Subj : I tried JBLs ultra-cheap on-ear headphones and Id happily recomme To : All From : TechnologyDaily Date : Wed Sep 10 2025 21:45:08 I tried JBLs ultra-cheap on-ear headphones and Id happily recommend them if it wasn't for this one problem Date: Wed, 10 Sep 2025 20:30:00 +0000 Description: I tested these cheap on-ear headphones from JBL and although they had some strong qualities, I probably wont be coming back to them. FULL STORY ====================================================================== Ill come clean. Ive never really got on-ear headphones. I understand that some people dont like the isolating effects, bulkier feel, or heating quality of over-ear cans. But still, on-ears have regularly sounded, looked, and felt like an awkward in-betweener to me so if I want something more lightweight, Ill just stick with a pair of the best earbuds . Regardless, when the JBL Tune 510BT arrived on my desk, I tried to go in with an open mind. These on-ear headphones are regularly available for less than $30 / 30 / AU$40, and promise JBL pure bass, as well as a comfortable, foldable design. So, with that in mind, I paired the Tune 510BT to my phone, fired up Tidal , and got listening. And luckily, there were plenty of positives waiting to be uncovered across a week of testing. However, these headphones also left me feeling that on-ears still arent for me but not for the reason Id perhaps expected. Want to hear more? Well, heres what I took away from my time with the Tune 510BT. Not bad for less than $30 / 30 (Image credit: Future) I want to start with some positives, and there certainly are some significant ones here. First of all, these are outrageously cheap for a pair of headphones. At the time of writing, these are available for just $29.95 / 23 / AU$39.95 via Amazon thats a pretty low price. On top of that, these are small-sized and foldable, which is incredibly useful if youre out and about. Simply curl them up and throw them in a small bag, or even a larger sized pocket, and youre good to go! Also, when considering their low price and on-ear design, these arent the worst sounding. I tuned into Sakura by Chris Stussy and Locklead, and the rippling bass sounded impactful without totally obscuring other instrumental elements. Sure, it wasnt the cleanest bass Ive heard it could sound a little muddy at higher volumes, for instance, but that may not be a dealbreaker for those seeking out a cheap and cheerful option. Meanwhile, in Black Eye by Allie X, vocals were decently clear, even if they werent beautifully separated or detailed. Low-end sounds like a pumping drum machine hit with intent, although higher-pitched percussion was overly forward, resulting in a slightly harsh sound. In addition, the Tune 510BT have multi-point connectivity, voice assistant integration, and hands-free calling. Sure, none of this is ground-breaking in 2025, but its all nice to have on a mega-cheap pair of headphones. Of course, there are a few issues worth noting. Theyre far from pretty, with the earcups coated in an almost bin liner-looking material. The plastic exterior, button controls, and headband are extremely cheap-looking too, because, well they are extremely cheap. And the 40 hour battery life, while enough for most, is nothing special given the lack of ANC. Then again, none of these cons truly explain why I wouldnt recommend these headphones. It was something else entirely that made me say Im out quicker than an investor on Shark Tank . But heres the thing (Image credit: Future) Im talking, unfortunately, about comfort. I have to say, these headphones were highly uncomfortable for me, especially as someone who doesnt have a small head or indeed, small ears. In use, these applied a lot of pressure onto my ears, to the point that my colleague pointed out that theyd turned red after a short listening session. I also have a piercing on my left ear, and I found that the high pressure was pushing it against my neck, which wasnt the most welcome feeling I have to say. This made me pretty reluctant to use the Tune 510BT, and I found myself breathing a real sigh of relief after returning to my trusty Sony WH-1000XM6 over-ear cans. If youve got a small-sized head and ears, and if you dont have piercings, then this may not be an issue for you. Perhaps youve also used on-ears for some time, and you dont mind the pressure they apply in-use. Well, if so, the Tune 510BT arent bad for less than $30 / 25 / AU$40. But I wont be rushing out to buy them anytime soon, unfortunately. Maybe a pair of the best on-ear headphones can convert me? I guess youll have to stay tuned to find out. Until then, Id love to hear your thoughts. Are you a fan of on-ear headphones? Are you interested in the JBL Tune 510BT? Whatever the case, make sure to get chatting in the comments! You may also like JBL just launched a load of new affordable Bluetooth 6.0 headphones with big battery life and adaptive noise cancellation The best cheap headphones, all tested by our reviewers The best over-ear headphones we've tested, all TechRadar reviewed ====================================================================== Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/audio/wireless-headphones/i-tried-jbls-ultra-cheap-o n-ear-headphones-and-id-happily-recommend-them-if-it-werent-for-this-one-probl em --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A49 (Linux/64) * Origin: tqwNet Technology News (1337:1/100) .