Sony WH-CH720N WH-CH720N Over-Ear Noise Cancelling Review
Sony's WH-CH720N offers marathon battery life and effective noise cancellation in a featherweight design, making it a top pick for comfort on a budget—just don't expect audiophile sound.
The 30-Second Version
The Sony WH-CH720N delivers best-in-class battery life and solid noise cancellation in a super lightweight package, but with average sound and a plasticky build. It's a fantastic value under $150 for comfort and endurance, not for audiophile quality.
Overview
The Sony WH-CH720N is a lightweight, no-fuss pair of wireless noise-cancelling headphones. They're built for comfort and battery life first, with Sony's solid tech handling the basics of ANC and call quality.
You're not getting flagship sound or premium materials here. This is a budget-friendly workhorse designed for long commutes, work-from-home days, and anyone who wants to block out the world without breaking the bank or their neck.
Performance
The battery life is the star here, sitting in the 95th percentile. You'll get a solid 35 hours, and a quick charge gives you an hour of play in just three minutes. The noise cancellation and microphone quality are also strong, landing in the 82nd and 93rd percentiles respectively. It blocks out consistent hums like plane engines or office AC well. The sound quality, however, is just middle of the pack. It's fine for podcasts and pop, but audiophiles will find it lacks detail and punch. The build feels a bit plasticky, which matches its average score there.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Incredible 35-hour battery life with fast charging. 95th
- Lightweight design that's genuinely comfortable for all-day wear. 93th
- Very effective noise cancellation for the price. 89th
- Microphone quality is excellent for clear calls. 86th
Cons
- Sound quality is merely average and lacks depth.
- Build materials feel cheap and plasticky.
- No carrying case or premium accessories included.
- ANC struggles with sudden, sharp noises.
The Word on the Street
Specifications
Full Specifications
Design
| Form Factor | Over-Ear |
| Weight | 0.1 kg / 0.2 lbs |
Audio
| Impedance | 25 |
| Codecs | Sony WH-CH720N Noise Canceling Wireless Headphones Bluetooth Over The Ear Headset with Microphone and Alexa Built-in, White New |
Noise Control
| Transparency | Yes |
Connectivity
| Wireless | Yes |
| Multipoint | Yes |
Battery
| Battery Life | 35 |
Microphone
| Microphone | Yes |
| NC Mic | Yes |
Features
| Voice Assistant | Alexa |
Value & Pricing
Here's the wild part: prices are all over the map, from a sane $98 to a laughable $8,390. Stick to the $98-$150 range. At that price, the value is fantastic. You're paying for core features—great battery, good ANC, and a comfy fit—while Sony cuts corners on sound and build. If you find it for around $100, it's a steal. Pay more than $150, and you're entering territory where better-built competitors exist.
Price History
vs Competition
Stacked up, the CH720N is the budget king of battery life. The Bose QuietComfort and Sennheiser Momentum sound better and feel more premium, but they cost significantly more and often have shorter battery life. The Bowers & Wilkins PX7S2 blows it away in audio quality and materials, but again, at a much higher price. For pure, long-lasting comfort and noise blocking on a budget, the Sony holds its own. If audio fidelity is your top priority, those other models are worth the upgrade.
| Spec | Sony WH-CH720N WH-CH720N Over-Ear Noise Cancelling | Sennheiser Momentum Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Noise-Canceling Wireless | Bowers & Wilkins PX7S2 Bowers & Wilkins - Px7 S2 Wireless Active Noise | Apple iClever BTH12 Kids Bluetooth Headphones,Colorful | Bose QuietComfort Bose QuietComfort Wireless Over-Ear Active | Beyerdynamic Aventho Beyerdynamic Aventho 300 Wireless Over-Ear |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | Over-Ear | Over-Ear | Over-Ear | Over-Ear | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Driver Type | - | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Driver Size (mm) | - | 42 | 40 | 40 | - | 45 |
| Impedance Ohms | 25 | 470 | 33 | 32 | - | 32 |
| Wireless | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Active Noise Cancellation | - | true | true | true | true | true |
| Open Closed Back | - | Closed | Closed | - | Closed | Closed |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.2 | 5.2 | 5.2 | 5.1 | 5.4 |
| Battery Life Hours | 35 | 60 | 30 | 55 | 24 | 50 |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Anc | Mic | Build | Sound | Battery | Comfort | Connectivity | Social Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony WH-CH720N WH-CH720N Over-Ear Noise Cancelling | 82.2 | 92.6 | 48.1 | 42.1 | 94.5 | 82.3 | 85.5 | 89.3 |
| Sennheiser Momentum Noise-Canceling Wireless Over-Ear Compare | 99.5 | 99.3 | 48.1 | 99 | 98.3 | 72.9 | 98.5 | 89.3 |
| Bowers & Wilkins PX7S2 Wireless Active Noise Cancelling Over Ear Compare | 94.4 | 92.6 | 99.9 | 93.8 | 94.1 | 67.9 | 93.3 | 94.3 |
| Apple iClever BTH12 Kids Compare | 87.7 | 92.6 | 98.3 | 93.8 | 97.7 | 99.7 | 94.9 | 94.3 |
| Bose QuietComfort Wireless Over-Ear Active Noise-Canceling Compare | 87.7 | 92.6 | 48.1 | 88.2 | 94.4 | 91.6 | 98.1 | 89.3 |
| Beyerdynamic Aventho 300 Wireless Over-Ear Closed-Back Compare | 99.5 | 98.4 | 48.1 | 99.6 | 97.1 | 72.9 | 99.2 | 71.4 |
Common Questions
Q: How is the call quality on these?
It's excellent. The beamforming mics score in the 93rd percentile, so your voice comes through clearly even in moderately noisy environments.
Q: Can you use them while charging?
Yes, you can use them wired with the included 3.5mm cable even if the battery is dead, which is a great backup feature.
Q: Are they good for working out?
Not really. They're not sweat or water-resistant, and while lightweight, they're still over-ear headphones that might get hot and slip during intense activity.
Who Should Skip This
Skip these if you're a critical listener or produce music. The sound quality is its weakest link, scoring in the 42nd percentile. For studio work or if you crave rich, detailed audio, you'll be disappointed. Also, if you need a tank-like build that can survive being thrown in a bag daily, the plasticky construction here won't inspire confidence.
Verdict
Buy these if you need wireless headphones for travel, work, or commuting and your main concerns are battery life, comfort, and blocking out background noise. They're perfect for students, frequent flyers on a budget, or anyone who wears headphones for 8+ hours a day and just wants them to disappear on their head and last forever.