Sony’s latest entry-level earbuds, the WF-C510, are targeted at users who prioritize simplicity and practicality over flashy features. With a smaller, more lightweight design and a few new tricks up its sleeve, these earbuds aim to win over those who want a reliable and straightforward option for commuting, working out, or just casual listening.
However, with a market full of feature-rich alternatives at similar price points, can the WF-C510 hold its ground? Let’s dive into a detailed review and find out if these earbuds justify their $100 price tag and if they represent a worthy upgrade from their predecessor, the WF-C500.
Design and Comfort: Tiny but Functional
The WF-C510 boasts a significant design overhaul compared to the previous generation, with a clear focus on being compact and lightweight. One of the first things you’ll notice is the minuscule size of both the case and the earbuds themselves. The case is impressively small, easily slipping into any pocket or bag without adding bulk. However, the reduction in size does come with its drawbacks—specifically, when it comes to battery life, but more on that later.
The earbuds come in four color options—black, white, blue, and yellow—catering to a variety of aesthetic preferences. The finishes are matte, which gives the earbuds a more muted and subtle look, particularly the soft pastel blue and off-white shades. The understated colors are paired with a well-constructed build quality, making the earbuds feel more premium than their price suggests.
The size reduction doesn’t only apply to the case—the earbuds themselves are noticeably smaller and lighter than the WF-C500. Sony claims these are their smallest in-ear buds to date, and they certainly feel compact and discrete once placed in the ears. They don’t protrude much, making them ideal for people who don’t like bulky earbuds sticking out.
However, one persistent design issue is the large physical buttons that dominate a significant portion of the earbuds’ exterior. Like the previous model, these buttons are too easy to press accidentally when inserting the earbuds, which can lead to unintended actions like pausing your music or toggling ambient sound. Plus, since they are physical buttons that require pressure to activate, you’ll often find yourself pushing the earbud deeper into your ear when you use them, which can cause discomfort during prolonged usage.
Speaking of comfort, the C510s do perform well in this regard for the most part. Despite the pressure created when inserting or removing them (due to a lack of pressure release vents), once they’re seated in your ears, they are comfortable to wear for extended periods. The fit is snug, and thanks to their light weight, they don’t create too much pressure on your ear canal.
Table 1: Design and Comfort Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Tiny, lightweight design | Large physical buttons are too easy to press accidentally |
| Matte finish for a premium feel | Physical button pressing can be uncomfortable |
| Comfortable fit for extended wear | Pressure buildup during insertion/removal |
Features and Software: No-Frills Approach
As an entry-level model, the WF-C510 doesn’t come packed with an abundance of features, and its companion app—Sony’s Sound Connect—reflects that. The app has been reworked for a cleaner interface, but on closer inspection, it turns out that much of the clutter has simply been hidden behind menus. While this is an improvement visually, the functionality remains the same, which might frustrate users who want quick access to settings.
The headline feature here is the introduction of a transparency mode, or “Ambient Sound Control” as Sony calls it. While there’s no active noise cancellation (ANC) on the C510, the transparency mode allows you to let in environmental noise when needed. You can toggle it on and off or adjust its intensity using the app. There’s also a vocal passthrough feature that prioritizes human speech, which is useful for situations where you want to hear conversations without removing the earbuds.
The app includes a manual five-band EQ along with a Clear Bass slider for those who want to customize their sound. While the presets are useful, Sony has introduced a new feature that lets you fine-tune your audio experience based on your preferences. After selecting a few presets that sound good to you, the app generates a custom EQ profile tailored to your taste. This is a neat addition for users who might find traditional EQs a bit daunting.
Another inclusion is Sony’s 360 Reality Audio feature, which aims to create a surround sound experience for music. However, much like its previous iterations, the feature remains largely niche due to limited support from music streaming apps. Moreover, it requires a head calibration process involving taking photos of your ears, which can be a hassle for what is ultimately a feature you’ll seldom use.
