The catch
Sony WH-CH730N
It weighs 15 g more than the CH720N.
Side by side
Sony WH-CH730N vs WH-CH720N: CH720N weighs less, CH730N folds
Quick verdict
Go with WH-CH730N for folding storage and fewer charging stops, and with WH-CH720N when the lightest frame is the priority. Multipoint and a passive analog cable are on both models, so they give you no reason to pay for the newer one.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
Fifteen extra rated ANC hours
CH730N’s ANC playback claim is 42.9% higher than CH720N’s.
Where this comes from
42.9% = (50 − 35) ÷ 35 × 100. Both figures come from Sony’s ANC-on music-playback specification.
The catch
Sony WH-CH720N
The hinge cannot fold inward to suit a small travel case.
Sony WH-CH730N
- Why pick it
- Your bag is crowded and you want a frame that folds.
- Long listening stretches call for the longer 50-hour ANC claim.
- The catch
- It weighs 15 g more than the CH720N.
Sony WH-CH720N
- Why pick it
- You like the lighter 192 g frame better.
- The older offer is better, and a 35-hour ANC claim is enough for your routine.
- The catch
- The hinge cannot fold inward to suit a small travel case.
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What this page compares
Folding and a longer battery claim set the Sony WH-CH730N apart. Weigh them against its extra 15 g, the cable fallback and source requirements versus the WH-CH720N.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
I listen for six hours every weekday
That adds up to 30 hours of listening. CH730N has 20 rated hours to spare on that schedule, against five on CH720N. Real runtime can be lower.
- Sony WH-CH730N
- Better fit
- Sony WH-CH720N
- Good
I notice headset weight easily
CH720N weighs 15 g less. Clamp and pad shape still matter, so try both.
- Sony WH-CH730N
- Good
- Sony WH-CH720N
- Better fit
My headphones go into my bag each morning
Each time the headphones go into a crowded bag, the new folding hinge is relevant.
- Sony WH-CH730N
- Better fit
- Sony WH-CH720N
- Good
I need to connect a laptop and a phone
Both have multipoint, so it gives the newer model no advantage.
- Sony WH-CH730N
- Similar
- Sony WH-CH720N
- Similar
In practice
Differences you will notice
Fifteen extra rated ANC hours
CH730N’s ANC playback claim is 42.9% higher than CH720N’s.
How we worked this out
42.9% = (50 − 35) ÷ 35 × 100. Both figures come from Sony’s ANC-on music-playback specification.
The difference shows up on a five-day schedule
On a schedule of six hours per weekday, CH730N keeps 20 hours of margin under the published claims and CH720N keeps five.
How we worked this out
5 × 6 = 30 hours, then 50 − 30 = 20 and 35 − 30 = 5. The margins are arithmetic on rated limits and do not guarantee remaining battery.
CH720N is still the lighter choice
Compared with CH720N, CH730N weighs 7.8% more.
How we worked this out
7.8% = (207 − 192) ÷ 192 × 100.
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-CH730N
Passes these checksPlays over Bluetooth.
Sony WH-CH720N
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-CH730N
WH-CH730N
What you gain over the CH720N is simple: a frame that folds, plus a 50-hour ANC claim. The cost is 15 g of extra weight, so the older model remains the better pick when low weight is the priority.
- Best for
- A folding pair for a full week of commuting
Facts we checked
- With noise cancellation on, the rating is up to 50 hours, and with it off it is 75 hours.
- The headphones weigh approximately 207 g.
- A detachable 1.2 m analog cable and passive operation are supported.
- Sony's specifications list multipoint along with SBC, AAC and LC3.
Option B
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.
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Sony WH-CH730N | Sony WH-CH720N | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 207 g | 192 g | The longer battery claim costs 15 g in extra weight. |
| ANC playback claim | Up to 50 hours | Up to 35 hours | With noise cancellation enabled, the difference is 15 rated hours. |
| ANC-off playback claim | Up to 75 hours | Up to 50 hours | Do not use either ANC-off number to estimate a flight with noise canceling. |
| Packing | Folds inward | Does not fold inward | CH730N adds a useful change for travel that goes beyond a bump in specifications. |
| Passive analog | Supported | Supported | With depleted batteries, both still work from an analog source. |
| Two-device multipoint | Supported | Supported | Either one can cover a phone and laptop. |
| Bluetooth codecs | SBC, AAC, LC3 | SBC, AAC | A compatible LE Audio source is needed for LC3. LDAC appears on neither list. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Sony WH-CH730N
- LC3 is supported but LDAC is not, and LC3 only works with a compatible source.
With Sony WH-CH720N
- USB-C only charges it, and LDAC is missing from the Bluetooth codecs.
Decision guide
How to decide
Pick WH-CH730N if you want storage that folds and fewer charging stops. Pick WH-CH720N if the lightest frame matters more to you. Because both have multipoint and a passive analog cable, neither feature justifies paying extra for the newer model.
The hinge changes your daily routine
The longer battery claim is the easy part to grasp, yet if you carry the headphones in a small bag, the folding frame may count for more. CH720N turns flat and does not fold inward, while CH730N gives you a clear packing option the old design lacks.
Rely on the ANC figure for trains and flights
CH730N earns its prominent 75-hour figure only with noise cancellation off. If a noisy journey is why you are buying, compare 50 against 35 hours. Both remain maximum claims, and real results vary with volume, calls and settings.
The connection upgrade comes with a condition
LC3 gives you one more option and is not a sound upgrade for everyone, since you need a compatible LE Audio source. Many buyers will care more about the ordinary passive analog fallback and multipoint, which both models keep, than about the codec list.
What this page can’t tell you
- Use the battery gaps to plan. Do not use them to predict how much charge you will have left.
- Nothing here says one model cancels a measured amount more noise than the other.
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 3 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 “My bag has no space left”.
3 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 “My bag has no space left”. A need with no documented match is not counted.
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sony WH-CH730N |
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| Sony WH-CH720N |
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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-CH730N
Your bag is crowded and you want a frame that folds.
See price & reviews on AmazonSony WH-CH720N
You like the lighter 192 g frame better.
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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