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HearWiki

Sony WH-CH520

78/ 100
Great
HearWiki score

Exceptional value

$41
typical price, USD
Still sold newupdated
Manufacturer pageBuy now onAmazon

At a glance

Brand
Sony
Type
Over-Ear
Fit
-
Connection
Wireless
Noise cancelling
No
Released
2023

Score breakdowngreat overall

Sound7.0
Battery9.4
Calls6.4
Value9.4

The Sony WH-CH520 is a closed-back wireless over-ear headphone with Bluetooth 5.2, supporting SBC and AAC codecs, offering up to 40 hours of battery life and a USB Type-C charging port.

The HearWiki takeAI-condensed

The Sony WH-CH520 offers a well-rounded budget wireless experience with impressive 40-hour battery life, Bluetooth 5.2, and multipoint connectivity. Its sound is neutral and easy to listen to, but it lacks active noise cancellation and a wired option, making it best for casual home or office use rather than commuting. Overall, it's a solid value pick for those prioritizing endurance and simplicity over premium features.

What works

  • Excellent 40-hour battery life
  • Supports multipoint pairing
  • Lightweight and comfortable for long sessions
  • Customizable EQ via companion app
  • Good wireless stability with Bluetooth 5.2

What doesn't

  • No active noise cancellation
  • No wired listening option (no 3.5mm jack)
  • Only supports SBC and AAC codecs
  • Build feels budget-oriented with basic controls

Paraphrased from published reviews & specs - not an original hands-on test. Our AI disclosure.

Specifications

Audio - Sony WH-CH520
Driver30 mm driver
Driver size30 mm
Frequency response20 Hz - 20 kHz

Where to buy

Retailers we matched to this exact model. Prices are periodic snapshots - the link always opens the retailer's current listing.

What the reviews said

3 source(s) feeding this product's score.

whathifi.com

100

The reviewer found the WH-CH520 to be comfortable, durable, and very strong for the price, with especially good sound and battery life. The main tradeoff is that it has no active noise cancellation, but it still stands out as a well-rounded budget wireless headphone.

Read the full review

techgearlab.com

TechGearLab judged the WH-CH520 to be below average overall, despite its impressive battery life. Their testing placed it near the bottom of the field, indicating that endurance is its main strength rather than all-around performance.

Read the full review

techradar.com

TechRadar considered the WH-CH520 a strong value buy, praising its battery life, app support, multipoint pairing, and easy-to-listen-to sound. The review also notes the lack of a 3.5 mm jack and no ANC, but still sees the headset as excellent at its price.

Read the full review

What YouTube reviewers say

Video reviews we found, each condensed to its verdict. They do feed the HearWiki score, at a measured weight below what a published written review carries.

11:09

Sony WH-CH520 Review - Big Sound, Small Price!

WhatGear760.1K viewsMay 2023

The reviewer praises the Sony WH-CH520 as a top budget on-ear headphone, highlighting its comfortable lightweight design, strong battery life, and impressive software features like EQ customization and multipoint pairing. They conclude it outperforms most competitors in its price range, though they note the mid-range could use a slight lift and there's no wired connection option.

8:54

Pick THIS if you're on a budget! Sony WH-CH520 vs JBL Tune 720BT

DHRME654.9K viewsAug 2023

The reviewer compares the Sony WH-CH520 and JBL Tune 720BT budget headphones, concluding that while both offer good battery life and features for the price, the Sony wins on comfort and call quality, whereas the JBL has better sound out of the box and a wired option. Overall, the reviewer suggests the Sony is the better pick for most users, but notes neither is exceptional for serious listening.

8:45

Sony WH-CH520 Review - They Have Improved Build Quality, Just Like The WH-CH720N

GYMCADDY327.2K viewsMar 2023

The reviewer finds the Sony WH-CH520 to be a solid budget on-ear option, praising the improved build quality, comfortable fit, and excellent battery life. While the sound is decent for casual listening, it lacks instrument separation and bass punch, and the lack of ANC, wired connectivity, and a case are notable drawbacks. The reviewer concludes that while these are a good value, the WH-CH720N is worth the upgrade for those who can afford it.

4:38

SONY WH-CH520: Best Budget sub $50 Headphones

The French Glow58.9K viewsJun 2023

The reviewer highly recommends the Sony WH-CH520 as the best budget headphone under $50, praising its build quality, sound profile, comfort, and battery life. They note it lacks active noise cancellation and has only one microphone, resulting in mediocre call quality, but consider it an excellent value and even the best option for children.

Summaries are AI condensations of each video's own conclusion, not transcripts. Titles, thumbnails and view counts belong to their channels.

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