We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-28 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
If you want proven active noise cancelling from a brand that has spent years refining it, choose Sony WH-CH720N; if you need a lightweight over-ear pair built around all-day comfort and game-day listening, choose SOAR Collegiate Active. Both are over ear noise cancelling headphones, but they solve different problems. One leans on processing power and tuning flexibility, the other on comfort, battery headroom and a sporty identity.
• Sony WH-CH720N biggest strength: Dual Noise Sensor Technology paired with an Integrated Processor V1 — dedicated noise-cancelling hardware rather than a generic ANC label.
• Sony WH-CH720N biggest trade-off: It's a manufacturer-refurbished unit, so you're buying renewed hardware backed by a 90-day limited warranty rather than a full new-retail warranty.
• SOAR Collegiate Active biggest strength: A genuinely lightweight over-ear build with super-soft ear pads and 40-hour battery life, aimed squarely at long listening sessions.
• SOAR Collegiate Active biggest trade-off: Noise cancelling is listed simply as ANC with no processor or sensor detail, and the 32mm dynamic drivers are smaller than what you'd expect from a more audio-focused design.
• Who each pick is for: Sony for the buyer who prioritizes noise-cancelling depth and sound tuning; SOAR for the buyer who prioritizes comfort, battery life and team-themed styling.
The engineering story here is noise cancelling. Sony pairs Dual Noise Sensor Technology with an Integrated Processor V1, which is the kind of dedicated silicon you'd normally associate with higher-tier noise cancelling rather than a casual pair. In practice that matters most in steady, droning environments — bus engines, air conditioning, the hum of a train carriage. Sony also gives you an adjustable Ambient Sound mode with 20 level settings, so you can dial in exactly how much of the outside world you let through. That's a real feature, not a checkbox: you can hear a transport announcement without pulling the headphones off.
Who should buy it: someone who wants strong, adjustable noise cancelling, touch and voice control, wired backup via 3.5mm, and doesn't mind a renewed unit with a shorter warranty window. Who should skip it: anyone who wants a longer manufacturer warranty, or who prefers bigger drivers and a sporty, team-themed look. The age range is listed as adult.
SOAR Collegiate Active: Who It's For
SOAR takes a different route. The pitch is game day: block out the crowd, the traffic or the loud sports bar and stay locked on commentary or music. ANC does the heavy lifting, and Bluetooth 5.3 handles the connection — a newer Bluetooth generation than the Sony's 5.0, which generally means a more efficient, stable link. Quick charge brings the headphones up in one to two hours, so a short top-up before you head out is realistic.
The comfort argument is the strongest thing here. These are described as lightweight over-ear headphones with super-soft ear pads designed for long game days and tailgates, and the 1.2-pound item weight reflects a substantial but not punishing build. Battery life is listed at up to 40 hours, with a 40-hour charge time figure. You get both wireless and wired listening options, so a dead battery doesn't end your session. The 32mm dynamic drivers are tuned for bold, punchy sound — good for commentary, crowd noise and music with weight behind it. The theme is sports, the color is team color, and the age range is listed as teen, with a one-year manufacturer warranty.
Who should buy it: students, tailgaters and casual listeners who want a comfortable, long-lasting over-ear pair with a team identity and a full year of warranty coverage. Who should skip it: anyone who wants granular control over how much ambient sound gets through, or who wants the smallest possible driver-to-detail ratio for critical listening. There's no processor or sensor detail published for the ANC, so treat it as capable but less specified than Sony's approach.
• Best for noise-cancelling depth and tuning → Sony WH-CH720N. Dual Noise Sensor Technology plus an Integrated Processor V1 and 20 ambient sound levels is a more specified system.
• Best for battery life → SOAR Collegiate Active. Up to 40 hours versus Sony's up to 35 hours.
• Best for long-session comfort → SOAR Collegiate Active. Super-soft ear pads and a lightweight over-ear design built around all-day wear.
• Best for wired backup and touch/voice control → Sony WH-CH720N. 3.5mm jack, touch and voice control, Alexa built in.
• Best for warranty peace of mind → SOAR Collegiate Active. One year manufacturer versus Sony's 90-day limited coverage on a renewed unit.
• Best for newer Bluetooth → SOAR Collegiate Active. Bluetooth 5.3 against Sony's 5.0.
• Best for a sporty, team-themed look → SOAR Collegiate Active. Sports theme in team color.
• Best for buyers who want an adult-focused, audio-first design → Sony WH-CH720N. Metal enclosure, 20 Hz–20,000 Hz range, dynamic drivers.
In my opinion, I'd buy the Sony WH-CH720N if noise cancelling is the reason you're shopping. The dedicated processor, the dual sensor setup and the 20-level ambient control are the parts that actually change how a commute feels, and the 3.5mm jack plus touch and voice control make it the more flexible tool. I'd steer toward the SOAR Collegiate Active instead if comfort across a full day, maximum battery life and a one-year warranty matter more to you than noise-cancelling sophistication — and if the team-themed design is a plus rather than a neutral. Both are legitimate over ear noise cancelling headphones; they just optimize for different buyers.
FAQ
how to on noise cancelling headphones
what is the best over ear noise cancelling headphones
There's no single answer — it depends on what you weight. In my opinion the Sony WH-CH720N is the stronger pick for noise-cancelling hardware because of its Dual Noise Sensor Technology and Integrated Processor V1, while the SOAR Collegiate Active is the stronger pick for battery life and all-day comfort.
which over ear noise cancelling headphones
Pick based on your priority. Choose Sony WH-CH720N for adjustable ambient sound, touch and voice control and a 3.5mm wired option. Choose SOAR Collegiate Active for Bluetooth 5.3, up to 40 hours of battery, quick charging in one to two hours and a one-year manufacturer warranty.
what are the most comfortable over ear noise cancelling headphones
Comfort is personal, but the specs point one way here. The SOAR Collegiate Active is explicitly built around super-soft ear pads and a lightweight over-ear fit for long game days. The Sony WH-CH720N counters with a slimmer, lightweight headband restructured to create more space around the ears.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites.
When you buy through links on this page, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon or its affiliates. This site is an independent third-party review and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Amazon or the product brands mentioned.
See also: IiEXCEL 6 vs GEEKRIA Sleeping Headphones: Soft Silicone, SEREONIC WH100 vs Omquot HiFi, LilGadgets Connect+ Style On-Ear vs INFURTURE Kids Headphones, cheap headphones