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Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize convenience and compactness, the Apple AirPods (2nd generation) are wireless earbuds known for their seamless integration with other Apple devices. However, if you're looking for over-ear comfort and potentially better battery life at a more budget-friendly price, the Sony WH-CH520 headphones could be a better fit. The latter may also provide better passive noise isolation due to their over-ear design. Consider that the AirPods are more discreet for outdoor use, while the Sony headphones might offer a more enveloping audio experience which could be preferable for home use. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple Airpods (2nd generation)
The Apple Airpods (2nd generation) has no clear advantages over the Sony WH-CH520.
Advantages of the Sony WH-CH520
Good for music
Very good for gaming
Very good for TV and video
Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
5.8/10
7.6/10
The Sony WH-CH520 is good for music, while the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) is poor.
Gaming
4.8/10
8.8/10
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for gaming, while the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) is poor.
TV and Video
5.4/10
8.2/10
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for TV and video, while the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5/10
4.6/10
The Sony WH-CH520 and Apple Airpods (2nd generation) are both poor for noise reduction, though the Sony WH-CH520 is somewhat better.
Battery
4.0 Hours
52.0 Hours
The Apple Airpods (2nd generation) has 4 hours of battery life. The Sony WH-CH520 has 52 hours of battery life.
Cost
$89
$50
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Apple Airpods (2nd generation) has a price of $89 and the Sony WH-CH520 costs $50.
Build Quality
7.6/10
7.0/10
The Apple Airpods (2nd generation) and Sony WH-CH520 both have good build quality, though the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) has somewhat better build quality.
"If you’re looking for headphones that simply do what you ask them to: the Sony WH-CH520 is a decent option, even if it isn’t very exciting. Sony’s WH-CHXXX line fits this role quite well, and the WH-CH520 offers a decent raft of quality-of-life updates over its predecessor that should keep listeners happy. If the Sony WH-CH520 were a car, it’d be the boring-but-safe commuter compact."
Get a great deal on the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) or the Sony WH-CH520
About Apple
Apple Inc. is an American technology company, founded in 1976, known for its wide range of premium products, including smartphones, computers, and audio solutions. Apple offers the very popular personal audio line AirPods, highly regarded for their wireless, smart capabilities and their seamless integration with the iPhone, iPad and Mac devices. They provide a high-quality sound, comfort and lifestyle features perfect for all users invested in their ecosystem.
About Sony
Sony is a multinational corporation, based out of Japan, with over 75 years of experience in the consumer electronics industry. In the audio market, Sony has been a trendsetter several times throughout its history. In 1979 they released the first-ever portable music player, the Sony Walkman, followed by the Discman 20 years later. Today, Sony is one of the leaders in the wireless headphone and earbud market, especially in terms of Active Noise Cancellation technology.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.