Which of Sony’s best-selling entry-level headphones wins?
When Sony launched the WH-CH720N back in 2023, it promised something we had all been waiting for: affordable ANC performance in a lightweight, over-ear design. By contrast, the WH-CH520 landed as the stripped-back super-budget option with no noise cancelling but stamina that could even put some premium models to shame.
Fast-forward to now and both are still among Sony’s biggest-selling headphones in the entry-level range. They have each carved out their own following, with the 720N winning fans who want a taste of premium features without premium prices, and the 520 becoming a favourite for anyone who just wants headphones that sound great and last forever on a single charge.
The question is simple. Which should you buy this year? We've tested both in our studio and showroom to find out exactly where they differ, how they perform, and who each one is really best for.
Sony WH-CH720N vs Sony WH-CH520: SHS 60-Second Summary
Sony WH-CH520 RRP: £49.00 (See Latest Price) |
| Pros: ✓ Impressive battery life ✓ Ultra lightweight build ✓ Multipoint Bluetooth pairing ✓ Clear, balanced sound Cons: ✖ No Active Noise Cancellation ✖ Less bass weight than 720N |
Sony WH-CH720N RRP: £99.00 (See Latest Price) |
| Pros: ✓ Great ANC for the price ✓ Lightest over-ear NC headphones Sony makes ✓ Surprisingly full, lively sound for the price Cons: ✖ Ear cushions shallow for some |
Sony WH-CH720N vs Sony WH-CH520: Pricing & Availability
One of the best things about looking at these two models is how much more attractive their prices have become since their launch.
The WH-CH720N originally came in at around £99 RRP, which already felt like strong value for a pair of noise cancelling over-ear headphones.
Now that they've been on the market for a couple of years, we regularly see them discounted to £60–£80 during the sales. At that price they become a genuine bargain, especially when you consider the trickle-down tech borrowed from Sony’s premium XM series.
The WH-CH520 was always designed as the ultra-budget option, launching at around £49 RRP. The difference today is that you can often find them even lower, sometimes slipping under £40 depending on promotions.
Sony WH-CH720N vs Sony WH-CH520: Design & Comfort
Both pairs stick to Sony’s clean and minimalist design language, but once you get them in your hands the differences quickly stand out.
The WH-CH720N feel like the more grown-up of the two. Their over-ear cups wrap around the ears, which instantly gives more passive isolation and a more immersive feel. What really surprised us is just how light they are.
At under 200g, they are some of the lightest over-ear noise cancelling headphones we’ve tested, and that makes a huge difference for all-day comfort. The headband padding and ear cushions aren’t luxury grade, but they hold up really well.
The padding isn’t as plush as you’ll find on Sony’s flagship models, but it’s still comfortable over long sessions. The only thing we noticed is that the ear cups are on the shallow side, so if your ears sit a little further out you may occasionally feel them touch the inside. It’s not a deal-breaker, just something to keep in mind if you prefer a deeper cushion.
The WH-CH520 follow a similar blueprint but take a different approach. They are slimmer, smaller, and weigh even less at 147g. The first impression is “wow, these are ridiculously light,” and for short stints that’s a real advantage.
On commutes or casual listening, we barely noticed them on our head. After a couple of hours though, the on-ear pads start pressing on the ears and it can get fatiguing. They’re perfect for short bursts of listening, but less suited to a long-haul flight or full day in the office.
Visually, the CH720N come across as a little more refined, with subtle Sony detailing and colour-matched trims in black, white, or blue. The CH520 look plainer, but still neat and available in four finishes including a beige option that feels fresh at this price point.
Neither feel premium next to Sony’s XM line, but both are sturdier than you might expect for the money.
Sony WH-CH720N vs Sony WH-CH520: Features & Everyday Use
| Feature | Sony WH-CH520 | Sony WH-CH720N |
|---|---|---|
| ANC | No | Yes – ANC + Ambient Mode (dual noise sensors) |
| Bluetooth | 5.2, SBC & AAC codecs, Fast Pair, multipoint | 5.2, SBC & AAC codecs, Fast Pair, multipoint |
| Wired Listening | No (wireless only) | Yes (3.5mm headphone jack) |
| Controls | 3-button strip for playback, calls, power | Physical buttons incl. ANC toggle |
| App Support | Sony Headphones Connect – EQ, DSEE only | Sony Headphones Connect – EQ, DSEE, 360 Reality Audio, Adaptive Sound Control |
| Call Quality | Single mic with basic noise suppression | Multi-mic with noise suppression, clearer in busy spaces |
| Voice Assistant | Google Assistant & Siri | Google Assistant & Siri |
The WH-CH720N lean into their role as Sony’s affordable ANC option. They include active noise cancelling with an Ambient Mode, letting you either block out distractions or allow some background through when you need awareness.
In our testing they softened traffic noise and office hum well enough to make a difference, even if they don’t match the silence you get from an WH-1000XM6. At this price though, the performance is better than expected.
“The WH-CH720N's mics block out wind and background noise well. Call quality is decent too, definitely better than the old 710Ns. For the price, it’s a good step up, even if it’s not quite at premium level.”
