If you want longer battery life and app-based sound customization for running, choose JBL Tune 520BT; if you need a quick-charge boost and simpler on-ear controls, choose JBL Tune 570BT. Neither is an in-ear sports model, so I’d pick the 520BT for longer listening stretches and the 570BT when a brief recharge matters more.
• JBL Tune 570BT: Up to 40 hours of battery life, with a five-minute charge adding two hours; the trade-off is shorter stated battery life than the 520BT.
• JBL Tune 520BT: Up to 57 hours, Bluetooth 5.3 and EQ customization through the JBL Headphones app; the trade-off is that it still uses an on-ear design rather than an in-ear fit.
• For simple controls: The 570BT provides on-ear buttons for audio and call management, plus Siri and Google voice activation support.
• For adjustable sound: The 520BT adds app-based EQ and Voice Aware for calls.
• Who each suits: Choose the 570BT for straightforward controls and a useful short-charge boost; choose the 520BT for more battery life and more ways to tailor playback.
The Tune 570BT is an on-ear wireless headphone built around JBL Pure Bass sound and uncomplicated everyday control. Its listed battery life is up to 40 hours. If you’re running late and the battery is low, a five-minute charge is specified to add two hours of music. That gives it a practical advantage for someone who forgets to charge between workouts or commutes.
Its controls are a clear part of the appeal. On-ear buttons handle audio and calls, and the headphones support hands-free access to Siri or Google. The listed Bluetooth version is 5.0, with a stated range of 10 meters. It folds for portability, and the description says it can switch to a phone when a call arrives while you’re watching video on another device.
How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
For running, the 570BT makes most sense if you prefer an on-ear headphone and want physical controls rather than relying on a companion app for sound adjustments. I would skip it if your priority is the longest stated battery life or EQ customization: the 520BT offers both more battery capacity and app-based sound tailoring. Also, the available information describes an on-ear headphone, not a model designed specifically for sports.
The Tune 520BT is the stronger fit if you want longer stretches between charges. JBL lists up to 57 hours of battery life, and its five-minute speed charge is specified to provide three additional hours of music. It takes up to two hours to recharge, matching the listed charge time for the 570BT, while offering a longer claimed run time.
Its other useful distinction is customization. The JBL Headphones app includes EQ options for adjusting sound, and the headphones use Bluetooth 5.3. Voice Aware lets you hear your own voice during calls, while buttons on the ear cup manage sound and calls. Like the 570BT, it has JBL Pure Bass sound, a stated Bluetooth range of 10 meters and a foldable design.
For a shopper comparing a bluetooth headset for running with a general-purpose listening option, the 520BT has the more flexible feature set on paper. Longer battery life can suit someone who wants fewer charging interruptions, and app EQ gives you a way to adjust playback. Still, it remains an on-ear model. I would not choose it on the assumption that it has a secure in-ear sports fit, and its features do not establish that it is sweat-resistant or made specifically for running.
• Best for longer stated battery life → JBL Tune 520BT. Its listed maximum is 57 hours, compared with 40 hours for the 570BT.
• Best for a quick-charge boost → JBL Tune 520BT. Five minutes is specified to add three hours of music, while the 570BT’s five-minute charge adds two.
• Best for voice awareness during calls → JBL Tune 520BT. Its Voice Aware feature lets you hear your voice while talking.
• Best for Siri or Google voice activation → JBL Tune 570BT. Voice assistant support is specifically listed for this model.
• Best for straightforward on-ear button control → either, with a small distinction. Both have buttons for calls and audio; the 570BT also highlights voice activation, while the 520BT adds Voice Aware.
• Best for a more recent Bluetooth version → JBL Tune 520BT. It uses Bluetooth 5.3, compared with Bluetooth 5.0 on the 570BT.
• Best fit for someone wanting an on-ear option for a run → JBL Tune 520BT for longer sessions, JBL Tune 570BT for quick charging. Neither product’s listed features establish a sport-specific fit, so choose based on the battery and controls you value.
My Verdict
I would choose the JBL Tune 520BT for running if I wanted one of these two on-ear headphones for longer listening sessions. Its 57-hour stated battery life, three-hour boost from a five-minute charge and app EQ give it the more versatile set of listed features.
I’d choose the 570BT instead if Siri or Google access and its simpler control approach matter more to me. My recommendation is the 520BT, but neither should be mistaken for an in-ear running headphone.
FAQ
The JBL Tune 520BT has the longer stated battery life, at up to 57 hours. The Tune 570BT lists up to 40 hours. Both specify a two-hour charging time, but their five-minute charge boosts differ: three hours for the 520BT and two for the 570BT.
The available features do not establish that one sounds better overall. Both offer JBL Pure Bass sound, while the 520BT adds EQ adjustment through the JBL Headphones app. That gives you more ability to tailor its sound, rather than proving it has superior sound quality.
Both models list on-ear button controls for managing sound and calls. The 570BT specifically supports Siri and Google voice activation, while the 520BT offers Voice Aware and app EQ. If by “best earphones for running” you mean earbuds with an in-ear fit, neither model matches that description: both are on-ear headphones.
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