Sony WH-CH520 Wireless On‑Ear Headphones Review: Lightweight Everyday Listening with Huge Battery Life
Introduction
The Sony WH-CH520 Wireless On-Ear Bluetooth Headphones with Microphone are positioned as an affordable, everyday wireless option for casual listening, remote work, and commuting. They combine an on-ear, closed-back design with Bluetooth 5.2, multipoint connectivity, app-based EQ tuning, and a headline-grabbing battery life of up to 50 hours on a single charge.
Instead of chasing premium features like active noise cancelling, the WH-CH520 focuses on core conveniences: long runtime, a compact and lightweight build, and straightforward controls. This review looks at how those choices translate into real-world use, and who will get the most value from this model.
Setup / Getting Started
Unboxing and first impressions
Out of the box, the Sony WH-CH520 keeps things simple. You get the headphones, a USB-C charging cable, and basic documentation. There is no carrying case or analog audio cable—these are fully wireless, Bluetooth-only headphones.
The build is mostly plastic, with a matte finish and swivel earcups so the headphones can lay flat in a bag or on a desk. The design is minimal and understated, with clearly labeled physical buttons for power, volume, and playback/track control on one earcup. Overall, the first impression is that of a lightweight, no-frills pair made for portability rather than luxury.
Pairing and app integration
Pairing the WH-CH520 is straightforward. Holding the power button places the headphones in pairing mode, after which they appear in your device’s Bluetooth menu. The headphones use Bluetooth 5.2, which offers stable connectivity and efficient power usage across phones, tablets, and laptops.
For more control, the WH-CH520 works with Sony’s Headphones Connect app (available on Android and iOS). Through the app you can:
- Adjust a multi-band EQ and choose from presets
- Enable Sony’s DSEE (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine) upscaling
- Check remaining battery
- Manage multipoint connections
The app is not mandatory, but it significantly improves the listening experience by letting you fine-tune the sound.
Multipoint connection
One of the standout usability features is multipoint Bluetooth support. The WH-CH520 can connect to two devices at once—such as a laptop and phone—allowing you to listen to music on one while accepting calls on the other without re-pairing. For remote work or study, this is a genuine quality-of-life improvement.
Daily Usage
Comfort and fit
The WH-CH520 are on-ear, not over-ear, so the pads rest on your ears rather than surrounding them. The clamping force is moderate and, combined with the very low weight, they feel light on the head for shorter to medium-length sessions.
However, as with most on-ear designs, comfort can depend on ear shape and sensitivity. Some users may find that after a few hours, pressure on the ears becomes noticeable. The headband padding is modest but adequate, and the adjustability should suit a range of head sizes.
For commuting, working at a desk, or moving around the house, the light, compact design makes them easy to wear and carry. They also fold flat, which helps when slipping them into a backpack or laptop bag.
Controls and usability
Physical button controls on the earcup handle power, pairing, volume, and playback (including track skip). The buttons are raised and distinct enough that they are easy to locate by touch once you get used to their positions.
The control scheme is simple:
- Single press for play/pause and call handling
- Volume up/down with dedicated buttons
- Long presses for track skipping and certain secondary functions
Voice prompts and tones confirm power status, pairing, and connection changes. The learning curve is short, and the consistency of physical buttons can be preferable to the sometimes finicky nature of touch controls on higher-end models.
Call handling
The built-in microphone is designed for clear voice calls and virtual meetings. Indoors, it generally captures voices with good intelligibility, sufficient for video calls, online classes, and gaming chats. In noisier environments, some background sounds will still be heard, but the mic and processing do a reasonable job of prioritizing your voice for casual and professional use.
Performance & Reliability
Sound quality
Out of the box, the WH-CH520 aim for a consumer-friendly sound profile with a slightly elevated bass and clear mids for vocals. High frequencies are present but not overly sharp, making them easy to listen to for extended periods.
