The Sony WF-C510 earbuds are a new addition to Sony’s expanding lineup of wireless audio products, targeting the budget-conscious consumer looking for a solid, everyday option. These earbuds aim to balance affordability with essential features, but in a market filled with budget-friendly alternatives, the WF-C510 faces stiff competition. Let’s take a deep dive into what these earbuds offer and where they might fall short.
Sony WF-C510 Earbuds Review
Design and Comfort
At first glance, the Sony WF-C510 earbuds sport a clean, minimalistic design that doesn’t scream for attention but focuses on functionality. Available in classic black, white, and soft pastel colors, these earbuds carry a matte plastic finish that feels lightweight but robust enough for daily use. The design is fairly ergonomic, with Sony ensuring a snug fit for most users. However, the absence of additional ear-tip sizes may limit the customization of fit for those with smaller or larger ears.
The earbud design borrows from Sony’s more premium lines, with rounded contours that are designed to sit comfortably in the ear without causing fatigue during extended wear. Despite their lightweight build, these earbuds lack features like pressure relief vents, which can make wearing them over long periods feel slightly uncomfortable, particularly if a tight seal is achieved.
Comfort Rating: 7/10
- Pros: Lightweight, discreet, and comfortable for short to medium wear.
- Cons: Limited ear-tip options and slight discomfort for extended wear without pressure vents.
Features and Controls
The Sony WF-C510 lacks some of the premium features you’d expect from higher-end models, like active noise cancellation (ANC) and automatic in-ear detection. However, for a pair of budget earbuds, it does have a few redeeming features. For instance, it supports passive noise isolation, which is moderately effective when you achieve a good seal with the silicone tips.
One standout feature is Sony’s Ambient Sound Mode, which allows you to hear your surroundings without taking the earbuds out—a feature often reserved for more expensive models. This is useful for commuters or anyone moving through busy environments. The Sony Headphones Connect app provides a degree of customization, allowing users to adjust sound profiles using an equalizer and access presets to optimize audio for different genres of music.
However, in terms of control, the WF-C510 earbuds stick to basic touch controls. You can play/pause, skip tracks, and take calls, but more advanced gestures (such as volume control or voice assistant shortcuts) are absent. While these controls are responsive, the lack of customization may be a sticking point for some users.
Feature Rating: 6/10
- Pros: Ambient Sound Mode, basic touch controls, Sony app integration for EQ settings.
- Cons: No ANC, no automatic play/pause detection, basic control options.
Sound Quality
Sony is known for delivering quality sound across its audio product range, and while the WF-C510 earbuds don’t rival its flagship models, they offer a decent sound experience for the price. The earbuds house 6mm drivers, which provide a balanced audio profile. Bass is present but not overpowering, making these suitable for pop, rock, and acoustic music genres. However, bass-heavy genres like EDM or hip-hop may leave audiophiles wanting more.
The midrange is where these earbuds shine. Vocals and instruments are clear, and the sound separation is decent for a product in this price range. Treble is crisp but occasionally rolls off on higher frequencies, so intricate details in tracks like jazz or classical music can sometimes feel less dynamic or slightly recessed.
The earbuds also support Sony’s Digital Sound Enhancement Engine (DSEE), which upscales compressed music files to enhance clarity. This feature is a nice touch for those listening to lower-bitrate files, but its effects may not be as noticeable when streaming high-quality tracks from platforms like Spotify or Apple Music.
Sound Quality Rating: 7.5/10
- Pros: Balanced sound profile, decent mids and vocal clarity, DSEE support.
- Cons: Bass may feel underwhelming for some genres, high-end frequencies lack sparkle.
Battery Life
Battery life is one of the standout features of the Sony WF-C510 earbuds. Sony advertises up to 10 hours of playback on a single charge, with the charging case providing an additional full charge, bringing the total battery life to around 20 hours. For many users, this will be more than sufficient to get through a full day of listening.
In real-world testing, the WF-C510 lives up to its claims, with the earbuds comfortably lasting around 9-10 hours on moderate volume levels. The charging case is compact and features a USB-C port for faster charging, which is a nice addition at this price point. A quick charge function also offers 60 minutes of playback with just 10 minutes of charging—a handy feature for those in a rush.
While the overall battery life is commendable, the case’s capacity feels a bit underwhelming compared to competitors like the Soundcore or OnePlus earbuds, which offer up to 24-30 hours of combined battery life.
Battery Rating: 8/10
- Pros: Excellent battery life per charge, quick charge feature, compact case.
- Cons: Limited additional charges from the case compared to competitors.
Connectivity and Call Quality
The WF-C510 supports Bluetooth 5.2, offering a stable connection with minimal audio latency. Pairing the earbuds is seamless, and they support multipoint connectivity, allowing you to connect two devices simultaneously. This feature is particularly useful for switching between calls on your phone and streaming music from your laptop.
Call quality is decent, with dual microphones helping to pick up voices clearly during calls. However, the lack of noise-cancelling microphones means that in noisy environments, your voice may not come through as crisply as on more premium models.
Connectivity Rating: 7/10
- Pros: Multipoint connectivity, stable Bluetooth 5.2 connection, easy pairing.
- Cons: Average call quality in noisy environments.
Competitor Comparison
In the budget earbud market, the Sony WF-C510 faces stiff competition from brands like OnePlus and Anker Soundcore. For instance, the OnePlus Buds Z2 offers active noise cancellation at a similar price point, while the Soundcore Life P3 provides superior battery life and ANC for just slightly more. Sony’s WF-C510 earbuds do provide better midrange clarity and vocal sharpness than some of these competitors, but for those seeking ANC, better bass, or extended battery life, the alternatives might present better overall value.
Final Verdict
The Sony WF-C510 earbuds deliver on their promise of affordability, comfort, and solid sound quality for casual listeners. Their sleek design, long battery life, and balanced audio profile make them a great choice for those who prioritize simplicity and ease of use. However, the lack of advanced features like active noise cancellation, customizable controls, and automatic in-ear detection may give pause to users looking for a more feature-rich experience.
At this price point, the WF-C510 is a reliable option for everyday use, but in a competitive landscape, it’s worth weighing the alternatives. For Sony enthusiasts or those focused on comfort and battery life, these earbuds are a good fit. However, if ANC and punchier bass are must-haves, other budget earbuds might serve you better.