If you’re searching for affordable on-ear headphones, the Sony WH-CH520 Wireless Headphones are now available for $38, the lowest price recorded by price trackers. Available in six colors, these headphones offer long battery life, adjustable sound, and a cushioned swivel design for comfort.
The WH-CH520 headphones include a USB-C quick charging cable and can last up to 50 hours on a single charge. With the quick-charge feature, a mere three minutes of charging gives approximately an hour and a half of playback. Weighing just over five ounces, the headphones come with padded, adjustable headbands and swivel earcups that make them easy to slip on and off. While users report minimal clamping, these do press more than over-ear headphones. A synthetic leather coating ensures durability and easy cleaning.
The headphones lack touch controls but feature physical buttons for volume adjustment and track play/pause. Some users mention that these buttons feel like a single continuous button, which can be confusing. Connectivity to Sony’s Connect app allows for adjustable sound presets, a graphic EQ, and DSEE upscaling to improve compressed track quality. A built-in mic supports hands-free calls, and the multi-point connection allows seamless switching between multiple devices. Misplaced headphones can be tracked using Google’s Find My Device app.
The sound is crisp and balanced (enhanced further by the app EQ), but they might not match audiophile standards. Bass and sound can vary depending on placement on the ears, and without noise cancellation, they may not provide the same immersive experience as over-ear headphones, which offer better noise isolation and deeper bass due to larger drivers and improved sealing. Although they lack advanced features like ANC, for under $40, the Sony WH-CH520 Wireless Headphones offer long battery life, app-based customization, and reliable sound quality, making them one of the best budget headphone choices currently available.