Sony WH-CH720N
Zelpio is direct about the cut corners in build quality, and that is fatal under an ownership lens. Spend up to the WH-1000XM6 or watch for the Bose QC 2nd Gen.
Consolidated from 40 cited sources across 36 outlets
Where the cited sources landed, as we read them
- 2 glowing sources
- 1 enthusiastic source
- 25 positive sources
- 7 mixed sources
- 3 unconvinced sources
5 of 18 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick.
Zelpio's comparison against Sony's flagships is blunt: strong noise cancelling for the money, but it cuts corners on build quality, sound clarity and features. The all-lightweight plastic build is fatal under an ownership lens.
Flagged 17 October 2026
1 earlier flag predates the point where runs began recording their reasoning, so its grounds were never written down.
Pros & cons
- ✓ Strong noise cancelling for the money
- ✓ Comfortable
- ✓ Good battery life
- ✓ Featherweight design enhances comfort
- ✓ Good value for the money
- ✗ Cuts corners on build quality, sound clarity and features
- ✗ All-lightweight plastic build
- ✗ ANC performance not as strong as flagship models
- ✗ A tier below the flagships in sound and build
- ✗ Plasticky, lightly built chassis
The sources behind this ranking
We searched the web and YouTube for what has been published about this product, then read the articles, video transcripts and comments we found. 1 outlet wouldn't let us check its link.
Evidence 17 articles, 21 video reviews and 2 community sources
2 glowing sources
We know how good Sony can be on the premium side, but the WH-CH720N – which retains its What Hi-Fi? Award as the best budget wireless headphones – fill a gap in the market by offering active noise-cancellation (ANC), good build quality and even better sound at a reasonable price. These are designed as a pair of cans for those who aren’t keen on forking out a few hundred quid for a premium pair of over-ears , but equally don’t want to miss out on features such as ANC or suffer a significant drop in audio fidelity by opting for cheaper, affordable pairs.Read F
You buy the Sony WH-CH720N. You put them on. They’re shockingly light — 192 grams, lighter than anything in this category, lighter than Sony’s own premium XM5s. ANC turns on. The low hum of the AC unit fades. You think: this is working.Read
1 enthusiastic source
25 positive sources
Overall, the Sony WH-CH720N offers a lot of what people want in everyday wireless headphones: a lightweight and comfortable design, effective noise cancellation, long battery life, and enjoyable sound quality. It’s an easy pair of headphones to recommend for anyone looking for a dependable all-around listening experience. Alexa support adds another layer of convenience, allowing you to use voice commands for tasks like checking the weather, controlling smart home devices, or playing music without reaching for your phone.Read W WebPro Education WebPro Education · 416K subscribers · Aug 2025
here is how to turn Noise Cancelling ON or OFF on your Sony WH-CH720N headphones. These headphones come with Sony’s excellent noise cancelling feature, allowing you to block out background noise for a more immersive listening experienceWatch P
Would I replace my XM6 with these? Not a chance. But would I keep them as a reliable second pair, something I can throw in a bag, lend out, or use for long work sessions without feeling like I’m wearing bricks on my head? Absolutely. If you’ve been eyeing up Sony headphones but couldn’t justify flagship prices, the WH-CH720N are the no-brainer entry point. Not the best Sony headphones ever made, but definitely one of the smartest buys in their lineup right now.Read S
And after using these for 3 weeks, I can honestly say there are four things about these headphones that I absolutely love and I think make it worth its really affordable price tag. First thing I love about these headphones is that they are so so so so lightweight.Watch S
I often recommend the WH-CH720N as a budget alternative to Sony’s more popular WH-1000XM5 or XM6 headphones . You give up the premium build and a little polish, but you keep the things that actually matter day to day: good noise canceling, a lightweight fit, and sound quality that’s more than good enough for the average listener.Read G