Lui G - Tech Guide
The WH-CH520 take the opposite route, skipping ANC entirely but focusing on simplicity and stamina.
Connection is handled by Bluetooth 5.2 with Fast Pair for Android and multipoint pairing, so they can stay connected to two devices at once. Codec support is SBC and AAC only, but that is perfectly adequate for streaming and casual use.
Sony WH-CH720N vs Sony WH-CH520: Controls
Both pairs use physical controls instead of touch panels. On the 720N you get a dedicated ANC/Ambient toggle, volume and playback buttons, plus a 3.5mm port for wired listening.
The 520 are stripped back to a three-button strip that manages power, playback and calls. In practice we found them reliable and easy to use without looking, which is exactly what you want on the move.
Software support is another pleasant surprise. Both integrate with the Sony Headphones Connect app, which adds EQ presets, a custom five-band equaliser and Sony’s DSEE upscaling to improve compressed tracks. The 720N go further with support for 360 Reality Audio and Adaptive Sound Control, making them feel closer to Sony’s premium line-up.
Call quality is basic on the CH520, with a single mic that does the job for phone calls and voice notes. The CH720N have the advantage of dual noise sensors and the V1 chip, making them clearer in busy environments.
Finally, both pairs work with Google Assistant or Siri. A long-press on the playback button wakes your chosen assistant, and in our testing it worked quickly and consistently.
Sony WH-CH720N vs Sony WH-CH520: Sound Quality
When it comes to sound performance, the WH-CH720N surprised us straight out of the box. For a pair of sub-£100 headphones, the sound is better than expected. In fact, we’d say they comfortably exceed expectations at this price point.
Bass has a decent punch without drowning everything else, mids carry plenty of detail, and highs stay crisp without becoming harsh. They deal with a wide range of genres confidently, from busy electronic mixes to stripped-back acoustic tracks, and never felt flustered.
Are they as smooth, full, or dynamic as the Sony WH-1000XM6s? Of course not, but the gap isn’t as big as you’d think for something that costs a fraction of the price.
They have that recognisable Sony feel in their tuning: lively, energetic, and enjoyable across the board and quite honestly, if Sony had slapped a slightly higher price tag on them, we wouldn’t have felt short-changed on sound quality alone.
The WH-CH520 take a different approach. They don’t have quite the same bass weight or sense of immersion, but what they do deliver is decent clarity and balance.
Vocals are pushed forward nicely, podcasts sound clean, and they’re easy to listen to for long stretches. They're not as impressive the WH-CH720Ns, but there’s enough there to make these good for casual everyday listening.
Both pairs benefit from Sony’s DSEE upscaling in the Headphones Connect app, which adds some polish to compressed Spotify or YouTube streams.
The CH720N also support 360 Reality Audio, giving supported tracks more width and atmosphere when used with services like Amazon Music Unlimited. It’s a subtle effect, but it adds a little extra sense of space compared to the flatter stereo image of the CH520.
Sony WH-CH720N vs Sony WH-CH520: Battery Life
If there’s one thing both of these Sonys absolutely nail, it’s battery life.
The WH-CH720N comfortably gave us a full working week of listening without reaching for a charger. With up to 35 hours on ANC and closer to 50 with it off, they never left us feeling anxious about running out.
What really makes a difference in day-to-day use, especially in the office, is the quick charge feature. More than once we realised they were nearly flat just before heading out, plugged them in for three minutes, and had a full hour of ANC listening in the bank. For anyone guilty of forgetting to charge their kit (and we definitely are), that feature alone feels like a lifesaver.
The WH-CH520 take that “forget about charging” feeling to the extreme. Sony quote 50 hours, and from our experience that number isn’t exaggerated. We used them on and off for well over a week, a mix of commutes, dog walks, calls, and background playlists, and never once saw the battery warning flash up.
The quick charge again, is a welcome addition with three minutes of charging giving us around 90 minutes of playback. That’s the kind of endurance that makes these such a good pick.
Our Verdict: Which Should You Buy?
After living with both, the choice really comes down to what you value most...
The Sony WH-CH720N are the better all-rounders. They give you genuine noise cancelling on a budget, a more immersive over-ear fit, and sound that feels far richer than the price suggests.
They’re ideal if you want headphones you can wear for hours, commute with, or use to focus in busy spaces. They’re not trying to be top-shelf like the XM5s or XM6s but you can tell a lot of that technology has filtered down, enough to give them a touch of Sony quality where it counts.
The Sony WH-CH520 on the other hand are about as straightforward as they get. They’re light, last for days, and you can just throw them on without thinking. They won’t wow you with bass or noise cancelling, but for the price, you really can’t go wrong.
If you’re stuck between the two, our advice is simple:
- Pick the Sony WH-CH720N if you want a proper over-ear experience with noise cancelling, fuller sound and something you can wear all day without fuss.
- Go for the Sony WH-CH520 if you just want a lightweight pair of headphones you can grab on the go, that will keep going for days without needing a charge.
Whichever way you lean, both make a strong case for why Sony continue to set the standard in the budget headphone space.
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