JBL Tune 510BT vs 520BT: Which Are the Best Wireless Headphones Under $50 in 2025?
JBL Tune 510BT vs 520BT: Which Are the Best Wireless Headphones Under $50 in 2025?
Published on April 10, 2025
Hey there! If you’re on the hunt for the best wireless headphones under $50 in 2025, you’ve come to the right place. Here at Practical Gear Reviews, we’re all about helping gamers, remote workers, and tech enthusiasts find affordable, reliable gear that gets the job done—without breaking the bank. Today, we’re diving into a head-to-head comparison of two popular budget headphones from JBL: the JBL Tune 510BT vs 520BT. Both are affordable, deliver solid sound quality, and cater to anyone looking for value-packed wireless headphones. But which one should you choose?
In this post, we’ll break down the key features of the JBL Tune 510BT and 520BT, compare them side by side, and help you decide which pair fits your needs. Whether you’re looking for long battery life, better sound, or modern features like app support, we’ve got you covered. Let’s get started with our in-depth JBL Tune 510BT review and JBL Tune 520BT review, followed by a direct comparison to settle the debate once and for all.
JBL Tune 510BT Review: Still a Solid Budget Option?
Let’s kick things off with the JBL Tune 510BT, a fan-favorite budget headphone that’s been around for a few years but still holds its own in 2025. Priced at around $40 on Amazon, this on-ear wireless headphone is a go-to for anyone looking for affordability without sacrificing quality.
Design and Comfort
The JBL Tune 510BT sports a lightweight, on-ear design that weighs just 160 grams, making it easy to wear for long sessions—whether you’re gaming, working remotely, or just chilling with music. The ear cushions are soft, but since these are on-ear headphones (not over-ear), they might feel a bit snug after a few hours. The headband is adjustable, and the headphones fold up for portability, which is great if you’re always on the go.
Sound Quality
JBL is known for its signature sound, and the Tune 510BT doesn’t disappoint for the price. It features JBL Pure Bass technology, which delivers punchy bass that’s perfect for EDM, hip-hop, or gaming sound effects. The mids and highs are decent but not as crisp as you’d get with more expensive headphones. There’s no app or equalizer to tweak the sound, so you’re stuck with the default profile—but for under $50, it’s hard to complain.
Battery Life and Connectivity
One of the standout features of the JBL Tune 510BT is its battery life. You get up to 40 hours of playback on a single charge, which is impressive for a budget headphone. Plus, a quick 5-minute charge gives you 2 hours of playtime—perfect for when you’re in a rush. It uses Bluetooth 5.0 for a stable connection, and you can pair it with two devices at once (like your phone and laptop). However, there’s no USB-C charging; it uses a micro-USB cable, which feels a bit outdated in 2025.
Microphone and Controls
The built-in microphone is decent for calls or voice chats, but don’t expect crystal-clear quality—it picks up some background noise. The controls are simple: buttons on the earcup let you adjust volume, skip tracks, and take calls without reaching for your phone.
Drawbacks
The JBL Tune 510BT doesn’t have active noise cancellation (ANC), so don’t expect it to block out noisy environments. Also, the lack of app support means you can’t customize the sound, and the on-ear design might not be comfortable for everyone during extended use.
Where to Buy:
Check out the JBL Tune 510BT on Amazon Get it Now.
JBL Tune 520BT Review: The Upgraded Choice for 2025
Now, let’s move on to the JBL Tune 520BT, the newer model in this comparison. Released as an upgrade to the 510BT, the 520BT brings some modern features to the table while keeping the price affordable—around $50 on Amazon. Here’s why this headphone is gaining popularity in 2025.
Design and Comfort
Like its predecessor, the JBL Tune 520BT is an on-ear headphone with a lightweight build (157 grams). The design is almost identical to the 510BT, with soft ear cushions and a foldable frame for portability. However, JBL made some small tweaks to the padding, making the 520BT slightly more comfortable for longer sessions. It’s still an on-ear design, so if you prefer over-ear headphones for better isolation, you might want to look elsewhere.
Sound Quality
The JBL Tune 520BT also features JBL Pure Bass sound, but it’s a step up from the 510BT. The bass is just as punchy, but the mids and highs are slightly clearer, giving you a more balanced listening experience. The big upgrade here is the JBL Headphones app, which lets you customize the sound with an equalizer. Whether you’re listening to music, gaming, or watching movies, you can tweak the audio to your liking—a feature the 510BT lacks.
