Amazon has just taken Sony’s WH-CH520 wireless headphones down to $38, a 46% reduction from the $69.99 list price. It’s one of the best sub-$50 headphone deals we’ve seen for anyone in search of a decent, no-frills pair to use daily without fearing wear and tear.
What Makes This $38 Sony WH-CH520 Deal So Good
With a price of $38, the WH-CH520 is now just within a few dollars or so of all-time low pricing on major price trackers, and below its average street price as well. Several colorways are currently discounted, so you’re not stuck with exactly one finish. Inventory turns over quickly on popular models at this price, but what’s noteworthy about this discount is how close it comes to the all-time best without the need for a coupon or any sort of membership.
Value is the headline. You’re getting a brand-name headset with multi-day battery life, multipoint Bluetooth and app-based EQ for less than many no-name alternatives. That’s a rare combination at under $40, which is why this model regularly appears at the top of budget-buy lists.
Key Features We’re Watching in Daily Use
Battery life is the star: Sony rates the WH-CH520 to last up to 50 hours on a charge, and independent tests by reviewers like Rtings suggest it comes close. A three-minute fast charge through USB-C can add about 1.5 hours of play time — useful in a pinch for a last-minute commute or call.
Connectivity at this price point is solid. Multipoint means you can stay paired to two devices at the same time — laptop and phone, for instance — while Bluetooth stability is good for video calls and streaming. It offers SBC and AAC codec support, which is reliable across both Android and iOS but not premium like LDAC.
The Headphones Connect app from Sony provides customizable EQ and preset sound profiles, as well as features such as DSEE (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine) to treat compressed music files. They have straightforward controls, a lightweight on-ear design and cups that swivel flat for bag-friendly drops. It lacks any active noise cancellation and the standard 3.5mm jack, making this an on-ear, wireless-only experience for those who want convenience over bells and whistles.
Sound Quality and Real-World Use Impressions
You can expect an upbeat, consumer-friendly tuning: a little bass lift for pop and hip-hop, articulate mids for podcasts and voices, and enough treble detail without harshness. It’s not for audio enthusiasts, but it sounds far better than it has any right to, especially after you tweak the EQ.
Call quality isn’t bad thanks to Sony’s onboard mic processing; it’s more than good enough for home offices and rapid check-ins. The latency is just par for the course with Bluetooth — movies and shows will be in sync, but competitive gaming should still belong to your dedicated low-latency headset. On-ear design, as always with on-ears, feels good overall but those sensitive to “ear clamping” might opt for over-ears for marathon sessions.
How It Compares at This Price Against Rivals
Compared with the JBL Tune 510BT, usually available for around $30–$40, the Sonys win for app-based EQ and battery life, and offer more reliable multipoint. Compared with the Soundcore Life Q20 or Q30, these offer less over-ear comfort and lack ANC, but you’re paying for that when it comes to weight and cost; Sony’s 50-hour battery life is still class-leading. Sony’s own higher-end and pricier WH-1000X series has class-leading noise cancelling and better sound, but those models cost at least a few times as much money, making the CH520 a smarter everyday beater.
Analysts at market research firms like IDC continue to identify strong demand for inexpensive wireless audio, as budget-minded buyers look for long battery life, good Bluetooth sound quality and app-based control — all characteristics that the CH520 offers. It’s also why this discount feels like such a direct hit — it targets features that most people actually use.
Buying Advice: Who Should Choose the Sony WH-CH520
Get this pick if you want an affordable wireless headset that’s reliable for commuting, classes, remote work, or casual listening and ANC and a wired connection aren’t mandatory features. Ultimately, the CH520’s battery performance, multipoint pairing and EQ customization render it unusually flexible for the money.
If you prefer more intense isolation for flights or noisy offices, you might want to consider an ANC over-ear set. If not, its $38 price makes the WH-CH520 a no-brainer: lots of people consider it an everyday workhorse from a top audio brand at a rock-bottom price that doesn’t usually last long at all.
