Sony WH-CH720N Headphones Review: Pros and Cons After Testing

In our usability tests, the Sony WH-CH720N earned high marks. Physical buttons on the headphones handle all the basics, including play and pause, track skipping, volume control, and switching between noise canceling and ambient sound mode. With one press, you can choose whether to focus on your music or stay aware of what’s happening around you.

Multipoint support lets you connect two devices at the same time, making it easy to switch between a PC and a smartphone. You can watch videos on your laptop and answer phone calls without reconnecting. The dedicated app shows connection status and battery level, and the headphones also support Google Fast Pair and a “Find My Device” function.

The Sony WH-CH720N uses an over-ear design that fully covers the ears and feels comfortable from the start. In our measurements, it weighed just 186 g, making it one of the lightest over-ear models we tested. Thanks to the low weight, it puts less strain on the neck and stays comfortable even during long listening sessions.

The ear pads are 1.9 cm deep, and the headband offers a wide 61 cm adjustment range, helping reduce pressure on both the ears and head. This makes it easy to get a secure but relaxed fit. The only downside is that the ear pads use a leather-like material, which can feel warm during extended use, especially in hotter conditions.

The Sony WH-CH720N offers a wide range of sound customization features. It includes a personalization function that more than half of the competing models we tested didn’t support. Using the Find Your Equalizer feature in the app, you simply choose the sound profiles you like step by step, allowing the headphones to gradually match your preferred sound.

You can also adjust the sound manually with the built-in equalizer. It lets you fine-tune audio across five bands, from bass to treble, or choose from eight preset sound profiles. Support for 360 Reality Audio is another plus, adding a greater sense of depth and immersion when listening to compatible content.

Another useful feature is Adaptive Sound Control, which automatically switches between noise canceling and ambient sound mode. By setting locations in the app such as using noise canceling at home and ambient sound at work, the headphones adjust automatically based on GPS data. This reduces the need for manual switching and makes everyday listening more comfortable.

The Sony WH-CH720N offers strong battery performance, so frequent charging isn’t necessary. With noise canceling turned on, it delivers up to 35 hours of continuous playback, and up to 50 hours with it off. Compared with many other models we tested that last anywhere from 4 to 40 hours with noise canceling off, this is impressively long. Even if you wear it all day, running out of battery is unlikely.

It uses a widely compatible USB Type-C charging port and supports fast charging, which adds to its convenience. Just 3 minutes of charging gives about 1 hour of playback, while 10 minutes provides up to 4.5 hours. Even if you forget to charge it, you can quickly get back to listening. A full charge takes around 3.5 hours.

Sound quality was rated positively overall. After listening to ten different tracks, including J-pop and rock, the Sony WH-CH720N delivered a clear, easy-to-hear sound. The bass has good definition and weight without overpowering other frequencies. While it doesn’t offer a strong live or immersive feel, it still provides a tight sound with decent attack.

The midrange sounds full and well defined, allowing vocals and instruments to stand out clearly. Compared with some models we tested where mids tended to get buried, this one held its ground even against the bass. Treble presence is also sufficient. Fine details and lingering tones can sometimes be overshadowed by the low and midrange, but outlines remain audible.

That said, soundstage width is limited, and sound positioning can feel vague. The audio feels close rather than expansive, so it doesn’t create a wraparound or live-concert experience. While this makes it less suitable for those who prioritize immersion, the sound remains clean and well balanced. With its emphasis on low and midrange, it’s well suited for enjoying music in a relaxed, upbeat way.

The microphone performance is generally solid, delivering clear sound for both male and female voices. Based on our analysis of the audio captured through the mic, voices came through with a stable, well-defined tone. Female voices in particular sounded bright and clear, so there’s little risk of the person on the other end struggling to hear you. For everyday calls, conversations should feel smooth enough.

That said, microphone background noise reduction is a weak point. While some higher-end models we tested were able to reduce train noise by around 20–99 dB, this model managed a reduction of just 9.34 dB. In noisy environments, surrounding sounds can overpower your voice and make calls harder to follow. For best results, it’s better to use the Sony WH-CH720N in quieter places when taking calls.

Overall, the noise-canceling performance is solid. Using a dummy head microphone and playing six types of background noise, we analyzed what could still be heard. The headphones reduced voices and bell sounds by 20–27.6 dB, and even sharp clapping noises were lowered by 17.9 dB. This makes it easier to focus on music in busy places like city streets or cafés.

That said, train noise reduction is more limited. Higher-pitched train sounds were reduced by 19.4 dB, while lower-pitched rumbling dropped by only 13.4 dB. Another drawback is that some sounds you should hear can be treated as noise. Sirens were reduced by 17–19 dB, so using the headphones on the road could make emergency vehicle sirens harder to notice.

Even so, spoken announcements, such as those inside trains, remain audible if you pay attention. While the noise canceling isn’t as powerful as what you’ll get from high-end models, the Sony WH-CH720N still cuts everyday noise to a useful degree. Claims that the noise canceling “barely works” are not something most users need to worry about.