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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-09 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
• Sony WH-CH520 — biggest strength: Up to 50 hours of battery life with quick charging, in a lightweight swivel design you can toss in a bag.
• Sony WH-CH520 — biggest trade-off: No adaptive noise cancelling and no detachable audio cable, so it's wireless-only.
• JBL Tune 670NC — biggest strength: Adaptive Noise Cancelling with Smart Ambient plus up to 70 hours of battery life and a foldable, flat-packing frame.
• JBL Tune 670NC — biggest trade-off: Heavier build (174 g) and no swivel earcups, so it feels bulkier on the move.
• Who each is for: Sony WH-CH520 is for the minimalist who wants light, simple, all-day listening; JBL Tune 670NC is for the traveler who wants noise control and a fold-flat carry.
The WH-CH520 is built around one idea: keep it light and keep it running. The earcups swivel, the headband is adjustable, and the whole thing slips on and off without fuss — which matters more than you'd think when you're pulling headphones out of a pack on a trail break. The soft ear pads and extra head cushion are there for long sessions, not short bursts.
Battery is where this one pulls ahead. Sony rates it at up to 50 hours, and a three-minute quick charge gives you roughly 90 minutes of playback. If you're the kind of person who forgets to charge things before a weekend trip, that's the spec that saves you. Multipoint connection means you can stay paired to your phone and your laptop at once and hop between a podcast and a call without re-pairing.
Sound-wise it's a 20 Hz–20,000 Hz dynamic driver at 24 ohm impedance, and the Sony Headphones Connect app lets you shape it with EQ presets or your own custom curve. DSEE upscales compressed files, which is a nice touch if you stream rather than play lossless. The built-in mic handles hands-free calls, and you can trigger Google Assistant or Siri by voice. You also get six color options, including the Cappuccino finish.
Who should buy it: hikers and commuters who want low weight, huge battery, and a simple on-ear they can wear for hours. Who should skip it: anyone who needs active noise cancelling for a noisy commute or flight, or anyone who wants a wired fallback — there's no headphone jack here.
The Tune 670NC plays a different game. Its headline feature is Adaptive Noise Cancelling, and JBL pairs it with Smart Ambient — Ambient Aware lets surrounding sound in, and TalkThru sharpens voices so you can hold a conversation without pulling the headphones off. All of it is controlled through the JBL Headphones app. For focus work, a bus, or a noisy campsite, that's the feature the Sony simply doesn't offer.
Battery is rated up to 70 hours with ANC off, and a five-minute top-up gets you about three hours of music. A full recharge takes around two hours via USB-C. The frame folds flat, which makes it easier to pack than a fixed-headband on-ear, though it does weigh 174 g — noticeably more than the Sony's minimalist build. Soft ear cushions and a padded headband are designed for extended wear, and JBL's Pure Bass tuning is the signature here.
Bluetooth 5.3 with LE Audio is on board, and the Smart Audio & Video mode in the app lets you prioritize sound quality or low-latency video. You get button controls plus voice control with Google Assistant and Siri, and VoiceAware lets you hear your own voice on calls. There's also a detachable audio cable in the box, so you have a wired option when the battery runs down.
Who should buy it: travelers and hikers who want noise cancelling, a foldable frame, and a wired backup. Who should skip it: anyone who prioritizes the absolute lightest possible fit or wants a swivel design for quick on-and-off.
• Best for battery life → Sony WH-CH520 (up to 50 hrs) vs. JBL Tune 670NC (up to 70 hrs with ANC off) — JBL wins on raw hours, but Sony charges faster for a quick top-up.
• Best for noise control → JBL Tune 670NC. Adaptive Noise Cancelling with Ambient Aware and TalkThru is the deciding feature if you're around traffic, wind, or crowds.
• Best for lightweight comfort on the move → Sony WH-CH520. Swivel earcups and a lighter build make it easier to slip on and off mid-hike.
• Best for packing → JBL Tune 670NC. The fold-flat design carries better than a fixed headband.
• Best for wired backup → JBL Tune 670NC. It ships with a detachable audio cable; the Sony is wireless-only.
• Best for app-based sound tuning → Both. Sony offers EQ Custom plus DSEE; JBL offers Pure Bass tuning and Smart Audio/Video modes.
• Best for calls on the go → Either. Both have built-in mics and voice assistant support; JBL adds VoiceAware.
• Best for color choice → Sony WH-CH520. Six colors versus JBL's Blue.
For hiking specifically, I'd buy the Sony WH-CH520. The reason is simple: on a trail you want low weight, a fit you can adjust one-handed, and a battery that outlasts the trip — and the swivel design plus up to 50 hours covers all three without asking you to manage a noise-cancelling mode you probably won't use outdoors. If your hikes end at a busy trailhead or you fly to the trail, the JBL Tune 670NC is the better all-rounder, because adaptive noise cancelling and a foldable frame travel better. In my opinion, the Sony is the purer hiking companion; the JBL is the better travel headphone.
For pure trail use, yes in my view — it's lighter with swivel earcups and up to 50 hours of battery. The JBL is the better pick if you also want noise cancelling and a foldable frame for travel.
Correct. The JBL Tune 670NC has Adaptive Noise Cancelling with Smart Ambient modes. The Sony WH-CH520 does not offer active noise cancelling.
JBL rates the Tune 670NC at up to 70 hours with ANC off, versus up to 50 hours for the Sony WH-CH520. Sony charges faster for a short top-up, though.
The JBL Tune 670NC includes a detachable audio cable for wired listening. The Sony WH-CH520 is Bluetooth-only with no headphone jack.
Pricing changes often, so check the current price on Amazon using the button on this page rather than relying on any figure quoted elsewhere.
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