If you want longer battery life and adjustable sound, choose JBL Tune 510BT; if you need a lighter headset with more battery endurance, choose SONY WH-CH520. For kids wireless listening, the JBL’s bass-focused sound and simple on-ear controls make it a straightforward pick, while Sony offers more playback time and app-based sound adjustment.
JBL Tune 510BT vs SONY WH-CH520 at a Glance
• JBL Tune 510BT: Strong points are its bass-focused sound, foldable design, and up to 40 hours of battery life; its main trade-off is shorter battery endurance than Sony’s.
• SONY WH-CH520: Strong points are up to 50 hours of battery life, app-based EQ customization, and a lighter listed weight; its trade-off is the lack of active noise cancellation and a foldable design.
• JBL is for: Kids and families who want simple on-ear headphones, punchy bass, and physical buttons for calls and playback.
• Sony is for: Kids who may benefit from more battery headroom, adjustable sound, and the ability to pair with two devices at once.
• Both are wireless Bluetooth on-ear headphones with microphones and multipoint connections, but neither has a headphone jack.
The JBL Tune 510BT is the more direct, uncomplicated choice. It uses JBL’s Pure Bass sound profile, which points toward music with a noticeable low end rather than a sound you tune through an app. For kids listening to playlists, videos, or music during a trip, that simple approach can be appealing. The headphones connect over Bluetooth, and the listed range is 10 meters, so the listening device does not have to stay right beside the wearer.
Battery life is rated for up to 40 hours. That is substantial for everyday listening, though it falls short of Sony’s 50-hour figure. JBL says a full recharge takes about two hours using USB Type-C, while a five-minute quick charge can add two hours of music playback. That short-charge option is useful when someone remembers the headphones only shortly before leaving. The foldable design also makes them easier to pack away than a pair that does not fold, and the adjustable headband is designed to fit a range of head sizes.
JBL includes a microphone and on-ear buttons for managing sound and calls. A multifunction button can also activate Siri or Google Assistant on a connected device. The headphones can switch between two Bluetooth devices, which can help when a child uses a tablet for a video and a phone for a call. The trade-off is that the listed fit is on-ear, not over-ear, and there is no headphone jack for wired listening. The product information describes adult use, so a child’s comfort and fit still deserve attention rather than assumption.
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-17 · 8 min read · Independent comparison
Who should skip this: Skip the JBL if the priority is the longest listed battery life or app-based EQ customization; Sony has the advantage on both.
The Sony WH-CH520 is the better match for families who want more battery headroom and a way to tailor the sound. Sony lists up to 50 hours of battery life, ten hours more than the JBL’s stated maximum. Its quick-charge specification is also different: three minutes of charging can provide up to 90 minutes of playback. That can be handy before a school run or a journey when the battery is low, though it does not replace keeping the headphones charged.
Sony’s EQ Custom feature in the Headphones Connect app lets listeners select sound presets or create and save their own. The headphones also use DSEE to improve the sound of compressed music files. Those features offer more ways to shape listening than the JBL’s bass-focused presentation, but they involve app-based adjustment rather than just choosing a fixed sound character. Sony lists multipoint connection for two Bluetooth devices, so switching between a laptop or tablet and a phone can be convenient. Its Bluetooth version is 5.2, and its listed wireless range is 10 meters.
For daily handling, Sony lists a lightweight design, soft earpads, an adjustable headband, and swivel earcups. The listed weight is 5.1 ounces, compared with 5.6 ounces for JBL. The built-in microphone supports hands-free calls, and Siri or Google Assistant can be activated by voice. Sony also includes a headphone-finding feature through Google’s Find My Device app. The headphones are on-ear, have no headphone jack, and list no noise control. That last point matters: sound customization is not the same as reducing outside noise.
Who should skip this: Skip the Sony if foldability or a bass-forward sound is the priority; the JBL’s listed design and sound profile suit those preferences more directly.
• Best for longer listed battery life → SONY WH-CH520. Sony’s maximum is up to 50 hours, compared with JBL’s up to 40 hours.
• Best for a fast top-up before heading out → SONY WH-CH520. Its listed three-minute charge provides up to 90 minutes of playback; JBL’s five-minute charge provides two hours.
• Best for bass-focused listening → JBL Tune 510BT. JBL specifically describes its sound as Pure Bass.
• Best for adjusting sound through an app → SONY WH-CH520. EQ Custom supports presets and saved personal settings.
• Best for packing into a bag → JBL Tune 510BT. Its design is foldable, while Sony’s information highlights swivel earcups rather than folding.
• Best for a lighter listed build → SONY WH-CH520. It weighs 5.1 ounces; JBL is listed at 5.6 ounces.
• Best for on-headset call and sound buttons → JBL Tune 510BT. JBL specifies on-ear-cup buttons for managing calls and sound.
• Best for finding a misplaced pair through a phone feature → SONY WH-CH520. Sony lists Google Find My Device support for locating the headphones by sound or checking their last known location.
Buying Considerations
Also separate sound features from noise-control features. Sony’s EQ Custom and DSEE can change or enhance the listening experience, but the listed noise control is none. JBL’s product information includes active noise cancellation under noise control, while its main feature description emphasizes Pure Bass; that listing does not make the two products a straightforward noise-cancelling comparison. For a purchase where limiting outside sound is essential, check the product details carefully and do not assume either pair will create a quiet bubble.
Finally, think about how the headphones will connect and recharge. Both connect wirelessly through Bluetooth, list a 10-meter range, support switching between two devices, and omit a headphone jack. That makes them most suitable when the child’s tablet, phone, or computer supports Bluetooth. Both use USB Type-C charging, but their quick-charge figures differ. If wired listening is a must, neither model fits that requirement based on the listed connection details.
Some families search for “open ear earbuds back to school” when they want a child to stay more aware of nearby sounds. These are not open-ear earbuds; they are on-ear Bluetooth headphones. Likewise, a search for “transparency mode kids headphones bluetooth 5.3” points to a feature and Bluetooth version that are not listed for either model. JBL lists Bluetooth 5, Sony Bluetooth 5.2, and neither sheet specifies transparency mode. Matching the actual feature list to the need is more useful than relying on a similar-sounding search phrase.
I’d choose the SONY WH-CH520 for most families buying for kids wireless listening. Its extra listed battery life, lighter listed weight, app-based EQ, and quick-charge figure make it the more flexible everyday option in my opinion. I’d pick the JBL instead when foldability and a bass-forward sound matter more than maximizing battery life. Neither is a substitute for headphones with a clearly specified transparency mode or a wired connection.
FAQ
Which is better for kids, JBL Tune 510BT or Sony WH-CH520?
Do these headphones have noise cancellation or transparency mode?
Sony’s noise control is listed as none, and neither product’s provided details specify transparency mode. JBL’s noise-control field lists active noise cancellation, but that is not a listed feature for Sony. Check the exact feature needs before treating either pair as suitable for a noisy setting.
Yes. JBL can activate Siri or Google Assistant through its multifunction button. Sony also supports Siri and Google Assistant, and its product information describes voice activation. A search for a “voice assistant kids headset” may fit either model, but the assistant still depends on the connected device and its settings.
Which one is better value?
I can’t determine value without comparing the current prices and the features that matter to your family. Check the current price on Amazon, then weigh it against the details here: Sony’s longer listed battery life and EQ tools, or JBL’s foldability and bass-forward sound.
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