On the downside, the WF-C510 lacks some basic functionality that is now almost expected, even at this price range. There’s no in-ear detection, which means music doesn’t automatically pause when you take the earbuds out. Also, despite being a Sony product, it only supports basic SBC and AAC codecs—no support for LDAC, which is surprising given Sony’s own pioneering work on high-quality Bluetooth audio codecs.
Table 2: Features and Software Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Ambient Sound Control works well | Lacks active noise cancellation (ANC) |
| EQ customization based on user preferences | No in-ear detection for auto-pause |
| Compact, easy-to-use app | No support for advanced codecs like LDAC |
Audio Performance: Understated but Pleasant
In terms of sound, the WF-C510 follows Sony’s typical sound profile, offering a warm and mellow tone with a balanced low-end. While they don’t deliver earth-shattering bass, the sound is notably more restrained than Sony’s more premium offerings. Bass lovers might find them a bit lacking, but this more subtle tuning allows for a less fatiguing listening experience over long periods.
The mids and vocals are handled well, with clear separation from the bass. The highs, however, are where these earbuds falter. The treble response is subdued, lacking the sparkle and brightness that some might expect. While this gives the sound a more relaxed and easy-going quality, it also means that certain genres, particularly classical or instrumental music, can sound flat and uninspired.
The WF-C510 seems best suited for older music that wasn’t recorded with modern, high-fidelity sound systems in mind. Tracks from the 70s and 80s, along with genres like pop and electronic music, benefit from the relaxed tuning, providing a pleasant, non-fatiguing listening experience. But when you throw complex, multi-layered compositions at it, the sound can feel muddy and lacking in detail.
For casual listeners, the WF-C510 will likely be good enough, but those who are particular about audio quality may find them a bit underwhelming.
Microphone and Call Quality: Good Enough for Most Situations
The microphone performance on the WF-C510 is decent, though not groundbreaking. In quiet environments, voices come through clearly with minimal distortion. Noise cancellation helps reduce background noise during calls, though in louder settings, it struggles to maintain clarity. Overall, it’s fine for everyday use, but if you’re in a noisy environment, don’t expect pristine call quality.
Battery Life: Long Playback, but a Small Case
Sony claims that the WF-C510 offers up to 11 hours of continuous playback on a single charge, with the case providing another 11 hours for a total of 22 hours. In our tests, the earbuds actually managed to surpass this figure, delivering over 14 hours of continuous playback without needing to recharge—a very impressive result.
However, while the battery life of the earbuds themselves is fantastic, the case only provides a single additional charge. This limits the total playback time to around 25 hours, which is below the industry standard for wireless earbuds in this price range. Many competitors offer cases with multiple full charges, which means they can last several days without needing to be plugged in.
On the plus side, Sony’s quick charge feature provides an hour of playback after just five minutes of charging, which is convenient if you’re in a rush.
Verdict: Are the WF-C510 Worth It?
The Sony WF-C510 are a competent pair of earbuds that will appeal to those who value compact design, reliable battery life, and straightforward functionality. They sound pleasant in most casual listening scenarios, and the addition of multipoint connection and transparency mode adds to their overall appeal.
However, they are held back by the lack of active noise cancellation, limited codec support, and some missing features like in-ear detection. Competing options at this price point, such as the OnePlus Buds 3, offer more robust feature sets, making the WF-C510 harder to recommend based purely on value.
If you’re a loyal Sony fan looking for affordable, entry-level earbuds, the WF-C510 could be a reasonable choice. But for others, there are more feature-packed alternatives worth considering.
Conclusion
While the WF-C510 delivers in certain areas like comfort, design, and battery life, it struggles to stand out in a competitive market filled with better-equipped rivals. For those who prioritize simplicity and have a soft spot for Sony’s aesthetic, they might be a good fit, but for the tech-savvy crowd, the WF-C510 could feel underwhelming compared to its competitors.