A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're looking for earbuds that are suitable for exercise and are sweatproof, you might prefer the JBL Tune Flex; they also have a Low Latency Mode which is great for gaming. However, if long battery life and comfort are your priorities, the Sony WH-CH520 headphones are the better choice and they also excel in sound quality for TV and video. The Sony headphones offer active noise cancellation, a feature not present in the JBL earbuds, and they have a significantly longer battery life. Bear in mind that the JBL earbuds might be more portable due to their smaller size and come with a case that supports wireless charging, whereas the Sony headphones do not. Choose the JBL Tune Flex if you prioritize features for on-the-go and active use, but if you value comfort over long periods and better performance for home entertainment, the Sony WH-CH520 is likely the better fit for you. 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
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Sony WH-CH520
- Very good for TV and video
Key differences
Podcasts and Audiobooks
9.0
8.0
The JBL Tune Flex is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony WH-CH520 is very good.
Noise Reduction
6.5
4.6
The JBL Tune Flex is only fair for noise reduction, while the Sony WH-CH520 is poor.
Battery
6.5 Hours
52.0 Hours
The JBL Tune Flex has 6.5 hours of battery life. The Sony WH-CH520 has 52 hours of battery life.
Cost
$60
$40
$0
$20
$40
$60
$80
$100
The JBL Tune Flex has a price of $60 and the Sony WH-CH520 costs $40.
Build Quality
8.5
7.0
The JBL Tune Flex has very good build quality, while the Sony WH-CH520 has good build quality.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Key similarities
Music
7.3
7.6
The Sony WH-CH520 and JBL Tune Flex are both good for music.
Gaming
8.5
8.8
The Sony WH-CH520 and JBL Tune Flex are both very good for gaming.
Phone Calls
6.3
6.7
The Sony WH-CH520 and JBL Tune Flex are both only fair for phone calls.
TV and Video
7.8
8.2
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sony WH-CH520 to be very good for TV and video, while the JBL Tune Flex is good.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the JBL Tune Flex and the Sony WH-CH520 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Tune Flex | Sony WH-CH520 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$60 | $40 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2022 | April 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.3/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 6.3/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.6/10 | 8.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.8/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.7/10 | 6.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6.5 Hours | 52 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 1.9 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 18 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6.5/10 | 4.6/10 | |
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 | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 7/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 10/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 9 Grams | 147.41 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
JBL Tune Flex
See more
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 WH-CH520
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | September 2023
"If you’re looking for headphones that simply do what you ask them to: the Sony WH-CH520 is a decent option, even if it isn’t very exciting. Sony’s WH-CHXXX line fits this role quite well, and the WH-CH520 offers a decent raft of quality-of-life updates over its predecessor that should keep listeners happy. If the Sony WH-CH520 were a car, it’d be the boring-but-safe commuter compact."
Get a great deal on the JBL Tune Flex or the Sony WH-CH520
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.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
FAQs
FAQs about earbuds and headphones
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.
By the numbers
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
126,800
Recommendations made
19,020
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.
Featured in
