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Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 10, 2024·
If you're on a tight budget, Skullcandy Dime is the more affordable choice and offers very good build quality with fair exercise suitability. However, the JBL Tune Buds provide better call quality, noise isolation for air travel, and slightly longer battery life. For Android and Apple users requiring app support and customization, JBL is the better option, while Skullcandy lacks these features but is significantly lighter, enhancing comfort for long-term wear. Neither is optimal for gaming or watching TV due to their fair to poor scores in these areas. Consider the JBL Tune Buds for more features and the Skullcandy Dime for a simpler, cost-effective 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 JBL Tune Buds
- Good for exercise
Advantages of the Skullcandy Dime
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
6.2
5.7
The JBL Tune Buds is only fair for music, while the Skullcandy Dime is poor.
Gaming
5.4
4.8
The JBL Tune Buds and Skullcandy Dime are both poor for gaming, though the JBL Tune Buds is somewhat better.
Phone Calls
4.9
6.2
The Skullcandy Dime is only fair for phone calls, while the JBL Tune Buds is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.8
7.1
The Skullcandy Dime is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Tune Buds is poor.
TV and Video
6.1
5.3
The JBL Tune Buds is only fair for TV and video, while the Skullcandy Dime is poor.
Battery
10.4 Hours
3.5 Hours
The JBL Tune Buds has 10.4 hours of battery life. The Skullcandy Dime has 3.5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$50
$16
$0
$10
$20
$30
$40
$50
The JBL Tune Buds has a price of $50 and the Skullcandy Dime costs $16.
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Key similarities
Noise Reduction
6.7
6.5
The JBL Tune Buds and Skullcandy Dime are both only fair for noise reduction.
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The JBL Tune Buds and Skullcandy Dime both have very good build quality.
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How the JBL Tune Buds and the Skullcandy Dime compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Tune Buds | Skullcandy Dime |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$50 | $16 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Skullcandy | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2023 | March 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.3/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.9/10 | 6.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.5/10 | 4.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 6.1/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.6/10 | 6.6/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 10.4 Hours | 3.5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 1 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 30 | 12 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6.8/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | No | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6/10 | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 10.8 Grams | 4.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
JBL Tune Buds
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Dig into reviews and images
PC Mag
Tim Gideon | September 2023
"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."
Skullcandy Dime
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Dig into reviews and images
PC Magazine
Tim Gideon | April 2021
"For $25, the Skullcandy Dime True Wireless Earbuds deliver a powerful, balanced, rich, and bright sound signature. There’s really not much else to talk about, but the audio is better than you would expect for the price."
Get a great deal on the JBL Tune Buds or the Skullcandy Dime
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 Skullcandy
Skullcandy is an American, consumer-oriented, earbuds and headphones manufacturer with 20 years of market experience. They sell a wide variety of, budget-friendly and unique, wired and wireless products that are sure to please the vast majority of users. Among their most popular offerings, the Crusher headphones, includes a pair of actual subwoofers inside the cups which makes the bass extra prominent for a unique and extra fun sound.
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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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