100M is very good for music, while the JBL 510BT is only fair.
Gaming
5.4
8.9
The Rode NTH-100M is very good for gaming, while the JBL 510BT is poor.
Phone Calls
5.1
9.5
The Rode NTH-100M is best in class for phone calls, while the JBL 510BT is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.6
7.6
The Rode NTH-100M is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL 510BT is poor.
TV and Video
5.5
7.7
The Rode NTH-100M is good for TV and video, while the JBL 510BT is poor.
Battery
38.0 Hours
N/A
The JBL 510BT has 38 hours of battery life. The Rode NTH-100M does not have a battery.
Cost
$30
$189
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The JBL 510BT has a price of $30 and the Rode NTH-100M costs $189.
Build Quality
6.5
8.5
The Rode NTH-100M 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 JBL 510BT and Rode NTH-100M are both poor for noise reduction.
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How the JBL 510BT and the Rode NTH-100M compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL 510BT | Rode NTH-100M |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$30 | $189 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Rode | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2021 | January 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.2/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.2/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.5/10 | 9/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 5.8/10 | 4.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 38 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | N/A | |
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 | No | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 10/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 6.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 5.5/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 158.7 Grams | 349.2 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Boom | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
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."
Rode NTH-100M
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Dig into reviews and images
PC Gamer
Kizito Katawonga | March 2023
"The NTH-100M is a closed-back headset aimed at professional audiophiles—streamers, podcasters and content creators included—looking for masterful audio and a detachable 'broadcast-grade' microphone."
Get a great deal on the JBL 510BT or the Rode NTH-100M
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.
About Rode
Rode is an Australian audio equipment manufacturer. Rode was founded in 1967 as Freedman Electronics, transitioning into its modern brand in 1990, and it’s mainly known for their high-end microphones and audio production equipment. In 2022 they entered into the headphone market with their NTH-100 closed back headphone which was received with very good reviews from the community.
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Why trust us
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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