Sony WH‑CH710N headphones spent a full week with me, going from early-morning Zoom calls to late-night music sessions and even a jog around the neighborhood.
Table of Contents
Far from just specs, I wanted to know if these affordable Sony noise-canceling cans feel as good as they sound. This review walks through every detail—from the box to sound quality, comfort, and smart features. If you’re curious whether the Sony WH‑CH710N are a smart everyday upgrade, you’re in the right place.
Unboxing – What’s Inside?
Opening the box reveals the Sony WH‑CH710N wireless over-the-ear noise canceling headphones with mic folded flat and neatly stored. Underneath, there’s a short USB‑C charging cable and a 3.5 mm AUX cable for wired listening. The package also includes a quick-start manual.
A carry pouch is not included, which is a minor drawback for travelers. Even so, pairing took barely a minute — unfold, hold the power button, and scan Bluetooth. Ready.
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Sony WH‑CH710N headphones | Fold-flat design, partial charge out of the box |
| USB‑C charging cable | Supports quick charging |
| 3.5 mm AUX cable | For wired listening |
| Quick-start manual | Pairing steps, ANC and ambient mode usage |
Specifications
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Drivers | 30 mm dynamic drivers |
| Bluetooth version | 5.0 with SBC and AAC codecs |
| Battery life | Up to 35 hours playback (ANC off) |
| Fast charging | 10 min charge = 60 min playback |
| Weight | Approx. 249–260 g |
| Noise cancelling | Hybrid ANC with Dual Noise Sensor technology |
| Ambient Sound | Yes, via ANC toggle button |
| Controls | On-ear buttons for playback, volume, ANC, power |
| NFC | Yes, fast pairing |
| Multipoint connection | No (one device at a time) |
| App support | No (Sony Headphones Connect not supported) |
| Built-in microphone | Yes, for hands-free calling |
Sony WH‑CH710N Manual
The Sony WH‑CH710N manual is straightforward. On the left earcup, you’ll find power/pairing button, the ANC/ambient toggle, and a USB‑C port plus AUX jack.
Volume and playback controls are on the right. To pair via NFC, tap your Android device to the left cup. There’s no companion app, so settings are physical only. To reset, hold down power and ANC buttons for about seven seconds until the LED blinks. If Bluetooth pairing fails, this reset cleared it reliably.
Are the Sony WH‑CH710N headphones any good?
Pressure-Free Comfort and Lightweight Fit
Right away, these Sony headphones impressed with how light they feel. The weight is distributed, and even after two hours of writing I had no pressure points. The soft oval ear pads sit gently around your ears—they are shallow, so longer ears might touch the mesh, but it’s not uncomfortable.
The headband flexes smoothly with minimal sudden pressure. I wore them indoors, walked around, and they stayed in place—no slipping, no need to adjust. The ear pads are replaceable, and finding Sony WH‑CH710N replacement ear pads is easy and affordable. For $15–$20, you can swap in fresh padding in minutes. That’s a rare plus at this price.
35-Hour Battery That Lives Up to the Promise
One of the biggest wins here is battery life. Sony promises up to 35 hours of playback, and that number holds up with ANC turned off. I managed three full workdays of use — including calls, music, and a movie night — before the low battery chime kicked in. With ANC on, runtime drops to just under 28 hours, which still covers most weekly routines.
If you forget to charge them before leaving the house, a quick 10-minute top-up gives you a full hour of playback. That fast charge convenience saved me more than once during the week, especially when running behind in the morning.
Charging is done via USB‑C, and the headphones go from empty to full in just over three hours. There’s no wireless charging or app notification, but the LED indicator shows status, and voice prompts notify you when the battery gets low.
Hybrid Noise Cancelling With Ambient Sound Mode
The Sony WH‑CH710N headphones use a dual noise sensor setup, one mic inside and one outside each cup, to monitor and suppress external noise. I tested the ANC on a train ride and again in a busy café. In both settings, engine rumbles and chatter dropped significantly, making it easier to enjoy music without cranking the volume.
