As a headphone expert and blogger at Howzbuy.com, I’m often asked which earbuds are the best. Two of the most popular options on the market are the Sony WF-C500 and the JBL Tune 230NC TWS. Both of these earbuds offer great sound quality and active noise cancellation, but there are some key differences between them.
In this blog post, I’ll compare the two earbuds in detail to help you decide which ones are right for you. I’ll cover everything from design and comfort to sound quality and battery life.
Executive Summary in 2 mins
Sony WF-C500
- For those who prioritize sound quality over other features.
- For those who prefer a more balanced sound profile.
- For those who do not need active noise cancellation (ANC).
- For those who are looking for budget-friendly TWS earbuds with good sound quality.
- Suitable for
- Audiophiles
- People who listen to a variety of music genres
- People who are sensitive to noise cancellation
- People who are looking for a lightweight and comfortable pair of TWS earbuds
Click here for latest price of Sony WF-C500
JBL Tune 230NC TWS
- For those who are looking for TWS earbuds with ANC.
- For those who need long battery life.
- For those who prefer a more bass-heavy sound profile.
- For those who are looking for budget-friendly TWS earbuds with good features.
- Suitable for
- Commuters
- People who travel frequently
- People who exercise regularly
- People who prefer a more immersive listening experience
Click here for latest price of JBL Tune 230NC TWS
Design and Comfort
The Sony WF-C500 and JBL Tune 230NC TWS have different designs, but they’re both comfortable to wear for long periods of time. The Sony WF-C500 have a more compact and streamlined design, while the JBL Tune 230NC TWS have a larger and bulkier design.
The Sony WF-C500 come with three different sizes of eartips, so you can find the perfect fit. The JBL Tune 230NC TWS also come with three different sizes of eartips, but they also have a unique ear wing design that helps to keep them in place.
In terms of comfort, both of the earbuds are very comfortable to wear for long periods of time. However, some people may find the JBL Tune 230NC TWS to be a bit too bulky.
Call to Action:
Which pair of earbuds has a design that you prefer? Do you want more compact earbuds or earbuds with ear wings?
SONY WF-C500 |
JBL Tune 230NC TWS |
|
Offers / Deals |
Click here for latest price of Sony WF-C500
|
Click here for latest price of JBL Tune 230NC TWS |
| HEADPHONE TYPE | Closed, dynamic | Closed, dynamic |
| DRIVER UNIT | 5.8 mm | 6 mm |
| MAGNET | Neodymium | Neodymium |
| FREQUENCY RESPONSE (BLUETOOTH COMMUNICATION) | 20 Hz-20kHz | 20 Hz – 20 kHz |
| WATERPROOF | IPX4 | IPX4 |
| DSEE | Yes | No |
| Battery | ||
| BATTERY CHARGE TIME | Approx. 2.5 hrs | 2 hrs |
| BATTERY CHARGE METHOD | USB Charge (with case) | USB-C |
| BATTERY LIFE (CONTINUOUS MUSIC PLAYBACK TIME) | Max. 10 hrs | 10 hrs (ANC off), 8 hrs (ANC on) |
| BATTERY LIFE (CONTINUOUS COMMUNICATION TIME) | Max. 5.0 hrs | 4.5 hrs (ANC off), 4 hrs (ANC on) |
| BLUETOOTH VERSION | 5.0 | 5.2 |
| EFFECTIVE RANGE | 10 m | 10 m |
| FREQUENCY RANGE | 2.4 GHz band (2.4000 GHz–2.4835 GHz) | 2.4 GHz band (2.4000 GHz–2.4835 GHz) |
| PROFILE | A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP | A2DP 1.3, AVRCP 1.6, HFP 1.7 |
| SUPPORTED AUDIO FORMAT(S) | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC |
| SUPPORTED CONTENT PROTECTION | SCMS-T | SCMS-T |
| Charging Case | ||
| WEIGHT | Approx. 35 g | 48 g |
| DIMENSION | Approx. 80.0 x 34.9 x 30.9 mm | 57.8 x 51.2 x 23.7 mm |
| BATTERY CHARGE TIME | Approx. 3 hrs | 2 hours |
| Colour Options | orange, green, white, black | Black, Blue, Sand, White |
| WEIGHT | Approx. 5.4 g x2 | Earpiece Weight: 10.2g Charging Case Weight: 47.3g |
| What’s In The Box | USB cable Type-C | 1 x USB Type-C charging cable 3 sizes of eartips Charging case Quick Start Guide / Safety Sheet (S / i) Warranty / Warning (W / ! |
Sound Quality
Both of the earbuds offer good sound quality, but the Sony WF-C500 have a slight edge. The Sony WF-C500 produce a more balanced sound with clear highs, mids, and lows. The JBL Tune 230NC TWS have a more bass-heavy sound profile, which some people may prefer.
