What Our Research Found
We wanted to know whether the WH-CH720N delivers on Sony's noise-cancelling reputation at a mid-range price, or whether it's a thinned-out unit trading on the brand.
The fact that shapes everything else: at around 192g this is one of the lightest ANC headphones Sony builds, and that weight, more than the noise cancellation, is what drives most of the positive owner feedback.
The specs describe a deliberate trade. You keep the V1 processor Sony uses in pricier models and the dual noise sensor arrangement. You lose the touch-sensitive controls, the multipoint refinements, and the better plastics of the WH-1000XM line. Battery life at a claimed 35 hours with ANC on is competitive for the category, and the 10-minutes-for-an-hour quick charge has held up across Sony's previous implementations rather than being a fresh marketing line.
Bottom line
The ANC is good without being class-leading. Steady background noise, engines, HVAC, the general hum of a crowded car, gets handled well. Sudden or high-pitched sounds get through more than they would on a flagship, which matches what owners report.
Buyers who rank comfort, battery and price above outright isolation get the best deal in the category. Buyers who want the quietest possible cabin on a long-haul flight should be looking at Sony's own XM5 or comparable Bose models.
How much noise cancelling does $123 actually buy?
No clinical research applies to a consumer headphone, so the assessment rests on published specs, Sony's technical documentation, and how the noise-cancelling architecture compares against known ANC engineering benchmarks: dual-feedback microphone arrangements and DSP processing through the V1 chip. We also checked Bluetooth version and codec support against current wireless audio standards to set expectations for latency and audio quality, which is where the SBC and AAC limitation becomes relevant.
The Good & The Bad
thumb_up What We Loved
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All-day comfort at 192g
The lightweight headband and soft cushions are the most-cited positive across public reviews, especially from people wearing headphones six or more hours a day.
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Battery and quick charge both deliver
35 hours with ANC active outlasts most competitors in this bracket, and a 10-minute charge returning about an hour of playback covers the night you forgot.
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Flagship processor at a mid-range price
The V1 chip driving the noise cancellation and call processing is the same one Sony uses further up its range, which is the core of the value argument here.
thumb_down Honest Drawbacks
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ANC trails Sony's own flagship
Steady low-frequency noise disappears convincingly. Sudden and high-frequency sounds, a door slamming or a colleague laughing, get through in a way the WH-1000XM5 handles better.
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Plastic-heavy build
The construction chases light weight rather than premium feel, and it lacks the metal accents that make pricier competitors feel like they'll survive a decade in a backpack.
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No touch controls
Physical buttons replace the touch-sensitive panel from Sony's higher-end models. Some people prefer buttons in gloves; others find the switch a downgrade.
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Full features need the app
Adaptive Sound Control and EQ customization sit behind Sony Sound Connect, so out-of-box functionality is narrower than the spec sheet suggests.
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SBC and AAC only
No LDAC and no aptX. Standard for the price, but it caps what these can do with a hi-res library and rules them out of a serious listening chain.
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Long-term hinge durability is unproven
Sony publishes no cycle testing for the headband, and the plastic construction means the hinge is the part most likely to fail first. Nothing in the review record settles it either way yet.
Technical Breakdown
Battery life
35 hours (ANC on)
Weight
~192g
Processor
Integrated Processor V1
ANC strength vs. flagship
Undisclosed dB isolation figures
Build materials
Mostly plastic construction
How It Works
Setup is straightforward and typical of modern Bluetooth ANC headphones.
Pair via Bluetooth
Power on and hold the pairing button, then connect through your phone's Bluetooth settings or the Sony Sound Connect app.
Install the Sony app (optional but recommended)
The app unlocks EQ adjustments, Adaptive Sound Control, and firmware updates that aren't accessible from the headphones alone.
Set your ANC mode
Choose between Noise Cancelling, Ambient Sound, or Off using the physical button on the ear cup or the app.
Use Adaptive Sound Control
This feature auto-adjusts ambient sound levels based on detected activity (walking, sitting, transit) if enabled in the app.
Charge via USB-C
A 10-minute quick charge gives roughly 1 hour of playback; a full charge takes about 3 hours for the rated 35-hour battery life.
How It Compares
| Feature | Sony WH-CH720N Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones | Typical Alternative (e.g. Sony WH-1000XM5 / Bose QC45) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $123.00 | $249–$349 |
| Weight | ~192g | 240–255g |
| Battery life (ANC on) | 35 hours | 24–30 hours |
| Touch controls | cancelNo (physical buttons) | check_circleYes |
| Build material | Mostly plastic | Plastic + metal accents |
| Codec support | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC (on some models) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Sony WH-CH720N work as well as the WH-1000XM5 for noise cancelling?
No, and Sony hasn't tried to make it one. The underlying processing is related, but the flagship line pulls clearly ahead on sudden, sharp noises. Against everything else near $123, though, this is the ANC headphone we'd point most buyers to first.
How long does the Sony WH-CH720N battery last with noise cancelling on?
35 hours with ANC running, per Sony's rating, and public reviews land close enough to that number to treat it as honest. Sustained high volume trims it. A 10-minute charge buys back about an hour when you've forgotten overnight.
Does the Sony WH-CH720N support LDAC or aptX for hi-res audio?
Neither. SBC and AAC only, which is the norm at this price but a genuine ceiling if you feed it high-res files. Anyone building around LDAC needs to move up Sony's range rather than work around it here.
Is the Sony Sound Connect app required to use the WH-CH720N?
Say you buy these for a daily train commute and never install anything. Playback and ANC toggling both work straight out of the box. What you'd be giving up is Adaptive Sound Control, EQ adjustment and firmware updates, all of which live inside the Sony Sound Connect app.
Are the Sony WH-CH720N good for work calls and video meetings?
Adequate rather than excellent. They carry the same V1 processor Sony puts in pricier models for call processing, and public reviews rate voice clarity as fine for everyday work calls without singling it out as a strength.
What's the return policy on the Sony WH-CH720N at Amazon.ca?
Amazon.ca's standard window usually applies, but third-party sellers set their own terms and those change without notice. Read the return policy on the specific listing before buying rather than assuming the default.
library_booksReferences & Further Reading
Our reviews are informed by peer-reviewed research and authoritative health organizations. These sources provided context for this review:
- linkSony Electronics official product specifications
- linkFCC equipment authorization database (Bluetooth device compliance)
- linkBluetooth SIG technical specifications
Editorial note: Links to external sources are provided for informational purposes. ReviewHubNow is not affiliated with these organizations and does not receive compensation for linking to them.
At $123 the WH-CH720N is the best value in active noise cancelling right now, and that's the clearest thing to say about...
Based on our research and analysis, Sony WH-CH720N Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones scored 8.1/10. It is one of our top recommendations in its category.
View Price on Amazon.caarrow_forwardVerify official availabilityWhat Owners Report
Recurring themes we found across public owner reviews.
Many buyers describe the headphones as surprisingly comfortable for long wear, often citing them as lighter than previous headphones they've owned.
A recurring theme is that the noise cancellation handles engine and AC hum well but doesn't block sudden noises like voices or clattering as effectively as pricier ANC headphones.
Reviewers consistently mention getting close to the advertised battery life in real-world use, with quick charge being called out as genuinely useful when time is short.
Standard Amazon.ca return window typically applies (usually 30 days), but always check the specific listing and seller terms before purchase since third-party sellers may vary.