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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
If you want deep, bass-forward sound with a wired option for older listeners who like a simple backup connection, choose Sony WH-XB910N; if you need the lightest possible over-ear fit with the longest battery life for elderly users who wear headphones for hours, choose Sony WH-CH720N. This whole comparison is framed around one real-world buyer: headphones for elderly listeners, where comfort, easy controls, clear calls and long battery matter far more than studio specs.
• Sony WH-XB910N biggest strength: EXTRA BASS tuning with a dedicated bass duct, dual noise cancelling, and a 3.5 mm jack so it can still work wired when Bluetooth isn't an option.
• Sony WH-XB910N biggest trade-off: At 16 ounces it's the heavier of the two, and the touch-panel controls plus a 30-hour battery ask more of the wearer.
• Sony WH-CH720N biggest strength: Sony's lightest wireless noise-cancelling headband design at just 192 g (3.5 ounces), with up to 35 hours of battery and simple push-button controls.
• Sony WH-CH720N biggest trade-off: No headphone jack at all — wireless only — and a milder, more balanced sound rather than thumping bass.
• Who the XB910N is for: listeners who want punchy bass, hands-free calling, and the flexibility of wired or wireless.
• Who the CH720N is for: anyone who prioritizes all-day comfort and battery, especially elderly users who keep headphones on for long stretches.
The WH-XB910N is built around one idea: low-end punch. Sony uses a dedicated bass duct in the housing and tightens the seal between the driver units and your ears so rhythms land hard and precise. If the person wearing these mainly wants music to feel full and energetic — classic rock, oldies, dance tracks — that tuning is the whole point. The 40 mm dynamic drivers cover a wide 7 Hz to 25,000 Hz range, and DSEE restores high frequencies that get lost when streaming compresses a track.
Noise cancelling here is dual-stage, using feedforward and feedback mics on each side, so it does a genuinely good job of shutting out a noisy room. For an older listener, the standout everyday feature is the hands-free calling: a built-in microphone handles calls without reaching for a phone, and multipoint pairing means the headphones automatically connect to whichever of two paired devices is ringing. There's also a neat trick where you cup your hand over the right earcup to drop the volume and pause noise cancelling for an instant conversation — no button hunting.
Where it asks more of the wearer: at 16 ounces it's noticeably heavier, and control is a touch panel you tap and swipe rather than physical buttons. Touch panels can be fiddly for anyone with limited dexterity or reduced fingertip sensitivity. It also charges in about 3.5 hours, though a 10-minute quick charge buys up to 4.5 hours of playback. In my opinion, this is the pick for a bass-loving listener who wants wired flexibility and clear calls, and is comfortable with touch controls — not the best match for someone who wants featherweight comfort and simple buttons.
The WH-CH720N leads with comfort. Sony calls it its lightest wireless noise-cancelling headband ever, at just 192 g, and the headband has been restructured to open up more space around the ears. That's exactly what matters for an elderly wearer who keeps headphones on through a long afternoon of TV, radio or calls. Light weight plus a roomier fit means less pressure and fewer hot spots — the kind of thing that decides whether headphones actually get used or end up on a shelf. If you've been comparing this against memory foam ear cushions wireless earbuds for elderly users, note that this is a full over-ear design, which many older listeners find easier to put on and keep track of than tiny buds.
Noise cancelling runs through Sony's Integrated Processor V1 with dual noise sensor technology, and the sound is tuned for natural vocals and balanced response rather than heavy bass. Ambient Sound mode is adjustable across 20 levels, and there's a "Focus on Voice" chat mode so you can hold a conversation without pulling the headphones off. Calls use Precise Voice Pickup Technology with beamforming microphones, which is designed to isolate the speaker's voice — genuinely useful for hands-free calling. Controls are push buttons, which I think is the smarter choice for older users: tactile, predictable, no swiping.
Battery is the other headline: up to 35 hours, with a 3-minute charge giving roughly an hour of playback via USB-C. Multipoint lets it hold two Bluetooth devices at once. The trade-offs are real, though — there is no 3.5 mm jack, so it's strictly wireless, and the impedance is listed at 325 ohm with 108 dB sensitivity, which points to an efficient, easy-to-drive headphone but not a bass monster. In my opinion this is the better everyday companion for an elderly listener who wants light, simple and long-lasting over dramatic sound.
• Best for deep bass and energetic music → Sony WH-XB910N. The EXTRA BASS tuning and bass duct are the reason to pick it.
• Best for all-day comfort and light weight → Sony WH-CH720N. At 192 g versus 16 ounces, it's the clear comfort winner.
• Best for the longest battery life → Sony WH-CH720N. Up to 35 hours versus up to 30 hours.
• Best for simple, tactile controls → Sony WH-CH720N. Push buttons beat a touch panel for anyone with dexterity concerns.
• Best if you want a wired fallback → Sony WH-XB910N. The 3.5 mm jack means it still works when Bluetooth isn't practical.
• Best for clear hands-free calls → Both are strong, but the XB910N adds the cupped-hand quick-chat trick while the CH720N leans on beamforming mics and Focus on Voice mode.
• Best for elderly users overall → Sony WH-CH720N, in my opinion, because weight, buttons and battery are the three things that matter most day to day.
• Best for someone who splits time between two devices → Both, since each supports multipoint pairing with two Bluetooth devices.
If I were buying for an elderly listener, I'd choose the Sony WH-CH720N. The combination of a 192 g build, push-button controls, up to 35 hours of battery and a 3-minute quick charge is exactly the profile that keeps headphones comfortable and usable for hours at a time — and comfort is what decides whether they get worn at all. I'd pick the Sony WH-XB910N only for someone who specifically wants pounding bass, a wired option and touch controls. Both are solid Sony noise-cancelling over-ears; the CH720N just fits the elderly-use case better. Check the current price on Amazon before you decide.
FAQ
The WH-CH720N wins on paper with up to 35 hours versus up to 30 hours on the WH-XB910N. Both charge in roughly 3.5 hours and both offer quick charging for short top-ups.
Only the WH-XB910N does — it includes a 3.5 mm jack and can run wired or wireless. The WH-CH720N is wireless-only, so plan on Bluetooth for it.
The WH-XB910N, clearly. Its EXTRA BASS tuning and dedicated bass duct are designed for deep, punchy low end. The WH-CH720N aims for balanced, natural vocals instead, which suits talk radio, TV and acoustic music better.
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