The catch
Sony WH-CH720N
The hinge cannot fold inward to suit a small travel case.
Side by side
Sony WH-CH720N vs ULT WEAR: ULT folds for travel, CH720N is lighter
Quick verdict
WH-CH720N gets you the lighter frame and the longer ANC playback claim. ULT WEAR gets you folding storage, the physical ULT bass control and LDAC with a compatible source. A passive analog backup is on both.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
Almost a quarter of the weight is gone with the lighter Sony
CH720N weighs 24.7% less than ULT WEAR.
Where this comes from
24.7% = (255 − 192) ÷ 255 × 100.
The catch
Sony ULT WEAR
It weighs 255 g, which is 63 g more than the CH720N.
Sony WH-CH720N
- Why pick it
- Low weight at 192 g counts more to you than a folding hinge.
- The longer 35-hour ANC playback claim is what you are after.
- The catch
- The hinge cannot fold inward to suit a small travel case.
Sony ULT WEAR
- Why pick it
- For travel, you want a frame that folds inward.
- The ULT bass button or a compatible LDAC source will see real use.
- The catch
- It weighs 255 g, which is 63 g more than the CH720N.
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What this page compares
Decide between Sony WH-CH720N and ULT WEAR on weight, ANC runtime, folding storage and bass controls, and not on a vague idea of a bigger-model upgrade.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
A lighter headset is what I want
CH720N cuts 63 g off the published headphone weight.
- Sony WH-CH720N
- Better fit
- Sony ULT WEAR
- Good
My day bag is small
Inward folding is possible on ULT WEAR. Look at the case size and not only at the hinge.
- Sony WH-CH720N
- Good
- Sony ULT WEAR
- Better fit
I rely on noise cancellation through long days
ULT WEAR claims 30 hours, while CH720N claims 35 hours.
- Sony WH-CH720N
- Better fit
- Sony ULT WEAR
- Good
The amount of bass I want changes often
A dedicated button controls the bass modes on ULT WEAR. That is a preference about controls and not a measured verdict on sound quality.
- Sony WH-CH720N
- Good
- Sony ULT WEAR
- Better fit
In practice
Differences you will notice
Almost a quarter of the weight is gone with the lighter Sony
CH720N weighs 24.7% less than ULT WEAR.
How we worked this out
24.7% = (255 − 192) ÷ 255 × 100.
The five extra ANC hours vanish when the mode changes
With ANC, CH720N is rated five hours ahead, and with ANC off the advantage is zero hours.
How we worked this out
Ratings for Sony WH-CH720N are 35 hours with ANC and 50 hours without. Ratings for ULT WEAR are 30 hours with ANC and 50 hours without. The ANC difference is 35 minus 30 = 5 hours. The ANC-off difference is 50 minus 50 = 0 hours.
Basic analog audio needs no battery power on either
The backup-cable requirement is met by both, which leaves folding and weight as the trade that matters.
How we worked this out
Passive operation is listed by Sony for both models. ANC and electronic sound controls still require power.
Plug in your setup
Which headphones suit the way you listen?
Start with how you listen. Charging over USB is not the same as playing audio over USB, and some headphones need power even on a cable. These answers are placeholders until you apply your own.
Sony WH-CH720N
Passes these checksPlays over Bluetooth.
Sony ULT WEAR
Passes these checksPlays over Bluetooth.
Battery figures are maker claims for the stated mode. They do not reflect measured travel time. Volume, codec, calls and battery age all change runtime. Closed earcups can still leak some sound. Weight alone does not predict comfort. USB audio needs a compatible source and cable. This check does not judge sound quality, mic quality or amplifier power.
Option A
Sony, WH-CH720N
WH-CH720N
A sensible place to start if you want noise cancellation without a heavy headset. At 192 g it is lighter than the CH730N, but it cannot fold inward to pack down.
- Best for
- Noise-canceling listening in a light pair
Facts we checked
- The headphones weigh approximately 192 g.
- With noise cancellation on, the rating is up to 35 hours, and with it off it is 50 hours.
- Passive playback is supported, and the analog cable detaches.
- Two-device multipoint and SBC or AAC audio are supported.
Option B
Sony, ULT WEAR
ULT WEAR
Choose it for a folding travel build and a bass control you can adjust without opening an app. The CH720N weighs less and states a longer ANC runtime.
- Best for
- A folding pair that has a hardware bass control
Facts we checked
- The headphones weigh approximately 255 g.
- With noise cancellation on, the rating is up to 30 hours, and with it off it is 50 hours.
- With compatible sources, it supports LDAC, AAC and SBC.
- Passive operation works through a detachable analog cable.
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Sony WH-CH720N | Sony ULT WEAR | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 192 g | 255 g | ULT WEAR: 63 g heavier. |
| ANC playback claim | Up to 35 hours | Up to 30 hours | Five more rated ANC hours come with the lighter model. |
| ANC-off playback claim | Up to 50 hours | Up to 50 hours | The advertised runtime difference disappears when ANC is turned off. |
| Packing | Flat-turning earcups | Inward-folding frame | For folding, ULT WEAR is the one. |
| Bass shortcut | App adjustments | Dedicated ULT button | If you change bass settings regularly, a physical shortcut helps. |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC | Whether LDAC works depends on the source, and not every phone has it. |
| Flat-battery analog | Yes | Yes | Passive operation is supported by both. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Sony WH-CH720N
- USB-C only charges it, and LDAC is missing from the Bluetooth codecs.
With Sony ULT WEAR
- Noise cancellation off is the condition for the 50-hour headline. With ANC, the figure is 30 hours.
Decision guide
How to decide
Go with WH-CH720N if you want the lighter frame and longer ANC playback claim, and with ULT WEAR for folding storage, the physical ULT bass control and LDAC from a compatible source. Both keep a passive analog backup.
A heavier pair is not a better match by default
A folding hinge and a dedicated bass control come with ULT WEAR, while CH720N brings lower weight and a longer ANC playback claim. The benefits pull in opposite directions, so how you plan to use them counts for more than where each sits in the product lineup.
For ULT WEAR with ANC, count 30 hours and not 50
With noise cancellation off, each can advertise 50 hours. For trains and flights, the fair comparison is 35 hours against 30. Even so, the test figures cannot promise a full workweek at every volume or codec.
See what your source can send
ULT WEAR offers LDAC only if the source supports it, so do not pay for that label expecting a plain iPhone Bluetooth connection to use it. For devices with an analog output, both still offer a passive cable.
What this page can’t tell you
- Nobody’s bass preference is presented as objectively better sound.
- Weight is only one factor in comfort.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the headphones we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
How many fit
Only 4 of the 60 models checked meet every need here: “I go back and forth between laptop and phone”, “I want music even with a dead battery”, “I want a pair that weighs 250 g or less”, and “I am taking a long flight with a connection”.
4 models fit, out of 60 checkedShow the facts and the math
How we countedThe count uses each product's current fit ratings for “I go back and forth between laptop and phone”, “I want music even with a dead battery”, “I want a pair that weighs 250 g or less”, and “I am taking a long flight with a connection”. A need with no documented match is not counted.
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sony WH-CH720N |
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| Sony ULT WEAR |
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Ready to buy
See today’s price and what owners say
Open either model on Amazon for the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Sony WH-CH720N
Low weight at 192 g counts more to you than a folding hinge.
See price & reviews on AmazonSony ULT WEAR
For travel, you want a frame that folds inward.
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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