If you want long listening time, choose JBL Tune 510BT; if you need compact true wireless earbuds, choose Skullcandy Sesh True. For an older listener, the key question is whether on-ear headphones with longer battery life or small, separate earbuds with a charging case will be easier to use day to day.
In this Skullcandy vs JBL earbuds comparison, the JBL is the more straightforward fit for long stretches of music and calls, while the Skullcandy suits someone who wants an in-ear design and a case to carry and recharge the earbuds. One important distinction: the JBL Tune 510BT is an on-ear headphone, not an earbud.
• JBL Tune 510BT: Its standout advantage is up to 40 hours of battery life, plus a five-minute charge for up to two more hours. The trade-off is its on-ear headband design, which is less compact than separate earbuds.
• Skullcandy Sesh True: Its biggest strength is a genuinely wireless in-ear format with a charging case and IP55 resistance to sweat, water, and dust. Its listed total battery life is 10 hours, with 11 additional hours from the case.
• JBL controls and calls: Buttons on an ear cup handle sound and calls, and the microphone supports hands-free calls. It can also switch between two Bluetooth devices.
• Skullcandy controls and carrying: Touch controls cover volume, tracks, calls, and voice assistant activation. The case provides a place to store the earbuds and recharge them.
• Choose JBL if you prefer a headband, want longer listed battery life, and expect to listen for extended periods.
• Choose Skullcandy if you want in-ear earbuds, a charging case, and resistance to sweat, water, and dust.
The JBL Tune 510BT is an on-ear Bluetooth headphone with an adjustable headband, soft ear cushions, and a padded headband. Its foldable design makes it easier to pack than a fixed headband, though it still takes a different kind of space than two small earbuds and a case. JBL describes its sound as Pure Bass, and the listed frequency range is 20 Hz to 20 kHz.
Battery life is the clearest reason to consider it. The headphones are rated for up to 40 hours of wireless listening, and a full charge takes about two hours with the included Type-C charging cable. If you are short on time, a five-minute charge is listed as enough for up to two additional hours of music. For someone who would rather charge less often, that is a practical advantage over the Skullcandy’s listed earbud-and-case battery figures.
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-18 · 8 min read · Independent comparison
It also has a microphone on an ear cup for hands-free calls, physical buttons for sound and call management, and access to Siri or Hey Google through a multifunction button. The ability to switch between two Bluetooth devices may help if you use a phone and a tablet, such as moving from a video to an incoming call without repeatedly reconnecting.
For an older listener who prefers headphones that sit over the ears rather than earbuds that need to be placed in each ear, the headband may be the more familiar format. The adjustable fit gives some flexibility, but comfort is personal, and the on-ear design is not automatically right for every wearer. Who should skip this: anyone who specifically wants tiny, separate earbuds or dislikes having a headband resting on the head.
The Skullcandy Sesh True is a set of true wireless, in-ear earbuds in an Indigo finish. There is no connecting wire between the buds, and the included charging case gives them a place to go when they are not in use. That smaller, separate-earbud format may suit someone who values a compact carry setup more than the broad, over-the-head design of the JBL.
The listed battery figures are 10 hours for the earbuds and 11 hours for the case. Those figures describe a different routine from the JBL’s up-to-40-hour headphone battery: the Sesh relies on returning the earbuds to the case for charging, while the JBL recharges as a single headset. If you are comparing options for an older relative, consider which routine seems simpler for them. The small earbuds and case can be convenient to carry, but keeping track of separate pieces may not suit everyone.
The Sesh is rated IP55 for resistance to sweat, water, and dust. Its touch controls cover volume, calls, tracks, and activating a voice assistant, while sound isolation is listed as its noise-control type. These features give it a useful mix for someone who wants in-ear listening and a case-based charging setup. The listed wireless range is 10 meters.
