Sony WH-CH520

The Sony WH-CH520 is a budget-friendly on-ear headphone that absolutely kills it on battery life and connectivity. The sound is good for the price, but the flimsy build and lack of ANC mean it's not for everyone. If you need a cheap, lightweight pair for casual listening at home, it's a solid pick, but heavy travelers should look elsewhere.

Sony's WH-CH520 is an on-ear headphone that aims to deliver the basics without breaking the bank. For somewhere between $40 and $100, you get a wireless pair with 30mm drivers, Bluetooth 5.2, and a truly impressive 50-hour battery. There's no active noise cancellation here, and the design won't turn heads, but the feature set is surprisingly rich for the price with multipoint, fast pairing, and full EQ control via Sony's app.

We spent time testing these against our database, and the story is clear: you're trading premium build and noise isolation for incredible stamina and easy everyday use. They're light, they last forever, and they sound better than you'd expect after a quick EQ tweak. But Sony definitely cut corners on materials, and that's something you'll feel the longer you use them.

Inside our database, the WH-CH520 really makes its mark on battery and connectivity, both landing near the top of the charts. The 50-hour battery life is the star here, crushing most competitors, and the quick charge is a lifesaver. Sound quality comes in strong at the 80th percentile, with a lively, bass-forward profile that you can tweak to your taste using the app's EQ. But that's where the good stuff ends. The microphone is strictly average for calls, and comfort is just middle of the pack because the on-ear pads start to press after an hour or two. The biggest letdown is build quality, which sinks to the 35th percentile, and active noise cancellation is essentially non-existent, making commute performance a weak spot.

At first glance, the WH-CH520 looks like a bargain. You get top-tier battery life, solid sound, and fuss-free connectivity for less than a hundred bucks. For a desk headset or a gym companion, that's a steal. But the value equation stumbles when you consider durability. If the headband gives out after six months, that low upfront cost evaporates. For a similar price, some competitors throw in ANC and a sturdier frame. The Sony is still a good deal for careful users, but don't expect it to survive a rough bag for years.

Stacked against the JBL Live 770NC or Soundcore Space One, the WH-CH520's missing ANC becomes a glaring omission for anyone who commutes or works in an office. The Audio-Technica ATH-S300BT offers a similar on-ear vibe but with a slightly more premium feel, while the TOZO HT3 and QCY H3 undercut it even further on price while adding noise cancellation. Where the Sony pulls ahead is pure battery stamina and the refined sound signature Sony is known for, but if you need any kind of isolation from the outside world, almost any of these rivals will serve you better.

Commuters and frequent travelers should give these a hard pass. The total lack of noise isolation means engine roar and street noise will pour right in, and the flimsy construction won't withstand daily abuse. If you need something durable or just want a pair that seals you off from the world, look at over-ear ANC options instead.

If you want a pair of headphones that can go days without a charge and just work seamlessly with your phone and laptop, the WH-CH520 is a low-cost winner. They're perfect for budget-conscious buyers who mostly listen at home or in quiet environments and prize battery life above all else. Just handle them with care, and accept that you'll hear everything going on around you.