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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Beats Powerbeats Pro are earbuds known for their secure fit with ear hooks, making them an excellent choice for exercise due to their sweatproof certification. While they offer good overall sound quality and are optimized for both Android and Apple, they may be less suitable for gaming and TV due to lower scores in those areas. On the other hand, the Sony WH-CH520 are over-ear headphones that are budget-friendly and provide better comfort and battery life, making them ideal for long listening sessions, TV viewing, and gaming. They also offer better noise isolation. However, their bulkier form factor could be less convenient for exercise and travel, and they don't have wireless charging or low-latency features. If you prioritize a stable fit for active use and don't mind the price, you may lean towards the Powerbeats Pro. If you're seeking value and versatility for more stationary activities, the Sony WH-CH520 could be a better fit. 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 Beats Powerbeats Pro
- Good for phone calls
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
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
6.5
7.6
The Sony WH-CH520 is good for music, while the Beats Powerbeats Pro is only fair.
Gaming
5.5
8.8
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for gaming, while the Beats Powerbeats Pro is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
9.2
8.0
The Beats Powerbeats Pro is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony WH-CH520 is very good.
TV and Video
5.7
8.2
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for TV and video, while the Beats Powerbeats Pro is poor.
Battery
10.0 Hours
52.0 Hours
The Beats Powerbeats Pro has 10 hours of battery life. The Sony WH-CH520 has 52 hours of battery life.
Cost
$124
$40
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Beats Powerbeats Pro has a price of $124 and the Sony WH-CH520 costs $40.
Build Quality
8.8
7.0
The Beats Powerbeats Pro has very good build quality, while the Sony WH-CH520 has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
7.0
6.7
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Beats Powerbeats Pro to be good for phone calls, while the Sony WH-CH520 is only fair.
Noise Reduction
4.6
4.6
The Beats Powerbeats Pro and Sony WH-CH520 are both poor for noise reduction.
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How the Beats Powerbeats Pro and the Sony WH-CH520 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Beats Powerbeats Pro | Sony WH-CH520 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$124 | $40 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Beats | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2019 | April 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.5/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.5/10 | 8.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.6/10 | 6.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 10 Hours | 52 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | 1.9 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 24 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 4.6/10 | 4.6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | No | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6/10 | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.8/10 | 7/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 10/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 11 Grams | 147.41 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Beats Powerbeats Pro
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | November 2022
"Sweat resistance, actual noise isolation, and a secure fit in your ears make these the true wireless earphones you want in Apple-land. Android users may find other options they like better, as these only support AAC."
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."
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About Beats
Beats is an American, consumer-focused, audio products manufacturer. Founded originally by American rapper and producer Dr Dre, the company is now a subsidiary of Apple. Beats sells a wide range of audio products, including several models of headphones, earbuds and speakers as well as full car audio systems.
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.
By the numbers
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11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
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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.
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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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