Sony WF-C510 Review: Compact, Affordable, but Lacking in Key Areas
Sony’s WF-C510 earbuds are the brand’s latest entry-level model, targeting those who need a simple pair of wireless earbuds for everyday tasks like commuting or working out without breaking the bank. Priced at $100, these are a no-frills option for users who just want a reliable, straightforward audio experience. But with competition heating up in the budget earbud market, does the WF-C510 offer enough to stand out?
Design and Comfort: Small and Light, but Not Perfect
The design of the WF-C510 represents a significant departure from its predecessor, the WF-C500. Sony has gone even smaller and lighter with this new iteration, making the case incredibly compact—arguably the smallest I’ve seen for a pair of true wireless earbuds. It’s highly portable, easily slipping into pockets or bags. However, while the tiny size is convenient, it comes with its drawbacks, particularly in the battery life department (more on that later).
The earbuds themselves come in four colors: white, black, blue, and a subtle yellow. The matte plastic finish is simple and understated, giving them a clean, minimal look. Despite their small size, the earbuds are well-built, and their IPX4 rating means they’re splash-resistant—perfect for workouts or unpredictable weather.
In terms of fit, the C510 is comfortable for most users, although they lack some modern features found in pricier models, like pressure-relieving ear tips. The earbuds don’t have the side venting system often seen in higher-end models, so there’s a bit of suction when inserting or removing them, which can feel uncomfortable. However, once in place, the earbuds are generally secure, and I didn’t experience discomfort during extended listening sessions.
A notable design flaw, however, is the size of the physical buttons on the earbuds. They’re quite large, making them easy to accidentally press while putting the earbuds in. Moreover, these buttons require a firm press, which can push the earbuds deeper into your ears, causing discomfort.
Software and Features: Limited, but Functional
The WF-C510 supports Sony’s updated Sound Connect app, which offers basic controls but is somewhat unintuitive. You can access key features like Ambient Sound Control (Sony’s version of transparency mode) and manual EQ adjustments, including a Clear Bass slider. However, the app feels cluttered and requires extra steps to navigate, which can be frustrating.
You can customize the button controls, but the options are limited. For instance, you can assign functions like ambient sound or playback controls to the buttons, but there’s no way to disable the single-press play/pause function, which can lead to accidental presses.
Sony also includes some additional audio features, such as 360 Reality Audio (which requires specialized apps and has limited support) and the DSEE (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine) feature, which attempts to restore detail in compressed audio. In practice, I found DSEE made minimal difference, especially with high-quality streaming services like Spotify.
However, the most glaring omission is active noise cancellation (ANC). In 2024, it’s hard to justify the absence of ANC in a pair of $100 earbuds, especially when competing products like the OnePlus Buds 3 offer effective ANC at a similar price. The C510 relies on passive isolation, which is decent but doesn’t compare to the noise-blocking power of true ANC.
Audio Performance: Balanced but Unremarkable
The audio performance of the C510 is a mixed bag. These earbuds feature a single 6mm dynamic driver, which supports SBC and AAC codecs over Bluetooth 5.3. Sony’s C-series has historically been known for its balanced tuning, but the C510 feels overly conservative in this regard. The bass is mild, with a slight boost in the mid-bass range, but it lacks the punch and depth you’d expect. The mids are clear but a bit restrained, while the treble feels noticeably muted, lacking the sparkle or brightness of more premium models.
That said, the C510’s sound profile is actually quite pleasant for certain genres, especially older, well-recorded music. Tracks from the ’70s and ’80s, for example, sound rich with good vocal presence, and the slight bass boost helps bring out warmth. However, when it comes to complex arrangements or more dynamic tracks (like orchestral or fast-paced electronic music), the sound becomes muddled and unfocused. The C510 struggles with more technical material, showing its limitations as a budget model.
One standout feature, however, is the imaging and soundstaging. The earbuds perform surprisingly well when it comes to placing sound within the stereo field, making certain types of music more immersive. This can be a nice bonus for those who appreciate spatial audio effects in music.
Microphone and Connectivity: Adequate but Uninspiring
The microphone quality is decent for calls. Voices come through clear and natural, and the noise cancellation does a good job of filtering out background noise. In noisy environments, the microphone performs admirably, making it suitable for most phone calls or virtual meetings.
Connectivity is stable, with no major interruptions or disconnections. The C510 supports multipoint pairing, allowing you to connect to two devices at once, a handy feature for those who frequently switch between their phone and laptop. However, there’s a noticeable delay between the two earbuds when adjusting volume, which can be annoying, especially when trying to make quick adjustments.
Battery Life: Impressive Continuous Playback, But Limited Case Capacity
Sony claims up to 11 hours of battery life on a single charge, and the case holds another 11 hours. In practice, I exceeded these claims, managing over 14 hours of continuous playback without needing to recharge. Even with the DSEE feature enabled, battery life remained impressive, lasting just under 13 hours.
That said, the case only holds one extra full charge, which puts the total battery life at around 25 hours. While that’s still a solid number, some competitors offer cases with more power, extending total playback time. In other words, while the battery life is excellent for a single session, the total battery capacity of the case doesn’t match up to what others offer.
Latency and Gaming: A Dealbreaker for Some
When it comes to latency, the C510 falls short. With around 200-250ms of delay when watching videos, there’s a noticeable lag between the audio and visuals. While this may not bother everyone, if you’re sensitive to audio-visual sync or enjoy gaming, this could be a dealbreaker. Sadly, there’s no game mode to reduce latency, which limits the C510’s versatility for multimedia use.
Conclusion: A Solid, No-Frills Option, But Not the Best Value
The Sony WF-C510 earbuds are a solid choice if you’re looking for a compact, easy-to-use pair of wireless earbuds with great battery life. They deliver decent sound quality, especially for older music and specific genres, and the microphone performance is more than adequate. However, there are notable shortcomings—particularly the lack of active noise cancellation, the limited app functionality, and the high latency for video and gaming.
At $100, the C510 faces stiff competition, especially from alternatives like the OnePlus Buds 3, which offer superior features such as active noise cancellation, better sound, and a lower price point. While the C510 is a good option for those who prefer the Sony brand, its value proposition is less compelling when compared to the competition.
If you’re looking for something basic, compact, and comfortable, the C510 will likely meet your needs. But if you’re seeking advanced features, richer sound, or a better all-around experience, you may want to consider alternatives.
