If you want compact, true-wireless earbuds for kids wireless, choose JBL Vibe 100TWS; if you need long battery life and an over-earband fit, choose Sony WH-CH520. The JBL is the more discreet pick, while the Sony offers substantially more playback time, adjustable sound, and multipoint pairing.
• JBL Vibe 100TWS: In-ear buds with 8 mm drivers, deep-bass sound, and up to 20 hours of combined playback; the trade-off is up to 5 hours per charge in the earbuds and no voice-assistant feature.
• Sony WH-CH520: On-ear headphones with up to 50 hours of battery life, an adjustable headband, and a built-in microphone; the trade-off is a larger headband-style design rather than separate earbuds.
• JBL’s standout flexibility: Use either earbud on its own or both together, and keep one charging while the other is in use.
• Sony’s standout flexibility: Connect to two Bluetooth devices and switch between them, with sound customization available through the Sony Headphones Connect app.
• Choose JBL for a small, wire-free in-ear format and a case that extends total listening time.
• Choose Sony for longer stretches between charges, on-ear cushions, and easier switching between a phone and another paired device.
The Vibe 100TWS is the more compact choice in this comparison. There is no headband to carry or adjust: each earbud sits in the ear, and the included case provides another 15 hours of playback beyond the buds’ 5 hours per charge. Together, JBL lists up to 20 hours of combined playback. That setup suits listening in shorter stretches, such as a ride to school, a study session, or music between activities, with the case available to recharge the earbuds afterward.
The 8 mm drivers and JBL Deep Bass Sound point toward a bass-forward listening character. Someone who likes weight in music may prefer that emphasis, while a listener who wants to tailor the sound to personal preferences should note that the product details do not describe an EQ app or custom sound settings. Three sizes of silicone ear tips are included, which gives the wearer options for finding a more secure fit. Fit matters here: earbuds that do not sit snugly may not deliver the intended sound or call performance.
Dual Connect is a practical feature for people who do not always want both ears occupied. The user can listen or take calls with either the left or right earbud, or use both, and keep one bud charging while the other is being used. The Vibe 100TWS also supports hands-free calls. However, its product notes say there is no voice-assistant feature, so it is not the choice for someone who wants to summon a phone assistant directly through the earbuds. The fact sheet also lists no noise control.
How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-20 · 8 min read · Independent comparison
The WH-CH520 is an on-ear Bluetooth headphone with soft ear pads, a cushion, and an adjustable headband. Its swivel earcups are designed to make it easier to slip on and off and carry in a more compact form. Compared with the JBL’s separate earbuds, this is a more noticeable piece of gear to wear and pack, but the headband and cushioned ear pads may be a more appealing format for someone who does not want silicone tips in the ear.
Battery life is Sony’s clearest advantage on paper: up to 50 hours per charge, compared with the JBL’s 5 hours in the earbuds and 20 hours combined with the case. Sony also describes quick charging: a three-minute charge can provide up to 90 minutes of playback. That can be useful if the headphones are low before a commute or a long listening session. The supplied cable is USB Type-C, and the listed full charging time is three hours.
The Sony adds options for changing how music sounds. EQ Custom in the Sony Headphones Connect app lets listeners choose presets or create and save their own, while DSEE is intended to improve the sound of compressed music files. A built-in microphone supports hands-free calls, and multipoint allows the headphones to connect to two Bluetooth devices at once. That is useful for someone who listens from a laptop but also wants to switch to a phone call. Sony also describes voice-assistant support, making this the stronger fit for shoppers seeking the best voice assistant Bluetooth headphones for teens from these two options.
The call and connectivity features do not erase the basic trade-off: on-ear headphones cover the ears with padded earcups, while the JBL sits inside them. Sony’s stated benefits are its microphone, voice-assistant access, and device switching.
Who should skip this: Skip the Sony if you specifically want separate in-ear buds that leave you without a headband to wear or carry.
• Best for a compact, true-wireless format → JBL Vibe 100TWS. Each bud is independent, with no connecting headband between them.
• Best for longer battery life per charge → Sony WH-CH520. Sony lists up to 50 hours, while JBL lists 5 hours in the earbuds and up to 20 hours combined with the case.
• Best for using one earbud at a time → JBL Vibe 100TWS. Dual Connect lets you choose either bud or both and charge one while using the other.
• Best for switching between two devices → Sony WH-CH520. Multipoint pairing is designed to connect to two devices at once.
• Best for adjustable sound preferences → Sony WH-CH520. EQ Custom offers presets and saved personal settings in the companion app.
• Best for a choice of silicone ear-tip sizes → JBL Vibe 100TWS. Three sizes are included to help find a more suitable fit.
• Best for voice-assistant access → Sony WH-CH520. Sony lists assistant support; JBL’s product notes explicitly say the Vibe 100TWS has no voice-assistant feature.
• Best for a headband-and-earpad design → Sony WH-CH520. It has an adjustable headband, cushion, and soft on-ear pads rather than in-ear buds.
My Verdict
Fit should be the first decision, especially when choosing headphones for a child or teen. The JBL comes with three sizes of silicone tips, but in-ear buds still depend on finding a snug fit. The Sony instead uses an adjustable headband and soft on-ear pads. Neither format is automatically more comfortable for everyone, so consider whether the intended listener usually prefers earbuds or headphones that rest on the ears.
Think about when and how often the headphones will be used. JBL’s case adds playback time, and its single-earbud option can keep one ear free while the other is in use. Sony’s 50-hour battery figure favors longer periods between charges, and its quick-charge information may be helpful when there is little time to recharge. Those are different forms of convenience: one is a small case with two separate buds, and the other is a longer-running headset.
For calls, both products list a built-in microphone or hands-free calling support. Sony’s feature set also includes multipoint and voice-assistant access, while the JBL offers the choice of using either earbud. If clear calls are your main concern, the listed specifications alone cannot establish which will sound better in a particular room or on a particular phone. For shoppers searching for the best crystal clear calls headphones for children, I would compare the actual fit and controls the child can manage comfortably rather than assuming the wording guarantees a specific call result.
The JBL may also suit someone shopping for an earphones Mothers Day gift if the recipient prefers small, separate earbuds and bass-forward sound. If the recipient likes padded on-ear headphones, app-based EQ, or voice-assistant support, the Sony’s feature mix is a closer match. For either product, check the current price on Amazon before deciding, since this comparison does not state pricing.
Sony lists up to 50 hours of battery life for the WH-CH520. JBL lists 5 hours in the earbuds and up to 15 additional hours from the case, for up to 20 hours combined.
No. The JBL product notes say a voice-assistant feature is not available. The Sony WH-CH520 supports voice-assistant access.
Yes. Dual Connect allows the left bud, right bud, or both to be used. The listing also describes keeping one earbud charging while the other is in use.
The Sony WH-CH520 is the more direct fit for that need because it supports multipoint connection to two devices at once. The JBL information provided describes single-earbud use and hands-free calls, but not multipoint pairing.
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