Sony WH-CH720N vs WH-CH520: Which Sony Headphones Should You Buy?

Sony WH-CH720N vs WH-CH520 — The Quick Answer

Choose the CH720N ($98) if you need active noise canceling for commuting, office, or travel.

Choose the CH520 ($38) if you want the best battery life under $50 and don't need ANC.

Both have DSEE audio upscaling and multipoint Bluetooth — features that usually cost $150+.

Full Comparison Table

| Feature | WH-CH720N | WH-CH520 |

|---------|-----------|----------|

| Price | $98 (35% off) | $38 (37% off) |

| Style | Over-Ear | On-Ear |

| Battery | 35 hours | 50 hours |

| Quick Charge | 3 min = 1 hr | 3 min = 1.5 hrs |

| ANC | Yes (Processor V1) | No |

| DSEE Upscaling | Yes | Yes |

| Multipoint BT | Yes | Yes |

| Alexa Built-in | Yes | No |

| Weight | 192g | 147g |

| Reviews | 15K at 4.4★ | 31K at 4.5★ |

Sound Quality

Both models use Sony's DSEE (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine) technology, which upscales compressed audio — making Spotify streams sound closer to CD quality. For this price range, the difference in sound quality between the two is minimal.

The CH720N's over-ear design creates a slightly better acoustic seal for more natural bass response. The CH520's on-ear pads are lighter but less immersive.

Noise Canceling — The Main Differentiator

The WH-CH720N packs Sony's Integrated Processor V1 — the same chip as their $350 WH-1000XM5 — delivering real, effective ANC.

Real-world test: In a coffee shop at moderate noise, the CH720N reduced ambient noise by roughly 60-70%. Meaningful, though not XM5-level. The CH520 has no ANC — you hear everything around you.

Battery Life

This is where the CH520 surprises. 50 hours vs. 35 hours is a massive gap. The CH520 can last an entire week of 7-hour daily listening before needing a charge. The CH720N at 35 hours is still excellent — just not category-leading.

Both support quick charge: 3 minutes of plugging in gives you 1-1.5 hours of playback.

Who Should Buy Each?

Buy the WH-CH720N if you:

Buy the WH-CH520 if you:

Our pick: For most people, the Sony WH-CH520 at $38 is the rational choice. The battery life is best-in-class, the sound quality is excellent, and $38 is a genuinely great price. Only upgrade to the CH720N if you genuinely need ANC.