Sony WH-CH720N

The Sony WH-CH720N delivers top-tier ANC and all-day comfort in a budget package. Battery life is great at 35 hours, and connectivity is flawless. Sound quality is the weak link, so skip these if you care about audio fidelity.

ANC is the star here, landing in the 91st percentile of our database. That's genuinely impressive for a budget pair, and it puts these ahead of plenty of pricier options. Connectivity is also a standout at the 88th percentile, with BT 5.2 and multipoint working without drama. The mic is solid for calls, sitting at the 80th percentile, and battery life is well above average at 77th. But sound quality is where the corners got cut. At the 22nd percentile, it's a weak spot. The Integrated Processor V1 and DSEE help, but the tuning is just okay, not great. Build quality is also mediocre at the 36th percentile, so don't expect premium materials.

Against the JBL Tune 670NC, the Sony wins on ANC and comfort but loses on sound. The TOZO HT3 is cheaper and sounds better, but the Sony's ANC is noticeably stronger. The Bose QuietComfort and Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 are in a completely different league for sound and build, but they cost two to three times as much. The Beyerdynamic Aventho is a niche pick for audio purists, not really a direct competitor. For pure noise canceling per dollar, the Sony holds its own against all of them.

Without a firm price in front of us, it's hard to call this a slam dunk, but the WH-CH720N typically sits in the budget tier where it makes a lot of sense. You're getting ANC that punches way above its weight class, excellent connectivity, and all-day comfort. The trade-off is sound quality that won't impress anyone who cares about audio. If you can find these under $100, they're a steal. Above that, you start bumping into better-sounding options.

The Sony WH-CH720N is Sony's budget play for noise canceling over-ears, and honestly, it nails the basics. You get solid ANC, multipoint Bluetooth, and a featherweight 192g build that disappears on your head. It's not going to blow anyone away on sound quality, but for the price, it's a very easy recommendation for commuters and office workers.

The big story here is comfort and battery. 35 hours of juice means you're charging these once a week, maybe less. And at 192 grams, they're Sony's lightest wireless ANC headphones yet. You'll forget you're wearing them, which is exactly what you want from a daily driver.

If you care about sound quality at all, look elsewhere. The 22nd percentile sound score means music sounds flat and uninspired compared to competitors like the TOZO HT3 or even the JBL Tune 670NC. Studio use is out of the question. And if you're rough on your gear, the mediocre build quality at the 36th percentile means these won't survive much abuse.

If you want solid ANC, all-day comfort, and don't care much about audiophile-grade sound, the WH-CH720N is an easy pick. It's built for commuters, office workers, and anyone who wants to tune out the world without spending a fortune. Just don't expect it to wow you on the music front.