OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
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Scored using Headphones Methodology v1.0
Headphones Methodology v1.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Headphones Methodology v1.0: technical specifications plus authentic consumer ratings, with 0% commercial bias.
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Sony WH CH500 Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£35Form factor:on-earConnectivity:wirelessBattery life:20 hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):no

Sony WH CH500 Review: Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Headphones category and whether it is worth buying.

Sony WH CH500
5.8/10

Overall score

Score
5.8/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the headphones' quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best headphones on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 73% of models
Score components

80%

4.9

Technical score

20%

9.3

User score

â–¼Worse than 73% of headphones
7.1

Value for money

Value for money
7.1/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 67% of models
Score components

70%

5.8

Overall score

30%

10

Price

â–¼Worse than 67%
4.9

Technical score

Technical score
4.9/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 93% of models
Score components

52%

4.6

Sound

20%

4.4

Features

10%

7.3

Design

8%

5.6

Connectivity

6%

3.6

Battery

4%

6.6

Calls & Controls

â–¼Worse than 93%
9.3

User score

User score
9.3/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
★ Better than 97% of models
Score components

70%

8.9

User ratings

30%

10

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
★Better than 97%
  • sony-wh-ch500
sony-wh-ch500
Where to buy
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Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of pair of headphones Sony WH CH500

Technical score
Technical score
4.9/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 93% of models
Score components:

52%

4.6

Sound

20%

4.4

Features

10%

7.3

Design

8%

5.6

Connectivity

6%

3.6

Battery

4%

6.6

Calls & Controls

4.9
User score
User score
9.3/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
★ Better than 97% of models
Score components

70%

8.9

User ratings

30%

10

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
9.3
Popularity
Popularity
10/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you prefer headphones that have already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
★ Better than 92% of models
Popularity:
Sony WH CH500 has a popularity score of 10 points, which is higher than that of 91.9% of products in this category.
10
Value for money
Value for money
7.1/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 67% of models
Score components:

70%

5.8

Overall score

30%

10

Price

7.1
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
no
This pair of headphones does not support active noise cancellation. 27.5% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
Driver type
dynamic
Driver size
30 mm
Market range: <10 mm – >50 mm
This pair of headphones uses a driver size of 30 mm, smaller driver size than 77.4% of headphones and equal to 4.3% of headphones.
Number of drivers
1
Market range: <1 – >4
This pair of headphones uses 1 drivers, fewer drivers than 4% of headphones and equal to 96% of headphones.
Lowest frequency
20 Hz
Market range: <5 Hz – >20 Hz
This pair of headphones reaches a lowest frequency of 20 Hz, higher lowest frequency than 50.8% of headphones and equal to 47.3% of headphones.
Show more
Noise-canceling microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not support a noise-canceling microphone. 39% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
Can be used as a headset
yes
This pair of headphones is headset-ready, 84.8% is not. 15.2% of headphones can be used as headsets.
Number of microphones
1
Market range: <0 – >4
This pair of headphones has 1 microphones, more microphones than 26.9% of headphones and equal to 50.9% of headphones.
Boom microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not include a boom microphone. 13.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
Microphone SNR
?
Show more
Connectivity
wireless
This pair of headphones supports wireless connectivity, more flexible connectivity than 50.8% of headphones and equal to 49.2% of headphones.
Bluetooth version
4.2
This pair of headphones uses Bluetooth version 4.2, newer Bluetooth version than 67.7% of headphones and equal to 3.2% of headphones.
Maximum Bluetooth range
10 m
Market range: <10 m – >15 m
This pair of headphones offers a Bluetooth range of 10 m, higher Bluetooth range than 2.7% of headphones and equal to 80.6% of headphones.
Audio latency
?
Multipoint support
no
This pair of headphones does not support multipoint. 30.6% of headphones support multipoint.
Show more
Ambient sound mode
no
This pair of headphones does not offer ambient sound mode. 24.9% of headphones support ambient sound mode.
EQ support
no
This pair of headphones does not support EQ customization. 23.2% of headphones support EQ.
Companion app
no
This pair of headphones does not work with a companion app. 21.6% of headphones support companion apps.
Adjustable ANC levels
N/A
Voice assistant support
yes
This pair of headphones supports voice assistants. 39.2% of headphones support voice assistants.
Show more
Battery life
20 hours
Market range: <10 hours – >70 hours
This pair of headphones offers battery life of 20 hours, lower battery life than 65.1% of headphones and equal to 8.3% of headphones.
Battery life with ANC
N/A
Charging time
4.5 hours
Market range: <1.5 hours – >3.5 hours
This pair of headphones needs 4.5 hours to charge, higher charging time than 95.3% of headphones and equal to 0.6% of headphones.
Quick charge
yes
This pair of headphones supports quick charge. 67% of headphones support quick charge.
Battery capacity
280 mAh
Market range: <290 mAh – >1k mAh
This pair of headphones has a battery capacity of 280 mAh, lower battery capacity than 90.2% of headphones and equal to 0.1% of headphones.
Show more
Brand name
Sony
Form factor
on-ear
Weight
140 g
Market range: <14 g – >340 g
This pair of headphones weighs 140 g, lighter than 72.1% of headphones and equal to 0.7% of headphones.
Acoustic design
closed-back
Clamp force
4
Market range: <2.5 – >6.1
This pair of headphones has a clamp force of 4, lower clamp force than 51.2% of headphones and equal to 7.4% of headphones.
Show more

