Main trade-off
Sony WH-CH720N
No inward-folding hinge for a small travel case.
Head-to-head
Sony WH-CH720N vs ULT WEAR: CH720N is lighter, ULT folds for travel
The short answer
Choose WH-CH720N for the lighter frame and longer ANC playback claim. Choose ULT WEAR for folding storage, the physical ULT bass control and LDAC with a compatible source. Both have a passive analog backup.
Before you choose
The reasoning and the trade-offs
The lighter Sony removes almost a quarter of the weight
CH720N is 24.7% lighter than ULT WEAR.
What this is based on
(255 − 192) ÷ 255 × 100 = 24.7%.
Main trade-off
Sony ULT WEAR
At 255 g, it is 63 g heavier than the CH720N.
Sony WH-CH720N
- Choose it for
- A 192 g frame matters more than a folding hinge.
- You want the longer 35-hour ANC playback claim.
- Main trade-off
- No inward-folding hinge for a small travel case.
Sony ULT WEAR
- Choose it for
- You want an inward-folding frame for travel.
- You will use the ULT bass button or a compatible LDAC source.
- Main trade-off
- At 255 g, it is 63 g heavier than the CH720N.
About this comparison
Choose between Sony WH-CH720N and ULT WEAR using weight, ANC runtime, folding storage and bass controls rather than a vague bigger-model upgrade.
Winner by situation
Start with what you need it to do
I want the lighter headset
CH720N removes 63 g from the published headphone weight.
- Sony WH-CH720N
- Better fit
- Sony ULT WEAR
- Good
I pack a small day bag
ULT WEAR can fold inward. Check case size rather than relying only on the hinge.
- Sony WH-CH720N
- Good
- Sony ULT WEAR
- Better fit
I use noise cancellation for long days
CH720N has a 35-hour claim against 30 hours on ULT WEAR.
- Sony WH-CH720N
- Better fit
- Sony ULT WEAR
- Good
I often change how much bass I want
ULT WEAR has a dedicated button for its bass modes. This is a control preference, not a measured sound-quality verdict.
- Sony WH-CH720N
- Good
- Sony ULT WEAR
- Better fit
What matters in practice
The differences that matter
The lighter Sony removes almost a quarter of the weight
CH720N is 24.7% lighter than ULT WEAR.
How we reached this conclusion
(255 − 192) ÷ 255 × 100 = 24.7%.
Five extra ANC hours do not survive the mode change
CH720N’s rated advantage is five hours with ANC and zero hours with ANC off.
How we reached this conclusion
Sony WH-CH720N is rated at 35 hours with ANC and 50 hours without. ULT WEAR is rated at 30 hours with ANC and 50 hours without. ANC difference: 35 minus 30 = 5 hours. ANC-off difference: 50 minus 50 = 0 hours.
Neither needs battery power for basic analog audio
Both meet the backup-cable requirement, so folding and weight remain the relevant trade.
How we reached this conclusion
Sony lists passive operation for both models. ANC and electronic sound controls still need power.
Check your own setup
Which headphones work with the way you listen?
Start with the way you listen. USB charging is not the same as USB audio, and some headphones need power even with a cable. These choices are examples until you apply yours.
Sony WH-CH720N
Meets these checksBluetooth listening.
Sony ULT WEAR
Meets these checksBluetooth listening.
Battery figures are manufacturer claims for the stated mode, not measured travel time. Volume, codec, calls and battery age change runtime. Closed earcups can still leak sound. Weight alone does not predict comfort. USB audio needs a compatible source and cable. This check does not assess sound quality, microphone quality or amplifier power.
Choice A
Sony, WH-CH720N
WH-CH720N
A sensible starting point when you want noise cancellation without a heavy headset. Its 192 g frame is lighter than the CH730N, though it does not fold inward for packing.
- Best matched use
- Low-weight noise-canceling listening
Checked facts
- Approximate headphone weight is 192 g.
- Rated up to 35 hours with noise cancellation and 50 hours with it off.
- The analog cable is detachable and passive playback is supported.
- Supports two-device multipoint and SBC or AAC audio.
Choice B
Sony, ULT WEAR
ULT WEAR
Pick this for a folding travel design and a dedicated bass adjustment you can change without opening an app. The CH720N is lighter and has a longer stated ANC runtime.
- Best matched use
- Folding headphones with a physical bass control
Checked facts
- Approximate headphone weight is 255 g.
- Rated up to 30 hours with noise cancellation and 50 hours with it off.
- LDAC, AAC and SBC are supported with compatible sources.
- Detachable analog cable supports passive operation.
Meaningful differences
What changes the fit
| What changes | Sony WH-CH720N | Sony ULT WEAR | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 192 g | 255 g | ULT WEAR adds 63 g. |
| ANC playback claim | Up to 35 hours | Up to 30 hours | The lighter model has five more rated ANC hours. |
| ANC-off playback claim | Up to 50 hours | Up to 50 hours | Turning ANC off removes the advertised runtime difference. |
| Packing | Flat-turning earcups | Inward-folding frame | ULT WEAR is the folding choice. |
| Bass shortcut | App adjustments | Dedicated ULT button | A physical shortcut is useful if you regularly change bass settings. |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC | LDAC depends on the source and is not a universal phone feature. |
| Flat-battery analog | Yes | Yes | Both support passive operation. |
What you give up
Every choice has a cost
If you choose Sony WH-CH720N
- USB-C is for charging and the Bluetooth codec list does not include LDAC.
If you choose Sony ULT WEAR
- The 50-hour headline applies with noise cancellation off. The ANC figure is 30 hours.
What matters in practice
How to make the call
A heavier model is not automatically a better fit
ULT WEAR gives you a folding hinge and a dedicated bass control. CH720N gives you lower weight and a longer ANC playback claim. Those benefits point in different directions, which is why the intended routine matters more than the position in a product lineup.
Use 30 hours, not 50, for ULT WEAR with ANC
Both can advertise 50 hours when noise cancellation is off. If you are buying for trains and flights, the fair comparison is 35 hours against 30. The test figures still do not guarantee a full workweek for every volume or codec.
Check what the source can send
LDAC is available on ULT WEAR only when the source supports it. Do not pay for that label expecting an ordinary iPhone Bluetooth connection to use it. A passive cable remains available on both for devices with an analog output.
What this comparison cannot tell you
- No bass preference is treated as objectively better sound.
- Headphone mass is only one part of comfort.
What the facts say
What the comparison shows
Useful conclusions from the current headphones comparison, followed by the checked facts used to reach them.
Compared set
Only 4 of 60 models checked match every need here: “I switch between my laptop and phone”, “I want music when the battery is empty”, “I want headphones weighing 250 g or less”, and “I have a long flight and a connection”.
4 matching models from 60 checkedSee the checked facts and calculation notes
Match countThe count uses the current product-to-need assignments for “I switch between my laptop and phone”, “I want music when the battery is empty”, “I want headphones weighing 250 g or less”, and “I have a long flight and a connection”. A need with no documented match does not count.
| Product | Needs matched | Checked facts | Source records |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sony WH-CH720N |
|
|
|
| Sony ULT WEAR |
|
|
|
Ready to choose?
Check the price. Read the owner reviews.
Open either model on Amazon to check the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Sony WH-CH720N
A 192 g frame matters more than a folding hinge.
See price & reviews on AmazonSony ULT WEAR
You want an inward-folding frame for travel.
See price & reviews on AmazonLinks open in a new tab.