Both are wireless on-ear headphones with built-in microphones and the ability to connect to two devices. The real choice is whether JBL’s stated Pure Bass sound and quick top-up matter more to you, or Sony’s longer stated battery life and sound customization.
JBL Tune 510BT vs Sony WH-CH520 at a Glance
• JBL Tune 510BT: Its standout is a bass-focused sound profile, plus up to 40 hours of battery life and a five-minute charge for two more hours. The trade-off is less battery life than Sony and no stated sound-customization app.
• Sony WH-CH520: Its biggest strengths are up to 50 hours of battery life, quick charging, and EQ adjustments through Sony’s app. The trade-off is that it does not promise JBL’s particular Pure Bass sound character.
• Both: They’re Bluetooth on-ear headphones with a built-in microphone and two-device connection. Neither has a headphone jack.
• Choose JBL if you want a bass-forward listening profile and the ability to fold the headphones for carrying.
• Choose Sony if you want longer stated battery life and more control over how music sounds.
The JBL Tune 510BT is a straightforward choice for someone who likes bass-forward music and wants wireless headphones without a lot of setup. JBL describes its sound as Pure Bass. The headphones connect over Bluetooth, and you can switch between two paired devices, such as a tablet playing a show and a phone receiving a call. That’s useful at home, on a commute, or during a school day when both devices are in rotation.
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-18 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
For families considering wireless headphones for kids, the adjustable headband and foldable design are practical points in JBL’s favor. Its battery is rated for up to 40 hours, and JBL says a five-minute charge can add two hours of listening. The on-ear buttons handle sound and calls, and a button can activate Siri or Google Assistant on a connected device. Those are simple, recognizable functions for everyday use.
The trade-off is fit: these sit on the ears, and comfort is personal. JBL’s guidance suggests adjusting the headband and earpieces if the fit feels tight. I’d skip this model if you want adjustable EQ in a companion app or if maximizing the stated battery life is your main concern. There’s no headphone jack, so plan on Bluetooth listening.
The Sony WH-CH520 makes more sense for listeners who want longer stretches between charges and a way to tailor sound. Sony lists up to 50 hours of battery life, ten more than JBL’s stated maximum. It also offers EQ customization in the Sony Headphones Connect app, including presets and the option to create personal sound settings. That gives the Sony an advantage if one person prefers more bass while another wants a different balance.
Sony also emphasizes a lightweight build, soft ear pads, an adjustable headband, and swiveling earcups. Like JBL, it can connect to two Bluetooth devices at once and includes a microphone for hands-free calls. Its quick-charge feature is useful when the battery is low: Sony says a three-minute charge can provide up to 90 minutes of playback. That is a different charging claim from JBL’s, so compare the stated top-ups rather than assuming one is better for every situation.
The WH-CH520 is a sensible fit for students, commuters, or households that share headphones across different kinds of listening. It also suits someone who wants app controls instead of a fixed sound character. One limitation is that Sony’s battery advantage is a manufacturer-stated maximum, not a guarantee of identical listening time in every situation. And, like the JBL, it is an on-ear Bluetooth model with no headphone jack.
• Best for longer stated battery life → Sony WH-CH520. Sony lists up to 50 hours, compared with up to 40 for JBL.
• Best for bass-forward sound → JBL Tune 510BT. JBL specifically describes its sound as Pure Bass.
• Best for changing the sound profile → Sony WH-CH520. Its EQ Custom feature works through the Sony Headphones Connect app.
• Best for a very short charging break → JBL Tune 510BT. JBL says five minutes of charging adds two hours of music.
• Best for a quick top-up before heading out → Sony WH-CH520. Sony says three minutes of charging can provide up to 90 minutes of playback.
• Best for switching between a phone and tablet → Either. Both support connection to two devices, so you can move between playback and calls.
• Best for carrying in a bag → JBL Tune 510BT. Its foldable design is a specific portability feature; Sony’s swiveling earcups help with compact carrying.
• Best for family use when sound preferences differ → Sony WH-CH520. Its app-based EQ gives listeners a way to adjust the sound instead of relying on one described profile.
A couple of tempting comparisons don’t really settle this matchup. Someone searching for the best head phones for teachers may care about calls and switching devices; both models provide those basics, but neither sheet establishes which microphone performs better in a classroom. Neither is an open-ear design, so neither fits a search for the best comfortable open ear headphones. And these are headphones, not low latency wireless earbuds for cycling; the supplied specifications do not state latency or cycling-specific features.
In my opinion, I’d buy the Sony WH-CH520 for most everyday listening because its stated 50-hour battery life and app-based EQ give it more flexibility.
For kids wireless listening, I’d still choose Sony if adjustable sound and longer time between charges matter most.
I’d choose the JBL Tune 510BT instead for a listener who specifically wants its bass-forward sound and foldable design.
Both offer two-device Bluetooth connections and hands-free calls, so the deciding difference is sound preference versus battery and EQ flexibility.
Sony lists up to 50 hours for the WH-CH520, while JBL lists up to 40 hours for the Tune 510BT. Actual listening time can vary, so treat these as manufacturer-stated maximums.
Yes. Both support connecting to two devices, which can make it easier to move between a tablet or computer and a phone. Neither includes a headphone jack, so wired listening is not an option based on the listed specifications.
Both have a built-in microphone and support hands-free calls. The specifications provided don’t establish which one has clearer call quality in a particular room, so I wouldn’t choose between them on microphone performance alone.
Sony offers EQ customization through its Headphones Connect app, with presets and the ability to create sound settings. JBL highlights its Pure Bass sound but does not list an equivalent app-based EQ feature.
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