For JBL’s on‑ear wireless, choose Tune 510BT for the lowest price; pick Tune 520BT for longer battery life and app EQ.
JBL Tune 510BT
JBL Tune 520BT
Budget Route
- Lowest price with multipoint pairing.
- Lightweight on‑ear for school, travel, backups.
- Simple buttons; no app to manage.
JBL Tune 510BT
Long‑Haul Route
- 57‑hour battery means rare charging.
- Tune sound with EQ in the JBL app.
- 3 hours from a 5‑minute top‑up.
JBL Tune 520BT
Budget on‑ear headphones are about trade‑offs you’ll feel every day: battery, controls, comfort, and how much you can tweak the sound. JBL’s two siblings aim at the same jobs but take different routes. The guide below gives you the fast verdict and the reasons that push buyers one way or the other.
In A Nutshell
The Tune 510BT is the cheaper grab‑and‑go choice for casual listening, kids, and backups. It keeps things simple and pairs with two devices. The Tune 520BT stretches a charge far longer and adds the JBL Headphones app for EQ and Voice Aware. Both fold, both do multipoint; your call hinges on battery and app needs.
Side‑By‑Side Specs
JBL Tune 510BT — What We Like / What We Don’t Like
✅ What We Like
- Low entry price with frequent sales direct from JBL.
- Simple buttons you can learn in minutes.
- Pairs with two devices; easy to hop between phone and laptop.
⚠️ What We Don’t Like
- No companion app or EQ—what you hear is fixed.
- Battery stops at ~40 hours; still solid, but shorter than its sibling.
JBL Tune 520BT — What We Like / What We Don’t Like
✅ What We Like
- Huge battery rating—up to 57 hours between charges.
- JBL Headphones app adds EQ and helpful toggles.
- Faster top‑ups: ~3 hours of play from a 5‑minute charge.
⚠️ What We Don’t Like
- No high‑end Bluetooth codecs; stream quality stays basic.
- On‑ear clamp can feel snug during long sessions for some heads.
JBL Tune 510BT Or 520BT: Which Fits You Better
Sound & Codecs
Both models carry JBL’s “Pure Bass” tuning. Out of the box you get lively low‑end with some extra sparkle. The difference is control. The 520BT works with the JBL Headphones app, so you can nudge mids or tame bass with a built‑in EQ. The 510BT has no app, so the voicing stays set.
Neither model adds premium codecs like aptX or LDAC. The 520BT uses Bluetooth 5.3 but still sticks to basic streaming, which keeps things simple and battery‑friendly. If you care about on‑the‑go tone shaping more than transport formats, the 520BT’s app EQ matters far more day to day.
Fit & Comfort
Both are on‑ear designs with a slim, foldable frame. Padding is soft and the clamp is moderate. The 520BT is a touch lighter (about 157 g) while the 510BT sits near 160 g. That small difference won’t change comfort for most listeners, but frequent travelers may notice the slightly lighter pack weight.
Battery & Charging
Battery is where the 520BT stretches its legs. It’s rated up to 57 hours on a charge. The 510BT lands around 40 hours. Both use USB‑C and claim a useful quick charge. Five minutes on the cord buys roughly 3 hours on the 520BT and about 2 hours on the 510BT. If you forget to charge, that extra hour from a short top‑up is handy.
Bluetooth & Multipoint
Each model pairs with two devices at once, so music on your laptop can pause when a call hits your phone. With the 520BT you also get modern niceties like Google Fast Pair and Microsoft Swift Pair on many devices, which makes first‑time setup feel snappier. Range is strong on both in open rooms.
Controls & App
Buttons live on the right earcup: play/pause, volume, and track controls, with a multi‑function key for calls and voice assistants. The difference is software. The 520BT plugs into the free JBL Headphones app for EQ and helpful prompts. JBL lists the 520BT as compatible on its app support page; the 510BT isn’t on that list. My JBL Headphones app support list.