It doesn’t match the high-end Sony WH‑1000XM4 in terms of depth or adaptive learning, but it beats many budget options like Anker Soundcore Life Q30 and JBL Tune 760NC in side-by-side testing. Sudden sounds still get through, but background hum fades nicely.
Switching to Ambient Sound mode brings in outside audio, so you can hear a colleague or stay alert walking in public. It isn’t adjustable, but it works well enough for brief conversations or catching station announcements.
Lively Sound Profile With Balanced Mids
The Sony WH‑CH710N wireless over-the-ear noise canceling headphones with mic offer a safe, crowd-pleasing tuning. Bass has a gentle punch without overpowering the mix. Mids are clear and vocals sit forward, while the treble leans soft to avoid harshness.
Genres like indie rock, acoustic, pop, and hip hop sound lively and full. I found the low-end controlled enough to enjoy lo-fi mixes and podcast voices without boominess. Compared to other Sony headphones in this range, this set lands somewhere between the WH‑XB700’s bass-heavy vibe and the more neutral CH510.
There’s no app to tweak EQ, so what you hear is what you get. Luckily, it’s a pleasant sound that doesn’t require much adjustment.
Clear Calls Indoors, Slight Struggles Outside
The built-in mic performs well in quiet settings. During Zoom meetings and voice memos indoors, voices came through naturally. Outdoors, wind and traffic occasionally muddled the sound. That’s expected at this price and form factor, but it’s still usable for calls in most cases.
If you’re using these mainly for remote work or occasional phone calls, you’ll be fine. For content creation or frequent outdoor use, consider a headset with a boom mic or stronger noise suppression.
Sony WH‑CH710N Bluetooth Pairing
Pairing the WH‑CH710N Sony headphones is simple. Power them on, hold the button for five seconds, and they appear in your Bluetooth list. NFC support makes this even easier for Android users: just tap your phone to the left cup and it pairs instantly.
Once connected, the Bluetooth 5.0 connection stays strong up to 10 meters. I walked through two rooms without a single stutter. Multipoint support is missing, so you can’t connect to two devices at once, but switching sources manually only takes a few seconds.
Sony WH‑CH710N vs WH‑1000XM4
If you’re comparing the Sony WH‑CH710N vs WH‑1000XM4, the differences are noticeable. The WH‑1000XM4 offers adaptive ANC, better build quality, customizable EQ via the Sony Headphones app, and multipoint connection. It also features speak-to-chat and wear detection.
That said, the WH‑CH710N costs less than half as much. You’re still getting solid ANC, balanced audio, long battery life, and a comfortable design. If budget is your main concern, the CH710N is an excellent middle-ground. For audiophiles or frequent travelers, the XM4 remains the top-tier pick.
Gaming Experience
You wouldn’t look at the Sony WH‑CH710N and think gaming, but I gave them a run in CS and a bit of Fortnite just to see. Not bad, honestly. The noise cancelling here isn’t the heavy hitter you get on Sony’s top shelf, but it cuts down distractions enough so you can focus on what’s happening in-game. Sound is typical Sony, clean mids and decent bass without getting muddy, so footsteps and reloads come through clear enough. They’re comfortable with those soft cups, and I didn’t get that clamp feeling even after a while. Bluetooth held steady without lag, which was a pleasant surprise since a lot of headphones drop the ball here when gaming. You won’t get surround or that directional sharpness you’d see on the likes of the G933 or the GH401, but if you’re after something that can handle music and calls while jumping into a few games on the side, these will get you there.
Final Thoughts
Our Score: 84.0
After a week of steady use, the Sony WH‑CH710N headphones feel like a thoughtful choice for listeners who want reliable ANC, long battery life, and a clean sound signature without paying flagship prices. They don’t have fancy smart features or app integration, but the essentials are all here — comfort, battery, and balanced sound that holds up across genres.
These aren’t flashy, but they’re dependable. A solid option for students, remote workers, or anyone who just wants Sony’s quality sound without stretching their budget.
The Sony WH‑CH710N is available on Amazon.