The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're looking for convenience and portability for listening to music, exercising, or traveling, the JBL Tune Flex earbuds are wireless with good noise isolation and a low latency mode suitable for gaming. However, their microphone and sound quality for calls are not as good as the Rode NTH-100M headphones. The Rodes are better suited for calls and meetings because of their best-in-class microphone and are comfortable for extended periods, but they're not wireless and are less portable, making them less ideal for exercise or travel. They also lack active noise canceling, which can be important for noise reduction. Consider how you will primarily use them and whether the price difference is justified for your needs. 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 Flex
Good for exercise
Very good for air travel
Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Rode NTH-100M
Very good for music
Best in class for phone calls
Key differences
Music
7.3/10
8.2/10
The Rode NTH-100M is very good for music, while the JBL Tune Flex is good.
Phone Calls
6.3/10
9.5/10
The Rode NTH-100M is best in class for phone calls, while the JBL Tune Flex is only fair.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
9.0/10
7.6/10
The JBL Tune Flex is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Rode NTH-100M is good.
Noise Reduction
6.5/10
5.3/10
The JBL Tune Flex is only fair for noise reduction, while the Rode NTH-100M is poor.
Battery
6.5 Hours
N/A
The JBL Tune Flex has 6.5 hours of battery life. The Rode NTH-100M does not have a battery.
Cost
$60
$189
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The JBL Tune Flex has a price of $60 and the Rode NTH-100M costs $189.
"JBL is offering a similar design and arguably better resolution than the more expensive AirPods 3rd Generation. Add to that a comfortable and versatile fit, an equalizer and pretty decent ANC, and you’ve got a quality wireless earphone. I would have loved longer battery life and more crystal calls, but for the price, you can’t complain. A solid deal overall."
"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 Tune Flex 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.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
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.
By the numbers
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
126,500
Recommendations made
18,975
Consumer hours saved
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.