Mics & Calls
Both use a single on‑board mic for calls. Voice pickup is clear in quiet rooms. In busier spaces you’ll hear background chatter slip through. If you field lots of calls, the 520BT’s Voice Aware setting helps you hear yourself in the mix via the app. Independent measurements suggest the 510BT’s mic tone can sound a touch cleaner, while the 520BT’s call tools are more flexible.
Build & Warranty
Plastic shells keep weight down. Hinges fold flat to slide into a backpack sleeve. No carrying case in the box. JBL’s US warranty is one year on headphones when purchased from authorized sellers. That’s standard for this price tier, and it covers defects, not wear and tear. See JBL’s policy for full terms. JBL warranty information.
Pricing & Packages
Direct from JBL US, the 510BT regularly sits at $39.95 on sale (MSRP often $49.95). The 520BT lists for about $49.95. Both include a USB‑C cable and quick start guide. Street prices can swing during seasonal promos, but the gap between the two models usually stays small.
ℹ️ Good To Know: Neither headset has a 3.5 mm jack. If you need wired listening for flights or consoles, these aren’t the right fit.
Everyday Use: Music, Videos, and Work
For Spotify, Apple Music, podcasts, and YouTube, both models deliver the same style of punchy sound. If you bounce between meetings and music, multipoint on each one saves clicks all day. The 520BT’s app adds an Audio/Video mode that can shave some delay for videos on many phones and laptops—nice for drama or sports highlights.
Travel & Commute
The two fold flat and tuck into slim pockets. Neither has active noise canceling, so they won’t hush engine rumbles. Battery favors the 520BT if you travel long stretches away from outlets. A five‑minute top‑up on the 520BT before boarding covers short flights or a full subway ride with room to spare.
Learning & Kids
Simple buttons and a low price point make the 510BT a safe pick for homework, language apps, and streaming on school Chromebooks. Multipoint helps jump from a tablet to a parent’s phone for calls. If you want volume shaping and tone control later, the 520BT outgrows needs more gracefully.
Work From Home
For Zoom or Teams, both pair easily with laptops and phones. The 520BT’s Voice Aware setting helps you keep a natural speaking level, and the app EQ lets you nudge clarity for talk‑heavy content. If your calls run all day, the 57‑hour rating means fewer lunchtime charges.
Price, Value & Ownership
The price difference is small. The 520BT’s longer battery and built‑in EQ usually return more daily value unless you’re chasing the lowest possible spend.
Where Each One Wins
🏆 App Customization — JBL Tune 520BT
🏆 Lowest Price — JBL Tune 510BT
🏆 Lighter Pack Weight — JBL Tune 520BT
🏆 Simple Setup For Kids — JBL Tune 510BT
Decision Guide
✅ Choose JBL Tune 510BT If…
- You want the lowest spend with solid battery life.
- You prefer simple buttons and no software to manage.
- You need multipoint on the cheap for school or backups.
✅ Choose JBL Tune 520BT If…
- You want long‑haul battery and faster five‑minute top‑ups.
- You care about EQ tuning and Voice Aware in the JBL app.
- You like newer Bluetooth hardware for easier pairing.
Best Fit For Most Shoppers
Most buyers should start with the Tune 520BT. The battery rating is massive for the money, and the app EQ lets you shape sound across genres and voices. The price gap to the 510BT is usually small. If you’re outfitting kids or just want a cheap spare for travel, the 510BT still makes sense—especially when it dips to sale pricing on JBL’s site.
How We Compiled This
Specs, pricing, and app details reference JBL’s US product pages and support docs. The 520BT’s battery, app support, and Bluetooth 5.3 are listed on the official page and spec sheet. The 510BT’s 40‑hour rating and sale pricing are posted on its JBL page. Warranty terms are from JBL’s US warranty page. Independent measurements and comparisons were used to inform callouts on app features, mic behavior, and codec notes.