Who doesn't love Sony headphones? Maybe hardcore Apple fans who could never conceive using a non-AirPods-branded product, but even if you're in that camp, you might need an affordable AirPods Max 2 alternative that can work flawlessly alongside both an iPhone and Android handset.
While the ultra-premium and extremely well-reviewed WH-1000XM6 are obviously not the cheapest over-ear wireless Bluetooth headphones in the world, their manufacturers like to cater to the preferences and financial restrictions of as many types of consumers as possible, starting with those of you who can't afford (or simply don't want) to pay more than $100 or even $50 to take care of their on-the-go music listening needs.
Interestingly, it appears that Sony isn't just preparing to announce the familiar-looking (and sounding) WH-1000XM4C with a fairly reasonable $250 or so price point soon, but also two entirely new members of the WH lineup that could absolutely blow your mind with their affordability.
The WH-CH530 could instantly become the best low-cost on-ear headphones on the market
Unveiled all the way back in 2023, the dirt-cheap Sony WH-CH520 are clearly due for a sequel. But because a lot of things have changed in the tech industry over these last three years (mainly for the worse), it seemed reasonable to expect a (slightly) higher price point from the WH-CH530 at launch.
That's a lot of chromatic diversity for such ultra-affordable headphones. | Image by Roland Quandt
But while a number of European retail listings circled the €50 mark recently, one of the most reliable mobile tech leakers in the world claims that the recommended price will stand at €34.99 on the old continent after all. That's roughly equivalent to $40 right now, and perhaps more importantly, it's exactly how much the WH-CH520 typically cost in markets like Germany or France.
Recommended For You
That means there's a very good chance the Sony WH-CH530 will also make their US debut at the same $69.99 regional price as their predecessors, which is not something that happens too often in 2026.
As you can imagine, the upgraded on-ear headphones will probably lack active noise cancellation at that killer price (just like the WH-CH520), and instead shine in the battery life and all-day comfort departments. The only other things we know about this product is that it's set to come in black, blue, mint, pink, and white color options (some of which could carry different marketing names), and that the official launch is scheduled for September 7 at the IFA 2026 trade show in Berlin.
The WH-CH730N sound like the perfect budget-friendly over-ear headphones
I know perfection seems like an impossible-to-achieve standard in today's wireless audio landscape, but I have no idea what other description I could use for a pair of upcoming noise-cancelling headphones expected to cost just €69.99 in Europe.
The Sony WH-CH730N look a little bulky but also undeniably stylish in these four snazzy colors. | Image by Roland Quandt
That equates to a little over $80, although if the WH-CH720N are anything to go by, the Sony WH-CH730N might start at a significantly higher $150 or so price in the US... and then quickly go down to around $100.
What's intriguing about the WH-CH730N is the rumored 220-gram weight, which sounds like a bit of a downgrade over the 192-gram WH-CH720N. But if you look closely at the new product's leaked images in black, pink, blue, and sand colorways, you'll undoubtedly notice that the design is changed to resemble the WH-1000XM6.
Will you buy Sony's new headphones?
1 Votes
I'm obviously just speculating here, but that makes me quite confident that the battery life and overall sound quality of the already pretty great WH-CH720N will be improved in addition to the active noise cancellation.
Just how excited should you be for Sony's September 7 launches?
In case I haven't made myself entirely clear, I expect the WH-CH530 and WH-CH730N to shoot to the top of our list of the best budget wireless headphones in the world in only a few days.
Now, I'm obviously not saying there aren't other solid affordable options to consider today, like the Beats Solo 4, Nothing Headphone (a), Sennheiser Accentum and Accentum Plus, or JBL Tune 770NC, but although their full lists of specs and capabilities are not out yet, something tells me the entry-level Sony WH-CH530 and especially the higher-end WH-CH730N will be unrivaled in terms of their value equations and bang for your buck.
Six-month unlimited plan is now 57% off
$90
$210
$120 off (57%)
Mint Mobile is now allowing you to get whichever plan you like for either three, six, or 12 months for just $15/mo. If you go for the six-month unlimited service, for instance, you'll now have to pay just $90 upfront instead of $210.
Adrian, a mobile technology enthusiast since the Nokia 3310 era, has been a dynamic presence in the tech journalism field, contributing to Android Authority, Digital Trends, and Pocketnow before joining PhoneArena in 2018. His expertise spans across various platforms, with a particular fondness for the diversity of the Android ecosystem. Despite the challenges of balancing full-time parenthood with his work, Adrian's passion for tech trends, running, and movies keeps him energized. His commitment to mid-range smartphones has led to an eclectic collection of devices, saved from personal bankruptcy by his preference for 'adequate' over 'overpriced'.
A discussion is a place, where people can voice their opinion, no matter if it
is positive, neutral or negative. However, when posting, one must stay true to the topic, and not just share some
random thoughts, which are not directly related to the matter.
Things that are NOT allowed:
Off-topic talk - you must stick to the subject of discussion
Offensive, hate speech - if you want to say something, say it politely
Spam/Advertisements - these posts are deleted
Multiple accounts - one person can have only one account
Impersonations and offensive nicknames - these accounts get banned
To help keep our community safe and free from spam, we apply temporary limits to newly created accounts:
New accounts created within the last 24 hours may experience restrictions on how frequently they can
post or comment.
These limits are in place as a precaution and will automatically lift.
Moderation is done by humans. We try to be as objective as possible and moderate with zero bias. If you think a
post should be moderated - please, report it.
Have a question about the rules or why you have been moderated/limited/banned? Please,
contact us.
Things that are NOT allowed:
To help keep our community safe and free from spam, we apply temporary limits to newly created accounts: