If you’ve ever read any of my content here at the NY Post, you know I’m in love with my Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones.
That said, while they’re the best of the best, they do command a pretty high price point, making them not a great option if you’re trying to save a little money. Enter: The Sony WH-CH530 headphones. The newly released Sony headphones are actually ones that I’d buy for myself, and here’s why they stand out.
Sony WH-CH530 headphones
Pros:
- Lenghty battery life
- Great sound quality
- AI noise reduction for calls
- Under $100
Cons:
- Not foldable
- No ANC
These are probably the best pair of headphones I’ve tested under $100. They’re sleek, lightweight and sound almost as good as most premium headphones. Shop them in various colors, including black, white, cobalt, mint, pink and coral.
Weight: 5.3 ounces (0.33 pounds) | Battery life: Up to 55 hours | Noise cancellation: No active noise cancellation; passive noise isolation and AI noise reduction for calls | Connectivity: Bluetooth 6.0, multipoint connection| Charging: USB-C, approximately 3 hours for a full charge, with up to 1.5 hours of playback from a 3-minute charge | Drivers: 30mm
Design and setup
With tiny, round ear cups and a padded headband, the plastic design is lightweight and built for all-day wear. It doesn’t really feel premium, and my biggest qualm is that these headphones don’t fold, making them harder to take on the go. That said, there are plenty of colors to choose from, including cobalt, if you’re looking for a brighter offering.
The small ear cups are generally comfortable, but since I do have large ears, the left ear cup hurt a little after wearing these headphones for over an hour. Other than that, they’re quite lightweight and stay put on my head, even while I walk around the city.
As for setup, I used the Sony Sound Connect app to quickly get these connected. It took me about two minutes total. The app detected the headphones almost immediately, and I ended up on a screen with battery life and a 10-band adjustable EQ.
Sound quality
No, these headphones have no noise cancellation or Transparency Mode features, but my God, they sound good.
When I first demoed these headphones, I was shocked at how full and clear they sounded. After testing them for a few days, I can safely say these preserve Sony’s signature sound, even at a sub-$100 price point.
Vocals sound clear and coherent, and while bass lacks a little punch (I think because of how small the ear cups are), there’s very little to fuss about when it comes to sound. Dare I say they sound almost just as good as my Sony WH-1000XM6 when I don’t have noise cancellation enabled?
I listened to tons of songs from VOILÀ, and the headphones handled heavy instrumentation and overlapping vocals easily. There was a little distortion at times, but that’s to be expected. It’s definitely something you only notice if you concentrate heavily, which makes me think casual listeners might not catch it. Remember, the 10-band adjustable EQ can also help you get a stronger bass or clearer vocals if needed.
Comparing these to the previous-generation CH520s, I have to say these felt a little more balanced in their overall soundstage, which made listening to music for longer hours a more pleasurable experience.
Call quality is surprisingly good, too, which definitely gave me pause. You’re telling me call quality is decent on a sub-$100 pair of headphones? The answer is yes. Even with background noise, I could hear the other person on the line, and they could hear me. No “say that again” needed.
Sony WH-CH530 vs. Sony WH-CH520
I already mentioned that sound quality is a little better in the newer iteration. Other differences include battery life, which jumps up an extra five hours (the previous generation capped at 50 hours). The newer WH-CH530s cap at 55 hours (yay!).
There are more EQ bands available for the CH530s as well (10 versus five), along with a better noise-reduction microphone for voice calls (thank you, Sony!). Color options are different, too.
One thing that has stayed the same, though? The price. Sony offers the latest version at the same price as the previous generation.
Are the Sony WH-CH530s worth it?
Yes, yes and yes. I cannot stress how good these headphones are for the price they’re selling at. The fact that Sony kept these at the same price as the last generation makes them even more appealing.
They don’t have active noise cancellation (just passive), which is the biggest con, but they still do well to block out some background noise. For someone who’s always up and about in the big city, I guess it’s cool to hear the traffic once in a while so I know where I’m going.
But for the sound quality, lightweight design and extended battery life, these are a win and worth your cash.
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This article was written by Nishka Dhawan, Commerce Reporter for the New York Post. Nishka reports on the latest tech launches, innovations and trends to separate the best new products from the “AI slop.” Taking the latest technology for a spin, Nishka tests home appliances and tech products that actually improve your life, from vacuums to headphones to gaming gadgets and more – all while finding the best deals and lowest prices. Before joining The Post in 2026, her work appeared in Rolling Stone, ABC, NBC Select, Reviewed and Digital Trends.