JBL Tune 235NC Review: Can Budget Earbuds Deliver Premium Sound and Features?

Many might consider JBL products to be typical mass-market offerings, given that most electronics stores carry headphones or speakers from this brand. However, I don’t see high popularity as a bad sign, especially for a company founded in 1946. Today, I’ll be reviewing the JBL Tune 235NC to see if the brand maintains its quality in the budget segment and why this latest update to the TWS lineup deserves the attention of music lovers.

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First Impressions

The JBL Tune 235NC greets the user with a plastic build and a recognizable color scheme. The contrast between the dark earbuds and bright orange accents creates a vibrant look. The case is lightweight, made of plastic that feels pleasant to the touch, with a lid that doesn’t wobble. The earbuds magnetically snap into their slots with a satisfying soft click. I also appreciate the flat design of the case—no matter how you place it, it stays firmly in position.

Charging the Tune 235NC is done via a Type-C port, and the battery life is one of the highlights, as emphasized on the front of the packaging. The maximum battery life is 40 hours, with the case providing 30 hours and the earbuds themselves offering 10 hours on a single charge. With ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) enabled, the battery life decreases, but the effective noise cancellation makes it hard to turn ANC off.

If you do want to disable ANC, you’ll need to use the JBL Headphones app. The app also allows you to customize the touch controls (e.g., swapping double-tap functions for volume control) and includes features like TalkThru, which lets you hear your surroundings without removing the earbuds. However, in real-life scenarios, I found it easier to simply take out an earbud to talk to someone rather than fiddling with the app.

The app also includes a built-in equalizer with preset sound profiles like “Jazz” and “Bass,” as well as the option to create a custom profile. By default, the equalizer is set to “Jazz,” but switching to “Bass” made a noticeable difference, and it quickly became my favorite setting.

Sound Quality

Before diving into the sound quality, I’ll mention the call quality. JBL claims the Tune 235NC features a 4-microphone system, and it shows. During calls, both my voice and the other person’s were clear, even in noisy environments, earning the earbuds extra points.

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As for the sound, the equalizer settings significantly influenced the audio experience, and my favorite was the bass-boosted profile. In its price range, the Tune 235NC handles low frequencies quite well—the bass is deep and resonant without being muddy. Switching profiles can bring out clearer vocals or more pronounced instruments, but the mids remain the weakest point. While the Tune 235NC isn’t marketed as an audiophile-grade product, it’s balanced enough for everyday use. JBL’s Pure Bass technology adds musicality to the low end, avoiding monotony and making tracks feel lively. The lack of fullness in the mids is somewhat compensated by the bass, making these earbuds enjoyable for genres like electronic music or pop.

After testing, I felt the Tune 235NC could easily belong to a higher price category, given its combination of design and sound quality. For fans of electronic music or those who enjoy watching movies, these earbuds will more than suffice.

Conclusion

The strongest aspect of the JBL Tune 235NC is its convenience. From quick pairing and flexible settings to minimal latency and reliable synchronization, these earbuds excel in everyday usability. When you need some quiet time, the ANC provides excellent noise isolation, and when you need to take a Zoom call, the microphones perform admirably.

The Tune 235NC is like a pair of comfortable sweatpants—reliable, versatile, and suitable for any season. If you value practicality in your purchases, the Tune 235NC won’t disappoint. They may not be the most glamorous or feature-packed earbuds, but they deliver where it counts, making them a solid choice for everyday use.