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If you want a compact, organizer-style home for a pair of wired in-ear monitors, choose ANKHOH IEM Case; if you need a full-size hard shell for over-ear JBL wireless headphones, choose PAIYULE Headphone Case.
• ANKHOH IEM Case — biggest strength: a genuinely organized interior. The divided earbud area, mesh partition, cable strap and lid mesh pocket keep IEM shells apart and cables gathered, which is exactly what a small wired setup needs.
• ANKHOH IEM Case — biggest trade-off: it is narrow. The internal space is 4.53 x 3.15 x 0.79 inches and it is meant for one pair of IEMs, so anything bigger than an in-ear simply will not go in.
• PAIYULE Headphone Case — biggest strength: protection and capacity for over-ear headphones. A reinforced hard shell with a custom-molded cavity sized around the ear cups and headband, plus an elastic mesh pocket for cables and spare pads.
• PAIYULE Headphone Case — biggest trade-off: it is bulky by nature. At roughly 8.3 x 7.75 x 2.36 inches external, it takes up real room in a bag and is overkill for a set of wired IEMs.
• Who each pick is for: ANKHOH for IEM and wired earbud owners who care about tangle-free, scratch-free storage in a small footprint. PAIYULE for owners of JBL Tune or JBL Live over-ear wireless headphones who want one case for headset plus accessories.
The ANKHOH IEM Case is built around a single idea: keep a pair of in-ear monitors from turning into a knot. The interior measures 4.53 x 3.15 x 0.79 inches, which is sized for one pair of IEM earphones within those limits — the manufacturer lists compatibility with models like Linsoul KZ ZS10 Pro, Shure SE215 PRO, TRUTHEAR ZERO BLUE2, Moondrop Chu, CCA CRA, CCZ Melody, KBEAR KS1 and TANGZU sets that fit the stated size. That is a deliberately narrow brief, and it is honest about it.
What makes it more than a padded box is the layout. There is a divided earbud area, a mesh partition and a cable strap, so the two shells sit separately while the cable stays wound and secured. In practice that means less cable tangling, less strain on the connectors, and less chance of an earbud tumbling out when you open the lid — all things that simple foam-blocking cases tend to struggle with. The lining is a soft plush, which gives metal faceplates, resin shells, 3D-printed cavities and connectors a gentler surface to rest against, and the internal arrangement keeps the earphones away from the zipper edge where bumps happen.
The outer shell is EVA hard shell construction at 5.12 x 3.66 x 1.93 inches overall, weighing 150 g, with a splash-resistant, easy-wipe exterior, a smooth zipper and a detachable wrist strap. That combination is what makes it easy to drop into a pocket, a backpack side pocket, a guitar bag or a studio bag for travel, stage use, class or everyday listening. The lid mesh pocket handles spare ear tips, adapters and small cleaning tools.
Who should buy it: anyone whose daily carry is a set of wired IEMs and who is tired of untangling them, and anyone who wants spare tips and a cleaning tool in the same pouch. Who should skip it: over-ear headphone owners, and anyone whose earphones exceed those internal dimensions — this is a small-format case and it will not stretch.
The PAIYULE Headphone Case solves the opposite problem. It is a hard-shell case for full-size wireless headphones, and its compatibility list is specific: JBL Tune 770NC, 720BT, 520BT, 510BT, 520C and 670NC, plus JBL Live 770NC, 780NC, 680NC and 670NC. If you own one of those, the fit is the whole point.
That fit comes from a precision-molded interior cavity that follows the shape of the ear cups and headband. Instead of a generic open box, the headphone sits in a shape made for it, which helps keep it stable during travel and commuting and reduces shaking, scratches and pressure from other items pressing against it in a backpack. The external dimensions are about 8.3 x 7.75 x 2.36 inches — slim for what it holds, but still a case you plan around rather than forget.
Storage beyond the headphones is handled by a built-in elastic mesh pocket, which is where charging cables, audio adapters, spare ear pads and small accessories go. That matters more than it sounds: wireless headphones are useless on a trip without the charging cable, and having it in the same case means you are not digging through a bag at the airport or in a lecture hall. The shell itself is wear-resistant fabric over a reinforced hard structure, aimed at dust, scratches, light compression and accidental bumps, with a smooth zipper that opens easily but stays closed.
Who should buy it: students, commuters, office workers and travelers who keep a pair of JBL over-ear wireless headphones in a bag and want them protected along with the cable. Who should skip it: IEM owners — the cavity is shaped for over-ear cups and headbands, and a pair of small in-ears would rattle around in a case this size.
• Best for wired IEMs and earbuds → ANKHOH IEM Case. The divided earbud area, mesh partition and cable strap are designed specifically for small in-ear shells and their cables.
• Best for over-ear wireless headphones → PAIYULE Headphone Case. The molded cavity is shaped around ear cups and headband for JBL Tune and JBL Live models.
• Best for tangle control → ANKHOH IEM Case. A dedicated cable strap and separate shell storage directly target tangling and connector strain.
• Best for carrying a charging cable and spare pads → PAIYULE Headphone Case. The elastic mesh pocket is sized for cables, adapters and spare ear pads.
• Best for pocketable everyday carry → ANKHOH IEM Case. Its 5.12 x 3.66 x 1.93 inch shell and 150 g weight, with a detachable wrist strap, suit a pocket or bag side pocket.
• Best for backpack and carry-on travel with full-size headphones → PAIYULE Headphone Case. The reinforced hard shell and slim profile are aimed at backpacks, carry-on bags, lockers and luggage.
• Best for protecting metal faceplates and resin shells → ANKHOH IEM Case. The plush lining is there to keep delicate finishes away from hard contact and zipper edges.
• Best for gym bags, studio bags and stage kits with IEMs → ANKHOH IEM Case. The splash-resistant, easy-wipe exterior and compact shape fit that kind of kit.
• Best if you own both IEMs and over-ear JBL headphones → buy both. They are not substitutes; they cover two different headphone types.
In my opinion, this one comes down to what is in your bag, not which case is "better." If your daily headphones are wired IEMs — a KZ, Shure, TRUTHEAR, Moondrop or similar set — I would buy the ANKHOH IEM Case. The organized interior is the reason: separate shell storage, a cable strap and a plush lining solve the actual annoyances of IEM ownership, and it disappears into a pocket. If you own JBL Tune or JBL Live over-ear wireless headphones, I would buy the PAIYULE Headphone Case instead. The molded cavity and mesh accessory pocket are built for that exact pair of headphones plus the cable you cannot travel without. Match the case to the headphone type and you will be happy either way.
FAQ
It is designed for JBL Tune 770NC, 720BT, 520BT, 510BT, 520C and 670NC, and JBL Live 770NC, 780NC, 680NC and 670NC. If your model is not on that list, measure your folded headphones against the 8.3 x 7.75 x 2.36 inch external size first.
No. It is a compact case sized for one pair of in-ear monitors. Over-ear headphones need a full-size case like the PAIYULE, which has a cavity molded around ear cups and a headband.
Both are budget-friendly accessories in this category, and the deciding factor should be fit rather than cost. Check the current price on Amazon for each and compare against the size and layout you actually need before deciding.
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