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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for noise cancellation and superior audio quality, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are a great choice, although they come with a higher price tag. But for casual listening and if you're on a budget, the Sony WH-CH520 offers good value, with the tradeoff being possibly lesser noise isolation and sound fidelity. Keep in mind that earbuds tend to be more portable and discreet, while the Sony's over-ear style may provide better comfort for extended wear but less convenience for on-the-go use. If you make calls frequently, make sure to check whether the microphone quality meets your needs on both options. 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 Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
- Very good for music
- Very good for exercise
Advantages of the Sony WH-CH520
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.6
7.6
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is very good for music, while the Sony WH-CH520 is good.
Phone Calls
5.1
6.7
The Sony WH-CH520 is only fair for phone calls, while the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.0
8.0
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is only fair.
Noise Reduction
8.9
4.6
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is very good for noise reduction, while the Sony WH-CH520 is poor.
Battery
6.5 Hours
52.0 Hours
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds has 6.5 hours of battery life. The Sony WH-CH520 has 52 hours of battery life.
Cost
$249
$40
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds has a price of $249 and the Sony WH-CH520 costs $40.
Build Quality
9.0
7.0
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds has excellent build quality, while the Sony WH-CH520 has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Gaming
8.8
8.8
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and Sony WH-CH520 are both very good for gaming.
TV and Video
8.1
8.2
The Sony WH-CH520 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are both very good for TV and video.
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How the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and the Sony WH-CH520 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds | Sony WH-CH520 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$249 | $40 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bose | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2023 | April 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.7/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.8/10 | 8.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.2/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 8.4/10 | 6.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6.5 Hours | 52 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 1.9 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 21 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.9/10 | 4.6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6.2/10 | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 7/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 10/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 7.7 Grams | 147.41 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
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Dig into reviews and images
Soundguys
Christian Thomas | October 2023
"Bose put the time in to fix the major issues with the previous earbuds, and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are very befitting of its price point. While you might be tempted to save a few bucks and go with the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II on sale, fight the urge. There are enough upgrades here to justify the newer model."
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 Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds or the Sony WH-CH520
About Bose
Bose is an American audio equipment manufacturer based out of Framingham, Massachusetts. Founded in 1964 by Amar Bose with the goal of creating a speaker system that could accurately recreate the sound of a concert hall, Bose has become one of the most prominent players in the modern consumer audio market due to the premium feel of their products and their wide brand recognition.
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.
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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
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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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