Sony WH-CH720N vs WH-CH520

What published reviews say about each, where the two differ, and who each one suits.

Summed up from 16 published reviews

Sony

WH-CH720N

A comfortable, budget-focused pair with capable ANC and long battery life, balanced by a plastic build, bass-heavy tuning, and limited codecs.

Best for: Budget commuters wanting comfort, battery life, and capable ANC.
Skip it if: You prioritize flagship ANC, neutral tuning, premium materials, and advanced codecs.

PriceToday's price on AmazonView on Amazon

What reviewers say about the Sony WH-CH720N

Sony

WH-CH520

The Sony WH-CH520 offers long battery life, multipoint pairing, and useful customization, but limited isolation and restrained refinement.

Best for: Budget listeners prioritizing battery life, multipoint, and customizable sound
Skip it if: You need ANC, wired connectivity, or audiophile-level detail

PriceToday's price on AmazonView on Amazon

What reviewers say about the Sony WH-CH520

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Specs side by side

Spec	Sony WH-CH720N	Sony WH-CH520
Fit	Over-ear	On-ear
Noise cancelling	Yes	No
Best for	Music, Travel, Work & calls	Music, Work & calls
Connection	Wireless	Wireless
Microphone	Built-in mic	Built-in mic
Ear cups	Closed-back	Closed-back

Rows where the two differ come first.

Where only one fits

use: WH-CH720NTravel
fit: WH-CH720NOver-ear; WH-CH520On-ear
noise cancelling: WH-CH720NNoise cancelling; WH-CH520Not needed

What reviewers like, and what they don't

Sony WH-CH720N

Lightweight comfort supports long listening sessions. 1 2 3 4
ANC performs strongly for the budget price class. 2 3 4 5
Battery lasts around 33–40 hours with ANC enabled. 1 4 5 7
Physical controls and app-based EQ are easy to use. 1 4 7
Reliable wireless connectivity supports everyday listening. 2 3 5
Plastic, non-folding construction feels less premium. 1 2 3 4
Bass-forward tuning can sound boomy or congested. 1 2 3 4
ANC trails flagship models, especially at higher frequencies. 1 2 3 4
Only SBC and AAC codecs are supported. 4 5

Sony WH-CH520

Long battery life supports frequent wireless listening 1 2 3 4
Balanced, clear sound with useful app-based EQ 1 2 5 6
Lightweight on-ear design suits many users 2 3 4 5
Multipoint pairing simplifies switching between devices 1 2 4 5
Strong value for everyday casual listening 1 2 3 4
No active noise cancellation and only modest isolation 1 3 5 7
Some fits pinch, loosen, or feel warm 1 3 4 5
No 3.5mm wired input or high-resolution codec support 1 3 4 6
Sound can lack detail, air, and dynamic expressiveness 2 3 4 7

Ranked in our guides

Guide	WH-CH720N	WH-CH520
Best noise cancelling headphones	#4	–
Best soundproof headphones	#6	–

Sources

We don't test products ourselves. This page sums up 16 published reviews, read on October 21, 2026; each point above links to the reviews that make it.