The Sony WH-CH720N is Sony’s lightest pair of wireless noise-canceling over-ear headphones, built around 30mm dynamic drivers and the same Integrated Processor V1 chip that powers the flagship WH-1000XM5. A Dual Noise Sensor system monitors ambient sound both inside and outside the earcups to cancel background frequencies, and the headband weighs less than 200 grams with soft cushioning designed for long listening sessions. Bluetooth multipoint lets you pair two devices at the same time and jump between them with a button press, which is useful for switching between a laptop on a work call and a phone for music.
Headphones with excellent noise cancellation and sound you’ll enjoy
The V1 chip is what allows this headphone to exceed its price point. This is the same processor used in the $400 WH-1000XM5, and it enables real-time Active Noise Cancellation across a broad frequency band. The low-end rumble of trains, airplanes, and HVAC units is greatly reduced with Active Noise Cancellation, and this technology cancels out both midrange and high-frequency sounds from talking , an area where most cheaper ANC headsets fail.
Battery life is one of the CH720N’s strongest specs. A single charge delivers up to 35 hours of playback with noise cancellation on, and a three-minute quick charge over USB-C gives an hour of listening for situations where you forgot to plug them in before leaving the house. A full charge takes about 3.5 hours.
Sound tuning relies on Sony’s DSEE digital signal processing, which upscales compressed audio and streaming content to a level closer to that of a lossless source. The Sony Headphones Connect app adds a five-band EQ with a separate Clear Bass slider, several presets, and support for 360 Reality Audio. Adaptive Sound Control adjusts the noise cancellation and ambient sound levels based on whether you’re walking, sitting in an office, or riding a train, without having to touch the headphones.
Call quality is powered by Precise Voice Pickup Technology, which uses beamforming microphones and AI noise reduction to isolate your voice from background noise during hands-free calls. A wind-noise reduction structure around the microphones cuts out gusts during outdoor walks and bike rides, which is a common weakness on other headphones in this price range. The headphones also support Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa through built-in voice activation, and a 3.5mm jack on the left earcup handles wired listening for airplane entertainment systems and other gear without Bluetooth.
The Sony WH-CH720N is on sale for $98 instead of the usual $180. The same V1 noise-canceling processor as Sony’s $400 flagship, 35 hours of battery, Bluetooth multipoint, and the full Headphones Connect app for under $100 is roughly the best price-to-performance ratio in noise-canceling over-ears you’ll find.
