Head to Head

JBL Charge 5 Portable Bluetooth Speaker - Black vs JBL Tune 520BT Wireless On-Ear Headphones

A side-by-side comparison of specs, price, and where each one wins.

JBL Charge 5 Portable Bluetooth Speaker - Black

JBL Charge 5 Portable Bluetooth Speaker - Black

8.4/10Check Price
JBL Tune 520BT Wireless On-Ear Headphones

JBL Tune 520BT Wireless On-Ear Headphones

8.2/10Check Price

Specs, side by side

FeatureJBL Charge 5 Portable Bluetooth Speaker - BlackJBL Tune 520BT Wireless On-Ear Headphones
Price$179.98$39.93
Audio output & drivers40W total (30W woofer + 10W tweeter), dual passive radiators—
Battery life20 hours rated (27 Wh / 7,500 mAh)Up to 57 hours (claimed)
Water & dust protectionIP67 (dust-tight, 1 m immersion for 30 min)—
Wired inputNone. No 3.5 mm aux, no USB audio—
Wireless stackBluetooth 5.1, SBC codec, PartyBoost—
Bluetooth version—Bluetooth 5.3
Speed charge—Short charge for several hours of playback (exact ratio undisclosed)
Water/sweat resistance—No IP rating disclosed
Build materials—Plastic housing and headband

JBL Charge 5 Portable Bluetooth Speaker - Black

Still one of the most sensible portable speakers you can buy, provided you don't pay full price now that the Charge 6 exists.

Best for: Beach, backyard, campsite and shower listeners who want big bass, real waterproofing and 20 hours of runtime from something that fits in a backpack side pocket.

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JBL Tune 520BT Wireless On-Ear Headphones

Budget Bluetooth that gets battery life and comfort right. The build quality and the missing ANC are where the money went.

Best for: Casual listeners, commuters, students, and anyone who wants long battery life and decent bass without spending over $100.

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