If you want a simpler, bass-forward pair with a five-minute quick charge, choose JBL Tune 510BT; if you need longer battery life and adjustable sound, choose Sony WH-CH520. For kids wireless, I’d lean Sony when the extra listening time and sound options matter most, while the JBL is the straightforward pick for families who want a foldable design and easy controls.
• JBL Tune 510BT: Up to 40 hours of battery life, a foldable build, and a five-minute charge for two more hours of listening; trade-offs include no sound customization and no noise control.
• Sony WH-CH520: Up to 50 hours of battery life, EQ adjustments through Sony’s app, and a swivel design; trade-offs include a longer stated full charging time and no noise control.
• Both are wireless, on-ear Bluetooth headphones with built-in microphones and the ability to connect to two devices.
• Choose JBL if you want a simple, foldable pair with bass-focused sound and a very quick top-up.
• Choose Sony if longer battery life and the option to tailor the sound are higher priorities.
The JBL Tune 510BT is a practical choice for someone who wants uncomplicated on-ear headphones for music, videos, and calls. Its sound is described as JBL Pure Bass, and its battery can provide up to 40 hours of wireless listening. For a child moving between a tablet and a phone, multipoint connection can help switch between two paired devices without making the headphones a one-device-only accessory.
The foldable design is useful when the headphones need to go into a backpack between school, travel, or home use. On-ear buttons handle sound and calls, while a button can activate Siri or Google Assistant on the connected device. A five-minute charge is specified to add two hours of playback, which is a handy option when someone notices a low battery shortly before heading out.
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-17 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
I’d consider the JBL for a buyer who values a simple control scheme, foldability, and bass-forward listening. I’d skip it if the main goal is to customize the sound through an app or get the longer stated battery life in this comparison. It has no noise control, so don’t choose it expecting noise cancellation or a feature designed to block surrounding sounds. The headphones are adjustable, but fit is personal; anyone concerned about a snug on-ear feel should pay attention to that trade-off.
The Sony WH-CH520 makes the stronger case for someone who wants longer time between charges and more say over the sound. Sony lists up to 50 hours of battery life, and the Headphones Connect app offers EQ customization, including presets and the option to save a personal setting. DSEE is also listed as a way to enhance compressed music files. Those features make the Sony a more flexible pick for someone who listens to different genres or switches between music and podcasts.
Its swivel earcups, adjustable headband, soft ear pads, and lightweight design are intended to support comfortable everyday listening. The built-in microphone supports hands-free calls, and multipoint connection can keep two Bluetooth devices connected for switching between, for example, a laptop and a phone. Sony also specifies quick charging: three minutes of charging can provide up to 90 minutes of playback.
I’d choose the Sony for a listener who wants app-based sound adjustments, a longer stated battery life, or a choice of listed colors. I’d pass if foldability is a must-have: the supplied details describe swivel earcups for compact carrying, not a folding design. Like the JBL, it has no noise control, so it isn’t the pick for someone specifically seeking noise cancellation. The Sony’s stated full charging time is three hours, compared with two hours for the JBL, though its quick-charge figure is also notable.
• Best for longer battery life → Sony WH-CH520. Its stated maximum is up to 50 hours, compared with up to 40 hours for the JBL.
• Best for adjustable sound → Sony WH-CH520. Its EQ can be customized in Sony’s app, with presets and saved settings.
• Best for a foldable design → JBL Tune 510BT. That makes it the more clearly specified option for packing into a bag.
• Best for a very quick charge → JBL Tune 510BT. Five minutes is specified to add two hours of listening; Sony lists three minutes for up to 90 minutes.
• Best for switching between a phone and tablet or laptop → Either. Both support connection to two devices.
• Best for on-headphone call and playback buttons → JBL Tune 510BT. Its controls are described as buttons on the ear cup.
• Best for sound enhancement features → Sony WH-CH520. Its listed options include EQ customization and DSEE.
• Best when noise control is essential → Neither. Both product details specify no noise control.
For a family comparing these as kids wireless headphones, the practical distinction is not simply battery life. It’s whether the child is more likely to benefit from the Sony’s longer listening window and app-based sound choices, or the JBL’s foldability and direct controls. Both are on-ear models, so neither should be treated as a fit for every child without considering how on-ear headphones feel to that listener.
I’d choose the Sony WH-CH520 for most people deciding between these two. In my opinion, the extra stated battery life and adjustable EQ make it the more adaptable everyday pair, especially for music, videos, and calls across two devices.
For kids wireless, I’d still check which design and controls better suit the child’s routine. If foldability and a five-minute charge matter more than sound customization, I’d pick the JBL instead.
FAQ
Neither model lists noise control. If blocking surrounding sound is a must, these two are not the right comparison to settle that need.
Both have built-in microphones for hands-free calls and support connection to two devices. The JBL specifies call and sound buttons on the ear cup; the Sony also supports hands-free calling and multipoint switching.
Both can suit spoken audio and have a built-in microphone, but neither is an open-ear model. The JBL uses a button to activate Siri or Google Assistant, while the Sony supports voice-assistant activation. If you’re searching for the “best earbuds for big ears,” “best bluetooth headset for podcast,” or “best voice assistant open ear headphones for focus,” note that these are on-ear headphones, not earbuds or open-ear headphones.
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