Personally, the Sony WH-CH720N’s are my top pick here mainly because they are the most comfortable headphones here. No matter how amazing your headphones sound and no matter how much noise they block out… if they don’t fit well you’re not going to want to use them. So that is why the Sony WH-CH720N are my top pick here. But from a performance standpoint, they sound good, they block out a decent amount of noise, they have a good battery life and they have a good sounding ambient mode.Watch T
The Sony WH-CH720N stands as a remarkable achievement in the budget wireless headphone category, successfully delivering premium features at an accessible price point . These headphones excel in battery life, comfort, and noise cancellation while providing solid audio quality that satisfies most casual and intermediate listeners.Read G
But now, there are the WH-CH720N headphones and I feel these have redeemed Sony. And I will admit, when I first unboxed these headphones, I was a little unimpressed. I was a little disappointed and I was a little worried. But now, the WH-CH720N headphones have managed to win me over. Now, first let's talk about price.Watch T
Snag Sony’s WH‑CH720N noise‑canceling headphones at Amazon for under $95, nearly half off their list price, with wireless ANC, long battery life, and everyday comfort.Read T
With that said, folks, I think the Sony WH-CH720N are fantastic.Watch H
Watching this as i just received mine yesterday:3 QND I LOVE THEM! Amazing sound, bass, and noise cancelling. They feel really good too and the battery is INSANE!Watch M
And I can tell you that these numbers are no exaggeration because the battery life on the CH720N is exceptionally good.Watch W
The Sony WH-CH720N are a dependably made, enthusiastic-sounding pair of headphones that deliver good noise-cancelling and a strong feature set for the price.Read F Flicky Facts Flicky Facts · 4.8K subscribers · May 2026
Whether you're working from home or relaxing with your favorite content, the WH-CH720N is ergonomically designed to be lightweight and comfortable. And with up to 35 hours of battery life, you can wear them for longer without needing a break. Enjoy natural vocals, crystal-clear sound, and balanced tuning thanks to the integrated processor V1 and digital sound enhancement engine DSEE, producing a high-quality sound exactly as the artists intendedWatch J JudgeAny JudgeAny · reviewer
But when the CH720N sells at roughly half the XM5's price — common during sales — it keeps the parts that matter most: comfort, battery, and decent ANC.Read P
So Sony is known for very good noise cancelling and yeah mini charge gets you up to 60 minute of play time. Hence also supports phone calls and lightweight and comfortable design. So this is less than 200 g. So that is actually quite light and comfortable. You get the equalizer app. Of course, if you use it on Android, iPhone and then inside the box, it gives you the headphone cables.Watch M
December 2025: We added the Sony WH-CH720N Noise-Canceling Headphones as the best headphones under $100.Read M
When it comes to headphones, aesthetics matter, and the WH-CH720N headphones certainly do not disappoint in that regard. Now from now on I’m just going to call them the 720’s because WH-CH720N is a bit of a mouthful. So the 720’s have a modern and stylish look, and they're available in three different colors - black, white, and blue.Watch F Facebook wired
Sony’s WH-CH720N headphones offer excellent value at full price, but right now they're a steal.View post M
And after looking and searching, I actually picked up this Sony uh I just loved the design. So when I saw it online, uh the different colors that they had, I thought this was some good looking minimal design. So I decided to go for this one. And also the pricing was somewhat around the budget that I had.Watch C
The Sony WH-CH720N are a great buy at this priceRead G Gabriel Pilo Gabriel Pilo · 2.8K subscribers · May 2023
After using the Sony WH-CH720N headphones for a month and comparing them to the XM4s I definitely would recommend you get these if you are on a budget or simply want lighter headphones for longer use times! Let me know what you think down in the comments!Watch H
The Sony CH720N may look simple, but they pack comfort, clarity, and strong A&C into a lightweight frame at a great price. With hidden potential unlocked through EQ tuning, smart ANC settings, fixes for connectivity issues, and custom controls. They go from solid out of the box to quietly brilliant with just a few tweaksWatch U
