If you want better Microphone quality for calls
Choose Denon Perl Pro True Wireless Earbuds. It scores 4.3 vs 2.6 for Microphone quality for calls, with a 4.2 overall score.
Sony WF-C510 Earbuds Review
Bottom Line
Choose the Sony WF-C510 if you want cheap, comfortable earbuds with clear sound, long in-bud battery life, strong passive isolation, and multipoint. Skip them if you need ANC, strong call noise reduction, premium case feel, or deeper bass.
Best for
Best for budget shoppers who want small, comfortable earbuds for music, podcasts, commuting, workouts, and easy multipoint use without paying for premium noise-cancelling features.
Not for
Not for buyers who need active noise cancellation, strong microphone noise reduction for frequent calls, deep bass emphasis, LDAC or aptX support, or a more premium charging case.
Verdict
The Sony WF-C510 earns its budget appeal by putting the basics first: clear sound, excellent comfort, long earbud battery life, strong passive isolation, multipoint, and useful app EQ. Reviewers repeatedly treat it as a bargain, especially for small, everyday earbuds. The tradeoff is that Sony cuts visible corners. There is no ANC, LDAC, aptX, wireless charging, or wear detection, and the case often feels cheaper than the buds. Call quality is the least reliable area, especially around background noise. The result is a simple, strong-value earbud for music, podcasts, commuting, and casual use rather than a feature-packed or call-first pair.
Feature Scorecards
Summary
46 reviewed features-
Very positive 4.5-5.014 (30%)
-
Positive 3.5-4.419 (41%)
-
Neutral 2.5-3.47 (15%)
-
Negative 1.5-2.45 (11%)
-
Very negative below 1.51 (2%)
Pros highlights
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Value for money is the strongest consensus point: reviewers repeatedly frame the WF-C510 as a bargain or standout budget pick despite tradeoffs.
-
Reviewers consistently describe the WF-C510 as strong for the price, with clear, balanced, enjoyable sound; the main dissent is that some find it merely serviceable rather than exciting.
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Comfort is one of the strongest areas, with many reviewers saying the small, light buds are easy to wear for long sessions, though one had fit problems.
-
Bass impressions are mixed: several reviewers praise controlled, punchy or well-rounded bass, while others say bass is light, not skull-rattling, or weaker than pricier Sony buds.
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Battery life is widely praised for long earbud runtime, often around 10-11 hours, but the case's single extra charge creates some battery-life caveats.
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Transparency or Ambient Sound mode is usually considered useful and natural for awareness, but some reviewers find it mild, situational, or not enough for easy conversations.
Cons highlights
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The WF-C510 does not provide active noise cancellation; reviewers often accept that tradeoff at the price, but ANC-focused buyers are repeatedly told to look elsewhere.
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Codec support is a common compromise: AAC and SBC are usually considered sufficient for streaming, but reviewers still flag the lack of higher-end codec options.
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Build quality is split: some reviews call the buds solid or well built, while others emphasize cheap plastic, budget feel, or cut corners.
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LDAC support is absent and repeatedly cited as a compromise, though some reviewers say the omission is acceptable for the budget tier.
-
Call microphone quality is inconsistent: some hear clear voice pickup in quiet settings, but several reviews criticize noisy-call performance and background pickup.
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Video and gaming sync evidence is mixed: one reviewer found lip sync spot-on, while gaming-oriented comments note no low-latency mode or only limited gaming suitability.
Compared With Category Average
Compared with other Earbuds, this product is above average in Value for money, Multipoint connectivity reliability, Maximum volume clarity, near average in Sound quality, Equalizer customization, below average in Active noise cancellation, LDAC, aptX.
Comparison summary
46 compared features-
Above average 0.4+ pts higher16 (35%)
-
Same as average within 0.3 pts16 (35%)
-
Below average 0.4+ pts lower14 (30%)
Largest category differences
| Attribute | This product | Category average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active noise cancellation | 1.5 | 4.0 | -2.5 |
| LDAC | 1.5 | 3.4 | -1.9 |
| aptX | 1.0 | 2.8 | -1.8 |
| Sensors | 1.9 | 3.6 | -1.7 |
| Microphone noise reduction | 2.2 | 3.9 | -1.7 |
| Preset EQ profile quality | 2.0 | 3.7 | -1.7 |
| Microphone quality for calls | 2.6 | 3.9 | -1.3 |
| Audio-video sync accuracy | 3.2 | 4.3 | -1.2 |
Consider This Instead
If you want better Active noise cancellation
Choose Sony WF-C710N Earbuds. It scores 4.8 vs 1.5 for Active noise cancellation, with a 3.9 overall score.
If you want better aptX
Choose Audio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW Earbuds. It scores 4.3 vs 1.0 for aptX, with a 3.9 overall score.
If you want better Codec support
Choose Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen). It scores 4.5 vs 3.0 for Codec support, with a 3.9 overall score.
Compared in Reviews
Products reviewers directly compared with this model, grouped into quick takeaways.
- Compared: frequency response and tonal balance The reviewer compared the C510 frequency response to Linkbuds S and WF-1000XM5.
- Compared: design resemblance PCMag noted the budget earbuds resemble Sony's flagship WF-1000XM5.
- Alternative: ANC and codec alternative Gadgets360 named OnePlus Buds 3 as a slightly pricier alternative with ANC and LHDC.
EarFun Air Pro 4
- Better: noise-cancelling option Trusted Reviews pointed to the EarFun Air Pro 4 for buyers prioritizing ANC.
- Worse: same-price cheap earbud competition TechRadar tested Earfun's model at the same price and picked the Sony.
- Better: advanced codecs and noise cancellation PCMag said the EarFun option adds codecs and noise cancellation for more money.
FAQ
Do the Sony WF-C510 earbuds have active noise cancellation?
No. Reviewers repeatedly note that they lack ANC, but many also say the snug in-ear seal provides surprisingly strong passive noise isolation.
How good is the sound quality?
Most reviewers praise the WF-C510 for clear, balanced, detailed sound at the price. Bass is more divisive, ranging from satisfying and punchy to too light for bass-heavy listeners.
Are they comfortable for long listening sessions?
Yes for most reviewers. The small, light design and secure tips are repeatedly praised, though one review struggled with fit and stability.
How long does the battery last?
Reviewers generally report strong earbud runtime around 10 to 11 hours. The main caveat is the case, which usually adds only one more full charge.
Is the microphone good for calls?
It is usable in quieter settings, but call quality is a recurring weak point. Several reviewers say background noise leaks through or noise gating can make voices harder to hear.
Does the app add useful features?
Yes. Reviews praise Sony's app for EQ, multipoint controls, ambient mode settings, and setup, although some find the EQ or control customization limited or confusing.
Are they good for workouts?
They are a practical workout option because reviewers praise the secure fit, light weight, and IPX4 splash resistance. They are not designed for swimming or heavy water exposure.
Sample Expert Reviews We Analyzed
These are a few of the reviews included in our analysis.
Video Reviews
Article Reviews
techradar.com
- Review score
- 3.8
howtogeek.com
- Review score
- 3.2
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