If you want long battery life and quick recovery from a short charge, choose JBL Tune 510BT; if you need more listening time between charges and app-based sound adjustment, choose Sony WH-CH520. For kids wireless, I would start with the Sony for its longer stated battery life, but the JBL is a strong alternative when a very short recharge matters.
JBL Tune 510BT vs Sony WH-CH520 at a Glance
• JBL Tune 510BT: Up to 40 hours of battery life, plus a five-minute charge for two more hours of listening. Its trade-off is less battery life than Sony on the stated specifications.
• Sony WH-CH520: Up to 50 hours of battery life, app-based EQ customization, and a three-minute charge for up to 90 minutes of playback. Its trade-off is that its stated quick-charge boost is shorter than the JBL's.
• Both are on-ear Bluetooth headphones with a built-in microphone, a 10-meter Bluetooth range, and no noise control.
• Choose JBL if you want fast top-ups, foldable construction, and simple physical buttons on the ear cup.
• Choose Sony if you want longer stated battery life, adjustable sound presets, and a swivel design for compact carrying.
The JBL Tune 510BT makes sense for someone who wants straightforward wireless headphones and values a fast battery top-up. Its stated battery life is up to 40 hours, and a five-minute charge is listed as enough for two additional hours of music. That can be useful when the headphones are nearly out of power and there is only a short window to charge them before a commute, school day, or trip.
JBL also gives the Tune 510BT foldable construction, an adjustable headband, soft ear cushions, and padded headband material. Its design is on-ear, so the cushions rest on the ears rather than enclosing them. JBL describes the sound as Pure Bass, which may appeal to listeners who want bass to be a noticeable part of their music. The headphones can switch between two Bluetooth devices, and the ear-cup buttons manage playback and hands-free calls through the built-in microphone.
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 would consider the JBL for a child or adult who wants simple controls, a foldable design, and a short-charge option that offers a useful listening boost. I would look elsewhere if the priority is the longest stated battery life or if being able to tailor sound through a companion app is important. The product information lists no noise control, so these should not be chosen with the expectation that they will block surrounding sound.
The Sony WH-CH520 is the better fit for listeners who care about longer stated battery life and more control over sound preferences. Sony lists up to 50 hours of battery life. Its quick-charge specification says a three-minute charge can provide up to 90 minutes of playback. That is a useful reserve, though JBL's listed five-minute boost gives two hours, so the two quick-charge claims do not point to a simple winner in every situation.
The Sony's clearest feature advantage is its EQ Custom option in the Sony Headphones Connect app. Listeners can select sound presets or create and save their own. That offers more flexibility than a fixed sound profile if someone regularly moves between music styles, podcasts, and other audio. The WH-CH520 also supports pairing with two Bluetooth devices at once, has a built-in microphone for hands-free calls, and uses a swivel design for compact carrying.
For kids wireless, the Sony is a sensible choice when fewer charging interruptions and the ability to personalize sound matter more than the JBL's foldable design and longer quick-charge boost. Its soft earpads and additional head cushion are part of the design, but comfort depends on the individual listener and fit. Like the JBL, it is an on-ear model with no noise control, so it is not the choice for someone seeking noise-blocking headphones.
• Best for longer stated battery life: Sony WH-CH520. Sony lists up to 50 hours, compared with up to 40 hours for the JBL Tune 510BT.
• Best for a five-minute recharge: JBL Tune 510BT. JBL says five minutes of charging can provide two additional hours of music.
• Best for a three-minute emergency charge: Sony WH-CH520. Its listed quick-charge figure is up to 90 minutes of playback from three minutes of charging.
• Best for app-based sound adjustment: Sony WH-CH520. The Headphones Connect app offers presets and lets listeners save custom EQ settings.
• Best for foldable carrying: JBL Tune 510BT. Its foldable design is convenient when headphones need to be packed away.
• Best for compact carrying with swivel ear cups: Sony WH-CH520. Sony describes a swivel design that makes the headphones easier to carry compactly.
• Best for switching between two paired devices: Both. Each model supports connections to two devices, a practical feature for moving between a phone and a tablet.
• Best for a listener who wants noise control: Neither. Both product sheets list no noise control, so neither should be picked for sound isolation.
For someone searching for the best Bluetooth headset for podcast listening, either model has a built-in microphone and can connect wirelessly. The Sony offers EQ customization, while the JBL emphasizes its bass-focused sound description and simple ear-cup controls. Neither product's specifications establish a particular microphone performance level, so I would not assume one will sound clearer on calls.
The fit question deserves attention too. These are on-ear headphones, not in-ear earbuds, so a search for the best earbuds for big ears is really about a different type of product. Neither model is described as an earbud, and neither sheet gives ear-cup dimensions. If ear size or pressure is a concern, fit cannot be settled from these specifications alone.
The same distinction matters for searches like best voice assistant open ear headphones for focus. Both headphones can activate voice assistants: JBL lists Siri and Google Assistant access through a button, while Sony lists Google Assistant and Siri support. But these are on-ear headphones, not open-ear headphones, and neither has noise control. They may suit someone who wants to hear audio while remaining aware of their surroundings, but the data does not promise a particular level of awareness or focus.
In my opinion, I would choose the Sony WH-CH520 for most everyday listening, especially for kids wireless, because its stated battery life reaches up to 50 hours and it allows sound adjustment through the app. The JBL Tune 510BT is the better match if foldable construction or its five-minute charge for two extra hours is more useful in your routine. Both are straightforward on-ear Bluetooth options, but I would make the final call based on which battery and sound-control details matter most.
Sony lists up to 50 hours of battery life for the WH-CH520. JBL lists up to 40 hours for the Tune 510BT. Actual listening time can vary, and these figures are stated maximums rather than a guarantee for every use.
Both have a quick-charge feature, but the listed boosts differ. JBL says a five-minute charge gives two additional hours of music; Sony says a three-minute charge provides up to 90 minutes of playback.
Do the JBL Tune 510BT or Sony WH-CH520 block outside noise?
I would lean toward the Sony WH-CH520 when longer stated battery life and app-based sound adjustment are priorities. The JBL Tune 510BT may suit a child who benefits more from foldable construction and its five-minute charge boost. Both have adjustable or cushioned design details, but the product information does not establish a perfect fit for every child.
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