If you want longer battery life and more ways to shape your sound, choose JBL Tune 510BT; if you need quick top-ups and a more adjustable listening experience, choose Sony WH-CH520. For kids wireless, I’d lean toward Sony for its longer stated battery life and sound customization, while JBL makes a strong case for simpler, bass-focused listening.
JBL Tune 510BT vs Sony WH-CH520 at a Glance
• JBL Tune 510BT: Its standout strengths are JBL Pure Bass sound, up to 40 hours of battery life, and a five-minute charge that adds two hours of listening. The trade-off is less battery life than Sony and no listed app-based EQ customization.
• Sony WH-CH520: Its biggest advantages are up to 50 hours of battery life, quick charging that provides up to 90 minutes from three minutes, and customizable EQ in Sony’s app. It does not offer a listed noise-control feature.
• JBL is for listeners who want a bass-forward presentation, straightforward controls, and a foldable design.
• Sony is for listeners who want more battery headroom and the option to adjust the sound to their preferences.
• For calls and switching between devices, both include a microphone and support connection to two devices.
The Tune 510BT is the more direct pick for someone who wants wireless headphones with a clear emphasis on bass. JBL describes the sound as Pure Bass, which makes this model worth considering if you enjoy music with a strong low-end presence. It also has on-ear controls for managing sound and calls, plus a microphone for hands-free conversations.
Its stated battery life is up to 40 hours. When the battery is low, JBL says a five-minute charge can provide two more hours of music, while a full recharge takes as little as two hours using the included Type-C USB cable. Those figures give the Tune 510BT a practical routine: a short top-up can help when you have forgotten to charge it before heading out, and a full charge does not require an especially long wait according to the stated charging information.
How We Research
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
The WH-CH520 makes sense for listeners who want more time between charges and more say in how their music sounds. Sony lists up to 50 hours of battery life, ten hours more than JBL’s stated maximum. Its quick-charge feature is also useful in a hurry: a three-minute charge is described as providing up to 90 minutes of playback.
Sony’s sound options give it an edge for anyone who prefers to adjust rather than simply accept a fixed presentation. The Sony Headphones Connect app offers EQ customization, including presets and the ability to create and save personal settings. Sony also lists DSEE, a feature intended to boost the quality of compressed music files. These features do not guarantee that every listener will prefer Sony’s sound, but they provide more ways to tailor it.
The design includes soft ear pads, a cushioned headband, an adjustable headband, and swivel earcups. A built-in microphone supports hands-free calls, and multipoint connection lets the headphones pair with two Bluetooth devices at once. The trade-off is that Sony lists noise control as none, so I would not choose it expecting active noise cancellation or another specified noise-reduction mode. The WH-CH520 is a sensible fit for someone who values battery life, app-based sound choices, and easy switching between a phone and another device.
• Best for longer stated battery life → Sony WH-CH520. Sony lists up to 50 hours, compared with up to 40 hours for JBL.
• Best for a short emergency charge → compare the kind of top-up you want. JBL says five minutes gives two hours of music; Sony says three minutes gives up to 90 minutes of playback.
• Best for adjusting the sound in an app → Sony WH-CH520. Its EQ Custom feature includes presets and saved personal settings.
• Best for a bass-forward sound description → JBL Tune 510BT. JBL specifically highlights its Pure Bass sound.
• Best for folding for carrying → JBL Tune 510BT. Its design is described as foldable. Sony lists swivel earcups, but not a foldable design.
• Best for moving between a phone and tablet or laptop → either one. Both support connection to two Bluetooth devices.
• Best for hands-free calls → either one. Both have a built-in microphone and controls for call use.
• Best if you need noise control → neither based on the listed features. Sony specifies no noise control, and the available JBL details do not establish a noise-canceling capability.
There are also important limits to what these models are designed to answer. Neither has a headphone jack, so the connection described is wireless Bluetooth. Both use an on-ear design; shoppers looking for the best earbuds for big ears are asking about a different kind of fit altogether. And if you are searching for the best Bluetooth headset for podcast listening, consider that neither sheet establishes a special podcast mode. Sony offers EQ adjustment, while JBL emphasizes bass, so the better match depends on whether you want to tailor voices and music or prefer JBL’s stated sound character.
Voice assistants are another point where the details need careful reading. JBL says Siri or Google Assistant can be activated with a button. Sony’s information also describes voice-assistant access. But someone searching for the best voice assistant open ear headphones for focus should note that these are on-ear headphones, not open-ear headphones. Their listed design and features do not establish that they will block distractions or keep the ears unobstructed.
My Verdict
I would choose the Sony WH-CH520 for my own general-purpose pick because it combines the longer stated battery life with EQ customization and a rapid top-up option.
That mix gives me more flexibility when switching between different kinds of listening.
For kids wireless, I would also start with Sony, while checking the fit and comfort for the individual child.
I’d choose the JBL Tune 510BT instead if its bass-focused sound, foldable construction, or five-minute charge is the more important match.
Sony lists up to 50 hours of battery life, while JBL lists up to 40 hours. Those are the manufacturers’ stated maximums; actual listening time can vary with use and settings.
Both have a built-in microphone for hands-free calls, and both support switching between two connected Bluetooth devices. The listed information does not establish that one has superior call quality, so I would not treat either as a proven call-quality winner based on these features alone.
Sony’s listed noise control is none, and the supplied JBL details do not establish an active noise-canceling feature. If noise cancellation is essential, neither model is a clear choice from the features described here.
That depends on which features matter to you. Sony offers ten more hours of stated battery life and app-based EQ customization; JBL emphasizes Pure Bass sound, folds for carrying, and provides a different quick-charge claim. To compare current prices, check the current price on Amazon using the page’s button.
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