Sony WH-CH520 vs JBL Tune 510BT
Quick take: The Sony WH-CH520 costs $2 less; the Sony WH-CH520 lasts longer per charge (50 hrs).
| Spec | Sony WH-CH520 | JBL Tune 510BT |
|---|---|---|
| Approx. price | ~$38 | ~$40 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | On-Ear Headphones | On-Ear Headphones |
| Noise Cancelling | None | None |
| Battery (single charge) | 50 hrs | 40 hrs |
| Battery (with case) | — | — |
| Quick Charge | 3 min = 1.5 hrs | 5 min = 2 hr |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.0 |
| Multipoint | Yes | Yes |
| Driver Size | 30 mm | 32 mm |
| Weight | 147 g | 160 g |
| Water Resistance | — | — |
| Wireless Charging | No | No |
| Transparency Mode | No | No |
| Spatial Audio | Yes | No |
| App EQ | Yes | No |
Pros & cons
Sony WH-CH520
- ✓50-hour battery at a near-permanent $38 price
- ✓Full Sony Headphones Connect app with custom EQ
- ✓Real multipoint rarely found this cheap
- ✓Just 147 grams for all-day wear
- ✓Surprisingly even stock tuning for the money
- ✓3-minute charge buys 1.5 hours
- ✗No 3.5mm jack — dead battery means a paperweight
- ✗Thin on-ear pads fatigue past a couple hours
- ✗Zero noise isolation and no ANC
- ✗All-plastic build feels light, never premium
- ✗Mic only serviceable in quiet rooms
JBL Tune 510BT
- ✓Excellent battery: 40 hours plus 5-min = 2 hr quick charge
- ✓Bass-forward JBL tuning that owners genuinely like at this price
- ✓Bluetooth multipoint — rare among budget headphones
- ✓Folds compact and weighs just 160g
- ✓SBC and AAC — plays nice with iPhones
- ✓USB-C charging
- ✗Tight on-ear clamp — owners report soreness after a couple of hours, worse with glasses
- ✗No 3.5mm jack: dead battery means no audio at all
- ✗Hinge breakage is a recurring owner complaint
- ✗No ANC, no app, no EQ
- ✗Leaks sound at higher volume