Sony WH CH500 vs the average pair of headphones

246810TotalDesignSoundBatteryConnectivityCalls & ControlsFeatures
  • More flexible connectivity
    This pair of headphones offers more flexible connectivity than the average pair of headphones (wireless vs wired). The average headphones support wired connectivity.
    wireless vs wired
  • 35.8% lower weight
    This pair of headphones is lighter than the average pair of headphones (140 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    140 g vs 218 g
  • Quick charge support
    This pair of headphones supports quick charge, the average pair of headphones does not. 33% of headphones support quick charge.
  • On-device controls
    This pair of headphones includes on-device controls, the average pair of headphones does not. 46.8% of headphones support on-device controls.
  • AAC codec support
    This pair of headphones supports AAC, the average pair of headphones does not. 32.2% of headphones support AAC.
  • Sidetone support
    This pair of headphones supports sidetone, the average pair of headphones does not. 25.3% of headphones support sidetone.
  • NFC pairing
    This pair of headphones supports NFC pairing, the average pair of headphones does not. 11.7% of headphones support NFC pairing.
  • 15.8% higher user score
    User score
    9.3/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
    When it matters
    When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Sony WH CH500
    the average pair of headphones
    Sony WH CH500 has a higher user score than the average pair of headphones (9.26 vs 8).
    9.26 vs 8
  • 15.8% higher user score
    User score
    9.3/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
    When it matters
    When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Sony WH CH500
    the average pair of headphones
    Sony WH CH500 has a higher user score than the average pair of headphones (9.26 vs 8).
    9.26 vs 8
  • 70.4% more popular
    Sony WH CH500 is more popular than the average pair of headphones (10 vs 5.9).
    10 vs 5.87
  • 2.57x cheaper
    Sony WH CH500 is cheaper than the average pair of headphones (£35 vs £90).
    £35 vs £90
  • 35.8% lower weight
    This pair of headphones is lighter than the average pair of headphones (140 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    140 g vs 218 g
  • Quick charge support
    This pair of headphones supports quick charge, the average pair of headphones does not. 33% of headphones support quick charge.
  • Rechargeable battery
    This pair of headphones has a rechargeable battery, the average pair of headphones does not. 47.9% of headphones have a rechargeable battery.
  • More flexible connectivity
    This pair of headphones offers more flexible connectivity than the average pair of headphones (wireless vs wired). The average headphones support wired connectivity.
    wireless vs wired
  • AAC codec support
    This pair of headphones supports AAC, the average pair of headphones does not. 32.2% of headphones support AAC.
  • NFC pairing
    This pair of headphones supports NFC pairing, the average pair of headphones does not. 11.7% of headphones support NFC pairing.
  • On-device controls
    This pair of headphones includes on-device controls, the average pair of headphones does not. 46.8% of headphones support on-device controls.
  • Sidetone support
    This pair of headphones supports sidetone, the average pair of headphones does not. 25.3% of headphones support sidetone.
  • No passive noise reduction
    This pair of headphones does not offer passive noise reduction, while the average pair of headphones does. 82.6% of headphones have passive noise reduction.
  • 2.5 hours longer charging time
    This pair of headphones has a higher charging time than the average pair of headphones (4.5 hours vs 2 hours). The average headphones need 2 hours to charge.
    4.5 hours vs 2 hours
  • 10 mm smaller driver size
    This pair of headphones has smaller driver size than the average pair of headphones (30 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
    30 mm vs 40 mm
  • Fixed cable
    This pair of headphones has a fixed cable, while the average pair of headphones has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
  • 2 Hz weaker bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (20 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    20 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 10 hours shorter battery life
    This pair of headphones has a lower battery life than the average pair of headphones (20 hours vs 30 hours). The average headphones offer battery life of 30 hours.
    20 hours vs 30 hours
  • 51.7% lower battery capacity
    This pair of headphones has a lower battery capacity than the average pair of headphones (280 mAh vs 580 mAh). The average headphones have a battery capacity of 580 mAh.
    280 mAh vs 580 mAh
  • 0.2 % higher distortion
    This pair of headphones has a higher total harmonic distortion than the average pair of headphones (0.5 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
    0.5 % vs 0.3 %
  • 2.9% worse value for money
    Sony WH CH500 has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (7.07 vs 7.3).
    7.07 vs 7.27
  • Fixed cable
    This pair of headphones has a fixed cable, while the average pair of headphones has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
  • Tangle-prone cable
    This pair of headphones uses a tangle-prone cable, while the average pair of headphones is easier to manage. 64.2% of headphones use a tangle-free cable.
    no tangle-free listening cable is present or specified.
  • No travel bag
    This pair of headphones does not include a travel bag, the average pair of headphones does. 65.4% of headphones include a travel bag.
  • No passive noise reduction
    This pair of headphones does not offer passive noise reduction, while the average pair of headphones does. 82.6% of headphones have passive noise reduction.
  • 10 mm smaller driver size
    This pair of headphones has smaller driver size than the average pair of headphones (30 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
    30 mm vs 40 mm
  • 2 Hz weaker bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (20 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    20 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 0.2 % higher distortion
    This pair of headphones has a higher total harmonic distortion than the average pair of headphones (0.5 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
    0.5 % vs 0.3 %
  • No neodymium magnet
    This pair of headphones does not use neodymium magnets, the average pair of headphones does. 81.9% of headphones use neodymium magnets.
  • 2.5 hours longer charging time
    This pair of headphones has a higher charging time than the average pair of headphones (4.5 hours vs 2 hours). The average headphones need 2 hours to charge.
    4.5 hours vs 2 hours
  • 10 hours shorter battery life
    This pair of headphones has a lower battery life than the average pair of headphones (20 hours vs 30 hours). The average headphones offer battery life of 30 hours.
    20 hours vs 30 hours
  • 51.7% lower battery capacity
    This pair of headphones has a lower battery capacity than the average pair of headphones (280 mAh vs 580 mAh). The average headphones have a battery capacity of 580 mAh.
    280 mAh vs 580 mAh

