Sony CH720N review: Affordable ANC

Sony’s at the top of the game when it comes to active noise-cancelling (ANC) in headphones – its widely-feted WH-1000XM5 is basically the bees’ knees.

However, it also costs a bundle, and there’s a large slice of people who would rather get solid ANC at a way lower price-point than shell out for the best. Hence, the CH720N, which is a lot more affordable and less fancy, but potentially more popular for it. We’ve been testing it out.

Over the past decade, active noise-cancelling (ANC) headphones have dominated the audio market. Sony, a market leader, has released its fair share of ANC headphones and earbuds, and while the models are all market-leading, they come with some hefty price tags.

A year ago, Sony released the WH-CH720 headphones — a budget ANC option. Having had the headphones for six months now, I can say they’ve been my saving grace for sleeping through the sound of a baby crying on an airplane, drowning out noise on subway rides, and hearing my favorite songs in the high quality audio that they deserve.

The Sony WH-CH720N active noise-cancelling headphones provide great value for a mid-range price point of $150. While there are many benefits to these headphones, there are bound to be some trade-offs when you opt to buy a lower budget version of a product rather than a more expensive “industry best.” Sony’s WH-720N headphones were released in March 2023, and they still take the cake for the value you get for the price.

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Great specs at a reasonable price

Sound quality better than its $150 value

I find the Sony WH-CH720N audio quality excellent, especially for the everyday music listener like myself. It’s hard to tell the difference between the sound quality of these headphones compared to more expensive models.

Even for a professionally musically trained ear, the headphones sound equally impressive. In fact, I asked Julia Hawkins, a classically trained violinist and music industry professional, to try out the headphones, and she reported that she “could not tell the difference between these headphones and Audio Technica classic models. It’s great to be able to adjust EQ levels to personalize how you listen.”

I asked a classically trained violinist to try out the headphones, and she reported that they sounded fantastic — highlighting the best points without instrumentals overwhelming vocals.

The default equalizer (EQ) settings are fairly balanced. Sony’s Headphones Connect app gives you full EQ control to play around with different sound settings. The app allows you to create custom EQ settings to save and switch between, for people who prefer a different listening experience for different music genres. The app also provides a setting to turn on DSEE, which automatically improves the sound of old or low-quality audio sources.

Wallet-friendly ANC that doesn’t sound budget

While the WH-720Ns don’t completely cancel outside noise, they are extremely effective at blocking out static sounds, like airplane and train noise, but have a slightly harder time with changing frequencies, like a conversation happening next to you. The headphones’ active noise-cancellation even performs impressively well when there is no audio playing, which allows you to be in near silence regardless of where you’re at.

You also have the option to listen without ANC if you prefer to hear some outside noise. You can do this by pressing the NC/Ambient button on the right side of the earcup. As someone who prefers switching between ANC and transparency mode, I love how accessible the button is — especially on my commute.

The big battery is a big perk

The CH720N headphones have great battery performance. After a full charge, you can expect to get over 30 hours of battery life when using ANC, or up to 50 hours with the function turned off. You’re able to easily check what your headphones’ battery percentage is while listening by clicking the power button. Charging the headphones from no charge to 100% takes 3.5 hours and uses a USB-C.

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Unfortunately, unlike the Sony 1000XM4 and XM5 models, the CH720N model doesn’t pause music once it’s detected that you take them off, which puts a strain on battery life. However, the headphones automatically turn off after 15 minutes of being disconnected from Bluetooth. If you, like me, forget to disconnect the headphones or turn them off, note that you could lose charge when not actively listening.

Connectivity and microphone

The CH720N’s Bluetooth connection is reliable and simple for streaming, listening, and calling. And even the microphone performs well, as I found there was no static or graininess present in calls using the headphones. The person I was speaking with also reported a clear experience.

I also like that the headphones include a 3.5mm jack in case you need or want to resort to wired audio, as I sometimes do when I’m traveling.

A lightweight design that has some drawbacks

The WH-CH720N has a pretty standard design. Ultimately, the overall look is a little more refined than expected for the price point. Plus, they’re size adjustable and very comfortable.

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While the plastic build contributes to a lightweight wear and comfortable fit, it also makes them feel more likely to incur breakage than Sony’s premium options. The CH720N cannot fold, which has left me awkwardly stuffing them into my backpack. The product doesn’t come with a carrying case or bag, either, but there are various low-cost travel cases available to hold the CH720Ns and its charger. You can also purchase from a seller that includes insurance on Amazon, or register for a product protection plan through Sony.

The cushioning on the headband and each ear cup is soft and comfortable, but thinner than luxury models. While that doesn’t noticeably affect comfort in the short term, they may begin to seem a little less comfortable after multiple consecutive hours of use. I find myself wanting a break from them for long-wear when traveling, but they’re perfectly comfortable on my daily commute.

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Verdict

Providing a quality listening experience, ANC that isolates exterior noise, and an effective transparent mode, the Sony’s WH-CH720N headphones are undoubtedly impressive even a year after their initial release. Sony’s corresponding app provides listeners with a wide range of customizable options, and the headphones’ long battery life and comfortable fit will keep you listening for hours.

Although the WH-CH720N is still not a jaw dropping inexpensive pick, you get what you pay for. In this case, I would even argue that you’d be getting a pretty good bargain. Music lovers looking for solid mid-range ANC headphones without investing too much money would do well to consider Sony’s WH-CH720N.

Top 5 songs listened to on my Sony WH-CH720N headphones:

1. Take A Slice by Glass Animals
2. Eat Your Young by Hozier
3. get him back! by Olivia Rodrigo
4. Is This It by The Strokes
5. Wurli by Dominic Fike