JBL Tune 510BT vs 520BT: Buy the Newer Model?
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Comparison Table
| # | Product | Our Score | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | JBL Tune 520BT - Wireless On-Ear Headphones, Up to 57H Battery Life and Speed Charge, Lightweight, Comfortable and Foldable Design, Hands-Free Calls with Voice Aware (Blue) Best Overall | 8.2/10 | $34.95 | Check Price on Amazon |
| 2 | JBL Tune 510BT - Bluetooth headphones with up to 40 hours battery, microphone for call, foldable and comfortable, Android and iOs compatible (White) Runner-Up | 7.9/10 | $49.95 | Check Price on Amazon |
Prices as of October 7, 2026 — check Amazon for the latest price and availability.
Top Picks for You
JBL Tune 520BT - Wireless On-Ear Headphones, Up to 57H Battery Life and Speed Charge, Lightweight, Comfortable and Foldable Design, Hands-Free Calls with Voice Aware (Blue)
The JBL Tune 520BT is an on-ear wireless headphone with adjustable sound through the JBL Headphones app, multipoint pairing and a claimed battery life of up to 57 hours. It suits everyday listening when you want compact headphones and some control over tuning. The pads rest on your ears, so comfort depends on fit; it also lacks active noise cancellation. This listing is the blue finish.
Price as of October 6, 2026 — check Amazon for the latest price.
JBL Tune 510BT - Bluetooth headphones with up to 40 hours battery, microphone for call, foldable and comfortable, Android and iOs compatible (White)
JBL PURE BASS SOUND: These wirelss headpones feature the renowned JBL Pure Bass sound, which can be found in the most famous venues all around the world. WIRELESS BLUETOOTH: These headphones stream wirelessly from your device and can even switch between two devices so that you don't miss a call. UP TO 40 HOURS BATTERY WITH SPEED CHARGE: For long-lasting fun, listen wirelessly for up to 40 hours and recharge the battery in as little as 2 hours with the convenient Type-C USB cable. A quick 5-minute recharge gives you 2 additional hours of music. MICROPHONE ON EAR CUP FOR HANDS-FREE CALLS: Easily control your sound and manage your calls from your headphones with the convenient buttons on the ear-cup. ASK SIRI OR HEY GOOGLE: Siri or Hey Google is just a button away: activate the voice assistant of your device by pushing the multi-function button. Featuring an adjustable headband the Tune 510BT are designed to fit nearly any head size comfortably
Price as of October 6, 2026 — check Amazon for the latest price.
The Short Answer
Buy the 520BT for a new purchase. Keep the 510BT if it already does what you need. The upgrade gives you useful controls rather than a reason to replace a working pair for its own sake.
The linked listings are different colours: blue for the 520BT and white for the 510BT. Their live offers were checked separately. Several other colour listings had no purchasable offer, so an old catalogue price is a poor guide to which model is cheaper. Use the dated prices below and compare the final checkout total.
Differences at a Glance
| Feature | Tune 510BT | Tune 520BT |
|---|---|---|
| Claimed playback | Up to 40 hours | Up to 57 hours |
| Five-minute charge | About 2 hours of playback | About 3 hours of playback |
| Bluetooth version | 5.0 | 5.3 |
| JBL Headphones app EQ | No | Yes |
| Multipoint | Yes | Yes |
| Fit | On-ear | On-ear |
| Charging connection | USB-C | USB-C |
Specifications come from JBL's Tune 510BT product page and Tune 520BT product page. Battery figures are manufacturer claims; volume and usage affect runtime.
JBL Tune 520BT Wireless On-Ear Headphones
The 520BT is the better starting point if you want an inexpensive wireless headphone with some control over its sound. JBL's app lets you adjust EQ, so you can change the balance instead of being stuck with the default tuning. That is the practical reason to choose it over the 510BT.
Its longer claimed runtime also gives you more room to forget a charge. Multipoint is useful when you alternate between a laptop and a phone, although the older model already offers it. Bluetooth version alone should not decide your purchase: a higher number does not establish better sound or microphone performance.
The drawback is the on-ear fit. Pads rest against your ears, and that contact can become uncomfortable depending on your head shape and glasses. Choose a seller with a workable return policy. The extra battery and app do not change where the pads sit, and neither model is a sensible purchase if your main goal is active noise cancellation.
Check Price on Amazon · $34.95 as of October 7, 2026 — check Amazon for the latest price.
JBL Tune 510BT Bluetooth Headphones
The 510BT is a simpler choice for someone who wants physical controls and has no interest in adjusting sound in an app. Its claimed battery remains substantial for ordinary listening, and you do not lose multipoint by choosing the older model.
Its drawback is limited sound adjustment. If you dislike its default balance, it does not offer the 520BT's JBL app EQ. A phone or music app may provide its own equaliser, but that depends on the software you use.
The buying case is therefore narrow: choose it when a genuine discount makes the savings worth losing those controls. At a higher checkout price than the 520BT, the older model has little to recommend it unless you already know you prefer its fit or sound. For another compact option, see our Sony WH-CH520 vs JBL Tune 510BT comparison.
Check Price on Amazon · $49.95 as of October 7, 2026 — check Amazon for the latest price.
Should You Replace a Working 510BT?
Start with the problem you want to solve. If you keep wishing you could adjust the sound, the 520BT addresses that. If you regularly run out of battery, its higher claimed runtime may also help.
If your complaint is pressure on your ears, buying another on-ear model is a gamble. If your complaint is engine noise on a bus or train, look at a noise-cancelling alternative instead. Our Sony WH-CH720N review covers a different type of headphone for that need.
A healthy 510BT does not become inadequate because a successor exists. Save the replacement cost if you like what you already have.
How to Compare the Offers
Compare the same condition: new against new, rather than a new pair against a renewed listing or a bundle. Check the selected colour and delivery charge before judging a discount. A low price on an unavailable finish does not help you buy headphones today.
If prices are close, choose the 520BT. Give the 510BT a look only when the savings matter more to you than adjustable EQ and charging less often. Avoid paying extra for a colour unless that colour is worth the difference to you.
FAQ
Does the 510BT work with the JBL Headphones app?
It does not offer the 520BT's JBL Headphones app support. Choose the 520BT if app EQ is part of your buying decision.
Can both connect to a phone and laptop?
Both support multipoint. You can switch between paired devices; that does not mean mixing two audio streams together.
Is the 520BT guaranteed to sound better?
No. Its app gives you more adjustment, but preference still matters. The newer Bluetooth version alone is not evidence that you will prefer its sound.
Which one should you buy for travel?
Either can suit light packing, but neither is the choice for active noise cancellation. For noisy journeys, compare headphones designed around that feature before buying.
Verdict
The Tune 520BT is the stronger new purchase; the Tune 510BT is worth keeping if you already like it. Buy the older model only when its actual available offer delivers a worthwhile saving. If on-ear pressure is the issue you want to escape, choose a different fit rather than treating this as a straightforward upgrade.
Written by
HeadsetAtlas Editorial TeamOur recommendations are research-driven: we analyze technical specifications, aggregate thousands of verified user reviews, and cross-reference expert sources to score every product. Read our full review methodology →