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Many of you will hate me after reading this review, especially those who just bought a new pair of TWS. Your pair of really cheap wireless earphones are rubbish. They slip out of place as you move your head, have a lot of signal issues in the form of lost connections, and don’t come with proper app support. After a long relationship with my TWS, I’m dumping it in favor of the Sony WH-CH250 wireless headphones. The differences in form factor are obvious but I had my own reasons for ditching the true wireless earbuds. Here are my thoughts on Sony’s latest wireless on-ear headphones.
Sony WH-CH250 price in India (as per review): Rs 5,990
Sony WH-CH250 Wireless Headphones (Image credit: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Express)
Why you tried the Sony WH-CH250 in the first place
Last year, I bought a pair of true wireless headphones during an online Diwali sale. Although it was small enough to throw in my pocket, I had some difficulty keeping it in my ear when on the go. The sound quality wasn’t great either. The only reason I bought it was because it cost me less than 2000 rupees and nothing else. Then the unimaginable happened. While on an official tour, they stopped working. These were the only headphones I had. That was a pretty miserable experience and I was without headphones when I needed them most.
Headphones are an integral part of life. I spend a large part of my time outdoors. My headphones give me the freedom to enjoy my own company when I commute to work, and help me relax when I go for an evening stroll. But at the same time, the headphones also help me focus on work when I’m transcribing an interview or attending calls.
Disappointed with the low-cost TWS (which was clearly a huge mistake that I still regret), I’ve been looking for a new pair of headphones for several months. Sony WH-CH520 came at the right time. I don’t call myself an audiophile and probably don’t want quality headphones. I wanted well-designed wireless headphones that could deliver comfort and performance, but not cost too high.
After using the WH-CH250 for a few days, I’m starting to appreciate the on-ear headphones more than ever (Image credit: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Express)
First, what makes these new headphones so attractive?
DESIGN AND COMFORT: These headphones feature a classic (G) style. They have a clean, simple design that matches the aesthetics of other Sony headphones. The headphones (including the headband) have a matte (y) plastic finish, and while the design isn’t stellar, it feels made like an everyday pair of headphones. The headphones are available in beige, white, black and blue — the color we tested.
Rather than going for a fancier look, I think Sony wanted these headphones to appeal to a younger demographic, especially kids. They have a game-like feel to them. But this is not a bad thing. Sometimes you want to be cool with the machine. You shouldn’t have much to worry about handling in day-to-day use — and the headphones are pretty durable anyway. In fact, they weigh only 147 grams, which is very light. The first time I put them on my head, I couldn’t believe how comfortable they were. headband properly balances weight; I don’t really feel like the headphones are resting on my ears after an hour of listening to my favorite music. After using the WH-CH250 for a few days, I’m starting to appreciate the headphones more than ever. Some might prefer a larger, over-the-ear design over the earphones, and although it’s up to personal choice, I’ve always had a hard time wearing them since I wear glasses. On the WH-CH250, the ear cups are breathable and don’t put pressure on the ears.
These headphones feature a classic (G) style (Image credit: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Express)
Although the on-ear design may not block sound as effectively as over-ear cans, headphones like the WH-CH250 are better suited for people with smaller ears.
One major change that may seem to bother some users is that the WH-CH250 cannot fold in on itself for better portability but yes, the cups rotate. The play/pause and volume control buttons are housed in the cups, along with the power button and a USB Type-C port for charging the headphones. You’ll also find a built-in microphone and a small LED on the right ear cup.
Listening Experience: The WH-CH250 sounds great. Looks great. Enrique Iglesias’ “Hero” (the track that instantly boosts your mood) sounded right and balanced. I can pick up every instrument clearly, and the crispness of music on the WH-CH250 is surprisingly good. I’ve never heard headphones sound as vibrant as this at this price point, but then it’s a personal thing. The bass is less boomy, but it can’t be traded off for the pure quality these headphones provide.
I currently don’t have any other on-ear headphones that I can come up with but I do have the JBL CLUB950NC, a pair of semi-premium over-the-ear headphones. Compared to the WH-CH250, it looked flat. I tested Sony’s on-ear headphones with the iPhone 14 and they work fine without any lag or connection drops. They also have the ability to switch between two devices.
The Sony Headphones app (Android and iOS) is a great addition. The application can be used to adjust the equalizer so that the music sounds exactly as you want it to. The Sony WH-CH520 supports SBC and AAC audio formats as well as 360-degree audio.
The app can be used to tweak the equalizer so that the music sounds exactly how you want it to (Image credit: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Express)
Battery life and call quality
The battery life of the Sony WH-CH250 is 50 hours. On the bright side, 50 hours is plenty of battery life, and a quick 3-minute charge provides about 1.5 hours of music playback. The headphones also work great for calls, whether indoors or outdoors. I can attend Google Meet and Team calls right from the phone with headphones on. You have managed to isolate annoying background noise.
Battery life on the Sony WH-CH250 is 50 hours (Image credit: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Express)
Where does the Sony WH-CH250 fall short?
While these headphones sound great, they lack active noise cancellation, which means they simply won’t silence the world around me as you pass by on a bus or car. You’ll hear the neighbors’ dogs bark because the on-ear headphones don’t wrap around the ears to block out background noise. But I think asking for features like ANC on a headphone that only costs 6,000 rupees is too much.
The WH-CH250 aims squarely at winning over the little ones with their first pair of headphones (Image credit: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Express)
Should you buy the Sony WH-CH250?
Overall, I’ve enjoyed using the Sony WH-CH250. I think Sony has struck the perfect balance between price and performance. The WH-CH250 aims squarely at getting youngsters back with their first pair of headphones. The WH-CH250’s low price coupled with its lightweight design make it ideal for kids. However, what’s interesting about these headphones is that they not only appeal to a younger demographic with a lower price tag and simple design but they also offer superior sound for anyone who wants entry-level on-ear headphones.
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