The Sony WH-CH720N headphones prove that exceptional audio and noise cancelling headphones don't have to break the bank. This in-depth review covers everything you need to know about the Sony WH-CH720N, from its impressive sound to its comfortable design, making it a strong contender for the best noise cancelling headphones in its class. Watch to see if these affordable cans are right for youWatch G
The Sony WH-CH720N is ideal for users who prioritize lightweight comfort, balanced sound quality, and reliable everyday noise cancellation.Watch
7 mixed sources
The Sony WH-CH720N makes sense for buyers who want effective noise canceling without a large investment. The active noise canceling performance rivals the WH-1000XM4, and the lightweight design suits daily commuting. However, the compromises in build quality, sound clarity, call quality in noisy environments, and missing features like high-res audio support are real drawbacks. If budget is the primary concern and noise canceling is the main priority, the WH-CH720N delivers reasonable value. For listeners who value sound quality, durability, and a complete feature set, the WH-1000XM4 or WH-1000XM5 remain the better choice despite their higher cost.Read B Babbling Boolean Babbling Boolean · 97.3K subscribers · May 2023
Reviewing the mid-tier priced Sony WH-CH720N headphones, the successor to the WH-CH710N, but does it deliver? The 720N makes some improvements over the 710N but falls short in some other areas.Watch P
At just 192g, the Sony WH-CH720N is remarkably light for a noise cancelling headphone. During my testing, I often forgot I was wearing them—perfect for all-day use. The Dual Noise Sensor technology delivers respectable ANC performance, reducing noise by 24-26dB. While not quite matching the flagship XM4 models, it handles office environments and commuting well.Read Y
On the downside, the construction is predominantly plastic- based, and many buyers note feeling like the device is somewhat cheap and low quality for its price, although it is sufficient for day-to-day use. The WH-CH720N headphones cannot be folded up. Instead, they can only be laid flat. When it comes to comfort, JBL Tune 770NC is case-by-case scenario.Watch S
Pros : ✓ Great ANC for the price ✓ Lightest over‑ear NC headphones Sony makes ✓ Surprisingly full, lively sound for the price Cons: ✖ Ear cushions shallow for someRead V
In summary, the Sony WH-CH720N wireless noise-canceling headphones are impressively lightweight and comfortable, offering solid sound quality, very good battery life, clever sound modes, and handy multi-point connection. However, the noise cancellation struggles with some types of ambient noise. The touch controls can be overly sensitive, and call quality isn't perfect in noisy environments. But, if you prioritize comfort and budget alongside brand reliability, these deliver well.Watch T
For the price, the CH720N offers better-than-expected sound quality.Read
3 unconvinced sources
everytime i try pairing these headphones to my samsung tv it said connected and 3 secondes later it disconnect what can i do!Watch B
The Sony WH CH720N sounds good, lasts long, and feels great until it doesn't. When they work, they're fine. When they don't, you're stuck with broken plastic, connection issues, and a warranty that won't help you. If you just want lightweight headphones for casual music, maybe.Watch S Sir NelsonG Sir NelsonG · 204 subscribers · Jul 2023
CH720N headphones, do not buy them, they are lightweight but uncomfortable and cause pressure on the ears. They have connectivity advantages with Bluetooth 5.2 and multipoint connection, but are not suitable for exercise due to sweating.Watch
2 stance not read sources
Frequently asked questions
It ranks #21 of 28 on our headphones tier list, in D tier. That placement draws on 40 cited sources across 36 outlets.
3 of the 38 sources with a clear view are critical of it: Brutal Reviews, Sir NelsonG and WorldofTech. Cuts corners on build quality, sound clarity and features. All-lightweight plastic build. ANC performance not as strong as flagship models. A tier below the flagships in sound and build. Plasticky, lightly built chassis.
On our headphones board, Sony WH-CH720N ranks #21 (D tier) ahead of Beats Studio Pro at #28 (F tier). Beats Studio Pro: Second on Headphonesty's overhyped list and the most marketing-driven product in the category. The Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) deliver more for the same role.
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