Earbuds have come a long way since the iPod was released in the early ’00s. Thankfully, the audio quality has improved significantly since then. Gone are the days of tinny, treble-laden buds tethered to tangled cords, with improved audio and excellent wireless options.
Among many options, you have the contested king of the hill, Sony. It’s easy to see — or hear — why. Sony buds have style, performance, and, yes, even affordability. But what are the best Sony earbuds? Some will give you excellent ANC, impressive bass, or long battery life, while other picks perform well in every category without excelling in any. Whatever your preferences, you’ll find a pair that’ll hit the right note and budget.
The WF-C700N is Sony’s workhorse, and we’re clearly fans. After all, it does everything a pair of earbuds should, and at a price that’s easy to swallow. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a reputable brand delivering buds ready for any scenario, especially if you lead an active lifestyle. Unlike more premium options with larger drivers and general bulk, the WF-C700N sports a lighter, more ergonomic fit, perfect for runners and cyclists. And its IPX4 material is sweat and splash-resistant. So, go to the gym. Do some weights. Ride that elliptical. These earbuds won’t sweat it.
Commuters will like the WF-C700N earbuds’ active noise-cancellation. With just one push of a button, the ANC activates. You can also toggle between ANC and ambient noise adjustment in case you need to be aware of the surroundings. But does the ANC work as well as the flagship WF-1000XM5? No, but the price difference makes such a contrast negligible. Honestly, it’ll be more than adequate for the average wearer. Because whether on the bus or the subway, these earbuds effortlessly quiet the world around you. You can enjoy some tunes or the next chapter in your audiobook. Just make sure the earbuds are nice and snug so the sound doesn’t leak through.
The overall sound does not disappoint, and you can always tailor your settings via the Sony’s Headphones Connect app. Compressed music files like MP3 or AAC are also enhanced through Sony’s digital sound enhancement engine (DSEE), which can be turned off if it’s not your thing.
The WF-C500 may be an older model, but don’t let that stop you. You’ll often find it cheaper than the WF-C700N, so they’re worth checking out. But how different are these two earbuds? First, the size. While not as compact as the WF-C700N, the C500 still has an ergonomic design and comes with three pairs of ear tips to ensure a cozy fit.
Speaking of cozy, the charger is on the smaller side, which makes it perfect for backpacks and suitcases. It’s also IPX4 waterproof, so sweat and rainy day runs shouldn’t be a problem. Just don’t plan to take these buds out for any lap swimming — IPX4-rated headsets shouldn’t be submerged.
Regarding audio quality, the C500 and C700N share some of the same features, like Sony’s DSEE and an overall clean sound. They both also use Sony’s Headphones Connect app for fine-tuning your preferences. However, the C500 misses out on the active noise-cancellation, which is expected in the sub $100 range, although other companies are making active noise cancellation a standard for newer models, even in the more budget-friendly price range. And since the C500 doesn’t use ANC, you get 2.5 hours added to the battery life — not a bad trade-off.
Sony’s 1000X series has been our flagship favorite for some time, and the WF-1000XM5 is no exception. Somehow, Sony always manages to build upon the last generation, adding impressive albeit subtle tweaks for the discerning listener. Take the new Dynamic Driver X, for instance. Does it make a difference? Fancy jargon aside, the 8.4mm drivers significantly improved XM4’s 6mm drivers, which also sounded terrific. And you’d be right to think that these new drivers and the updated ANC would increase the size. But actually, the XM5 is smaller and lighter than its predecessor. Kudos, Sony.
Sony’s Headphone App lets you manage everything from firmware updates to general EQ settings and the Adaptive Sound Control. A particularly helpful feature is the Speak-To-Chat, which pauses whatever media when you start your phone call. Outside the Headphone app, the XM5 has other helpful tools like Alexa and Google Assistant compatibility. You could say that the software on the XM5 is just as impressive as the hardware.
If you’re only buying these headphones for the noise cancellation, there are cheaper options that are probably just as effective. And honestly, no set of earbuds is ever going to outperform a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones. That said, the ANC is a welcome bonus to these audiophile-level earbuds.
The Sony Inzone True Wireless Gaming Earbuds, one of two earbud offerings from Sony made with gamers in mind, are an easy pick. These buds utilize Sony’s noise cancellation tech to keep environmental noises hushed while you’re mid-match. Engage passive noise cancellation for a more aware listening experience, or switch to active noise cancellation to dull outside distractions.
This isn’t a perfect set for every user, given its niche appeal. The dongle will prove to be useless to non-players, and the microphone quality may be underwhelming, so gamers who frequently play co-op or stream may need to rely on an external mic or look for different options. But the Inzones are supported with excellent peripheral software both on the smartphone and on PC setups, where you can customize the spatial sound software to your ear shape, or use acoustic feedback to create a perfectly-equalized unique sound profile for you.
The Inzone buds offer 12 hours of battery life in the buds, or 24 hours with the case included. Eager to get back into the boss fight? Enjoy quick charging on these buds — just five minutes in the case will add an hour of playback time to the buds. Get back in the game in no time.
It’s true that Sony’s flagship, the WF-1000XM5, offers noise cancellation, but it’s also more expensive. So, if you’re looking for an easier-to-swallow price tag and some solid ANC, the LinkBuds S is a better pick. As our review notes, the LinkBuds’ noise cancellation effectively filters out ambient noise, so you can enjoy some quiet during commutes or plane rides. Will it filter out everything? If someone on the subway tries starting a convo with you, it’ll be hard not to notice. Still, everyday din will be reduced to a minimum.
