If you want lightweight, foldable headphones with simple controls and an adjustable headband, choose JBL Tune 510BT; if you need over-ear headphones with bass you can feel, choose Skullcandy Crusher. For an elderly listener, I’d start with the JBL’s straightforward on-ear design and long stated battery life, unless tactile bass is the main priority.
• JBL Tune 510BT: On-ear fit, foldable design, up to 40 hours of battery life, and controls on the ear cup. The trade-off: it has no listed noise-control feature.
• Skullcandy Crusher: Over-ear fit with adjustable Crusher bass and up to 50 hours of battery life. The trade-off: it is the larger, over-ear option, and its listed Bluetooth version is 4.1.
• Choose JBL for a lighter, more compact headphone with an adjustable headband, USB-C charging, and hands-free calling.
• Choose Skullcandy if over-ear coverage and its distinctive bass system matter more than a compact folded shape.
• For everyday listening with simpler handling, I’d lean JBL; for bass-forward music and movies, I’d pick Skullcandy.
The JBL Tune 510BT is an on-ear wireless headphone built around familiar, practical features. Its soft ear cushions and padded headband are intended to make longer listening sessions more comfortable, while the adjustable headband helps accommodate different head sizes. Since the ear cups sit on the ears rather than surrounding them, this is a more compact style than an over-ear headphone. It folds, too, which makes it easier to put away between uses or carry along.
Battery life is a clear strength on paper: JBL specifies up to 40 hours of wireless listening. The Type-C USB charging takes as little as two hours, and a five-minute charge is stated to add two hours of listening. That quick-charge detail can matter when someone forgets to plug in overnight and wants a short listening session later. The headphone has buttons on the ear cup for sound and call controls, plus a microphone for hands-free calls. It can also switch between two Bluetooth devices, which is useful when moving between a tablet and a phone.
The JBL’s stated sound feature is Pure Bass. It also supports Siri or Hey Google through its multifunction button, so a listener can access the voice assistant on a connected device. I’d consider it for an older adult who wants wireless headphones with straightforward physical controls and a foldable design. It is also the more plausible of these two choices for someone who wants to search for the best rotatable ear cups kids headset for elderly listeners: neither product is described as having rotatable ear cups, but the JBL is the more compact, adjustable-headband option.
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-17 · 8 min read · Independent comparison
Who should skip it: Skip the JBL if you specifically want over-ear coverage, a listed noise-isolating design, or a bass effect that can be adjusted and physically felt.
The Skullcandy Crusher is an over-ear wireless headphone with a different priority: its patented Crusher Bass system combines two full-range 40 mm drivers with additional dual bass drivers. The product describes its bass as a multisensory effect that can be felt, not just heard. That makes it a more specialized pick than the JBL. If music or movies feel more engaging to you when low-end impact is prominent, this is the model whose design directly addresses that preference.
Its over-ear fit is also described as noise isolating, which may appeal to someone who wants headphones that provide some sound isolation through their design. The controls cover calls, tracks, and volume, allowing a listener to handle common tasks from the headphones. It folds flat and collapses, so it can be packed down for storage, although it remains an over-ear design rather than the JBL’s on-ear style.
Skullcandy specifies up to 50 hours of battery life and says a 10-minute charge can provide four hours of listening. It connects over Bluetooth and also has a 3.5 mm jack, giving it a wired listening option. The Bluetooth version listed is 4.1. For an older listener who prioritizes the over-ear fit, strong bass emphasis, and that wired connection, the Crusher is worth considering. Its listed weight is 9.76 ounces, a concrete point to weigh against the JBL’s 160 g listing when choosing something to wear for long stretches; those figures use different units, so they are not a direct comparison by themselves.
Who should skip it: Skip the Crusher if you want the more compact on-ear form, USB-C charging, or a clearly stated quick charge that adds four hours after only five minutes.
• Best for a compact, foldable on-ear style → JBL Tune 510BT. Its design folds for carrying, and its ear cushions sit on the ears rather than around them.
• Best for bass you can feel → Skullcandy Crusher. Its extra bass drivers and Crusher Bass system are the standout difference.
• Best for the longer stated maximum battery life → Skullcandy Crusher. It lists up to 50 hours, compared with up to 40 hours for the JBL.
• Best for a quick top-up after five minutes → JBL Tune 510BT. JBL says five minutes of charging provides two hours of music; Skullcandy lists a 10-minute charge for four hours.
• Best for a USB-C charging connection → JBL Tune 510BT. Its included charging cable is Type-C USB.
• Best for a wired listening option → Skullcandy Crusher. It lists a 3.5 mm jack, while JBL lists USB connectivity and wireless Bluetooth.
• Best for switching between two Bluetooth devices → JBL Tune 510BT. Its listed feature supports moving between devices, such as a tablet and phone.
• Best for over-ear sound isolation → Skullcandy Crusher. Its design is described as noise isolating; the JBL’s noise control is listed as none.
• Best for an elderly listener who wants physical call controls and a more compact design → JBL Tune 510BT. It has ear-cup buttons, a microphone, a foldable build, and an adjustable headband.
• Best for someone who wants strong bass in movies as well as music → Skullcandy Crusher. Its bass system is specifically designed to make low frequencies more tactile.
Buying Considerations
For an older adult, the practical question is often how the headphones will be used day to day. The JBL’s microphone, ear-cup buttons, voice-assistant access, and ability to switch between two connected devices could be useful for someone who listens on a tablet but also wants to answer calls from a phone. Its adjustable headband offers flexibility in fit, and its foldable shape can be easier to store. The information provided does not specify whether its buttons are larger or easier to see, so I wouldn’t assume that from the listed controls alone.
The Crusher has its own practical case. The over-ear design may suit someone who prefers ear cups around the ears, and its noise-isolating description could be useful in a distracting environment. Its 3.5 mm jack gives it a wired connection option, while the JBL’s listed connections are wireless Bluetooth and USB. On the other hand, Skullcandy does not list a USB-C charging cable or a two-device switching feature in its product details.
Think about sound preference as well as fit. JBL lists Pure Bass, but the Crusher goes further with additional bass drivers and a bass effect intended to be felt. That difference may be a deciding factor for a bass fan, but it is not automatically an advantage for every listener. Someone who wants a more conventional headphone experience may prefer the JBL’s simpler feature set. For either model, check the current price on Amazon using the page’s button rather than relying on a figure in this comparison.
I’d buy the JBL Tune 510BT for an elderly listener who wants a foldable headphone, on-ear buttons, a microphone, and USB-C charging. Its stated 40-hour battery life and quick five-minute charge also make everyday use easier to plan. I’d choose the Skullcandy Crusher instead when over-ear fit and tactile bass are the clear priorities. For the elderly use case overall, my pick is JBL because its compact design and simple listed controls make it the more practical starting point.
The Crusher is the more bass-focused design. It uses additional bass drivers and a system intended to make bass physically noticeable. JBL lists Pure Bass, but not the same tactile bass feature.
Skullcandy lists up to 50 hours of listening, while JBL lists up to 40 hours. These are stated maximum figures; actual listening time can vary with use.
Neither is listed with active noise cancellation. The Crusher is described as noise isolating, while the JBL’s noise-control field is listed as none.
Neither is a clip-on earbud. The JBL is an on-ear headphone and uses a Type-C USB charging cable; the Crusher is an over-ear headphone and lists a 3.5 mm jack. If a clip-on or true wireless earbud design is essential, these are not the matching product types.
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