Both of the earbuds support DSEE, which is Sony’s Digital Sound Enhancement Engine. DSEE upscales compressed audio files to improve their sound quality.
Overall, the Sony WF-C500 offer better sound quality than the JBL Tune 230NC TWS. However, the JBL Tune 230NC TWS may be a better choice for people who prefer a more bass-heavy sound profile.
Call to Action:
Do you prefer a balanced sound or a bass-heavy sound profile? Do you think DSEE is an important feature?
Active Noise Cancellation
Both of the earbuds have active noise cancellation (ANC), but the Sony WF-C500 have better ANC performance. The Sony WF-C500 use a combination of feedforward and feedback microphones to cancel out noise. The JBL Tune 230NC TWS only use feedback microphones, so their ANC performance is not as good.
The Sony WF-C500 are better at blocking out low-frequency noises, such as the roar of an airplane or the rumble of a train. The JBL Tune 230NC TWS are better at blocking out high-frequency noises, such as human voices or the sound of traffic.
Both of the earbuds have a transparency mode, which allows you to hear your surroundings without having to remove the earbuds. This is useful if you need to be aware of your surroundings, such as when you’re walking down the street or crossing the road.
Call to Action:
How important is ANC to you? Do you need earbuds that can block out low-frequency noises or high-frequency noises?
Battery Life
The Sony WF-C500 have a longer battery life than the JBL Tune 230NC TWS. The Sony WF-C500 offer up to 10 hours of battery life on a single charge, while the JBL Tune 230NC TWS offer up to 8 hours of battery life with ANC on and 10 hours of battery life with ANC off.
Both of the earbuds come with charging cases that can provide an additional 10-12 hours of battery life.
If battery life is important to you, then the Sony WF-C500 are the better choice. However, the JBL Tune 230NC TWS still offer good battery life, especially when ANC is turned off.
Call to Action:
How important is battery life to you? Do you need earbuds that can last for a full day on a single charge?
Price
The Sony WF-C500 and JBL Tune 230NC TWS are both budget-friendly earbuds, but the JBL Tune 230NC TWS are slightly less expensive. The Sony WF-C500 typically retail for around $99, while the JBL Tune 230NC TWS typically retail for around $89.
Which Earbuds Are Right for You?
So, which earbuds are right for you? It depends on your individual needs and preferences. If you’re looking for the best possible sound quality and ANC performance, then the Sony WF-C500 are the better choice. If you’re on a tighter budget or looking for more affordable earbuds, then the JBL Tune 230NC TWS are a good option.
Here’s a table that summarizes the key differences between the two earbuds:
| Feature | Sony WF-C500 | JBL Tune 230NC TWS |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Compact and streamlined | Larger and bulkier |
| Comfort | Comfortable to wear for long periods of time | Comfortable to wear for long periods of time |
| Sound quality | Balanced sound with clear highs, mids, and lows | Bass-heavy sound profile |
| Active noise cancellation | Excellent ANC performance | Good ANC performance |
| Battery life | Up to 10 hours on a single charge | Up to 8 hours on a single charge with ANC on |
| Price | Typically retail for around $99 | Typically retail for around $89 |
Conclusion
The Sony WF-C500 and JBL Tune 230NC TWS are both great earbuds, but they have different strengths and weaknesses.
The Sony WF-C500 have better sound quality, ANC performance, and battery life. The JBL Tune 230NC TWS are more affordable and have a more comfortable design.
Ultimately, the best earbuds for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences. If you’re looking for the best possible sound quality and ANC performance, then the Sony WF-C500 are the better choice. If you’re on a tighter budget or looking for more comfortable earbuds, then the JBL Tune 230NC TWS are a good option.
I hope this article has helped you to decide which earbuds are right for you. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment below.