For years, Sony has sat at the top of the noise-cancelling headphone world. Their flagship models, the WH-1000 series, consistently receive praise for their ability to create quiet bubbles in noisy environments. But those top-tier headphones often come with a price tag that keeps them out of reach for many people. What if you could get a piece of that Sony noise-cancelling magic without spending hundreds?
Good news: you can. One of Sony’s headphones that gained popularity in 2023, offering active noise cancellation, has recently been appearing at major retailers for prices dipping below the $100 mark. This isn’t Sony’s absolute best noise-cancelling technology – that remains reserved for their premium lines. But for someone looking to silence daily distractions, focus during a commute, or simply enjoy music without the world interrupting, this specific model offers tremendous value when found at its sale price.
The headphones we’re talking about are the Sony WH-CH720N. Released in early 2023, these headphones landed with an original price around $150. They weren’t aiming to replace the WH-1000XM5s, which cost significantly more. Instead, Sony designed the WH-CH720N to bring effective active noise cancellation, comfortable design, and solid battery life to a more accessible price point. Now, about a year and change after their debut, finding them on sale for $99 or even less isn’t uncommon. This price drop changes the game entirely, making capable noise cancellation more affordable than ever before for a trusted brand like Sony.
Let’s talk about what you get with the WH-CH720N, especially considering that sub-$100 price. The core feature is the active noise cancellation. Using Sony’s Integrated Processor V1 (the same chip found in their premium earbuds, the WF-1000XM4), these headphones listen to the sounds around you and create opposing sound waves to cancel them out. While the cancellation isn’t as complete as their top-tier models, it does a very good job with common low-frequency noise like airplane engines, bus rumble, or the drone of an air conditioner. It takes the edge off office chatter and street noise significantly.
Imagine you’re on a busy train. The clatter of the tracks, the loud conversations, the announcements – it’s a assault on your ears. Putting on the WH-CH720N and flipping on the noise cancellation doesn’t make the world completely silent, but it lowers the volume on that ambient chaos dramatically. You can then listen to your music, podcast, or audiobook at a much lower, safer volume and actually hear what you’re trying to listen to. This isn’t just about peace and quiet; it’s about making your audio content enjoyable and understandable in distracting environments.
Beyond noise cancellation, the WH-CH720N excels in areas important for everyday use. Battery life is a major highlight. Sony rates them for up to 35 hours of playback with noise cancellation turned on. That’s enough to get you through a full week of commuting or several long flights without needing to find a charger. If you turn noise cancellation off, that number jumps even higher, up to 50 hours. Charging is quick too; a short 3-minute charge can give you an hour of listening time. Running out of battery becomes a rare event with these headphones.
Comfort is another strong suit. Weighing in at just 192 grams, the WH-CH720N are remarkably lightweight for over-ear headphones. You can wear them for hours on end without feeling significant pressure on your head or ears. The earcups use soft earpads, and the headband is adjustable to fit different head sizes comfortably. The build is primarily plastic, which contributes to the light weight and helps keep the cost down, though it means they don’t feel as premium or durable as metal and leather alternatives on more expensive models. Still, for daily use and portability, the light build is a definite plus.
The sound quality is what you might expect from Sony at this price point – balanced, clear, and generally pleasing for most music genres. Sony often tunes their headphones with a slight emphasis on the bass, which gives music a bit of punch, without overwhelming the rest of the sound. You won’t get the analytical detail or expansive soundstage of high-fidelity headphones, but the sound is good for casual listening, watching videos, or taking calls.
Speaking of calls, the WH-CH720N includes Sony’s Precise Voice Pickup Technology, using beamforming microphones to focus on your voice. While call quality can depend heavily on the environment, this technology helps the person on the other end hear you more clearly, even if there’s some background noise.
Connectivity is simple and reliable using Bluetooth 5.2. They also support multi-point connection, meaning you can pair them with two devices at once. You can be listening to music on your laptop and quickly switch to take a call on your phone without needing to manually disconnect and reconnect. This is a feature often found on more expensive headphones, adding to the WH-CH720N’s value proposition. They also work with the Sony | Headphones Connect app, allowing you to adjust sound profiles, customize the noise cancellation level, and even turn on features like Adaptive Sound Control, which adjusts settings based on your activity or location.
So, how do you find the WH-CH720N for under $100? These sales usually pop up during major shopping holidays like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, or Amazon Prime Day events. However, they also appear randomly throughout the year at large electronics retailers, online marketplaces, and even Sony’s own store during promotional periods as they position the product within their lineup. Keeping an eye on popular deal websites and retailer flyers is your best bet. It requires a bit of patience, but the payoff is significant savings on a capable pair of headphones.
Compared to the flagship WH-1000XM5, the WH-CH720N makes compromises. The noise cancellation isn’t as powerful, especially with higher-pitched or sudden sounds. The sound quality, while good, doesn’t offer the same level of detail or clarity. The build materials feel less premium. However, these compromises are exactly why they can sell for potentially one-quarter of the price of the flagships. For many people, the difference in performance doesn’t justify the massive difference in cost. If you need headphones for daily commutes, air travel a few times a year, focusing at your desk, or just enjoying your audio content without constant low-end distraction, the WH-CH720N at under $100 delivers where it counts.
Getting effective noise cancellation from a reputable brand for less than the cost of many basic wireless earbuds feels like finding a hidden gem. The Sony WH-CH720N, when its price dips below $100, represents an exceptional opportunity. It gives you long battery life, a comfortable fit, decent sound, and noise cancellation that significantly improves the listening experience in noisy environments. It’s a practical, affordable way to gain some peace and quiet in a loud world. If you’ve been waiting for a chance to try noise-cancelling headphones but the high cost has held you back, now is the time to watch for deals on this particular Sony model. It proves you don’t always need to spend top dollar to get a taste of audio tranquility.
