If you want bass-forward sound and a simple, foldable design, choose JBL Tune 510BT; if you need longer battery life and more control over your sound, choose Sony WH-CH520. For kids wireless, I’d lean toward the Sony when fewer charging interruptions matter, while the JBL makes a straightforward pick for listeners who want punchy bass and easy portability.
• JBL Tune 510BT: Its headline strengths are bass-focused sound, folding portability, and up to 40 hours of battery life; its trade-off is less battery life than Sony and no sound-customizing app feature listed.
• Sony WH-CH520: It offers up to 50 hours of battery life, app-based EQ adjustments, and multipoint connection; its trade-off is a non-folding design, though its earcups swivel for compact carrying.
• Both: On-ear Bluetooth headphones with a built-in microphone, USB-C charging, and the ability to connect to two devices.
• Choose JBL if a foldable pair with a bass-forward sound is your priority.
• Choose Sony if you want longer stated battery life and more ways to tailor playback.
• These are both uncomplicated wireless headphones, but they make different compromises. JBL puts the emphasis on bass and folding convenience. Sony offers more battery life and sound adjustments through its companion app. Neither is described as having a headphone jack, so plan to use them wirelessly.
The Tune 510BT is the more direct choice for someone who wants a bass-focused listening profile without needing to customize it. Its advertised JBL Pure Bass sound gives the product a clear identity: it is aimed at listeners who like music with pronounced low-end character. That may suit energetic playlists, videos, and casual listening better than someone seeking app-based sound adjustments.
Portability is another practical strength. The headphones fold, and the adjustable headband is designed to fit a range of head sizes. The battery is rated for up to 40 hours, with a full recharge taking as little as two hours. A five-minute charge is stated to provide two additional hours of playback, which could be useful when someone realizes their headphones need power just before heading out.
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-17 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
I’d consider the JBL for a child or teen who wants straightforward Bluetooth headphones, a foldable form, and bass-forward sound. It also switches between two Bluetooth devices, has on-ear controls and a microphone for calls, and can activate Siri or Google Assistant through a button. I’d skip it if you specifically want to tune the EQ in an app or want the longer battery-life figure offered by Sony. And because these are on-ear headphones, fit and comfort will depend on the individual; the listed specifications don’t establish that they suit every head or ear shape.
The WH-CH520 is a better fit for someone who wants more listening time between charges and some say over how music sounds. Sony lists up to 50 hours of battery life, compared with up to 40 hours for the JBL. Its EQ Custom feature in the Sony Headphones Connect app lets listeners adjust the sound using presets or saved settings. DSEE is also included to process compressed music files.
Sony’s design includes soft ear pads, a cushion on the headband, an adjustable band, and swivel earcups. Those swiveling cups can make the headphones more compact to carry, although the product is not described as foldable like the JBL. The built-in microphone supports hands-free calls, and multipoint lets the headphones connect to two Bluetooth devices at once. The product information also describes voice-assistant access and a feature for locating the headphones through Google’s Find My Device app.
For kids wireless, the Sony’s longer battery-life figure and support for children and teens in its age-range description make it worth considering. That is not a guarantee of fit, however, and the specifications do not give a child-specific sizing range. I’d choose it for someone who values app-based sound adjustments or needs to move between a tablet and phone. I’d skip it if folding the headphones into a more portable shape is a deciding requirement.
• Best for the longer stated battery life → Sony WH-CH520. Sony lists up to 50 hours; JBL lists up to 40.
• Best for a foldable design → JBL Tune 510BT. Sony’s earcups swivel, but the JBL is the one described as folding.
• Best for bass-focused listening → JBL Tune 510BT. Its Pure Bass sound is the defining audio feature in its product information.
• Best for adjusting the sound in an app → Sony WH-CH520. EQ Custom provides presets and the option to create and save personal settings.
• Best for a quick, short recharge → Sony WH-CH520. Sony says a three-minute charge provides up to 90 minutes of playback. JBL’s five-minute charge provides two hours, so JBL’s quick-charge claim gives more stated playback time from that short charge.
• Best for a full recharge in less time → JBL Tune 510BT. The listed charging time is two hours, compared with three hours for the Sony.
• Best for switching between a phone and another device → Tie. Both products support connecting to two Bluetooth devices.
• Best for a simple, button-led voice-assistant shortcut → JBL Tune 510BT. Its multifunction button is described as activating Siri or Google Assistant; Sony also supports voice assistants, so this is a distinction in the described control approach, not an exclusive capability.
The use case matters more than a spec-sheet win. For a child moving between a tablet and a phone, both can handle two-device connections. For long stretches away from a charger, Sony has the larger stated battery-life figure. For a backpack or drawer where folding is useful, JBL has the clearer advantage.
A few common searches point outside this matchup. If you’re looking for the best earbuds for big ears, these aren’t earbuds at all; both are on-ear headphones, so earbud fit is not a useful basis for choosing between them. If you want the best bluetooth headset for podcast listening, the microphone and two-device connection may help with calls and switching devices, while Sony’s EQ adjustments offer more control over playback. And neither is an open-ear design, so shoppers searching for the best voice assistant open ear headphones for focus should look at a different style rather than treat either of these as an open-ear option.
My Verdict
I’d choose the Sony WH-CH520 for most people, including a family shopping for kids wireless, because its up-to-50-hour battery life and customizable EQ offer useful flexibility. The JBL Tune 510BT is my pick when folding portability and a bass-forward sound matter more than longer battery life or app-based adjustments. Before deciding, I’d check the current price on Amazon and compare it with the features that matter to the listener.
Sony lists up to 50 hours of battery life, while JBL lists up to 40 hours. Actual playback time can vary, but Sony has the higher stated figure.
Yes. Both support connecting to two Bluetooth devices, which can make it easier to switch between, for example, a tablet and a phone.
Both have built-in microphones and support hands-free calls. The listed features don’t establish that one will sound clearer in every room or network condition.
The product information lists active noise cancellation for both, but it does not provide details about how much noise they reduce. Both are on-ear models, so they are not open-ear headphones.
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