We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-28 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
If you want kid-safe, compact on-ear headphones with controlled volume and a foldable frame, choose Maxell 190338; if you need a hard protective travel case for a pair of on-ear headphones you already own, choose Hermitshell Hard Travel Case. These two aren't really rivals — one is a listening device, the other is armor for a listening device — but shoppers searching them side by side are usually trying to solve the same problem: keeping compact on-ear headphones safe, portable and usable without fuss. So let's break down which one actually fits your situation.
• Maxell 190338 — biggest strength: Purpose-built for kids, with a controlled volume level, a lightweight foldable design and interchangeable caps for customization.
• Maxell 190338 — biggest trade-off: It's a wired 3.5 mm headphone aimed at children, so it won't satisfy an adult chasing premium sound or wireless freedom.
• Hermitshell Hard Travel Case — biggest strength: A rigid EVA shell that guards on-ear headphones from bumps, dents and scratches, sized specifically for several popular Sony and JBL models.
• Hermitshell Hard Travel Case — biggest trade-off: It's case only — no headphones inside — and it's built for specific models, not universal.
• Who Maxell 190338 is for: Parents who want safe, simple, customizable wired headphones for a child.
• Who Hermitshell Hard Travel Case is for: Anyone who already owns compact on-ear headphones and wants to protect them on the move.
The Maxell 190338 is a kids-first design, and everything about it points that way. Maxell built in a controlled volume level so listening stays at a safe ceiling, which is the single most important feature for a parent handing headphones to a young child. It's also lightweight — listed at just 0.07 kg — so it won't drag on small ears or become a nuisance during a long car ride.
Practical details matter here. The headphones fold into a compact shape for storage, which pairs naturally with the "small volume" protection idea in the product name: they collapse down and tuck away easily. The included interchangeable headphone caps let kids swap the look, which is a small thing that tends to matter a lot to the intended user. Connectivity is wired through a standard 3.5 mm jack, so it works with most electronic devices — tablets, handhelds, laptops, whatever a family already has.
On the audio side, the specs list a 30 mm dynamic driver, 32 ohm impedance and a frequency range of 14Hz to 20kHz. That's a sensible, easy-to-drive configuration for casual listening rather than critical audio work. Worth noting for accuracy: the sheet lists the ear placement as in-ear with an ear-hook earpiece shape, even though the product is positioned as a children's headphone — so if exact fit style is critical to you, check the listing images carefully. Maxell also lists active noise cancellation and touch volume control in the spec fields, though for a kids' wired headphone I'd treat the core story as safe volume plus a lightweight foldable frame.
Who should buy it: Parents or gift-buyers shopping for a child who needs safe, simple wired headphones that fold up small and can be personalized. Who should skip it: Adults wanting premium sound, wireless convenience or a serious noise-cancelling commute companion — this isn't that product.
The Hermitshell Hard Travel Case is a single-purpose product, and it's honest about it: it's a case, nothing more. The exterior is EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate), a rigid foam-like material that resists crushing, and the whole point is protecting your headphones from bumps, dents and scratches when they're rattling around in a bag.
Fit is the make-or-break factor, and Hermitshell is specific. This Size 2 case is made to fit Sony MDR-ZX110, ZX110AP, ZX110NC, ZX310AP and MDRZX110NC, plus the JBL JR 300BT and JR 310BT on-ear headphones. If that's your model, you're in the right place. If it isn't, this is the wrong case — there's no universal sizing here. The dimensions are 6 x 5 x 2 inches, which tells you it's built around compact, foldable on-ear headphones rather than full-size over-ear cans.
A few practical notes from the sheet: it's listed as lightweight, black, solid-patterned, and the age range is listed as adult. It is not water resistant, so treat it as protection against physical knocks rather than rain or spills. And critically — for sale is the case only; the headphones and any accessories are sold separately. If you're expecting a bundled pair of headphones, you'll be disappointed.
Who should buy it: Owners of the specific Sony or JBL on-ear models listed who want to stop their headphones getting crushed in a backpack or suitcase. Who should skip it: Anyone without one of those exact models, anyone needing waterproof protection, or anyone shopping for headphones rather than storage.
• Best for a child's first headphones → Maxell 190338. Controlled volume, lightweight build and interchangeable caps are all kid-focused.
• Best for protecting headphones you already own → Hermitshell Hard Travel Case. Rigid EVA shell against bumps, dents and scratches.
• Best for portability of the headphones themselves → Maxell 190338. They fold into a compact shape for storage.
• Best for travel durability of the gear → Hermitshell Hard Travel Case. A hard shell beats a soft pouch every time for crush protection.
• Best for customization → Maxell 190338. Interchangeable headphone caps let kids change the look.
• Best for broad device compatibility → Maxell 190338. Standard 3.5 mm wired jack works with most electronic devices.
• Best if you own a Sony MDR-ZX110/ZX310 or JBL JR 300BT/310BT → Hermitshell Hard Travel Case. It's sized for exactly those models.
• Best if you need wireless or water resistance → neither. Maxell is wired; the Hermitshell case is explicitly not water resistant.
In my opinion, these two don't compete — they solve different problems, and the right pick depends entirely on what you're missing. If you need headphones for a child, I'd buy the Maxell 190338: the controlled volume level, lightweight 0.07 kg build, foldable frame and swappable caps are exactly what a parent wants, and the 3.5 mm wired jack keeps it dead simple. If you already own one of the listed Sony or JBL on-ear models, I'd buy the Hermitshell Hard Travel Case to keep them from getting crushed. Buying one won't substitute for the other — so choose based on whether you need the device or the protection.
For casual, portable listening, yes. Compact on-ear models like the Sony and JBL sets the Hermitshell case is built for are popular because they're small, easy to fold and comfortable enough for everyday use. They trade some isolation and bass depth compared with larger over-ear designs, which is the usual compromise.
Comfort varies with fit and weight. The Maxell 190338 is listed at just 0.07 kg, and its lightweight design is specifically aimed at comfortable use for children. For on-ear models generally, lighter builds and a foldable frame tend to make longer sessions easier.
Open-ear designs keep your ears uncovered so you stay aware of your surroundings, which suits running and commuting. Note that neither product here is described as open-ear — Maxell 190338 is a wired kids' headphone, and the Hermitshell is a closed hard case — so if open-ear is what you want, look elsewhere.
That depends on your priorities — fit, battery life for wireless models, and how much ambient sound you want to let in. Since this comparison covers a wired kids' headphone and a protective case, I'd treat "best open ear" as a separate search with its own shortlist.
One last practical note: prices change, so check the current price on Amazon before you commit — this page gives you the button for that.
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