The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
Go for the JBL Tune Flex if you prefer wireless earbuds with features like active noise cancelling, sweatproof certification, low latency mode for gaming, and a longer battery life, which can be beneficial for travel and exercise. However, if budget is a primary concern and a wired connection is acceptable, the Sony MDREX15AP offers simplicity, very good sound quality for music, excellent comfort, and is optimized for portability. The Sony earbuds lack advanced features like a companion app, active noise cancelling, and are not suitable for exercise due to the lack of sweat resistance. Consider your priorities such as price, wireless convenience, feature set, and your specific use cases like commuting, calls, or casual listening to make the best choice. 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
Very good for gaming
Good for exercise
Very good for air travel
Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Sony MDREX15AP
Very good for music
Excellent for TV and video
Key differences
Music
7.3/10
8.3/10
The Sony MDREX15AP is very good for music, while the JBL Tune Flex is good.
Gaming
8.5/10
6.7/10
The JBL Tune Flex is very good for gaming, while the Sony MDREX15AP is only fair.
Phone Calls
6.3/10
3.5/10
The JBL Tune Flex is only fair for phone calls, while the Sony MDREX15AP is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
9.0/10
5.4/10
The JBL Tune Flex is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony MDREX15AP is poor.
TV and Video
7.8/10
9.3/10
The Sony MDREX15AP is excellent for TV and video, while the JBL Tune Flex is good.
Battery
6.5 Hours
N/A
The JBL Tune Flex has 6.5 hours of battery life. The Sony MDREX15AP does not have a battery.
Cost
$60
$20
$0
$20
$40
$60
$80
$100
The JBL Tune Flex has a price of $60 and the Sony MDREX15AP costs $20.
"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."
"At the ultra budget $10 price-point (and we’ve seen the no-mic version go for as cheap as $7), I’d say these are a decent option if you’re looking for a passable pair of earbuds for basic use that’s as cheap as possible. I wouldn’t say they feel or sound as good as some of the ultra-budget alternatives out there – of which there are a few at this point – but some might disagree. I will say though that the cable is a little bit nicer than those of that same competition."
Get a great deal on the JBL Tune Flex or the Sony MDREX15AP
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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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