If you want compact earbuds with deep bass and the option to use one bud at a time, choose JBL Vibe 100TWS; if you need long battery life, on-ear comfort, and connections to two devices, choose SONY WH-CH520. For kids wireless listening, my pick is the Sony: its stated battery life and adjustable headband make it the more practical option for longer stretches.
The trade-off is simple: JBL gives you a small, separate earbud in each ear, while Sony has a headband and padded on-ear cups. Neither has noise control, and their call and voice-assistant features differ in ways worth checking before you decide.
JBL Vibe 100TWS vs SONY WH-CH520 at a Glance
• SONY WH-CH520 strength: Up to 50 hours of battery life, quick charging, and multipoint Bluetooth for two devices. Trade-off: On-ear headphones are less compact to wear than separate earbuds.
• For calls: Both have a microphone for hands-free calls; Sony also highlights clear calls, while JBL lets you use one earbud or both.
• For sound preferences: JBL has 8 mm drivers and a deep-bass focus; Sony lets you customize EQ through its app.
• For kids wireless use: Sony is my practical choice for longer listening; JBL may suit a child who prefers earbuds and a small case.
• Pick JBL for a compact earbud format; pick Sony for longer battery life and a headband fit.
The JBL Vibe 100TWS are for someone who wants small, cable-free earbuds rather than a headband. Their 8 mm drivers are paired with JBL’s deep-bass sound profile, so they make more sense for music and entertainment where a bass-forward presentation is welcome. Three sizes of silicone tips are included, giving you options to find a fit that seals more snugly.
That fit matters. The product information notes that an unsuitable tip size or poor placement can affect sound and call performance. I’d pay attention to that before choosing these for a child: earbuds need to sit securely and comfortably, and they may not suit kids who dislike having tips in their ears. The fit is personal, so the included sizes are useful, but they do not guarantee that every ear will find a comfortable match.
How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-20 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
The Sony WH-CH520 is an on-ear Bluetooth headphone with soft ear pads, an adjustable headband, and swivel earcups. That shape is a better starting point for someone who prefers headphones resting over the ears rather than silicone-tipped earbuds inside them. The design can also be easier to put on and take off quickly, whether the listener is moving between a school assignment, a video, or a call.
Battery life is Sony’s clearest advantage here: the stated maximum is up to 50 hours. Quick charging is also supported, with the product information specifying up to 90 minutes of playback from a three-minute charge. Those figures make the Sony the stronger fit for multi-day use or for a family that would rather charge less often. They are maximum figures, not a guarantee of the same runtime in every situation.
For sound, Sony offers EQ customization through its Headphones Connect app, plus DSEE processing for compressed music files. It also has a built-in microphone for hands-free calls and multipoint pairing, which means it can connect to two Bluetooth devices at once. Voice assistants are supported, including Google Assistant and Siri. For a teenager who moves between a phone and a laptop, or someone searching for the best voice assistant Bluetooth headphones for teens, that combination is more flexible than the JBL’s feature set.
The trade-off is the on-ear design. Some listeners simply prefer earbuds, and these headphones are not the choice for someone who wants a pair that sits entirely inside a pocket. Sony lists the WH-CH520 for adult, kid, and teen age ranges, but comfort still depends on the wearer and how the headband and ear pads feel.
• Best for longer battery life → SONY WH-CH520. Sony specifies up to 50 hours, compared with up to 5 hours in the JBL earbuds and 15 additional hours from their case.
• Best for listening with one earbud at a time → JBL Vibe 100TWS. Dual Connect lets you use either the left or right earbud on its own, or both.
• Best for switching between a phone and another device → SONY WH-CH520. Multipoint supports two Bluetooth devices at once.
• Best for a bass-focused earbud design → JBL Vibe 100TWS. Its 8 mm drivers are paired with JBL’s deep-bass sound focus.
• Best for adjusting sound preferences in an app → SONY WH-CH520. Its EQ Custom feature allows sound preferences to be tailored through the Sony app.
• Best for a voice-assistant feature → SONY WH-CH520. Sony supports Google Assistant and Siri; the JBL product information says no voice-assistant feature is available.
• Best for a choice of ear tips → JBL Vibe 100TWS. Three silicone-tip sizes are included, though a secure and comfortable fit still depends on the listener.
• Best for kids wireless listening over longer stretches → SONY WH-CH520, in my opinion. Its headband format and much longer stated battery life make it the more practical of these two for a child who likes on-ear headphones.
If calls are the deciding factor, both models include a microphone and support hands-free calls. Sony specifically describes its calls as clear, while JBL’s one-earbud option could be useful when a listener wants to keep one ear free. Neither product lists noise control, so I would not choose either expecting noise cancellation or another noise-control mode.
The “best crystal clear calls headphones for children” question has no universal answer based on these specifications alone. Sony gives you a built-in microphone and its clear-call feature; JBL gives you the flexibility to take calls with one earbud or both. For a gift, including an earphones Mother’s Day gift, the format matters as much as the feature list: choose JBL if the recipient likes earbuds, and Sony if they prefer an adjustable headband and on-ear pads.
My Verdict
I would buy the SONY WH-CH520 for kids wireless use because its up-to-50-hour battery life, adjustable headband, and voice-assistant support are a stronger match for longer, varied listening.
My deciding factor is Sony’s combination of long stated runtime and multipoint pairing, not a claim that one sound signature suits everyone.
For a child who dislikes on-ear headphones, I would reconsider and choose the JBL only if its ear-tip fit feels right.
I lean toward the Sony for a child who is comfortable with on-ear headphones: it has an adjustable headband and a stated battery life of up to 50 hours. JBL may fit better for a child who prefers earbuds, but tip fit and comfort need to be considered.
The JBL product information says no voice-assistant feature is available. The Sony WH-CH520 supports Google Assistant and Siri, making it the clearer choice if voice-assistant access matters.
Both models have a microphone and support hands-free calls. Sony highlights clear calls; JBL’s Dual Connect feature lets you take calls using either one earbud or both. The better fit depends on whether you prefer a headband or earbuds.
I can’t determine value without checking the current price on Amazon. Compare the current listing with the features you’ll actually use: Sony’s longer battery life and multipoint connection, or JBL’s earbud format and independent one-bud listening.
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