If you want in-ear earbuds for workouts and a secure fit, choose Beats Powerbeats Fit; if you need over-ear headphones with a headband for listening at home or work, choose Sony WH-CH720N. For side sleepers, the key difference is the form factor: neither product is described as a dedicated sleep headphone, but the Beats earbuds avoid a full headband while the Sony headphones cover the ears.
Beats Powerbeats Fit vs Sony WH-CH720N at a Glance
• Beats Powerbeats Fit: Secure-fit wingtips, ANC, and up to 30 hours with the case; the trade-off is that the 30-hour figure depends on carrying and using the charging case.
• Sony WH-CH720N: Over-ear design, noise canceling, multipoint connection, and up to 35 hours of battery life; the trade-off for side sleepers is the headband and ear-covering design.
• Choose Beats if you want earbuds for workouts, customizable on-device controls, and Apple or Android compatibility.
• Choose Sony if you want over-ear headphones for work, home listening, or switching between two Bluetooth devices.
• For either product, consider how you actually wear headphones: the Beats use in-ear buds and wingtips, while the Sony pair uses an over-ear headband.
Beats Powerbeats Fit is built around a secure in-ear fit. Its wingtips tuck into the ear to help keep each bud stable, a practical design choice for workouts and other movement. That same form factor may appeal to someone looking for in ear earbuds for side sleepers, since there is no over-ear cup or headband. Still, the product information does not describe it as a sleep-specific design, so comfort while lying on your side will depend on how the buds sit in your ears.
For daily use, the feature set is broad. Active Noise Cancelling can reduce outside sound, while Transparency mode gives you an option for hearing your surroundings. The buds offer up to seven hours on one charge, and the case extends total battery life to up to 30 hours. If you are rushing out with a low battery, a five-minute charge is specified to provide up to an hour of playback. Both the earbuds and case have IPX4 sweat and water resistance, which fits the workout focus.
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-19 · 8 min read · Independent comparison
The controls are customizable on the earbuds for music, volume, listening modes, calls, and a voice assistant. Auto-Play/Pause sensors respond when the buds are put in or taken out. Beats also supports Apple-specific features through its H1 chip, while the Beats app on Android offers pairing, control customization, battery status, and a way to locate the earbuds. That broad compatibility makes the pair flexible across phone ecosystems, though some features are platform-specific.
Who should skip it: Skip Beats if your priority is an over-ear listening fit, or if you want a stated battery figure longer than the earbuds’ up-to-seven-hours-per-charge figure without relying on a case.
Sony WH-CH720N is the over-ear choice. It weighs 192 grams, and its lightweight headband design is intended for comfortable extended listening. Sony describes extra space around the ears as part of the design, making it a plausible fit for working from home, watching a movie, or listening through a long work session. For side sleepers, however, an over-ear headphone is a different proposition from an earbud: its cups and headband may be less convenient against a pillow. The listed features do not establish it as a sleep headphone.
Noise control is a central part of the Sony package. Dual Noise Sensor technology works with Sony’s Integrated Processor V1 for noise canceling, while Adjustable Ambient Sound mode lets you hear more of the environment when needed. The product description also specifies 20 ambient-sound settings and a Focus on Voice feature for conversations without removing the headphones. That gives the Sony pair a useful range between blocking sound and staying aware, rather than treating noise control as an all-or-nothing choice.
Battery life is listed as up to 35 hours, with quick charging that provides up to an hour of playback after three minutes of charging. Sony also supports connection to two Bluetooth devices at once, which can simplify switching between a computer and phone during a workday. Its beamforming microphones and Precise Voice Pickup Technology are designed for clearer hands-free calls. For sound, Sony highlights natural vocals and balanced tuning, with DSEE intended to improve compressed music files.
Who should skip it: Skip Sony if you specifically want a secure in-ear fit for workouts or a design without a headband near your pillow.
• Best for a secure workout fit → Beats Powerbeats Fit. Its wingtips are designed to help the earbuds stay in place during movement, and IPX4 resistance applies to both buds and case.
• Best for over-ear listening at home or work → Sony WH-CH720N. It has a lightweight headband design and features aimed at extended listening and hands-free calls.
• Best for battery life on the listed total figure → Sony WH-CH720N. Sony specifies up to 35 hours; Beats specifies up to 30 hours with the charging case.
• Best for a quick top-up → Tie, with different charging figures. Beats lists five minutes for up to one hour of playback; Sony lists three minutes for up to one hour.
• Best for switching between two Bluetooth devices → Sony WH-CH720N. Its multipoint connection supports two devices at the same time.
• Best for Apple and Android flexibility in an earbud design → Beats Powerbeats Fit. It supports both, with H1-powered iOS features and a Beats app for Android.
• Best for adjustable ambient listening → Sony WH-CH720N. Its Ambient Sound mode includes 20 settings, while Beats offers ANC and Transparency mode.
• Best extra bass wireless earbuds for side sleepers → Beats is the closer match, with a caveat. It is the only in-ear option here and promises powerful, balanced sound, but the listed information does not specify a bass level or establish sleep comfort.
Start with the physical design, especially if side sleeping is your main reason for comparing these models. Beats sits in the ear and uses wingtips for stability; Sony goes over the ears and uses a headband. That makes Beats the more obvious shape to consider for pillow use, but it does not guarantee that an earbud will feel comfortable when pressed against a pillow. Fit varies by person, and neither product’s listed features promise a dedicated sleep fit.
Next, consider where you want noise control. Beats pairs ANC with Transparency mode, giving you a choice between reducing outside sound and letting more of it through. Sony combines noise canceling with adjustable ambient sound, including multiple setting levels and a voice-focused conversation feature. If you often need to hear people or announcements, those ambient options are worth weighing alongside the noise canceling itself.
Battery figures also need context. Sony’s up-to-35-hour figure is for the headphones, while Beats’ up-to-30-hour total includes the charging case; the Beats earbuds themselves are listed for up to seven hours per charge. Both products offer a quick-charge option, but their top-up times differ. Think about whether you prefer charging a case for compact earbuds or charging a single over-ear pair.
Finally, match the extra features to your routine. Sony’s multipoint connection is useful if you regularly move between a laptop and phone. Beats’ customizable controls, automatic play and pause, and Apple- and Android-oriented features may matter more if you want direct control from the earbuds. If you are comparing them based on value, check the current price on Amazon before deciding; these specifications alone do not settle which one costs less at the time you shop.
In my opinion, I would choose Beats Powerbeats Fit for side sleepers who want to start with an in-ear shape, plus the stability and sweat resistance for workouts. Its form factor is a better match for that specific use than Sony’s over-ear headband, though pillow comfort is not guaranteed.
I would choose the Sony WH-CH720N instead for long listening sessions, multipoint use, and an over-ear design. For my side-sleeping priority, Beats is the more sensible pick; for desk and home listening, Sony has the stronger case.
Beats is the in-ear option, while Sony uses over-ear cups and a headband. That makes Beats the closer design match for side sleeping, but neither product is described as a sleep-specific headphone, and individual comfort can differ.
Which has longer battery life, Beats or Sony?
Both include active noise control. Beats pairs ANC with Transparency mode; Sony combines noise canceling with adjustable Ambient Sound mode, including 20 settings and a Focus on Voice feature. The more useful setup depends on whether you want simple mode switching or more ambient adjustment.
Sony is the more work-oriented fit if you want over-ear headphones, multipoint connection, and beamforming microphones with Precise Voice Pickup Technology. Beats offers call controls and an in-ear design, so it may suit someone who prefers earbuds or needs a workout-capable pair as well.
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