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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 10, 2024·
If wireless convenience and active noise cancelling are important to you, the JBL Tune Flex would serve you well for activities like exercising, commuting, or casual listening. They also offer an app for sound customization. However, if you're on a tighter budget and prioritize the quality of the microphone for calls or gaming, the Steelseries TUSQ, with their wired connection and boom mic, would be a better, more affordable option. The TUSQ also provides a secure fit with cable ear hooks, but lacks wireless features and noise cancellation offered by the JBL. 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 Steelseries TUSQ
- The Steelseries TUSQ has no clear advantages over the JBL Tune Flex.
Key differences
Phone Calls
6.3
5.2
The JBL Tune Flex is only fair for phone calls, while the Steelseries TUSQ is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
9.0
4.7
The JBL Tune Flex is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Steelseries TUSQ is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.5
6.0
The JBL Tune Flex and Steelseries TUSQ are both only fair for noise reduction, though the JBL Tune Flex is somewhat better.
Battery
6.5 Hours
N/A
The JBL Tune Flex has 6.5 hours of battery life. The Steelseries TUSQ does not have a battery.
Cost
$60
$40
$0
$20
$40
$60
$80
$100
The JBL Tune Flex has a price of $60 and the Steelseries TUSQ costs $40.
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Key similarities
Music
7.3
7.6
The Steelseries TUSQ and JBL Tune Flex are both good for music.
Gaming
8.5
8.5
The JBL Tune Flex and Steelseries TUSQ are both very good for gaming.
TV and Video
7.8
7.3
The JBL Tune Flex and Steelseries TUSQ are both good for TV and video.
Build Quality
8.5
8.0
The JBL Tune Flex and Steelseries TUSQ both have very good build quality.
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How the JBL Tune Flex and the Steelseries TUSQ compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Tune Flex | Steelseries TUSQ |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$60 | $40 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Steelseries | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2022 | August 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.3/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 6.3/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.6/10 | 8.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.8/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.7/10 | 4.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6.5 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | N/A | |
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 | 6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 5.1/10 | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 9 Grams | 11 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Boom | |
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."
Steelseries TUSQ
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Can Buy or Not
Aloysius Low | March 2021
"The SteelSeries Arctis Tusq is a great headset for those on a more modest budget. You can use it for gaming or music, and I daresay it's also great for Zoom meetings when you don't want to be wearing on-ear or over-ear headphones."
Get a great deal on the JBL Tune Flex or the Steelseries TUSQ
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 Steelseries
Steelseries is a Danish gaming products manufacturer founded in 2001 and owned by GN Store Nord. Beside a large variety of gaming peripherals like mice, keyboards, and mousemats, Steelseries markets the Arctis line of gaming headsets which feature integrated boom microphones and RGB lighting. Steelseries has partnered with several game publishers and studios for limited editions of their products like a line of Cyberpunk 2077 themed headsets in 2020.
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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
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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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