The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for a portable option mainly for music, the Razer Hammerhead True Wireless with better sound quality and a smaller design might suit you, especially if you're into gaming due to their low latency mode. However, if you prioritize comfort, longer battery life, and consistent performance across various content like TV and video, then the Sony WH-CH520 would be a better fit despite having larger headphones that are not as portable. Both handle calls well, but the Razer is slightly better for exercise due to being sweatproof; the Sony offers virtual surround sound which the Razer lacks. 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 Razer Hammerhead True Wireless
Good for exercise
Advantages of the Sony WH-CH520
Good for music
Very good for TV and video
Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
6.6/10
7.6/10
The Sony WH-CH520 is good for music, while the Razer Hammerhead True Wireless is only fair.
Phone Calls
5.4/10
6.7/10
The Sony WH-CH520 is only fair for phone calls, while the Razer Hammerhead True Wireless is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.6/10
8.0/10
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Razer Hammerhead True Wireless is poor.
Noise Reduction
8.1/10
4.6/10
The Razer Hammerhead True Wireless is very good for noise reduction, while the Sony WH-CH520 is poor.
Battery
5.0 Hours
52.0 Hours
The Razer Hammerhead True Wireless has 5 hours of battery life. The Sony WH-CH520 has 52 hours of battery life.
Cost
$100
$40
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Razer Hammerhead True Wireless has a price of $100 and the Sony WH-CH520 costs $40.
Build Quality
8.7/10
7.0/10
The Razer Hammerhead True Wireless has very good build quality, while the Sony WH-CH520 has good build quality.
The Sony WH-CH520 and Razer Hammerhead True Wireless are both very good for gaming.
TV and Video
7.9/10
8.2/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sony WH-CH520 to be very good for TV and video, while the Razer Hammerhead True Wireless is good.
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How the Razer Hammerhead True Wireless and the Sony WH-CH520 compare to other earbuds and headphones
"This latest set is more “Pro” than not in both looks and features: they offer active noise cancellation, a low-latency gaming mode, and have switched to a in-ear design with silicone tips. Just like many of the company’s laptops and gaming accessories, the 2021 Hammerhead True Wireless include Razer’s full Chroma RGB system. It makes for what Razer calls “the ultimate wireless earbud flex.”"
"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 Razer Hammerhead True Wireless or the Sony WH-CH520
About Razer
Razer is an American-Singaporean hardware manufacturer aimed specifically toward the gaming market. They manufacture a very wide array of gaming laptops, tablets, phones, peripherals and, of course, headphones and earbuds both wired and wireless. Since 2016, Razer has owned the THX suite, aimed at quality assurance of audiovisual systems such as speaker sets, video game consoles and even movie theaters.
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.