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Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're looking for wireless convenience and features like sweat and dust resistance for exercise, the JBL Tune Buds might be the better fit, as they offer good noise isolation and are optimized for both Android and Apple devices. They also have very good portability, a longer battery life, and support wireless charging. However, if you prioritize sound quality for music and calls, along with superior build and mic quality for a lower price, the Moondrop Chu may suit you better, although it lacks wireless functionality and their large earbud size could be less comfortable for some users. The Moondrop Chu is also more focused on an excellent wired audio experience, which can be a drawback if you prefer the freedom that wireless earbuds offer. 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 Tune Buds
Good for exercise
Very good for air travel
Advantages of the Moondrop Chu
Good for music
Very good for phone calls
Very good for gaming
Good for TV and video
Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
6.2/10
7.9/10
The Moondrop Chu is good for music, while the JBL Tune Buds is only fair.
Gaming
5.4/10
8.0/10
The Moondrop Chu is very good for gaming, while the JBL Tune Buds is poor.
Phone Calls
4.9/10
8.8/10
The Moondrop Chu is very good for phone calls, while the JBL Tune Buds is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.8/10
7.6/10
The Moondrop Chu is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Tune Buds is poor.
TV and Video
6.1/10
7.5/10
The Moondrop Chu is good for TV and video, while the JBL Tune Buds is only fair.
Noise Reduction
6.7/10
6.0/10
The JBL Tune Buds and Moondrop Chu are both only fair for noise reduction, though the JBL Tune Buds is somewhat better.
Battery
10.4 Hours
N/A
The JBL Tune Buds has 10.4 hours of battery life. The Moondrop Chu does not have a battery.
Cost
$50
$21
$0
$10
$20
$30
$40
$50
The JBL Tune Buds has a price of $50 and the Moondrop Chu costs $21.
"JBL’s Tune Buds stick with the company’s signature bass-heavy sound by default, but a quality in-app EQ lets you sculpt the audio to taste. These noise-cancelling true wireless earphones also mitigate environmental distractions fairly well for the price and offer good battery life. If you're specifically seeking bold, bass-tuned audio out of the box, the Tune Buds are worth a listen."
"These budget buds put the pressure on those premium priced in-ear monitors to really justify the cost disparity. Offering excellent sound quality at any price, the Moondrop Chu is both a perfect entry into the audio enthusiast hobby, and an all around good pick for music fans."
Get a great deal on the JBL Tune Buds or the Moondrop Chu
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 Moondrop
Moondrop is a Chinese brand of smart audio equipment, portable audio players, earbuds and headphones started in 2015. During the last few years they have become one of the major players in what is lovingly referred to as the Chi-fi market, the bulk of Chinese companies that have managed to actually compete with the western manufacturers in both prices and superior quality. Products such as the Blessing II, Chu and Kato are among the most popular offerings of the brand, more popular among those users that wish for good quality audio that won't break the bank. Besides audio, the brand also works in what they call the ACGN field (Animation, Comics, Games and Short Novels).
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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.
Jason Lew
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.