Its Bluetooth connection and touch controls make it a flexible everyday option, but the in-ear fit is a real consideration. People who do not like placing earbuds in their ears may find the JBL’s on-ear format more comfortable or familiar. Who should skip this: anyone who wants the longest listed battery life without relying on a charging case, or who does not want in-ear earbuds.
• Best for long listening stretches → JBL Tune 510BT. Its battery is listed for up to 40 hours, compared with 10 hours for the Sesh earbuds and 11 hours from their case.
• Best for a quick battery top-up → JBL Tune 510BT. A five-minute charge is listed to provide up to two hours of music; the Sesh instead recharges in its case.
• Best for true wireless earbuds → Skullcandy Sesh True. Each earbud is separate, with no cable connecting the two.
• Best for a headband-style fit → JBL Tune 510BT. Its adjustable headband and padded construction are a better match for someone who prefers on-ear headphones to in-ear buds.
• Best for sweat, water, and dust resistance → Skullcandy Sesh True. Its IP55 rating is a specific advantage for those conditions.
• Best for switching between two devices → JBL Tune 510BT. It can move between two Bluetooth devices, which may help when using a phone and tablet.
• Best for touch controls → Skullcandy Sesh True. Its touch controls cover calls, volume, tracks, and assistant activation; the JBL uses buttons on an ear cup.
• Best for hands-free calls with an on-headphone microphone → JBL Tune 510BT. Its microphone is on the ear cup, with call controls alongside it.
For an older listener, comfort and handling deserve as much attention as the headline features. The JBL has an adjustable headband, ear cushions, and buttons located on an ear cup. The Skullcandy uses touch controls and separates into two small earbuds that return to a charging case. Neither setup is universally easier: a headband may feel familiar, while someone else may prefer earbuds without a band over the head.
Think through the charging habit, too. The JBL’s longer stated battery life may mean fewer charging sessions, and its short-charge feature offers a useful fallback when time is limited. The Sesh provides a case-based routine, but the earbuds need to be placed back in that case to use its additional battery capacity. Someone who often misplaces small objects may find that difference important.
The physical design should guide your choice more than the wording of a search query. If you are searching for the best USB-C charging clip-on earbuds for elderly listeners, neither model is a clip-on earbud: the JBL is an on-ear headphone with Type-C charging, and the Skullcandy is an in-ear true wireless set. Likewise, the best rotatable ear cups kids headset for elderly is not what either product describes; the JBL has on-ear cups, but the supplied details do not list rotatable cups or a kids-specific fit.
If the actual need is the best true wireless earbuds for elderly use, the Skullcandy is the only true wireless option of these two. That still does not make it the automatic choice for every older listener. Consider whether the in-ear fit, touch controls, and separate pieces suit the person who will use them. If familiar headband placement and longer listed battery life matter more, the JBL is the more suitable option.
FAQ
I would start with the JBL if the listener prefers a headband, wants buttons on an ear cup, or values up to 40 hours of battery life. The Sesh may suit someone who specifically wants in-ear true wireless earbuds and a charging case.
No. The JBL Tune 510BT is a wireless on-ear headphone with an adjustable headband. The Skullcandy Sesh True is a pair of in-ear true wireless earbuds.
The JBL is listed for up to 40 hours of wireless listening, with a five-minute charge providing up to two hours of music. The Sesh earbuds have 10 hours of listed battery life, with 11 additional hours listed for the charging case.
The Sesh has an IP55 rating for resistance to sweat, water, and dust. The JBL’s listed details do not specify an equivalent resistance rating, so I would choose the Sesh if that protection is a priority.
In my opinion, I would choose the JBL Tune 510BT for an older listener who wants a familiar headband design, straightforward ear-cup buttons, and much longer listed battery life. Its foldable design, hands-free call support, and quick-charge feature make it the more practical fit for extended everyday listening.
I would choose the Skullcandy Sesh True instead if true wireless in-ear buds, a charging case, or IP55 resistance matter more. For elderly listeners, I would make the decision around which physical format and charging routine feel easier to manage.
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