JBL Tune

By JBL · Noise-Cancelling Headphones · Audio & Electronics

  • 32 hours total battery (8 h earbuds + 24 h case, ANC off)
  • 6 hours with ANC on
  • 12 mm dynamic driver
  • 4.8 g per earbud
  • IPX4 water resistance

Lowest price seen
~$49.95 (approx.)
from $49.95 at Amazon

Prices are snapshots. Check the current price with the store.

Summary

Stem-style true wireless earbuds with a 12 mm driver, adjustable ANC and a dual open/sealing ear-tip system. The one thing to check before buying: neither tip type achieved a proper seal in the only professional review, and ANC is subpar.

Strengths

  • Powerful, distortion-free sub-bass at max volume with a customizable in-app EQ.
  • Dual open/sealing ear-tip system lets you choose your fit.
  • Clear call quality from the 4-mic array.
  • Light at 4.8 g per bud, with Ambient Aware and TalkThru modes.
  • The JBL Headphones app offers EQ, gesture themes, find-my-buds and a volume limiter.

Weaknesses

  • Neither open nor in-canal tips created a proper seal in testing, degrading audio and ANC.
  • ANC is subpar even for the budget price — it only slightly reduces low-frequency rumble.
  • No multipoint pairing, no hi-res codecs (AAC/SBC only) and no wireless charging.
  • Stereo imaging is inconsistent, especially with the open tips.
  • The ear-tip storage case has trouble staying shut.
  • Case battery indicator stays grayed out unless the case is open with buds inside.

Verified specifications

Driver12 mm dynamic; frequency response 20 Hz – 20 kHz; impedance 32 ohm; sensitivity 108 dB SPL @ 1 kHz.
Bluetoothversion 5.2; profiles A2DP V1.3, AVRCP V1.6, HFP V1.7; codecs AAC and SBC only.
Microphones4-mic array.
Battery (earbuds)55 mAh / 3.85 V per earbud; up to 8 h (ANC off) or 6 h (ANC on).
Battery (case)700 mAh / 3.85 V; adds 18–24 h; up to 32 h total.
Charging5 V 1 A input; ~2 h to full from empty (PCMag) or ~2.5 h (manual); 10 min charge ≈ 2 h playback.
Water resistanceIPX4.
ANCActive Noise Cancelling (app-adjustable levels 1–6), Ambient Aware, TalkThru.
AppJBL Headphones app (EQ, gesture themes, find-my-buds, VoiceAware, volume limiter, balance).
Voice assistantsGoogle/Siri/Bixby.
Multipointnot supported.
Wireless chargingnot supported (USB-C case, USB-A-to-C cable included).
Weight4.8 g per earbud; charging case 38.6 g.
In the boxearbuds, charging case, USB-C-to-USB-A charging cable, three pairs of in-canal sealing ear tips (XS/S/M/L), one pair of open ear tips, documentation/warranty.
Full research notes and sources

Sound, seal and noise cancellation

PCMag’s 2023 review is the only professional hands-on retrieved. The tuning is bass-forward and highly sculpted: powerful, distortion-free sub-bass at max volume, but vocals slightly too crisp. With the in-canal tips the sound is far better; with the open tips, inconsistent ear-to-ear fit makes audio sound tinny. Neither tip type achieved a proper seal, which degrades both audio and noise cancellation. The app lets you select Open or Sealing in Ear Tip Sound Settings to match the tips you are using.

ANC is adjustable from levels 1 to 6 in the app. At max ANC with in-canal tips, testing found it only slightly reduces low-frequency rumble and does not cancel restaurant chatter. For a budget-priced earbud this is subpar. Ambient Aware and TalkThru are included for when you want to hear your surroundings.

Features and app

The JBL Headphones app provides EQ, gesture themes, find-my-buds, VoiceAware, a volume limiter and balance controls. Voice assistants Google, Siri and Bixby are supported. Notable omissions at this price: no multipoint pairing, no hi-res codec support (AAC and SBC only), and no wireless charging. The case charges over USB-C and a USB-A-to-C cable is included.

Battery and charging

JBL claims up to 8 h per charge with ANC off, 6 h with ANC on, and up to 32 h total with the case. PCMag’s tested estimate was 6–8 h for the earbuds and 18–24 h for the case depending on ANC use. A full charge takes about 2 hours from empty per PCMag (the manual states about 2.5 h), and a 10-minute top-up gives roughly 2 h of playback.

Is it worth it?

At $99.95 MSRP, PCMag recommends JBL’s own Tune Buds or the Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC instead. CNET’s January 2026 deal coverage had the pair at a record-low $40, and at that price the tradeoffs are much easier to accept. PCMag’s review page listed $59 at Best Buy and $37 at Walmart in October 2026. If you want bass-forward sound with app EQ and can find them under $50, they are worth a look; at full price, the weak seal and ANC are hard to justify.

Which model this is

This page covers the JBL Tune Flex true wireless noise-cancelling earbud, ASIN B0C1QNRGHC, sold in black, blue and white. Do not confuse it with JBL Tune Buds (10 mm, IP54, Bluetooth 5.3, 48 h), JBL Tune Beam (stick-closed, 10 mm, IP54, Bluetooth 5.3) or JBL Tune 230NC/235NC (10 mm).

Sources

Manufacturer:

Independent reviews:

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