Over-Ear
Sony WH-CH520
72Good
$59
Full review dataSony WH-CH520 vs Soundcore Life Q35: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Soundcore Life Q35 comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 78. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Soundcore Life Q35 - Great overall at around $92.
Over-Ear
Soundcore Life Q35
78Great
$92
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Sony WH-CH520
Sound7.0
Battery9.0
Value8.0
Soundcore Life Q35
Sound7.5
Noise cancelling7.5
Battery9.0
Calls7.0
Value8.5
Specifications
| Spec | Sony WH-CH520 | Soundcore Life Q35 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $59 | $92 |
| HearWiki score | 72 / 100 · Good | 78 / 100 · Great |
| Released | 2023 | 2021 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | 11.82 in | Custom silk-diaphragm drivers |
| Driver size | 30 mm | 40 mm |
| Drivers per side | - | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-20kHz | 20Hz-20kHz |
| Impedance | - | 16 Ω |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.0 |
| Bluetooth version | 5.2 | 5.0 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Multipoint pairing | Yes | Yes |
| Wireless range | 10 m | - |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 50 h | 40 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | - | 60 h |
| Full charge time | 180 min | - |
| Quick charge | 3 min = ? | 5 min = 4 h |
| Wireless charging | No | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | Yes |
| ANC type | none | hybrid |
| Transparency mode | No | Yes |
| Companion app | No | Yes |
| Custom EQ | No | Yes |
| Wear detection | No | No |
| Controls | buttons | buttons |
| Voice assistant | supported | Google Assistant, Siri |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 147 g | 268 g |
| Water resistance | none | none |
| USB-C | Yes | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | - | 4 |
What reviewers said
Sony WH-CH520
The Sony WH-CH520 is a budget-friendly wireless headphone that prioritizes long battery life and reliable Bluetooth performance. While it lacks active noise cancellation and premium features, it delivers a decent, neutral sound that suits everyday listening. Its lightweight design and multipoint pairing make it a practical choice for those seeking a simple, affordable headset.
- Pro:Exceptional 40-hour battery life
- Pro:Very lightweight and comfortable for extended wear
- Pro:Multipoint Bluetooth pairing for easy switching
- Con:No active noise cancellation
- Con:Limited to SBC and AAC codecs
- Con:No wired connection option
Soundcore Life Q35
The Soundcore Life Q35 are over-ear wireless headphones that deliver a bass-forward yet fairly balanced sound, strong active noise cancellation, and standout battery endurance that often exceeds the advertised 40 hours. They pack useful features like LDAC support, multipoint Bluetooth, and a companion app with EQ, all in a comfortable, affordable package, though their tuning isn't reference-grade and the midrange could be more transparent.
- Pro:Excellent battery life, often outlasting the rated 40 hours
- Pro:Effective hybrid ANC with a transparency mode
- Pro:Comfortable fit and solid build for the price
- Con:Bass-heavy tuning can sound boomy to some ears
- Con:Midrange clarity and out-of-box tuning could be better
- Con:No wear detection, so music keeps playing when removed
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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