JBL Tune 520BT vs JBL Tune 510BT
Quick take: The JBL Tune 520BT lasts longer per charge (57 hrs).
| Spec | JBL Tune 520BT | JBL Tune 510BT |
|---|---|---|
| Approx. price | ~$40 | ~$40 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | On-Ear Headphones | On-Ear Headphones |
| Noise Cancelling | None | None |
| Battery (single charge) | 57 hrs | 40 hrs |
| Battery (with case) | — | — |
| Quick Charge | 5 min = 3 hrs | 5 min = 2 hr |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.0 |
| Multipoint | Yes | Yes |
| Driver Size | 33 mm | 32 mm |
| Weight | 160 g | 160 g |
| Water Resistance | — | — |
| Wireless Charging | No | No |
| Transparency Mode | No | No |
| Spatial Audio | No | No |
| App EQ | Yes | No |
Pros & cons
JBL Tune 520BT
- ✓Real 57-hour battery — owners go weeks between charges
- ✓5-minute charge buys 3 hours
- ✓Multipoint and app EQ are rare at $40
- ✓160 grams folds flat into any backpack
- ✓Warm Pure Bass tuning crowd-pleases casual listeners
- ✓Serviceable mic for indoor calls
- ✗On-ear pressure gets noticeable after two or three hours
- ✗Thin pads leak sound both ways on a bus
- ✗No ANC and near-zero passive isolation
- ✗All-plastic build creaks and feels its price
- ✗Soft treble disappoints detail-focused listeners
JBL Tune 510BT
- ✓Excellent battery: 40 hours plus 5-min = 2 hr quick charge
- ✓Bass-forward JBL tuning that owners genuinely like at this price
- ✓Bluetooth multipoint — rare among budget headphones
- ✓Folds compact and weighs just 160g
- ✓SBC and AAC — plays nice with iPhones
- ✓USB-C charging
- ✗Tight on-ear clamp — owners report soreness after a couple of hours, worse with glasses
- ✗No 3.5mm jack: dead battery means no audio at all
- ✗Hinge breakage is a recurring owner complaint
- ✗No ANC, no app, no EQ
- ✗Leaks sound at higher volume