The WF-C510, Sony’s latest mid-range wireless earbuds, was introduced last month, aimed at users seeking quality at an affordable price. Despite being a mid-range model, it offers impressive features like Ambient Sound mode, excellent battery life, flexible connectivity, and IPX4 water resistance. Could this product be a top contender in the mid-range wireless earbuds market for 2024? Let’s find out in this Sony WF-C510 review.
Sony WF-C510 Review
Unboxing
The Sony WF-C510 has a simple box design similar to other headphone models with a typical white color. On the outside is the product name and other outstanding information about the earbuds such as 360 Reality Audio technology, battery life, ability to connect multiple devices, and Ambient Sound feature.
The box includes a user manual, related documents, and replacement headphone tips. However, unlike other models, Sony does not provide a charging cable.
Compact and Travel-Friendly Design
Compared to its predecessor, the WF-C500, the WF-C510’s charging case is more compact and slimmer, making it easier to carry in a pocket or bag. This is a key advantage, especially for frequent travelers.
The charging case is entirely plastic, and our Sony WF-C510 review unit comes in black with a smooth matte finish. It’s also available in blue, yellow, and white. This variety of colors makes it easy for users to choose earbuds that suit their style and preferences. Whether you prefer a bold, youthful look or an elegant, minimalist look, the WF-C510 can satisfy you.
The advantage of this design is that it keeps the charging case clean and significantly reduces fingerprints when used. On the front of the charging case is a small LED dot that functions to notify the connection status as well as the battery level when plugged in to charge.
The USB-C charging port and power button are located on the back. To pair your Sony Bluetooth headphones with another device, simply hold down the power button until the light turns on. Then, connect the headset to your phone in the Bluetooth settings, and you’re all set.
When it comes to design, the WF-C510 is Sony’s most compact in-ear model, offering exceptional comfort, particularly for users with smaller ears. Its rounded shape and matte finish give the earbuds a sleek, sophisticated look while ensuring a comfortable, secure fit without causing discomfort. This is important for those who often wear headphones for long periods, such as when working, exercising, or traveling.
The design’s highlight is its flat, wide buttons, which make control operations easier. These are physical buttons, not touch surfaces, so when using them, you will need to spend a certain amount of time to operate these control buttons.
Water Resistance for Active Use
With IPX4 water resistance, the Sony WF-C510 gives you peace of mind during sports activities. You can use the earphones during workouts or in light rain without worrying about damage from sweat or splashes. This is a valuable feature for those who enjoy exercising or need headphones in various weather conditions.
Pairing and Ease of Use
The Sony WF-C510 supports Multipoint Connection, enabling you to connect to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. You can seamlessly switch between music on your phone and an online meeting on your computer without disconnecting. This feature is highly convenient for multitasking across devices.
In addition, the WF-C510 also supports Fast Pair and Swift Pair, making it easy for users to pair the headphones with Android and Windows devices. The pairing mode for Sony headphones is quick and simple. With just a few steps, you’re ready to experience high-quality sound. You can easily adjust features and EQ settings in the Sony Headphones app.
The earbuds also allow for independent use of each side, you can take out only the left or right earphone from the charging case for flexible use.
Another highlight of the WF-C510 is the Ambient Sound mode, which lets users hear their surroundings without removing the earbuds. This feature is useful for road travel or listening to important announcements at work. With Voice Focus mode, Sony further enhances the experience by allowing users to focus on listening to voices, filtering out unwanted noise.
The WF-C510 supports Spotify Tap, enabling users to access music quickly with just a few taps. This feature makes switching and controlling music more convenient, especially for users who frequently use the Spotify service.
Audio Experience
The Sony WF-C510 delivers dynamic sound with rich bass. Equipped with a Digital Sound Enhancement Engine (DSEE), the headphones balance sound from low to high frequencies, providing a rich and detailed audio experience. DSEE helps to recreate the sound details lost during compression, providing a natural and vivid music-listening experience. You will feel deep and full bass, while the mid and high notes remain clear and sharp.
It features 360-degree Reality Audio, delivering a lifelike spatial sound experience. This technology reproduces sound from all directions, creating a three-dimensional audio space that immerses you in a live concert. This enhancement is a significant advantage for those who love high-quality sound.
Battery Life
Although the WF-C510 is more affordable than the WF-C500, it offers impressive battery life. Sony promises up to 11 hours of continuous use on a single charge, and the charging case also provides an additional 11 hours of full charge, bringing the total usage to 22 hours. With the quick charge feature, just 5 minutes of charging provides 60 minutes of music playback.
With this impressive battery life, the Sony WF-C510 is enough to meet the needs of users in daily activities, from listening to music and watching movies to making calls without having to worry about running out of battery in the middle. If you frequently use headphones for calls, group meetings, and work reports, the battery life of this headset will fully support your all-day usage needs.
Are Sony WF-C510 Worth the Purchase?
The Sony WF-C510 is a worthy choice in the mid-range wireless earbuds segment. Although the WF-C510 is more affordable than other Sony flagship models, it offers many high-end features. With its compact design, impressive battery life, flexible connectivity, and outstanding sound quality, it provides excellent value for users.
Also see: Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Review
If you’re looking for quality wireless earbuds at a reasonable price, the Sony WF-C510 is definitely worth considering. You can find it for just $56.92 on Amazon.