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

4.0
English Dan Reviews
≈ estimated
10/01/2020
Hands-on review · sound, comfort and build quality
Verdict
Sony WH-CH500 sounds good, but its cheap build and poor comfort make it a weak choice at its price.
9.0
chuckolatte
≈ estimated
22/05/2019
Long-term use · eight months of gym workouts
Verdict
Sony WH-CH500 is not for audiophiles, but it is reliable and a good fit for gym workouts and running.
8.0
Travis MCP
≈ estimated
07/06/2018
Unboxing and review · first listening test
Verdict
Sony WH-CH500 is a surprisingly strong budget pair with big bass, though the build feels cheap.
8.0
Review Detective
≈ estimated
12/01/2019
Hands-on review · sound, battery and comfort tests
Verdict
Sony WH-CH500 delivers good sound and long battery life, but the lack of padding limits comfort on long sessions.
Overview video
Hands-on video, no verdict
Overview video
Not graded
Not graded

Third-party reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
Reviews last updated: November 2026 · How we calculate this

What customers like about Sony WH CH500

  • Excellent battery life (up to 20 hours on a single charge)
  • Impressive wireless range and stable Bluetooth connection
  • Lightweight and portable design with swivel-flat earcups
  • Easy pairing via NFC (One-touch) for compatible devices
  • Good value for money at its budget price point
  • Simple, tactile physical controls for volume and playback
  • Stable enough fit for casual sports and running

What customers don't like about Sony WH CH500

  • On-ear design can cause ear fatigue/discomfort during long sessions
  • Cheap, all-plastic build quality that can feel fragile or 'toy-like'
  • Poor noise isolation; ambient sounds easily leak in
  • Micro-USB charging is outdated and takes a long time (approx. 4.5 hours)
  • No auxiliary port (3.5mm jack) for wired listening if the battery dies
  • High latency makes them unsuitable for gaming or watching videos on PCs
  • Audio can sound muddy or lack deep bass impact for some genres

Verdict

The Sony WH-CH500 is a lightweight, on-ear wireless headset featuring 30mm dome drivers and a frequency response of 20Hz–20,000Hz. It offers up to 20 hours of battery life with a 4.5-hour full charge time via micro-USB, and includes NFC one-touch pairing for quick connectivity with compatible devices. Main pros include its impressive wireless range, portable swivel design, and reliable 20-hour battery performance for its price point. However, notable cons include a lack of headband padding that can cause discomfort during long listening sessions, a relatively cheap all-plastic build, and the absence of a 3.5mm jack for wired use.

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