A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're on a tighter budget and looking for overall versatility, the JBL Tune Flex is a solid choice, as it offers very good overall sound quality, a low latency mode suitable for gaming, and is sweatproof, making it good for exercise. The JBL also has active noise canceling which can be beneficial during air travel or in noisy environments. However, if you prioritize an open design for situational awareness, the Sony Linkbuds might be a better fit despite being more expensive. The Linkbuds are optimized for both Android and Apple devices, have an ear/head detection feature, and offer virtual surround sound, which can enhance your listening experience. Keep in mind though, the open design means they won't isolate noise as well as the JBL Tune Flex. 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 music
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
- Very good for air travel
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Sony Linkbuds
- The Sony Linkbuds has no clear advantages over the JBL Tune Flex.
Key differences
Music
7.3
6.6
The JBL Tune Flex is good for music, while the Sony Linkbuds is only fair.
Gaming
8.5
5.5
The JBL Tune Flex is very good for gaming, while the Sony Linkbuds is poor.
Phone Calls
6.3
6.8
The Sony Linkbuds and JBL Tune Flex are both only fair for phone calls, though the Sony Linkbuds is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
9.0
7.8
The JBL Tune Flex is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony Linkbuds is good.
TV and Video
7.8
5.4
The JBL Tune Flex is good for TV and video, while the Sony Linkbuds is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.5
2.5
The JBL Tune Flex is only fair for noise reduction, while the Sony Linkbuds is poor.
Battery
6.5 Hours
5.5 Hours
The JBL Tune Flex has 6.5 hours of battery life. The Sony Linkbuds has 5.5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$60
$178
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
The JBL Tune Flex has a price of $60 and the Sony Linkbuds costs $178.
Build Quality
8.5
9.3
The Sony Linkbuds has excellent build quality, while the JBL Tune Flex has very good build quality.
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How the JBL Tune Flex and the Sony Linkbuds compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Tune Flex | Sony Linkbuds |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$60 | $178 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2022 | February 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.3/10 | 6.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 6.3/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.6/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.8/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.7/10 | 7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6.5 Hours | 5.5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 18 | 17.5 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6.5/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 5.1/10 | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 9 Grams | 4.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
JBL Tune Flex
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Dig into reviews and images
MajorHiFi
Gabby Bloch | May 2023
"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."
Sony Linkbuds
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Sam Moore | February 2022
"The Sony LinkBuds is definitely the most unique audio product to release so far in 2022, and it largely executes well on it's unoccluded design. However, it's hamstrung by all the same things as other unsealed earbuds."
Get a great deal on the JBL Tune Flex or the Sony Linkbuds
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 Sony
Sony is a multinational corporation, based out of Japan, with over 75 years of experience in the consumer electronics industry. In the audio market, Sony has been a trendsetter several times throughout its history. In 1979 they released the first-ever portable music player, the Sony Walkman, followed by the Discman 20 years later. Today, Sony is one of the leaders in the wireless headphone and earbud market, especially in terms of Active Noise Cancellation technology.
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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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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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