Sony WIC100/W
The 9mm dynamic driver delivers Hi-Res audio with DSEE restoring high-frequency detail, backed by a 25-hour battery and IPX4 splash resistance. The neckband design stays stable during workouts, and the Sony Headphones Connect app lets you fine-tune the sound. Best for budget-conscious listeners who prioritize battery life and durability over call quality.
Snapshot
The 30-Second Version
The Sony WI-C100 is the budget neckband king with 25 hours of battery and comfort that embarrasses earbuds twice the price. Just don't expect great call quality or tips that stay put.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- 25-hour battery life is absurd for this price 95th
- Comfort is elite, you'll forget you're wearing them 94th
- DSEE actually improves compressed audio 79th
- IPX4 rating means sweat and rain won't kill them 73rd
Cons
- Mic quality is rough for calls
- Earbud tips fall off way too easily
- No charging cable in the box, seriously Sony?
- Durability is a coin flip after a few months
What owners think
The Word on the Street
How owner sentiment changed over time
ExclusiveBased on when customers actually wrote their reviews - so you can see whether early praise held up.
Based on 109 dated customer reviews, grouped by calendar quarter. Period analysis is in English.
The proof
Performance
The 9mm dynamic drivers deliver a sound profile that's warm and surprisingly detailed for the price. DSEE does real work here, restoring some of the sparkle that Bluetooth compression usually kills. Battery life is the headline act, 25 hours is best-in-class territory for this form factor, and the 10-minute quick charge for an hour of playback is genuinely useful. The mic is the weak spot, calls sound muffled and distant, which drags the overall score down. But for music and podcasts, this thing is a little overachiever.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Design
| Form Factor | in-ear |
| Wearing Style | neckband |
| Ear Tips | 3 sizes |
| Weight | 0.0 kg / 0.0 lbs |
Audio
| Driver Type | dynamic |
| Driver Size | 9 |
| Freq Min | 20 |
| Freq Max | 20000 |
| Impedance | 35 |
| Hi-Res Audio | Yes |
| Codecs | Sony WI-C100 Wireless In-Ear Headphones, White |
Noise Control
| ANC | No |
| Transparency | No |
Connectivity
| Wireless | Yes |
| Bluetooth | 5 |
| Multipoint | No |
Earbud Battery
| Battery Life | 25 |
| Charge Time | 0.1667 |
| Fast Charging | 10 min for 1 hour playback |
| Charging | USB-C |
Case Battery
| Case Battery | 25 |
| Case Charging | USB-C |
| Wireless Charging | No |
Microphone
| Microphone | Yes |
| NC Mic | No |
Features
| Voice Assistant | Siri |
| Touch Controls | No |
| App | Sony | Headphones Connect |
| Gaming Mode | No |
| Bone Conduction | No |
| Water Resistance | IPX4 |
vs Competition
Against the Nothing Buds 2 or Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro, the WI-C100 loses on features, no ANC to speak of, no wireless charging, no fancy app tricks beyond EQ. But those cost three to five times more. The Soundcore P31i is the closest real rival, similar neckband design and battery claims, but the Sony's comfort and DSEE processing give it the edge. The JLab Jbuds Pods are cheaper but feel it, and the EarFun Air Pro 4 has better ANC but worse ergonomics for all-day wear.
| Spec | Sony WIC100/W | Nothing Buds 2 | Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro | Soundcore P31i | JLab Jbuds Pods EBJBPODSRBLK124 | Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | in-ear | in-ear | in-ear | in-ear | in-ear | in-ear |
| Driver Type | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic |
| Wireless | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Active Noise Cancellation | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.4 | 5.4 | 6.1 | 5.4 | 5.4 |
| Battery Life Hours | 25 | 13.5 | 6 | 10 | 10 | 8 |
| Case Battery Hours | 25 | 55 | 26 | 50 | 56 | 30 |
| Water Resistance | IPX4 | IP55 | IP57 | IP55 | IP55 | IPX4 |
| Multipoint | false | true | true | - | true | false |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Anc | Mic | Build | Sound | Battery | Comfort | Connectivity | Social Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony WIC100/W | 30.7 | 38.5 | 79.4 | 68.9 | 93.7 | 94.6 | 62 | 72.8 |
| Nothing Buds 2 Compare | 93.1 | 97.5 | 91.2 | 81.8 | 95.1 | 72 | 97.1 | 90.2 |
| Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro Compare | 97.3 | 97.5 | 98.8 | 92.7 | 72.5 | 94.6 | 99.5 | 90.2 |
| Soundcore P31i Compare | 89.7 | 97.5 | 91.2 | 96.9 | 92.5 | 72 | 86.4 | 90.2 |
| JLab Jbuds Pods EBJBPODSRBLK124 Compare | 93.1 | 97.5 | 91.2 | 78 | 94.3 | 72 | 97.1 | 81.3 |
| Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 Compare | 97.3 | 87 | 79.4 | 86.6 | 79.5 | 72 | 86.4 | 81.3 |
Price
Value & Pricing
At USD 26 to USD 38 depending on the vendor, this is a no-brainer if you want reliable wireless audio without spending real money. The spread across listings is worth watching, Amazon's listings sit at the lower end of that range, so don't overpay at Best Buy. For the battery life and comfort alone, you're getting more than you paid for.
Amazon 1 offer From CA$48
Price History
Read more
Overview
The Sony WI-C100 is the neckband earbud that refuses to die, and honestly, we're glad. For under $40, you get 25 hours of battery, a fit so comfortable it's basically a neck pillow for your ears, and sound that punches way above its price tag. The one thing to know? This is the budget pick for people who hate charging their earbuds every day and want something that just works.
Common Questions
Q: Does the WI-C100 have noise cancelling?
No real ANC here. The IPX4 rating and passive seal from the tips block some noise, but if you want active noise cancelling, look at the EarFun Air Pro 4 instead.
Q: How long does the battery actually last?
Sony claims 25 hours, and real-world reports back that up pretty closely. The 10-minute quick charge for an hour of playback is legit, perfect for when you forget to charge before a commute.
Q: Are these good for working out?
Yes, with a caveat. The IPX4 rating handles sweat fine, and the neckband stays put during runs. But the earbud tips falling off is a real issue, so maybe buy some aftermarket tips if you're planning to move around a lot.
Who Should Skip This
If you're looking for earbuds with great call quality or serious durability, this isn't it. Go grab the Nothing Buds 2 for better mics or the EarFun Air Pro 4 if you want ANC and a sturdier build. The WI-C100 is for music lovers on a budget who treat their gear gently.
Verdict
Buy the Sony WI-C100 if you want a cheap, comfortable, long-lasting pair of earbuds for music and podcasts. Skip it if you take a lot of calls or need something that'll survive being tossed in a bag every day. For the price, it's one of the easiest recommendations we can make.
