If you want long battery life in a simple on-ear design, choose Sony WH-CH520; if you need in-ear noise cancellation and a sweat- and splashproof fit, choose Sudio N3. For running, I’d lean toward the Sudio N3: its in-ear design and water resistance suit active use better, while Sony is the stronger pick for long listening between charges.
• Sony WH-CH520’s biggest strength: up to 50 hours of battery life, with quick charging. Trade-off: its on-ear design has no noise control.
• Sudio N3’s biggest strength: in-ear noise cancellation and a sweat- and splashproof design. Trade-off: its stated playtime is up to 30 hours.
• Sony WH-CH520 is for: listeners who want lightweight on-ear headphones, customizable sound, and fewer charging interruptions.
• Sudio N3 is for: people who prefer earbuds, want to reduce background noise, or need a more suitable design for workouts and outdoor activity.
The WH-CH520 is an on-ear Bluetooth headphone built around long battery life and everyday convenience. Its stated battery life is up to 50 hours, and USB-C quick charging can provide up to 90 minutes of playback after a three-minute charge. That combination is useful if you listen through a workday, take calls, and would rather not keep track of frequent charging.
Sony also gives you sound customization through the Headphones Connect app. You can choose a preset or make and save your own EQ settings. The headphones have soft earpads and an additional head cushion, plus a built-in microphone for hands-free calls. They can connect to two Bluetooth devices at once, which can make moving between a phone and another device more convenient.
I’d consider these for commuting, desk listening, podcasts, and long stretches of general use. They’re less suited to someone who wants earbuds that sit inside the ear, active noise cancellation, or a sweat- and splashproof design. The WH-CH520 lists no noise control, so it is not the choice here for blocking out surrounding sound during a noisy commute or workout.
How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-19 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
The Sudio N3 is an in-ear Bluetooth earbud set with active noise cancellation. Its silicone eartips come in four sizes, giving you options for finding a fit that feels secure. The design is also described as sweat- and splashproof, which makes it the more workout-oriented option in this comparison. For running, those details matter more than the Sony’s longer battery figure: earbuds that sit in the ear and are designed to handle sweat better match the activity.
The N3 offers up to 30 hours of playtime and multipoint connection for use with multiple devices. Its case is described as compact enough to fit into a pocket, and the earbuds are made with 20% recycled plastics. Those are practical details for someone who wants a portable set for listening on the move, with noise cancellation available when background sound is distracting.
I’d choose the N3 if you want earbuds rather than an on-ear headset, or if reducing outside noise and handling sweat are priorities. I’d skip it if your main requirement is the longest stated battery life in this pair: Sony’s up-to-50-hour figure is higher. The N3’s noise cancellation also should not be mistaken for an open-ear design; it is an in-ear product intended to block noise, not let surrounding sound through.
• Best for longer stated battery life → Sony WH-CH520. It offers up to 50 hours, compared with up to 30 hours for the Sudio N3.
• Best for running → Sudio N3. Its in-ear fit and sweat- and splashproof design make it the more activity-oriented choice on the available specifications.
• Best for active noise cancellation → Sudio N3. Sony lists no noise control; Sudio lists active noise cancellation.
• Best for sound customization → Sony WH-CH520. Its companion app offers EQ presets and custom settings you can save.
• Best for a quick charge → Sony WH-CH520. Three minutes of charging is stated to provide up to 90 minutes of playback.
• Best for calls without taking out your phone → Sony WH-CH520. It has a built-in microphone for hands-free calling.
• Best for choosing your ear-tip fit → Sudio N3. It includes silicone eartips in four sizes.
• Best for switching between devices → Both have a useful option. Sony supports pairing with two Bluetooth devices at once; Sudio describes its connection as multipoint.
The difference in wearing style is central. Sony rests on the ears; Sudio sits inside them. If you dislike the pressure or feel of in-ear tips, the WH-CH520 may be more comfortable for your preferences. If you want a compact earbud set that is designed to cope with sweat and splashes, the N3 has the clearer fit for that use.
Noise handling is another deciding point. The Sudio N3’s active noise cancellation is useful when you want to reduce background sound. The Sony offers no noise control, but that can be a reasonable trade-off if you don’t want noise cancellation and would rather prioritize battery life and app-based EQ. Neither product’s listed features make it an open-ear option, so I wouldn’t call either one the best open ear headphones for running.
For the same reason, I’d be cautious about calling either one the best noise cancelling headphones for running without knowing how each fits you in motion. The N3 is the only one here with active noise cancellation and a sweat- and splashproof design, but a spec sheet cannot guarantee a secure fit for every runner. The Sony’s built-in microphone makes it a plausible choice for calls, but the available information does not establish it as a headset designed specifically for running.
In my opinion, I’d buy the Sudio N3 for running because its in-ear design, four eartip sizes, active noise cancellation, and sweat- and splashproof construction suit that use better. It gives up some stated battery life, but that’s a trade I’d make for a workout-focused fit and noise control.
I’d choose the Sony WH-CH520 instead for everyday listening if long battery life, quick charging, hands-free calls, and adjustable EQ matter more. For this running comparison, though, Sudio is my pick.
The Sudio N3 is the more running-oriented option on the listed features: it is in-ear and described as sweat- and splashproof. The Sony is on-ear and has no listed noise control.
Yes. The N3 lists active noise cancellation. The WH-CH520 lists no noise control, so choose Sudio if reducing background noise is a priority.
Sony states up to 50 hours for the WH-CH520, while Sudio states up to 30 hours for the N3. Sony also lists quick charging, with three minutes providing up to 90 minutes of playback.
That depends on which features you’ll use, and I can’t determine value without comparing current prices. Check the current price on Amazon using the page’s button, then weigh it against your priorities: Sony’s longer battery life and EQ customization, or Sudio’s in-ear fit, active noise cancellation, and sweat- and splashproof design.
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