Like Sony’s other wireless earbuds, the LinkBuds resist sweat and water splashes, so wear them to the gym or on your morning run. And if you’re a city mouse wondering if you’ll notice that the Tesla is speeding along the crosswalk, the LinkBuds use Adaptive Sound Control. Simply adjust the settings in Sony’s Headphones Connect app, and you’ll be able to listen to your tunes in any environment safely.
The sound production on the LinkBuds isn’t XM5-level, yet its 5mm driver manages to create a pleasing listening experience. It’s bright, crisp, and clear, though low frequencies lack depth. This is to be expected at this price point, and it’s only noticeable among the most finicky of listeners. Above all, these buds offer quality ANC without breaking the bank.
Unlike its unnecessarily long and convoluted name, the Sony MDREX110AP is a simple, no-frills option. Not everyone needs the latest and greatest in tech. Sometimes, it’s nice just to have a reliable pair of buds. That’s where these beauties shine.
One of the earbuds’ best features is actually a feature that isn’t featured (say that three times fast) — a battery. No battery means no charging. Obviously, the MDREX110AP aren’t wireless — instead, you get a 4-foot cord that Sony advertises as “tangle-free.” Depending on your setup, you might need a headphone adapter for your phone or tablet, but that’s a small price to pay for limitless listening.
Will the audio quality blow you away? Honestly, it might. The bass on these earbuds is not to be overlooked, especially at this price range. The MDREX110AP packs a bass punch reserved for EDM clubs and heavy metal concerts. It might be too much bass for certain listeners, though. They certainly don’t outperform Sony’s more premium lineup. However, their 9mm neodymium drivers promise a distortion-free listening experience. You even get a microphone for hands-free calls and Zoom meetings, and Android users will enjoy Smart Key app integration for expanded controls.
Let’s just say that these earbuds have earned their price tag.
Bone-conduction headphones have been a thing for some time now, and it’s easy to understand why. These listening devices, which sit on the upper cheekbone rather than in the ear canal, allow you to remain aware of the world while you go about your day, and make enjoying music more feasible for rigorous athletes like swimmers thanks to their easily-waterproof-able design.
You could say that Sony’s LinkBuds is an earbud alternative to the bone conduction variety, offering better overall sound with deeper mids and lows with their closer proximity to the eardrum. That said, if you expect these to produce the same level of fidelity as regular earbuds, you’ll be sorely disappointed.
The LinkBuds are for people who want to be ever present in their environment. And in that, they shine. Phone calls, podcasts, really anything that’s dialogue-heavy, sound distinct and clear. All the while, you’re engaged with your surroundings, always able to hear the world around you. Again, you sacrifice bass and general volume, but that’s the point of these earbuds. Besides, you can adjust the EQ through Sony’s Headphone App, and you’d be surprised at how much you can tweak. Athletes, parents, and city mice, who want general-purpose earbuds and not the key to an audiophile’s paradise, all have practical reasons for choosing LinkBuds over the more traditional variety.
It’s hard to find everyday earbuds that don’t cost an arm and a leg. Luckily, Sony makes a pair. The WI-C100 is a budget-friendly pick with some surprising perks, like its seriously long battery life — a whopping 25 hours. There aren’t many brands that bring that much juice to their buds sans a charging case. (Which, by the way, these buds don’t have. You’ll have to charge them the old-fashioned way.)
The tethered design makes the WI-C100 appealing to working professionals who frequently need to take an earbud out for phone calls or other interactions. Instead of keeping track of the removed bud, just let it dangle on its cord until you’re ready to tune the office back out. There aren’t many additional features save for hands-free calling and access to Sony’s Headphones App for EQ tinkering. But the IPX4 rating means you can shrug off the occasional drizzle or sweaty spin class, and the comfy neckband acts as a safety net should the buds fall out.
There’s no bass boost or anything about the sound that stands out, or fancy noise cancellation and ambient sound modes. However, the WI-C100 performs nicely for casual listeners, and it’s even equipped with Sony’s DSEE. Given its price tag, bargain hunters will be more than pleased with its performance.
Honestly, there’s no wrong pick on this list, but we have to defer to our top overall choice, the WF-C700N. Between its effective ANC and the ambient noise adjustments, there’s just so much Sony packs into these $120 (or less) earbuds. The lightweight, all-day fit is also a definite bonus. You won’t be disappointed if this is your first foray into earbuds.
Audiophiles and Sony aficionados may want to spend the extra cash and opt for the WF-1000XM5 earbuds. The new 8.4 drivers add a whole level of dynamic sound, and the ANC is as good as it gets on earbuds. Battery life is good, too. Our review notes that the battery life stretches to 12 hours with the ANC off.
Budget hunters who don’t want to surrender too much fidelity will appreciate the WF-C500 for its approachable sound and comfortable, ergonomic fit. You can often find these buds on sale, and even less than that if you buy them used. For under $100, you get a solid battery life, an intuitive app, and a balanced listening experience.
Establishing a definitive take on anything audio-related is nearly impossible because everyone’s experience with sound is inherently subjective. There will be those who want that heavy club-thumping bass, while others prefer clear highs and mids. Still, there are those of us who’d like a bit of everything. Thankfully, Sony caters to all these preferences, offering an ensemble of earbuds for any listener.
Maybe if we start telling people the brain is an app they will start using it!
