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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If prioritizing comfort and battery life for extended use, the Sony WH-CH520 headphones may be preferable as they have a higher comfort score and a long battery life. They're great for gaming and TV with high scores in those areas, and the over-ear form factor contributes to a better soundstage. However, if portability, active noise cancelling, and suitability for use during exercise and air travel are more important to you, the Apple AirPods Pro would be the better choice, with excellent scores in these categories, and they have an added benefit of wireless charging. Both options have integrated mics, but if frequent calls are a priority, note the AirPods Pro have a slightly higher calls and meetings score. The AirPods Pro are optimized for Apple devices, and are smaller and lighter, making them easier to carry around. The price difference is also a consideration, with the Sony being the more budget-friendly option. 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 Pro
- Good for phone calls
- Excellent for air travel
Advantages of the Sony WH-CH520
- Good for music
- Very good for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
Key differences
Music
6.8
7.6
The Sony WH-CH520 is good for music, while the Apple Airpods Pro is only fair.
Gaming
5.1
8.8
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for gaming, while the Apple Airpods Pro is poor.
Phone Calls
7.4
6.7
The Apple Airpods Pro is good for phone calls, while the Sony WH-CH520 is only fair.
TV and Video
5.7
8.2
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for TV and video, while the Apple Airpods Pro is poor.
Noise Reduction
9.1
4.6
The Apple Airpods Pro is excellent for noise reduction, while the Sony WH-CH520 is poor.
Battery
5.0 Hours
52.0 Hours
The Apple Airpods Pro has 5 hours of battery life. The Sony WH-CH520 has 52 hours of battery life.
Cost
$260
$50
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Apple Airpods Pro has a price of $260 and the Sony WH-CH520 costs $50.
Build Quality
9.0
7.0
The Apple Airpods Pro has excellent build quality, while the Sony WH-CH520 has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.3
8.0
The Apple Airpods Pro and Sony WH-CH520 are both very good for podcasts and audiobooks.
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How the Apple Airpods Pro and the Sony WH-CH520 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods Pro | Sony WH-CH520 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$260 | $50 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2019 | April 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.9/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.4/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.2/10 | 8.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.7/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.1/10 | 6.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | 52 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | 1.9 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 24 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 4.6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | No | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 7/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 10/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5.4 Grams | 147.41 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Apple Airpods Pro
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Adam Molina | January 2023
"For just $50 USD more than the original model with the wireless charging case, this is definitely the pair of buds to get. The AirPods Pro (1st generation) sounds better than the originals and has a way better fit and active noise canceling to boot. If you have an iOS device, just get this."
Sony WH-CH520
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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 Pro 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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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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