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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-25 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
• JBL Tune 135BT biggest strength: Google Fast Pair for one-click Android pairing, multi-point switching between two devices, and up to 25 hours of playback with a 10-minute top-up that adds roughly 3 hours.
• JBL Tune 135BT biggest trade-off: No charging cable in the box (you supply your own USB-C), no active noise cancelling at all, and only IPX4 water resistance.
• Thunelec Earbuds biggest strength: Up to 45dB active noise cancelling plus ENC for calls, IPX7 waterproofing, Bluetooth 5.4, and a full-color touch-screen charging case with 5 EQ modes.
• Thunelec Earbuds biggest trade-off: Battery life per charge is much shorter (6 hours average, 6–8 hours claimed) and the earbuds don't support direct volume control — you adjust it on the case screen or the phone.
• Pick JBL Tune 135BT if you want the simple, low-fuss Android companion with long battery and a physical three-button remote.
• Pick Thunelec Earbuds if you want maximum features per pair: ANC, water resistance, a smart case and EQ tuning in one package.
The Tune 135BT is the straightforward choice. It's an in-ear wireless pair with a flat, tangle-resistant cable connecting the two buds — the classic neckband-style layout — so there's nothing loose to drop. The 8.6mm dynamic drivers push JBL's Pure Bass tuning, and the 20Hz–20,000Hz range covers the full spectrum you'd expect from everyday listening. At 18.14 grams total, it's light enough to forget you're wearing it, and the silicone tips come in three sizes so you can dial in the seal.
Where it really shines for Android owners is pairing. One tap connects it to your Android Bluetooth device, and Google Fast Pair handles reconnections after that. Multi-point connection means you can be watching something on a tablet and take a call on your phone without unpairing anything — genuinely useful if you juggle two devices through the day. Battery is the headline: up to 25 hours of playback and calls, and a 10-minute speed charge gets you about 3 extra hours. The 2-hour full charge time is reasonable, though you'll need your own USB-C cable since JBL deliberately leaves it out of the box to cut e-waste.
Thunelec Earbuds: Who It's For
The Thunelec U9 is the feature-dense option. These are true-wireless earbuds with a charging case, and the case itself is the party trick: a full-color touch screen that lets you control playback, switch tracks, manage calls and toggle noise cancelling without touching your phone. You also get 7-language switching, wallpaper customization, brightness adjustment, a headphone finder and a timer. It's a lot of interface for a pair of buds, and for people who hate digging through app menus, it's genuinely convenient.
The audio side is serious on paper. 14.2mm bio-carbon fiber dynamic drivers with bass down to 50Hz, plus 5 EQ modes — standard, classic, jazz, rock and pop — so you can tune the sound to whatever you're listening to. The noise cancelling is the real differentiator: up to 45dB of active cancellation aimed at blocking roughly 90% of distractions like traffic, blowers and office chatter, backed by ENC that cleans up your voice on calls. Bluetooth 5.4 handles the connection, and the spec sheet claims 98% connection stability — good news for anyone who's dealt with dropouts.
Battery is where it splits from the JBL. Each charge gives about 6 hours (6–8 claimed), stretching to 48 hours total with the case, and the case refills in 1.5 hours. IPX7 waterproofing is a step above the JBL's IPX4 — sweat, rain and splashes are fine, so gym sessions and rainy commutes are fair game. Three silicone tip sizes keep the fit snug.
Who should buy it: commuters, gym-goers and anyone who wants ANC, transparency mode for hearing your surroundings while walking, and a smart case that replaces app-fiddling. Who should skip it: people who want the longest possible single-charge runtime, or who prefer buttons over touch. Note that volume isn't controlled directly on the earbuds — you use the case screen or your phone.
• Best for battery life → JBL Tune 135BT. Up to 25 hours on one charge versus roughly 6 hours per charge on the Thunelec (48 hours only with the case).
• Best for noise cancelling → Thunelec Earbuds. Up to 45dB ANC plus ENC; the JBL has no noise control at all.
• Best for Android pairing convenience → JBL Tune 135BT. Google Fast Pair and multi-point are built around Android workflows.
• Best for workouts and rain → Thunelec Earbuds. IPX7 beats IPX4, and there's no cable to snag.
• Best for sound tuning → Thunelec Earbuds. 5 EQ modes and 14.2mm drivers versus JBL's app-based EQ.
• Best for hands-free calls with physical controls → JBL Tune 135BT. The three-button remote is easy to operate without looking.
• Best for travel with a smart case → Thunelec Earbuds. The touch-screen case handles playback and settings on its own.
• Best for low-maintenance simplicity → JBL Tune 135BT. No case to charge, no touch gestures to learn.
In my opinion, the right pick depends entirely on what annoys you most. If you want zero fuss — one-tap Android pairing, a full day of battery, and buttons you can hit without looking — I'd buy the JBL Tune 135BT. If you commute through noise, sweat through workouts, or just love the idea of a touch-screen case that runs everything, I'd buy the Thunelec Earbuds. The JBL wins on endurance and simplicity; the Thunelec wins on features and protection. Most Android users who spend time in loud places should lean Thunelec. Everyone else gets more value from the JBL's marathon battery.
how to pair headphones android
Turn the headphones on and put them in pairing mode, then open your Android phone's Bluetooth settings and select the device from the list. The JBL Tune 135BT simplifies this with Google Fast Pair — one tap pairs it, and reconnections happen automatically after that. The Thunelec earbuds support fast one-tap pairing and multi-device switching too.
how to connect headphones android
For both of these, it's a Bluetooth connection — neither has a headphone jack. Enable Bluetooth on your Android device, scan for the headphones, and confirm the pairing. The Thunelec U9 uses Bluetooth 5.4 and the JBL uses Bluetooth 5, and both work with standard Android phones, tablets and laptops.
how to eq headphones android
The JBL Tune 135BT lets you adjust EQ through the JBL Headphones app. The Thunelec earbuds skip the app requirement for basic tuning by offering 5 preset EQ modes — standard, classic, jazz, rock and pop — selectable on the touch-screen case. On Android you can also use your phone's built-in equalizer if it has one.
how to find headphones android
The JBL Headphones app includes a find-my-headphones feature to help locate a misplaced pair. The Thunelec case has a headphone search function built into its touch screen. Both depend on the headphones still being powered and in range of your Android device.
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See also: JBL Tune 510BT vs JVC Headphones: Bluetooth Multipoint, QXUFV Open Ear Headphones vs RCA TUNE-88: Sweatproof Earbuds, AOVOCE Earbuds vs Bucephalus Earbuds: Headphones for Android