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What we think
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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Sony WH-1000XM5 offers superior noise cancellation which is great for air travel and focusing in noisy environments, but it's more expensive. It also has better overall sound quality and a premium build, but a lower battery life compared to the WH-CH520. The WH-CH520, on the other hand, while more affordable, has less effective noise isolation, though it has a longer battery life and scored higher for gaming due to lower latency. The WH-1000XM5 would be suitable for those looking for higher-end features and sound, whereas the WH-CH520 fits budget-conscious users who prioritize battery life and use their headphones for gaming. 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 Sony WH-1000XM5
- Very good for music
Advantages of the Sony WH-CH520
- Very good for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.2
7.6
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is very good for music, while the Sony WH-CH520 is good.
Gaming
5.6
8.8
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for gaming, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is poor.
Phone Calls
5.5
6.7
The Sony WH-CH520 is only fair for phone calls, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.0
8.0
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is only fair.
TV and Video
5.8
8.2
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for TV and video, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is poor.
Noise Reduction
9.1
4.6
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is excellent for noise reduction, while the Sony WH-CH520 is poor.
Battery
40.3 Hours
52.0 Hours
The Sony WH-1000XM5 has 40.3 hours of battery life. The Sony WH-CH520 has 52 hours of battery life.
Cost
$398
$40
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Sony WH-1000XM5 has a price of $398 and the Sony WH-CH520 costs $40.
Build Quality
8.8
7.0
The Sony WH-1000XM5 has very good build quality, while the Sony WH-CH520 has good build quality.
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How the Sony WH-1000XM5 and the Sony WH-CH520 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Sony WH-1000XM5 | Sony WH-CH520 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$398 | $40 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Sony | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2022 | April 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.3/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.6/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.6/10 | 8.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 6.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 40.3 Hours | 52 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 3.5 Hours | 1.9 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | 5.2 | |
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 | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 8.5/10 | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.8/10 | 7/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 10/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 249.4 Grams | 147.41 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Sony WH-1000XM5
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Headphonesty
Kazi Mahbub Mutakabbir | February 2023
"The Sony WH-1000XM5 are the best Sony Bluetooth headphones so far and one of the most well-rounded Bluetooth headphones around. Look no further if you need class-leading ANC with a mostly inoffensive sound signature. Just be ready to pony up the price premium."
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 Sony WH-1000XM5 or the Sony WH-CH520
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.
By the numbers
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Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
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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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