Skip to main content

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

Sony launches its smallest wireless earbuds at an equally small price

Sony WF-C510 wireless earbuds.
Sony

Sony has dipped below the $100 barrier for the first time on a set of wireless earbuds with the launch of its WF-C510. The new model comes in blue, yellow, black, and white, and costs just $60 — 40% less than its predecessor, the $100 WF-C500. They can be preordered starting August 26.

The price is obviously a big deal. Sony has never offered wireless earbuds at less than $100 until now. However, Sony says it has also managed to make several improvements to performance and features.

Sony WF-C510 wireless earbuds.
Sony

The WF-C510 are 20% smaller and 15% lighter than the WF-C500, which should make them more comfortable, while giving those with smaller ears a better chance of getting a good fit. Sony claims they also have a slightly improved battery life — 11 hours on a single charge, and 22 hours when you include the case’s capacity (up from 10/20 on the C500).

Recommended Videos

Water resistance is unchanged at IPX4, but the new buds get Bluetooth multipoint for simultaneous connections to two devices, something the C500 lacked.

The C510 also get another feature the C500 was missing: transparency mode. The earbuds use Bluetooth 5.3 and get the same app-based controls as the rest of Sony’s wireless earbuds.

As on the WF-C500, the C510 get the company’s DSEE software for upscaling compressed music, but they won’t get LDAC — the hi-res Bluetooth codec that provides better sound on many of Sony’s other wireless products.

They have Google Fast Pair, Microsoft Swift Pair, Spotify Tap, and they’re compatible with Sony’s 360 Reality Audio music format.

Sony’s move to create a highly affordable set of wireless earbuds comes shortly after Beats released its own sub-$100 model — the Beats Solo Buds. The WF-C510 may also help Sony grab back some market share from brands like Earfun, 1More, and Soundcore, whose models have continuously topped our list of the best budget wireless earbuds and headphones.

Editor’s note: an earlier version of this article said the price of the WF-C510 was $70. Sony has since revised the price to $60.

Simon Cohen
Simon Cohen is a contributing editor to Digital Trends' Audio/Video section, where he obsesses over the latest wireless…
Beyerdynamic launches new flagship wireless earbuds and headphones
Beyerdynamic AMIRON 300 and AVENTHO 300.

Beyerdynamic has revamped its top-of-the line wireless earbuds and wireless headphones with two new models, the Amiron 300 ($280) and Aventho 300 ($400). They'll be available in black or white color options when they go on sale in October.

The naming convention of the new models may confuse some long-time Beyerdynamic fans. Historically, the company has used the Amiron name to refer to its wired and wireless over-ear headphones, like the open-back Amiron Home and the wireless Amiron Wireless. However, the new Amiron 300 are the company's flagship wireless earbuds (the company's first wireless earbuds are the Free Byrd.)

Read more
Sony’s new 4K laser projectors have the processing brains of its Bravia OLED TVs
The Sony Bravia Projector 9 (VPL-XW8100ES).

The Sony Bravia Projector 9 Sony

Sony has pulled the covers off its two latest high-end 4K laser projectors, but you may recognize their names from the company's premium TV lineup -- and for good reason. The Bravia Projector 8 (VPL-XW6100ES) and Bravia Projector 9 (VPL-XW8100ES) are the first Sony projectors to incorporate the company's advanced XR Processing technology found in its Bravia OLED TVs, including the Bravia 9 that is one of our picks for the best TVs of the year.

Read more
Only one person will win these diamond-encrusted Bose earbuds
Diamond encrusted Bose Ultra Open Earbuds.

It's Bose's 60th anniversary, so the company is celebrating with an appropriate creation: a set of diamond-encrusted Bose Ultra Open Earbuds valued at over $9,000. The blingy buds are one-of-a-kind and they aren't for sale. Instead, Bose has decided to award them to one lucky person: the winner of its Diamond-Studded Giveaway contest.

Is this an obvious marketing move to generate buzz for the audio brand? For sure, but it's also a way to drive sales of Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, Ultra Earbuds, and Ultra Open Earbuds in the new limited edition "Diamond Collection" product color.  Each Diamond Collection purchase on bose.com between August 26 and September 16 gets you one entry into the contest, up to a maximum of three entries per person.

Read more