I tested these $39 headphones, and they're so good I've sworn off Apple headphones forever

The AirPods Max 2 just released at an eyewatering price tag of $549. Who has that kind of spare cash lying around right now? If you ask me, all you need from a pair of headphones is great sound quality and reliable battery life — and my favorite Sony headphones give you all that for less than $40.

Right now you can get the Sony WH-CH520 headphones for $38 at Amazon. They're an absolute steal with almost 50% off right now, and in my opinion, they're so good that you'll never need to spend up on AirPods again.

Sony WH-CH520: was $59 now $38 at Amazon

Sony's budget on-ear cans are inexpensive, but they bring the sound where it counts. They earned a 4.5-star rating in our Sony WH-CH520 review, thanks to their top-notch sound, intuitive controls, and lengthy battery life of 50 hours. 3 minutes of charge nets you 1.5 hours of use as well, if you run out and need a quick boost.

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While more expensive headphones offer fancier features, for most people, the Sony WH-CH520 provide everything you need — and at an incredibly low price.

Right from the first wear, I was impressed by the sound quality of the Sony WH-CH520. They've been my go-to for just about everything I listen to — my favorite songs are enhanced with clearly defined, easy to hear bass and mid ranges, and they deliver deliciously crisp sound for movies. I always get clear audio both ways on voice and video calls, too.

I'm a touch control hater. I found the touch controls on my last pair of headphones to be a huge hassle because I couldn't ever brush my headphones without accidentally skipping songs or pausing my music. The Sony WH-CH520 have simple to use, precise button controls that just do what they're supposed to do, every time.

Last up, the Sony WH-CH520 have amazing battery life. You get up to 50 hours of playtime on a charge, which is incredible. I can use them for days on end and not even have to think about charging them.

So, what do you miss out on by opting for $38 headphones? The Sony WH-CH520 lack an active noise canceling feature. So, if you want to block outside distractions, you'll need to spend up — try the Jlab Jbuds Lux ANC. But if, like me, you're happy with great sound, great controls and great battery life, the Sony WH-CH20 are an incredibly good buy.