Sound quality improves notably if you take advantage of the customizable EQ in the Sony Headphones Connect app. You can accentuate bass for modern pop and electronic music, or dial it back for a more neutral presentation. Sony’s DSEE processing is designed to enhance compressed audio, adding a bit of perceived detail and fullness when streaming lower-bitrate content.
These are not reference headphones, and they don’t compete with premium noise-cancelling models, but for casual listening, podcasts, and streaming, they deliver a solid and enjoyable sound within their segment.
Noise isolation
The WH-CH520 do not offer active noise cancelling (ANC), and they also lack a dedicated ambient or transparency mode. Noise isolation is purely passive, relying on the on-ear pads and clamp.
In practice, this means:
- In a quiet or moderately noisy environment, you can listen comfortably without cranking the volume.
- In very loud settings—busy streets, trains, or planes—you will hear more of your surroundings than with over-ear ANC headphones.
If you need strong noise blocking for travel or loud offices, this model may not be ideal. If you want to remain somewhat aware of your environment, the lighter isolation could be a benefit.
Connectivity and stability
Bluetooth 5.2 helps provide a stable connection with modern smartphones, tablets, and laptops. Once paired, reconnecting is usually fast and automatic when you power the headphones on.
Multipoint performance is generally reliable, with automatic switching between audio sources when calls come in or playback resumes. As with any wireless headphones, performance can depend on the Bluetooth hardware and drivers in your devices, so keeping firmware and OS versions updated can help ensure smooth operation.
Battery life and charging
Battery life is one of the WH-CH520’s strongest features. Under typical listening conditions, they can run for up to 50 hours on a charge, so many users will only need to plug them in once every several days, or even less often with lighter use.
Charging is via USB-C, and a quick charge feature provides additional playback time from a short top-up. This makes it easy to keep them ready to go, even if you forget to charge overnight.
In day-to-day use, the long battery life means less anxiety about running out of power during long workdays, commutes, or travel.
What Works Well
- Excellent battery life – Up to 50 hours of playback significantly reduces how often you need to charge.
- Lightweight, compact design – Comfortable to carry and wear for typical workdays and commutes, with swivel cups that pack flat.
- Reliable Bluetooth 5.2 wireless – Stable connection and good range for general home, office, and campus use.
- Multipoint connectivity – Simultaneous pairing with two devices makes transitioning between calls and media seamless.
- Customizable sound – Sony’s Headphones Connect app provides EQ tuning and DSEE upscaling, improving flexibility across music genres and listening preferences.
- Simple physical controls – Tactile buttons are easy to learn and operate without looking.
What Could Be Improved
- No active noise cancelling – Passive isolation only, which may not be sufficient for very noisy environments or frequent air travel.
- On-ear fit is not for everyone – Some listeners may experience ear discomfort during long sessions compared with over-ear designs.
- All-plastic build – While lightweight, the construction feels more budget-oriented and may not offer the premium feel or perceived durability of higher-end models.
- No wired audio option – Lack of a 3.5 mm input means you cannot use them when wireless is not allowed or when battery is depleted.
- Limited advanced codecs – Focus is more on broad compatibility than on audiophile-grade Bluetooth codecs.
Overall Impression
The Sony WH-CH520 Wireless On-Ear Bluetooth Headphones with Microphone, Black are best understood as a practical, everyday headset rather than a feature-packed flagship. They prioritize comfort in terms of weight, long battery life, and day-to-day convenience over high-end materials or advanced noise cancelling.
If you want a portable wireless pair for music, podcasts, and video calls, appreciate the ability to customize your sound via an app, and value extremely long battery life, the WH-CH520 make a strong case in the budget-friendly wireless space. However, if you need strong isolation, over-ear comfort for very long sessions, or premium build quality, it may be worth considering step-up models in Sony’s lineup or competing over-ear designs.
Overall, the WH-CH520 are a sensible and capable choice for students, remote workers, and casual listeners who prioritize long runtime, lightweight portability, and solid everyday performance over luxury features.