It has been two years for the reason that Sony WH-CH520 debuted, and so they stay among the finest bang-for-your-buck audio offers out there in 2025. The quantity of performance stuffed into these cans is astounding. You’re getting signature Sony sound, in addition to different model hallmarks, for a fraction of the associated fee.
I’ve been re-testing these Sony headphones on and off for the previous a number of weeks. My critiques haven’t modified one bit. They’re arguably one of the best headphones below $100, simply one of the best headphones below $50, and a must-own for budget-conscious buyers who need reasonably priced Sony cans at a ridiculously low value ($38.95 on the time of writing).
Earlier than you soar on Amazon to buy a pair, try my in-depth Sony WH-CH520 headphones evaluate.
Sony WH-CH520 headphones specs and setup
Unboxing the Sony WH-CH520 on-ear headphones.
Credit score: Alex Bracetti
Establishing the WH-CH520 headphones is a breeze.
Credit score: Alex Bracetti / Mashable
The Sony WH-CH520 pack a strong spec sheet for the worth. Have a look.
Speaker Driver Unit: 30mm
Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20,000 Hz
Battery: As much as 50 hours of further playtime with wi-fi charging case
Fast cost: 3 minutes offers you 1.5 hours of listening time
Colours: Black, blue, cappuccino, pink, white, yellow
Sony’s proprietary applied sciences (e.g., 360 Actuality Audio, DSEE)
App supported: Appropriate with Sony Sound Join app (Android/iOS)
Google Quick Pair and Discover My Gadget assist
All Sony headphones and earbuds pair simply with Android and iOS/macOS gadgets, together with the WH-CH520. Android customers obtain unique perks like one-tap Google Quick Pair and Discover My Gadget. Downloading the Sony Sound Join app gives entry to a wide range of options that stretch performance. Bodily buttons and voice instructions make up the WH-CH520’s management scheme. The protruding buttons on the appropriate earcup are aware of enter and precisely execute meant capabilities. Sony’s microphones display nice speech recognition when dispensing Google Assistant and Siri instructions.
Wi-fi vary extends as much as 45 toes earlier than stuttering happens. These on-ear headphones additionally include multipoint know-how to pair to 2 Bluetooth audio sources concurrently.
Every little thing the Sony WH-CH520 headphones get proper
Credit score: Alex Bracetti / Mashable
Regardless of having smaller drivers and no hi-res audio codecs, the WH-CH520 maintain their very own on the sonic entrance. Their sound profile is properly balanced. Deep lows mix properly with clear mids and crisp highs. Modern tracks sound energetic, whereas reside performances have a dynamic presence, because of ethereal vocal copy. Constancy is taken up a notch when enabling my favourite characteristic for enhancing sound on Sony headphones: DSEE. This know-how upscales the readability and depth on all tracks — regardless of the format — reaching near-hi-res high quality when taking part in saved information or streaming music on-line. Sony’s spatial audio know-how, 360 Actuality Audio, can also be onboard and does a good job of making 3D sound for music and flicks.
Credit score: Alex Bracetti / Mashable
A full cost generates as much as 50 hours of playtime, relying on how the headphones are used. Particular options (e.g., 360 Actuality Audio, multipoint) can lower this by 5 to eight hours, which remains to be enough. You will get a full week of average use (5 hours every day) earlier than recharging. Fast charging is simply as noteworthy: a 3-minute cost equals 1.5 hours of playtime. Not even pricier picks just like the AirPods Max and Bose QuietComfort Extremely Headphones match this.
The WH-CH520 make for an ample calling headset. Are they on the identical stage as the brand new WH-1000xM6? No. The very best flagship headphones are at all times going to outperform finances cans like this. However they turn out to be useful when you have to make a name in a pinch. The mics successfully seize vocals and emphasize them over most ambient noise. Simply be sure you’re not making calls in extraordinarily loud environments.
What the Sony WH-CH520 headphones get unsuitable
Credit score: Alex Bracetti / Mashable
Let’s state the plain – these should not enticing headphones. The quite a few colorways present some flash, however that’s provided that you’re buying one of many brighter shades. In addition to that, the construct high quality is mediocre (largely composed of plastic), and there’s little or no detailing to distinguish these cans from any third-party pair bought on Amazon.
Not each main Sony characteristic is out there. You miss out on good controls like Fast Consideration and Converse-to-Chat to robotically decrease quantity and auto-pause music everytime you communicate, respectively. There is no such thing as a lively noise cancellation, which might have been helpful for the reason that on-ear design allows quite a lot of ambient noise. Lastly, the WH-CH520 are lacking a 3.5mm jack for wired listening. There’s a USB-C port, however the headphones don’t assist USB-C listening.
Credit score: Alex Bracetti / Mashable
Are the Sony WH-CH520 headphones price it?
It’s virtually prison for Sony to promote headphones with its proprietary sound applied sciences at such a low value.
The WH-CH520 sound terrific, and the inclusion of high-end options like 360 Actuality Audio and DSEE make choose content material immersive and extra complete. Battery life is rated greater than a lot of the greatest noise-canceling headphones. Highly effective mics and versatile wi-fi options add to their unbeatable worth.
Credit score: Alex Bracetti / Mashable
Sure, the design is chintzy and flawed (ambient sound passthrough impacts sound high quality), however all different areas are on-point.
The Sony WH-CH520 could be bought straight on Sony’s web site or at on-line retailers like Amazon and Finest Purchase.
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