Battery Life and Connectivity
The 520BT takes battery life to the next level with up to 57 hours of playback on a single charge—almost 50% more than the 510BT. A 5-minute charge gives you 3 hours of playtime, which is even better than the 510BT’s fast charging. It uses Bluetooth 5.3, which offers a more stable connection and better range than the 510BT’s Bluetooth 5.0. Plus, it supports multi-point connection, so you can switch between devices seamlessly. And yes, it finally has USB-C charging, a welcome upgrade for 2025.
Microphone and Controls
The microphone on the 520BT is a slight improvement over the 510BT, offering better clarity for calls and voice chats. It’s still not perfect in noisy environments, but it’s a step up for remote workers or gamers who need to communicate. The controls are the same as the 510BT: buttons on the earcup for volume, track skipping, and calls.
Drawbacks
Like the 510BT, the JBL Tune 520BT doesn’t have active noise cancellation (ANC). The on-ear design means some sound leakage, and it might not be ideal for noisy environments like public transit. While the app support is a nice addition, the overall design hasn’t changed much from the 510BT, so don’t expect a drastic upgrade in comfort.
Where to Buy:
Check out the JBL Tune 520BT on Amazon Get it Now.
JBL Tune 510BT vs 520BT: Key Differences and Which to Buy
Now that we’ve reviewed both headphones, let’s compare the JBL Tune 510BT vs 520BT head-to-head to see which one comes out on top as the best wireless headphones under $50 for your needs in 2025.
Battery Life
- JBL Tune 510BT: Up to 40 hours, 5-minute charge for 2 hours.
- JBL Tune 520BT: Up to 57 hours, 5-minute charge for 3 hours.
- Winner: JBL Tune 520BT. The extra 17 hours of battery life and better fast charging make it the clear choice for long-term use.
Sound Quality
- JBL Tune 510BT: JBL Pure Bass sound with decent bass, but no app or equalizer.
- JBL Tune 520BT: JBL Pure Bass with slightly clearer mids and highs, plus app support for sound customization.
- Winner: JBL Tune 520BT. The app and equalizer give you more control over the sound, making it more versatile for different types of content.
Connectivity
- JBL Tune 510BT: Bluetooth 5.0, multi-point connection, micro-USB charging.
- JBL Tune 520BT: Bluetooth 5.3, multi-point connection, USB-C charging.
- Winner: JBL Tune 520BT. Bluetooth 5.3 offers better stability, and USB-C charging is a modern necessity.
Comfort and Design
- JBL Tune 510BT: Lightweight (160g), on-ear, foldable, decent comfort.
- JBL Tune 520BT: Lightweight (157g), on-ear, foldable, slightly better padding.
- Winner: JBL Tune 520BT. The small improvements in padding make a difference for longer listening sessions.
Microphone
- JBL Tune 510BT: Decent, but picks up background noise.
- JBL Tune 520BT: Slightly better clarity, still not perfect in noisy environments.
- Winner: JBL Tune 520BT. The improved mic is better for calls and gaming.
Price
- JBL Tune 510BT: ~$40 on Amazon.
- JBL Tune 520BT: ~$50 on Amazon.
- Winner: JBL Tune 510BT. It’s cheaper, but the $10 difference for the 520BT is worth it for the upgrades.
Noise Cancellation
- JBL Tune 510BT: No ANC.
- JBL Tune 520BT: No ANC.
- Winner: Tie. Neither has ANC, which is expected at this price. If you need noise cancellation, check out the Anker Soundcore Life Q20, which offers ANC for around $40 Get it on Amazon.
Which Budget Headphone Should You Choose in 2025?
After comparing the JBL Tune 510BT vs 520BT, it’s clear that both are excellent options for anyone looking for the best wireless headphones under $50 in 2025. However, the JBL Tune 520BT comes out on top for most people thanks to its longer battery life (57 hours), better sound customization via the app, improved connectivity with Bluetooth 5.3, and USB-C charging. It’s the more modern choice and has been gaining popularity in 2025, as we saw in our research.
That said, the JBL Tune 510BT is still a solid pick if you’re on a tighter budget and don’t mind missing out on the app and extra battery life. At $40, it’s a steal for the sound quality and reliability you get.
Our Recommendation:
- Choose the JBL Tune 520BT if you want the best overall experience and don’t mind spending $50. It’s the better investment for 2025 and beyond. Get the JBL Tune 520BT on Amazon Now
- Go for the JBL Tune 510BT if you want to save a few bucks and still get great value for your money. Get the JBL Tune 510BT on Amazon Now
At Practical Gear Reviews, we’re committed to helping you find the best budget gear for your needs. Stay tuned for more reviews, including gaming headsets, keyboards, and other tech gadgets under $50. Which headphone are you leaning towards—the JBL Tune 510BT or 520BT? Drop a comment below and let us know your thoughts!
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