Sony Sony WF-C510 True Wireless Earbuds (Yellow) Review
The Sony WF-C510 are the comfiest earbuds you'll wear, but you'll wish they sounded better. We dig into the data to see if comfort alone is worth the price.
The 30-Second Version
The Sony WF-C510 are the comfiest earbuds you'll forget you're wearing, but you'll also forget to be impressed by the sound. They score a 97th percentile for connectivity but a dismal 2nd for audio. Worth it only if comfort and call quality are your absolute top needs.
Overview
The Sony WF-C510 are a solid pair of true wireless earbuds that get the basics right. They're comfortable, easy to use, and connect reliably, which is exactly what you want for daily commutes or office hours.
But let's be clear: these are not audiophile buds. They're built for convenience and comfort first, with sound quality taking a back seat. Our database scores them near the bottom for sound, so manage your expectations.
Performance
The performance story here is all about trade-offs. Connectivity is fantastic, landing in the 97th percentile with rock-solid Bluetooth 5.3 and multipoint pairing. The mic quality is also surprisingly good for calls. The flip side is the sound, which sits in the 2nd percentile. It's fine for podcasts and casual listening, but music lacks detail and punch. Battery life is also a weak spot at just 11 hours per charge, putting it in the bottom 10% of earbuds we track.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Incredibly comfortable for all-day wear. 98th
- Bluetooth connectivity is flawless and reliable. 88th
- The mic is clear for phone calls and meetings. 88th
- The compact case is genuinely pocket-friendly. 86th
Cons
- Sound quality is flat and unremarkable. 17th
- Battery life is below average for the price.
- No active noise cancellation to speak of.
- The touch controls can be a bit finicky.
The Word on the Street
Specifications
Full Specifications
Design
| Form Factor | In-Ear |
| Wearing Style | Dual Ear True Wireless Earbud |
| Ear Tips | l |
| Weight | 0.0 kg / 0.0 lbs |
Audio
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Driver Size | 6 |
| Drivers | 1 |
| Freq Min | 20 |
| Freq Max | 20000 |
| Impedance | 16 |
| Codecs | AAC, SBC |
Noise Control
| ANC | No |
Connectivity
| Wireless | Yes |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 |
| Multipoint | Yes |
| Wired Connector | Bluetooth 5 |
| Range | 10 |
Earbud Battery
| Battery Life | 11 |
| Charge Time | 3 |
| Fast Charging | 5min=1hrs |
| Charging | USB-C |
Case Battery
| Case Battery | 11 |
| Case Charging | USB-C |
| Wireless Charging | No |
Microphone
| Microphone | No |
| NC Mic | No |
Features
| Touch Controls | No |
| App | iOS, Android |
| Volume Limiting | No |
| Water Resistance | IPX4 |
Value & Pricing
At around $50 to $68, the value is okay, but not great. You're paying for the Sony brand, reliable connectivity, and that famous comfort. If those are your top priorities, the price is fair. But if you care even a little about sound or battery life, there are better performers for the same money.
Price History
vs Competition
Compared to the Anker Soundcore P3i, you lose out on much better sound and active noise cancellation for a similar price. The Nothing Ear (a) offers a more balanced sound profile and better battery. Even some older Sony models, like the WF-C700N, can be found on sale with ANC included. The C510's main advantage is its comfort and connection stability, which are top-tier.
| Spec | Sony Sony WF-C510 True Wireless Earbuds (Yellow) | Sony Sony WF-1000XM5 Noise-Canceling True Wireless | Technics Technics EAH-AZ80 Noise-Canceling True Wireless | Bose Bose QuietComfort Ultra True Wireless | Apple Airpods Pro 3 Apple AirPods Pro with Wireless MagSafe Charging | Jabra Jabra Evolve2 Buds USB-A UC Earbuds with USB-A |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | In-Ear | In-Ear | In-Ear | In-Ear | In-Ear | In-Ear |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Sony WF-1000XM5 Noise-Canceling True Wireless In-Ear Headphones (Black) | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Wireless | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Active Noise Cancellation | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.2 |
| Battery Life Hours | 11 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 8 |
| Case Battery Hours | 11 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 24 | 25 |
| Water Resistance | IPX4 | IPX4 | IPX4 | IPX4 | IP57 | IP57 |
| Multipoint | true | true | true | true | true | true |
Common Questions
Q: Do these have active noise cancellation (ANC)?
No, they don't. They have an Ambient Sound mode to let outside noise in, but no ANC to block it out. Our data shows their ANC score is in the 40th percentile, which basically means it's non-existent.
Q: How is the real-world battery life?
Sony claims 11 hours on the buds, and our data suggests that's accurate, but it's a below-average score. With the case, you get about 22 hours total, which is less than many competitors.
Q: Are they good for working out?
They have an IPX4 rating for sweat and water resistance, so light workouts are fine. Their fitness score in our database is a decent 72.7, but the lack of a secure wingtip might be an issue for high-intensity runs.
Who Should Skip This
Skip these if you're a music lover. With a sound score in the 2nd percentile, you'll be disappointed. Also, look elsewhere if you need long battery life for travel or ANC for noisy commutes. The Anker Soundcore P3i or even the older Sony WF-C700N are better bets for those needs.
Verdict
Buy these if you need supremely comfortable earbuds for all-day wear at your desk or on the go, and you prioritize call quality and reliable connectivity over everything else. They're a great 'set it and forget it' option for work calls and podcasts.