JBL Tune 520BT vs JBL Tune 510BT
Quick take: The JBL Tune 520BT lasts longer per charge (57 hrs).
Which one to buy
The 520BT is the 510BT's successor, and at the same $40 there's little reason to buy the older one. They share the folding 160g on-ear frame, the Pure Bass tuning, multipoint, and the lack of a 3.5mm jack. What the 520BT adds is the JBL Headphones app with a full EQ, so you can tame the bass, while the 510BT has no app at all. It also adds more battery (57 hours against 40), a faster quick charge (3 hours from 5 minutes against 2), and Bluetooth 5.3. Owners say comfort improved slightly, but both still make ears sore after one or two hours. The 510BT only makes sense if it's clearly cheaper on the day.
JBL Tune 520BT
Whenever the prices are anywhere close. The app EQ and extra 17 hours of battery cost nothing extra.
JBL Tune 510BT
Only if it's on a deeper discount and you're happy with JBL's bass-heavy sound as it is.
| 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
JBL Tune 520BT vs JBL Tune 510BT: common questions
Is the 520BT more comfortable than the 510BT?▾
Slightly, according to owners, but both are on-ears that press on the ear. Soreness around the 90-minute to two-hour mark is the top complaint about both. For long sessions, owners of both recommend over-ear cups instead.
Can the Tune 520BT or the Tune 510BT be used with a cable?▾
No. Neither has a 3.5mm jack, and the USB-C port only charges, so a dead battery means silence on both.