Top 7 Sony Headphones and Earbuds Evaluated for ANC, Audio Quality, and Aesthetics

Insider Tip: Optimize Black Friday Discounts on Sony Headphones

If you’re looking for an alternative to AirPods, economical choices under $50, or wireless headphones with a more extensive sound profile than the finest Bose headphones, Sony provides options to cater to every requirement.

With Black Friday on the horizon, you can snag these headphones at more attractive prices. In anticipation of the sale, the premium XM6s come with a $20 reduction, the WH-CH720 mid-range headphones are listed for less than $100, the CH-520 headphones are available for $38, and the noise-cancelling WF-C710N are priced at just $79. We’re also monitoring the XM4 and XM5 versions. The initial sale prices are very appealing.

Which ones should you choose? After several months of testing Sony’s popular headphones and earbuds (and nearly ten years reviewing headphones), I can assist you in making your choice.

Now, let’s delve into the top Sony headphones of 2025.

Selecting the Finest Sony Headphones

Sony headphones and earbuds offer a combination of various features, such as ANC, battery longevity, high-resolution audio, and multipoint pairing. However, if you’re not prepared to invest $300 or more, which is the baseline price for flagship headphones in 2025, you may have to make some trade-offs.

For customizable sound, seek headphones equipped with Sony’s adaptive sound technologies: 360 Reality Audio, DSEE, and Find My Equalizer. Travelers will require ANC that effectively cancels noise across all frequency ranges, not just aircraft sounds. Active users can discover earbuds featuring transparency mode to maintain situational awareness. Extended battery life and wireless features (e.g., Bluetooth multipoint, mobile application) are advantageous. While Sony may not focus on sports earbuds like Beats or Apple, the Sony LinkBuds Fit allows you to remain within the Sony ecosystem during exercise.

Ultimately, it boils down to your preferences and financial considerations.

Latest Changes to This Guide

  • Sony WH-CH520 on-ear headphones: Included in September 2025 following a re-evaluation and positive feedback. Now our “Budget choice.”

  • Sony WH-CH720N noise-cancelling headphones: Formerly our “Budget choice,” now recognized as “Best Sony headphones under $100” in our most recent update.