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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) offer a good balance for music, calls, and use during exercise with a very high portability score due to their smaller size; they are optimized for Apple devices and have features such as ear detection and wireless charging, but they provide lower noise isolation and are not as suitable for gaming or watching TV. The Sony WH-CH520 headphones excel in comfort, gaming, TV, and video experiences with better overall sound quality and active noise cancellation, but they are larger and less portable. If you prioritize portability and use mainly with Apple products, the Airpods may be worth the higher price, whereas if you seek better sound isolation, comfort, and a device more suitable for immersive audio experiences, the Sony may be a more cost-effective choice despite its larger size. 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 (3rd generation)
- Good for phone calls
- Good for exercise
Advantages of the Sony WH-CH520
- Very good for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
Key differences
Music
7.1
7.6
The Sony WH-CH520 and Apple Airpods (3rd generation) are both good for music, though the Sony WH-CH520 is somewhat better.
Gaming
5.4
8.8
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for gaming, while the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is poor.
Phone Calls
7.6
6.7
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is good for phone calls, while the Sony WH-CH520 is only fair.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.6
8.0
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) and Sony WH-CH520 are both very good for podcasts and audiobooks, though the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is somewhat better.
TV and Video
5.5
8.2
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for TV and video, while the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
4.6
The Sony WH-CH520 and Apple Airpods (3rd generation) are both poor for noise reduction, though the Sony WH-CH520 is somewhat better.
Battery
6.0 Hours
52.0 Hours
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) has 6 hours of battery life. The Sony WH-CH520 has 52 hours of battery life.
Cost
$179
$40
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) has a price of $179 and the Sony WH-CH520 costs $40.
Build Quality
9.0
7.0
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) has excellent build quality, while the Sony WH-CH520 has good build quality.
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How the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) and the Sony WH-CH520 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods (3rd generation) | Sony WH-CH520 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$179 | $40 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2021 | April 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.2/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.6/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.4/10 | 8.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.2/10 | 6.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6 Hours | 52 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | 1.9 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 30 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 4.6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 7/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 10/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4.3 Grams | 147.41 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Apple Airpods (3rd generation)
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Lily Katz, Christian Thomas | February 2023
"The Apple AirPods improves upon the 2019 model with its more ergonomic, yet unsealed, fit, water-resistant build, MagSafe charging case, and advanced software features. You can enjoy a wholly immersive movie experience with the new AirPods' spatial audio with head tracking, and enjoy HD audio during FaceTime calls. Of course, most of these features are limited to Apple hardware."
Sony WH-CH520
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | September 2023
"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 (3rd 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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Why trust us
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.
By the numbers
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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
Earbuds and Headphones Expert
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.
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