If you want a foldable on-ear headphone with multipoint connections for switching between devices, choose JBL Tune 500BT; if you need much longer battery life and newer Bluetooth, choose JBL Tune 520BT. For a MacBook, I’d choose the 520BT for its 57-hour battery claim, app-based EQ, and Bluetooth 5.3—but the 500BT has one useful advantage the newer model does not list: multipoint.
Neither headphone offers noise control, so this is a choice about battery, device handling, and sound customization rather than blocking out a noisy room. Here’s how the JBL Tune 500BT vs JBL Tune 520BT differences matter in daily use.
If you want a foldable on-ear headphone with multipoint connections for switching between devices, choose JBL Tune 500BT; if you need much longer battery life and newer Bluetooth, choose JBL Tune 520BT. For a MacBook, I’d choose the 520BT for its 57-hour battery claim, app-based EQ, and Bluetooth 5.3—but the 500BT has one useful advantage the newer model does not list: multipoint.
Neither headphone offers noise control, so this is a choice about battery, device handling, and sound customization rather than blocking out a noisy room. Here’s how the JBL Tune 500BT vs JBL Tune 520BT differences matter in daily use.
• JBL Tune 500BT strength: multipoint lets you switch between two Bluetooth devices; trade-off: its stated battery life is up to 16 hours.
• JBL Tune 520BT strength: up to 57 hours of battery life, Bluetooth 5.3, and EQ customization through the JBL Headphones app; trade-off: multipoint is not listed.
• Both: lightweight, foldable on-ear designs with JBL Pure Bass sound, hands-free calling, and no listed noise control.
• Choose the 500BT if switching between a MacBook and another Bluetooth device matters more than battery life.
• Choose the 520BT if you want longer stretches between charges and more control over sound settings.
How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-21 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
Its battery is rated for up to 16 hours of listening, with charging taking as little as two hours. A five-minute charge is stated to add an hour of music, which is handy when you need a quick top-up before a short trip or work session. The lightweight construction, soft ear cushions, padded headband, and foldable design make it easy to carry and store.
Choose it if multipoint is important and you want a simple, portable headphone for music and calls. Skip it if you expect long stretches away from a charger: the 520BT’s stated battery life is substantially longer. The 500BT also doesn’t list app-based EQ customization, so it’s less suited to someone who wants to adjust the sound through JBL’s headphone app.
The Tune 520BT is the battery-focused choice. JBL specifies up to 57 hours of listening, and a five-minute charge is stated to provide three additional hours of music. A full recharge takes as little as two hours using the included USB-C cable. If you use headphones across work, study, travel, and calls, that longer claimed runtime can mean fewer charging interruptions.
It also uses Bluetooth 5.3 and works with the JBL Headphones app, where you can adjust the sound with EQ settings. Voice prompts guide you through features, and Voice Aware lets you hear your own voice while talking on calls. Like the 500BT, it has JBL Pure Bass sound, a foldable design, and hands-free calling. It is an on-ear design, not a noise-cancelling headphone.
Choose the 520BT if battery life, newer Bluetooth, or sound adjustment in the app matters most. Its key trade-off in this comparison is that multipoint connection is not listed, so don’t assume it will handle switching between a MacBook and phone in the same way as the 500BT. It’s also worth noting that both models are listed without noise control; neither is the pick for someone specifically seeking sound blocking.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for longer battery life → JBL Tune 520BT. Its stated maximum is up to 57 hours, compared with up to 16 hours for the 500BT.
• Best for switching between devices → JBL Tune 500BT. Multipoint is specifically listed for this model; it is not listed for the 520BT.
• Best for Bluetooth version → JBL Tune 520BT. It uses Bluetooth 5.3, while the 500BT uses Bluetooth 4.1.
• Best for adjusting sound through an app → JBL Tune 520BT. Its JBL Headphones app offers EQ customization; the 500BT’s listed features don’t include this.
• Best for calls with a self-voice feature → JBL Tune 520BT. Voice Aware lets you hear your voice while talking. The 500BT has a microphone and a one-button remote for calls.
• Best for a simple, portable listening setup → JBL Tune 500BT. It offers foldability, Pure Bass sound, and multipoint without requiring the app features of the 520BT.
• Best for either MacBook or phone use without active noise control → either. Both are Bluetooth on-ear headphones, and neither lists noise control. Choose based on battery, multipoint, and EQ instead.
A note on the MacBook angle: both models are wireless Bluetooth headphones, but the supplied features do not establish extra Mac-specific functions. For switching between a MacBook and another device, the 500BT’s stated multipoint support is the clearest distinction. For longer wireless listening between charges, the 520BT has the stronger stated battery figure.
My Verdict
I’d pick the 500BT instead if multipoint switching is a must-have. For my MacBook-focused choice, though, the 520BT’s longer battery life is the deciding factor.
FAQ
I’d choose the 520BT for longer battery life, Bluetooth 5.3, and app-based EQ customization. Choose the 500BT if connecting to multiple Bluetooth devices and switching between them is your priority.
The JBL Tune 520BT is rated for up to 57 hours, while the 500BT is rated for up to 16 hours. Both list a two-hour full charging time, but their stated five-minute charge boosts differ.
Neither model lists noise control. They are on-ear wireless headphones, so don’t choose either specifically for active noise cancelling or noise-blocking features.
“Best” depends on what you need. These are on-ear headphones, not earbuds; the 520BT suits longer listening between charges, while the 500BT has listed multipoint support. Consider those differences rather than assuming either has Mac-specific features.
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