Sony WI-SP500

Decent sound and a genuinely useful open design, but micro-USB charging and a fragile port make this feel like a clearance-bin relic. Buy it only if you need ambient awareness on a budget.

The open-type drivers are the whole story here. They don't seal your ear canal, so you get a light, airy sound that's actually pretty pleasant for podcasts and casual listening. Bass is weak, which is expected, but vocals come through clear. The 8-hour battery is fine on paper, but it lands in the 12th percentile of our database, which means it's basically a relic compared to modern buds pushing 30+ hours with the case. The IPX4 rating is fine for sweat, but the micro-USB charging port is a durability time bomb. Multiple owners report it breaking within weeks.

The Soundcore P31i costs about the same and gives you a charging case, better battery, and a more secure fit. The JLab JBuds Pods ANC adds active noise cancellation for a few bucks more, though that defeats the purpose of the open design. If you specifically want to hear your surroundings while running, the Sony is actually a reasonable choice, but the Nothing Ear (3) and Galaxy Buds3 Pro both offer transparency modes that do the same thing with far better overall quality. You're paying for the open design, not the tech.

At $39, you're not risking much, but you're also not getting much. The sound is decent and the open design is genuinely useful for runners, but the micro-USB port and durability complaints make this feel like a gamble. If you can find them for $25 or less, sure. Otherwise, save your money.

The Sony WI-SP500 is a weird little time capsule. It's a wireless neckband-style earbud from an era when 'sports headphones' meant 'you can still hear traffic,' and honestly, that open design is the only reason to consider these in 2024. The sound is surprisingly decent for the price, but everything else feels like Sony clearing out old inventory.

If you want earbuds for commuting, office use, or anything involving calls, skip these. The open design means you'll hear everything around you, the mic is weak, and Zoom compatibility is spotty. Get the Soundcore P31i or JLab JBuds Pods ANC instead. If you just want good sound for the money, these aren't it either.

The WI-SP500 is a one-trick pony, and that trick is 'hear your surroundings while listening to music.' If that's exactly what you need for outdoor workouts, it's a passable $39 purchase. For everyone else, there are better earbuds at this price with modern charging, better battery, and fewer durability complaints. The charging port issue alone should give you pause.