Sony WF-C510 Review — Benchmark for Budget-Friendly Quality Sound

Affordable wireless earbuds that deliver surprisingly rich sound and solid features for just $60.

A Fresh Take on Budget Wireless Earbuds

If you’ve been following the wireless earbuds scene, you know Sony’s been killing it lately. Their premium Sony WF-1000XM5 headphones are basically the gold standard, acclaimed for stellar noise cancellation and sound quality—but let’s be real, not everyone’s wallet is ready to jump straight to flagship territory.

Enter the Sony WF-C510 headphones. These little guys are designed to offer quality audio without blowing your budget. As a longtime fan of Sony’s audio lineup, I was eager to see if these earbuds could live up to the hype in the entry-level category. Spoiler alert: they mostly do.

Price Point That’s Hard to Beat

Sony WF-C510 firmly stake their claim in the starter earbuds arena at a wallet-friendly $60—a noticeable drop from their predecessors, the WF-C500, which launched at $79 back in 2021. This pricing strategy throws them into an attractive zone, even edging out some strong competitors like EarFun Air (around $50), while sitting well below Sony’s own higher-tier WF-C700N range, which hover around $100.

In a sea of wireless earbuds, finding a solid five-star model at this price is rare, and Sony’s latest contender is looking to change that narrative.

Design & Build: Compact and Functional, if Modest

Now, you might pay for premium looks and feel with flagship buds, but the WF-C510 wear their budget badge clearly. Compared to the slightly more sophisticated WF-C500 and even some competitors, these earbuds sport a simpler, less textured finish. The plastic feels a bit more basic, and they lack the flair their predecessors had.

That said, the charging case is a sturdy little pill-shaped unit—thinner and more pocketable than before, though less flashy. It houses a USB-C port for charging and a tiny LED on the front that shows battery and connection status. Inside, the earbuds themselves are some of Sony’s smallest-ever true wireless buds—a real plus if you’ve got smaller ears or simply want discreet earbuds.

Sony offers them in four colors: blue, yellow, black, and white. Our black review pair looks sleek but admittedly a bit plain; I’m curious how much personality the brighter hues add in person.

Key Specs at a Glance

• Bluetooth: 5.3 (AAC, SBC support)
• Noise Cancellation: None
• Battery Life: 11 hours per charge (without Ambient Sound or DSEE), 22 hours total with case
• Water Resistance: IPX4 (splash resistant)
• Weight: 4.6 grams per earbud
• Colors: Blue, Yellow, Black, White

Features That Punch Above Their Weight

Sony didn’t strip down these buds to the bone just to hit their price point. Bluetooth Multipoint lets you connect to two devices simultaneously—a nice perk for hopping between phone and laptop calls. The IPX4 rating means they can handle sweat and light rain, which is perfect for workouts or commutes.

Interestingly, the WF-C510 include an Ambient Sound Control mode, a feature usually paired with active noise cancellation. This setting lets some outside noise in, which you can fine-tune in the Sony Headphones app from 0 to 20. There’s also a “voice focus” option that tries to highlight speech while softening background noise. It’s subtle and more noticeable when music isn’t playing; once your tunes kick in, outside sounds tend to take a back seat.

Unlike pricier models, these earbuds use physical buttons instead of touch controls. But Sony nailed this design—the buttons are responsive and intuitive. You get playback control, track skipping, and separate volume adjustments by tapping multiple times on either earbud. It's a refreshing throwback that feels reliable and satisfying compared to some finicky touchpads.

Sony’s app lets you tinker with a 5-band equalizer and save custom presets, along with nine preset sound profiles. While the default sound is already solid, I enjoyed experimenting with the “Excited” mode for a little extra spice.

Battery life meets expectations with up to 11 hours of playback on a charge, and the compact case doubles that. During my tests, 6-7 hour listening sessions left plenty of juice to spare.

Sound Quality: Fun, Full, and Musical

For earbuds priced at $60, Sony WF-C510 deliver a surprisingly engaging listening experience. The sound signature leans toward a lively, rhythmic vibe that keeps your favorite tracks feeling fresh and immersive.

I put them through their paces with a variety of genres and was impressed by their musicality. These aren’t just cheap buds pumping out tinny sound; there’s a real sense of groove and timing that’s distinctly Sony. Even complex tracks maintained clarity and cohesion.

Compared to the WF-C500, the WF-C510 sound richer and more robust. The previous generation felt a bit leaner and less expansive next to the warm, full-bodied tone here.

Take Beyoncé’s classic Baby Boy—these earbuds delivered robust, punchy bass that drove the track’s iconic beat. They captured the dynamic bass shifts with more authority than the older model. Midrange and highs were clear and lively: strings and handclaps kept the energy up, while Beyoncé and Sean Paul’s vocals sounded natural and warm.

Switching gears to Benson Boone’s Slow It Down, the WF-C510 pulled out heartfelt emotion from his vocals and piano work. Their knack for scaling dynamics helped make the performance truly resonate.

That said, if you want razor-sharp instrument separation and ultra-precise rhythm, stepping up to the WF-C700N brings noticeable improvements. But for casual listeners and those on a budget, these buds strike a great balance.

Final Thoughts: A Budget Gem

It’s tough to expect miracles at the $60 price range, but Sony’s track record had me optimistic. The WF-C510 mostly deliver on that promise: they might look and feel a bit cheaper than their predecessors, but the comfort, fun factor, and sound quality are hard to beat for the price.

Ratings:

• Sound: 5/5
• Build Quality: 4/5
• Features: 5/5

“WF-C510 may look and feel cheaper than their predecessors, but the comfort, the fun, and the musicality they offer are undeniable.”

FAQ

• How long does the battery last on the Sony WF-C510?
  They offer up to 11 hours of playback per charge, with an additional 11 hours from the charging case, totaling 22 hours.
• Do the WF-C510 earbuds have noise-cancellation?
  No active noise cancellation, but they include Ambient Sound Control to let in some outside noise when needed.
• Can I use only one earbud at a time?
  Yes, you can use either earbud solo, while the other stays in the charging case.
• Are the earbuds water-resistant?
  Yes, they have an IPX4 rating, protecting them against sweat and splashes.
• Do these earbuds support multipoint Bluetooth connections?
  They do! You can connect them to two devices simultaneously, handy for switching between phone and laptop.

Looking to bring some Sony sonic magic into your space? Shop your favorite album cover posters and celebrate music’s finest moments at our store here.