It’s been two years since Sony introduced the WH-CH520, and they remain one of the strongest contenders in the budget headphone category. They deliver Sony’s signature sound along with modern features you’d usually expect from pricier models — all at a very accessible cost.
After using them again for several weeks, my opinion hasn’t changed: under $100 they’re hard to beat, and in the $50 range they’re practically unmatched. As of now, they’re available for around $38.95, making them a smart purchase for anyone who wants quality without overspending.
Key Specs of the Sony WH-CH520
- Driver size: 30 mm
- Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
- Battery life: up to 50 hours of playback
- Fast charging: 3 minutes = 1.5 hours of use
- Colors: black, blue, white, pink, cappuccino, yellow
- Notable features: 360 Reality Audio, DSEE, multipoint Bluetooth
- App support: Sony Headphones Connect (Android/iOS)
- Android perks: Google Fast Pair and Find My Device support
Pairing is straightforward on both Android and iOS. Physical buttons on the right earcup provide accurate control, and the built-in microphones work well with voice assistants like Siri and Google Assistant.
What the WH-CH520 Do Well
- Balanced sound: punchy bass, clear mids, and crisp highs.
- DSEE technology: enhances compressed audio files, making them sound closer to high-resolution quality.
- 360 Reality Audio: adds immersion to music and movies.
- Outstanding battery life: up to 50 hours on a single charge. Even with advanced features enabled, they outperform many premium models.
- Quick charging: just a few minutes plugged in provides over an hour of playback.
- Call performance: while not on par with flagship models, the microphones handle voices well in moderately noisy settings.
Downsides to Keep in Mind
The design is lightweight but feels plasticky and basic. They lack active noise cancellation, which would have been useful since they let in a fair amount of outside noise. There’s also no 3.5 mm jack, so they rely entirely on Bluetooth.
Some higher-end Sony features, like “Speak-to-Chat” or “Quick Attention,” aren’t included in this model.
Final Verdict
The Sony WH-CH520 pull off something rare: excellent battery life, solid sound quality, and premium-inspired features at a sub-$50 price point. Yes, the design is plain and noise isolation is limited, but everything else makes them a standout choice.
If you’re shopping for affordable headphones that deliver reliable performance with a touch of Sony’s premium feel, the WH-CH520 are an easy recommendation. They’re readily available from Amazon, Best Buy, and Sony’s official website.