Built for university students at Kenyatta University, USIU, and Daystar, daily commuters riding Thika Road and Ngong Road matatus, and casual listeners who want reliable wireless sound without a heavy price tag, the JBL Tune 500BT solves a common problem. Cheap Bluetooth headphones often die within a few hours, tangle you in cords, or lock you to a single device. Most budget headphones under KSh 5,000 ship with weak 6-hour batteries, skip multipoint pairing, and carry poor calling microphones. The JBL Tune 500BT closes those gaps with a 16-hour battery, two-device switching, and a built-in mic for hands-free calls.

At Mascom International, we're seeing buyers cross-shop the JBL Tune 500BT against the Sony WH-CH520 and the newer JBL Tune 500BT. Where some rivals stretch battery higher, the Tune 500BT holds its ground on the recognisable JBL Pure Bass tuning and a foldable build that survives daily bag storage. Users consistently report the headphones lasting a full workday and folding flat for the ride home. Unlike other electronics retailers in Kenya, Mascom International lets you test the fit and sound in person before buying. Visit our Nairobi CBD showroom, or call +254 708 852 521 for pay-on-arrival delivery to any of Kenya's 47 counties.

The JBL Tune 500BT runs up to 16 hours of continuous wireless playback from its 300mAh battery, which covers roughly two to three days of typical commute and study listening before a recharge. A full charge from empty takes about 2 hours through the included cable. When you are running low, a 5-minute quick charge adds 1 hour of playback, which is enough to cover a matatu ride from Juja to town. The connected phone displays the remaining battery percentage on screen.

Yes, the JBL Tune 500BT supports multipoint pairing, connecting to two Bluetooth devices at once so you can move between them without re-pairing. A common setup pairs your phone and your laptop together. If a call comes in on the phone while you watch a video on the laptop, the headphones switch over so you never miss the call. Bluetooth 4.1 holds a stable connection across roughly 10 metres in open rooms, covering most Kenyan apartment and office layouts.

The JBL Tune 500BT carries 32mm dynamic drivers tuned with JBL Pure Bass, the same low-end character JBL uses across its wider range. Bass sits forward in the mix, which suits Afrobeat, gengetone, amapiano, hip-hop, and modern pop. The frequency response spans 20Hz to 20kHz, covering the full audible range. Mids and highs step back slightly behind the bass, a deliberate choice for listeners who want stronger lows. The closed-back on-ear cups also block a fair amount of outside noise on busy streets.

The JBL Tune 500BT includes a built-in microphone with a 1-button remote for answering, ending, and rejecting calls straight from the earcup. It handles voice and video calls on WhatsApp, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet clearly in quiet rooms, though it picks up some background noise in loud spaces since it has no active noise cancellation. The same button activates Siri or Google Assistant. For home-office calls and quick catch-ups between classes, the mic quality is solid at this price.

The JBL Tune 500BT charges through Micro-USB, not the newer USB-C standard, since this model comes from an earlier JBL range. A Micro-USB charging cable ships in the box, and any standard 5V phone charger tops it up in about 2 hours. We flag this openly so you know to keep a Micro-USB cable handy rather than assuming USB-C. The trade-off keeps the price low at KSh 4,500 while still giving you 16-hour battery and the 5-minute quick-charge feature.

The JBL Tune 500BT weighs just 155 grams with soft ear cushions and a padded headband, making it light enough for hours of study or back-to-back calls. The on-ear cups swivel and fold flat, so the headphones tuck into a laptop bag or backpack without taking up space. The clamping fit is firm, which keeps them secure during a brisk walk or a jog but can feel tight over very long stretches. Loosening the headband and taking short breaks helps on all-day sessions.

The JBL Tune 500BT box includes the headphones, a Micro-USB charging cable, a quick-start guide, and warranty documentation. JBL does not include a wall adapter, so any standard 5V USB charger you already own handles charging. There is no 3.5mm cable because the Tune 500BT is a wireless-only model with no headphone jack for wired listening. The headphones come in four colours, and Mascom International confirms current stock colours when you order by phone or in person.

The JBL Tune 500BT at KSh 4,500 gives you a trusted JBL name, 16-hour battery, multipoint pairing, and JBL Pure Bass tuning at a price where many rivals cut corners. Comparable branded wireless on-ear headphones in Nairobi often run between KSh 5,500 and KSh 8,000. At Mascom International, we're witnessing steady demand from students and commuters who want a dependable, foldable headphone without paying a top-tier price. The 12-month warranty and in-store testing further protect what you spend.

The JBL Tune 500BT carries a 12-month Mascom International warranty covering manufacturing defects under normal use. Our Nairobi CBD service desk handles warranty claims directly without sending units overseas, so support stays close and turnaround stays quick for customers across Kenya.

Three ways to order:

The JBL Tune 500BT carries a 12-month Mascom International warranty covering manufacturing defects, backed by our Nairobi CBD service desk. Buyers across Kenya rely on Mascom International for honest specifications, current market pricing, and direct after-sales support on every headphone we stock.