A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for headphones that are comfortable for extended use, have good microphone quality for calls, and are excellent for TV and video as well as gaming due to their lower latency, the Sony WH-CH520 would be the better choice. However, they are bulkier and less portable compared to earbuds. On the other hand, Moondrop Nekocake earbuds are more compact and portable, suitable for exercise, and offer good build quality, but their sound quality and latency may not match up to the Sony pair, which might detract from their performance in high-demand scenarios like gaming or watching videos. Both options are wireless, come without cables, have similar overall sound quality, and neither supports active noise cancelling. 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 Moondrop Nekocake
- The Moondrop Nekocake 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 podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
5.7
7.6
The Sony WH-CH520 is good for music, while the Moondrop Nekocake is poor.
Gaming
4.6
8.8
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for gaming, while the Moondrop Nekocake is poor.
Phone Calls
6.1
6.7
The Sony WH-CH520 and Moondrop Nekocake are both only fair for phone calls, though the Sony WH-CH520 is somewhat better.
TV and Video
5.0
8.2
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for TV and video, while the Moondrop Nekocake is poor.
Noise Reduction
7.0
4.6
The Moondrop Nekocake is good for noise reduction, while the Sony WH-CH520 is poor.
Battery
3.0 Hours
52.0 Hours
The Moondrop Nekocake has 3 hours of battery life. The Sony WH-CH520 has 52 hours of battery life.
Build Quality
8.5
7.0
The Moondrop Nekocake has very good build quality, while the Sony WH-CH520 has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.7
8.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sony WH-CH520 to be very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Moondrop Nekocake is good.
Cost
$39
$40
$0
$10
$20
$30
$40
$50
The Moondrop Nekocake has a price of $39 and the Sony WH-CH520 costs $40.
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How the Moondrop Nekocake and the Sony WH-CH520 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Moondrop Nekocake | Sony WH-CH520 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$39 | $40 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Moondrop | 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 | 5.7/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 6.2/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 4.7/10 | 8.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 5.6/10 | 6.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 3 Hours | 52 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1 Hours | 1.9 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 12 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 7/10 | 4.6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 5.4/10 | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 7/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 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
Moondrop Nekocake
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphonics
Jarvin | January 2022
"What sets the Nekocake apart from its competition at this price point is the Moondrop Link app that allows the user to change the tonal balance of the Nekocake. This makes sure that it’s versatile enough to suit different sonic preferences while allowing some customization of controls."
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 Moondrop Nekocake or the Sony WH-CH520
About Moondrop
Moondrop is a Chinese brand of smart audio equipment, portable audio players, earbuds and headphones started in 2015. During the last few years they have become one of the major players in what is lovingly referred to as the Chi-fi market, the bulk of Chinese companies that have managed to actually compete with the western manufacturers in both prices and superior quality. Products such as the Blessing II, Chu and Kato are among the most popular offerings of the brand, more popular among those users that wish for good quality audio that won't break the bank. Besides audio, the brand also works in what they call the ACGN field (Animation, Comics, Games and Short Novels).
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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