Bluetooth: 5.0 (AAC, SBC)
Battery life: 10hrs (20hrs with charging case)
Waterproof rating: IPX4
Weight: 5.4g
The C500 launched back in 2021, but they're still picking up Awards. And justifiably so – they offer a lot of what makes Sony's wireless earbuds so special at a rock-bottom price. Their battery life is bettered elsewhere (by their successors, for example), and their feature set is starting to look a little thin. But if you can find them on a deal, they're a great buy.
For
- Compact and comfortable design
- Spirited, well-balanced sound
- Fine control app
Against
- Slightly small-scale sound
- Numerous serious rivals
Bluetooth: 5.3 (AAC, SBC)
Battery life: 11hrs (22hrs with charging case)
Waterproof rating: IPX4
Weight: 4.6g
With a newer Bluetooth version, longer battery life and new ambient mode, the C510 are real improvements on their class-leading predecessors. The ambient mode isn't quite as effective as we would like, and they do feel a bit cheap. But with a fun, energetic sound and bursting feature set, these are the best budget buds you can buy.
For
- Compact, comfortable design
- Solid, musical sound
- Multipoint Bluetooth
- 11hr battery life
Against
- Build looks and feels cheap
- Ambient sound mode is only okay
