If you want simple, long-running wireless headphones for kids wireless, choose JBL Tune 510; if you need noise cancellation, adjustable ambient sound, and clearer hands-free calls, choose Sony WH-CH720N. The JBL is the more straightforward pick for everyday listening and fewer features to manage. The Sony is the more capable choice when quiet listening, calls, and awareness of your surroundings matter.
• JBL Tune 510: Up to 40 hours of battery life, a foldable lightweight design, and multipoint Bluetooth; its main trade-off is that it has no noise control.
• Sony WH-CH720N: Active noise cancellation, adjustable Ambient Sound mode, and beamforming microphones; its main trade-off is a shorter stated battery life of up to 35 hours.
• JBL Tune 510 suits listeners who want a simple wireless on-ear pair for music, travel, or a child’s everyday listening.
• Sony WH-CH720N suits listeners who want over-ear headphones with more control over noise, calls, and the sound of their surroundings.
The JBL Tune 510 is a straightforward Bluetooth on-ear headphone built around two practical strengths: a stated battery life of up to 40 hours and a foldable design. Its soft padded ear cushions and lightweight construction make it a sensible option for everyday listening at home, on a commute, or while moving between activities. Because it folds, it is also easier to tuck away than a non-folding design when the headphones are not in use.
JBL lists its sound as Pure Bass, which points to a music-oriented presentation rather than the Sony’s emphasis on balanced tuning and added listening controls. That may suit someone who wants a simple, lively-feeling headphone for playlists, videos, and general entertainment. The listed Bluetooth range is 10 meters, and multipoint lets the headphones connect to two Bluetooth devices so the listener can switch between them. That can be useful if a phone and another device both need to stay paired.
For a kid, the controls and feature set are relatively uncomplicated: Bluetooth listening, media controls, and a long stated battery life. The model is described as an adult product, though, so that does not establish a child-specific fit or sizing. It has no noise control, so it will not actively reduce surrounding sound or offer an ambient listening mode. That matters on busy commutes and in shared spaces, where the listener may want to manage how much outside sound reaches them.
How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Who should skip it: Skip the JBL if active noise cancellation, adjustable awareness of surroundings, or more call-focused microphone features are priorities.
The Sony WH-CH720N is the more feature-rich choice for listeners who want to shape their listening environment. It combines active noise cancellation with Dual Noise Sensor technology and an Integrated Processor V1. For someone working in a shared room, listening during travel, or trying to focus while other people are nearby, noise cancellation is a meaningful distinction from the JBL, which has no noise-control feature.
Sony also provides an adjustable Ambient Sound mode with 20 level settings. Instead of choosing only between blocking sound and taking the headphones off, the listener can adjust how much outside sound they want to hear. That is useful when moving between focused listening and situations where announcements or nearby conversation matter. Adaptive Sound Control is another automatic feature described in the product information, although the exact behavior can depend on its settings and use.
The WH-CH720N is an over-ear design, while the JBL is on-ear. Sony describes the headphone as lightweight, at 192 grams in its key features, and its listed battery life is up to 35 hours. Quick charging is a practical bonus: Sony says a three-minute charge provides up to an hour of playback. For calls, Precise Voice Pickup uses beamforming microphones to pick up voices clearly, making this the more call-oriented option on paper. Multipoint Bluetooth can keep two devices paired for switching between, which helps when moving from a computer to a phone.
Those features make the Sony a stronger fit for home working, video calls, and longer listening sessions where managing outside sound matters. It may also suit someone searching for the best with microphone headband headphones, provided they want a wireless over-ear design and value its call features. It has no headphone jack, so it is not the choice for someone who specifically needs a wired connection.
Who should skip it: Skip the Sony if you want the longer stated battery life, a foldable design, or a headphone with no active noise-control features to manage.
• Best for longer stated battery life → JBL Tune 510. JBL lists up to 40 hours, compared with up to 35 hours for Sony.
• Best for noise cancellation → Sony WH-CH720N. Sony includes active noise cancellation; JBL lists no noise control.
• Best for adjusting outside sound → Sony WH-CH720N. Its Ambient Sound mode has 20 level settings, a useful option when you want to hear more of your surroundings.
• Best for a foldable design → JBL Tune 510. Its lightweight, foldable construction is the more convenient choice when packing the headphones away.
• Best for calls → Sony WH-CH720N. Beamforming microphones and Precise Voice Pickup give it the clearer call-focused feature set described in the data.
• Best for switching between two paired devices → either. Both products support multipoint connections, so the choice comes down to their other features.
• Best for a music-first, bass-focused description → JBL Tune 510. JBL highlights Pure Bass sound, while Sony emphasizes natural vocals and balanced tuning.
• Best for movies in a noisy room → Sony WH-CH720N. Noise cancellation can help manage surrounding sound while watching. Neither product is identified as a neckband, so neither is specifically a match for someone searching for the best neckband headphones for movies.
Buying Considerations
Consider the physical design, too. JBL is on-ear and foldable; Sony is over-ear. Those descriptions make the basic difference clear, but they do not tell us which will feel better on a particular person. Comfort is personal, so think about whether you prefer cushions resting on the ears or surrounding them. For kids wireless listening, also keep in mind that the supplied information does not give a child-specific fit or volume-limiting feature for either model.
Battery needs are close, not radically different: JBL lists up to 40 hours and Sony up to 35. Sony’s quick-charge claim may be more helpful if short charging windows are common, while JBL’s stated total playback time may appeal if charging less often is the priority. Neither figure should be treated as a guarantee for every use pattern.
For headphones for Xbox, check the specific console and connection method you plan to use before choosing. Both models are described as wireless Bluetooth headphones, and the supplied details do not establish Xbox compatibility. Similarly, the Sony has no headphone jack, while the JBL’s listed connectivity is wireless; do not assume a wired gaming connection from these specifications. If gaming voice chat is central, Sony’s beamforming microphone features are relevant, but they do not by themselves confirm compatibility with a particular console or game.
Finally, the sound descriptions point to different priorities rather than a universal winner. JBL highlights bass-forward Pure Bass sound. Sony highlights natural vocals and balanced tuning, along with features for managing noise and enhancing compressed music. If the current price matters to your decision, check the current price on Amazon before choosing; the right fit still depends on which features you will actually use.
In my opinion, I would choose the Sony WH-CH720N for its active noise cancellation, adjustable Ambient Sound mode, and call-focused microphones. Those features make it more adaptable for work, travel, and listening around other people. For kids wireless use, though, I would choose the JBL Tune 510 when simplicity, folding portability, and up to 40 hours of stated battery life matter more than noise control.
FAQ
The Sony WH-CH720N is the clear fit if noise reduction is a priority because it includes active noise cancellation. The JBL Tune 510 lists no noise-control feature.
Both are described as wireless Bluetooth headphones, but the supplied information does not confirm Xbox compatibility. Check the connection requirements for your console and the games you play before buying; Sony’s microphone features may be useful for calls, but they do not guarantee console support.
Sony has the more specific call features: its beamforming microphones and Precise Voice Pickup are designed to pick up voices clearly. JBL’s listed features do not describe an equivalent microphone system, so Sony is the more supported choice for frequent hands-free calls.
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