Sony WFC500/B
DSEE upscaling restores detail to compressed audio, while the ergonomic surface design and IPX4 rating provide a secure, sweat-proof fit for 10 hours of playback. The compact charging case extends total use to 20 hours, and the Sony app allows fine-tuned EQ adjustments in a lightweight, budget-friendly package. These earbuds are best for casual listeners who prioritize all-day comfort and reliable durability during daily workouts.
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Snapshot
The 30-Second Version
The Sony WF-C500 are comfortable and sweat-proof, but the performance is a letdown. Sound and call quality are both well below average, and the competition offers way more for the money. Only buy these if comfort is your absolute top priority and you find them on sale.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Super lightweight and comfortable for all-day wear.
- IPX4 rating makes them a solid gym buddy.
- Sony's app gives you a good EQ to tweak the sound.
- You can use either earbud solo, which is handy.
Cons
- Mic quality is terrible for calls in anything but a silent room.
- Sound quality is just okay, falling behind most peers.
- Connectivity can be flaky, with a very low percentile ranking.
- The charging case only provides one extra charge, for a weak 20-hour total.
The proof
Performance
The sound here is a mixed bag. DSEE does its best to polish up compressed audio, but the core sound signature lands in the 31st percentile, which is just mediocre. The mic quality is a real weak spot, sitting near the bottom of our database at the 14th percentile, so don't expect crisp call quality. Connectivity is also in that same disappointing 14th percentile range, and the ANC performance is weak. On the plus side, the IPX4 rating means they'll survive a sweaty gym session without issue.
vs Competition
Stacked against the competition, the WF-C500 struggle. The Soundcore P31i and EarFun Air Pro 4+ both offer significantly better sound and features for similar or less money. The Nothing Ear (3) delivers a much more refined audio experience and superior design. Even if you're just looking for a basic workout bud, the connectivity and mic issues here make it hard to recommend over a more reliable budget pick. The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro and Google Pixel Buds Pro are in a totally different league, but they also cost a lot more.
| Spec | Sony WFC500/B | Technics EAH-AZ100 EAH-AZ100-N | Apple AirPods Pro 3rd Generation | Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro | Nothing Buds 2 | Soundcore P31i |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | - | in-ear | in-ear | in-ear | in-ear | in-ear |
| Driver Type | - | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic |
| Wireless | - | true | true | true | true | true |
| Active Noise Cancellation | - | true | true | true | true | true |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.4 | 5.4 | 6.0 |
| Battery Life Hours | - | 8 | 8 | 6 | 13.5 | 10 |
| Case Battery Hours | - | 28 | 24 | 26 | 55 | 50 |
| Water Resistance | - | IPX4 | IP57 | IP57 | IP55 | IP55 |
| Multipoint | - | true | true | true | true | - |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Anc | Mic | Build | Sound | Battery | Comfort | Connectivity | Social Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony WFC500/B | 31 | 11.9 | 33.9 | 29 | 44.7 | 28.1 | 12.7 | 9.5 |
| Technics EAH-AZ100 EAH-AZ100-N Compare | 97.2 | 97.5 | 79.2 | 99 | 78.8 | 72 | 99.8 | 81 |
| Apple AirPods Pro 3rd Generation Compare | 97.2 | 82 | 98.8 | 90.6 | 75.4 | 94.7 | 99.6 | 99.3 |
| Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro Compare | 97.2 | 97.5 | 98.8 | 93 | 72.8 | 94.7 | 99.6 | 90 |
| Nothing Buds 2 Compare | 93 | 97.5 | 91.2 | 81.8 | 95.5 | 72 | 96.9 | 81 |
| Soundcore P31i Compare | 89.6 | 97.5 | 91.2 | 97 | 93 | 72 | 86.1 | 90 |
Price
Value & Pricing
Without a firm price, it's hard to nail down the value, but these typically sell between $70 and $90. At that price, the value proposition is tough. You're paying for the Sony name and a comfy fit, but you're getting sound and call quality that are easily beaten by cheaper buds from brands like Soundcore or EarFun. Unless you find them on a deep discount, the performance per dollar just isn't there.
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Overview
The Sony WF-C500 are a pair of budget true wireless earbuds that focus on the basics. You get a comfortable, lightweight design, an IPX4 rating for workouts, and Sony's DSEE audio upscaling. But the spec sheet and our data show a product that cuts a lot of corners to hit its price point.
Battery life is fine at 10 hours in the buds, but the charging case only gives you one extra full charge for 20 hours total. That's not great. And while the sound is customizable through the app, the raw performance out of the box is pretty underwhelming compared to what the competition is doing these days.
Common Questions
Q: Are these good for making phone calls?
Honestly, no. The mic quality is one of the weakest points, ranking in the 14th percentile in our tests. Your voice will sound muffled and background noise will be a problem.
Q: Can I wear these to the gym?
Yes, the IPX4 rating means they're splash-proof and sweat-proof, so they can handle a workout. Just don't submerge them in water.
Q: How does the battery life compare to other budget earbuds?
The 10 hours in the buds is decent, but the total 20 hours with the case is pretty weak. Many competitors at this price now offer 30-40 hours total.
Who Should Skip This
Skip these if you take a lot of calls. The mic is one of the worst we've seen, and you'll just frustrate yourself and the person on the other end. Also, if you want a rich, detailed sound out of the box, look elsewhere because these require a lot of EQ tweaking just to sound okay.
Verdict
These are for the Sony loyalist on a strict budget who just wants a super lightweight, no-frills pair of earbuds for solo listening. If your main priority is comfort and you don't care about taking calls or having the best sound, they'll do the trick. For everyone else, there are much better options out there.
