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Yes—the Sony WF-C510 are still worth considering at £28, provided you do not need active noise cancellation. What Hi-Fi? has given Sony’s compact true-wireless earbuds a third consecutive Award, citing lively, musical sound, all-day comfort and an 11-hour battery that remains unusually strong at this price. The reported Amazon deal, published 15 October 2026, cuts the price from £55 to £28 (49 percent); price, stock and award status can change.
What makes the WF-C510 stand out at £28?
The WF-C510 were first reviewed by What Hi-Fi? in September 2024. Two years later, the publication says no rival it has tested at this price has matched their combination of sound quality, comfort and practicality. Their advantage is not a long feature list: it is getting the fundamentals right without making the earbuds bulky or expensive.
- Sound: fun, engaging and musical, with a strong sense of rhythm and timing.
- Comfort: a compact design described as supremely comfortable for extended listening.
- Battery: 11 hours from the earbuds, plus another 11 hours from the charging case according to the 2026 article.
- Useful features: Bluetooth Multipoint, independent-bud listening, Ambient Sound Control and IPX4 water resistance.
- Main omission: there is no active noise cancellation (ANC).
What Hi-Fi? summarizes the listening experience this way: “We test them with a range of genres and the Sonys just go about their business.” That consistency matters more than a dramatic specification when earbuds are used for music, podcasts and calls every day.
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The WF-C510 are tuned for enjoyment rather than clinical analysis. What Hi-Fi? says they have the musicality and rhythmic ability associated with Sony’s family, while keeping complex pieces organized. The review’s fuller description is that “even complex pieces of music don’t unravel” and that the earbuds “just get into the groove of a song.”
#1 Best Overall
- ALL DAY COMFORT: Light and compact to give you all-day comfort and designed for the ideal fit, for an exceptional all-round listening experience.
- LONG BATTERY LIFE & QUICK CHARGING: Up to 11 hours of battery life (up to 22hrs with case) with quick charging (5 min charge for up to 1 hour of playback).
- MULTIPOINT CONNECTION: Quickly switch between two devices at once.
- STAY CONNECTED: Ambient Sound Mode keeps you aware of your surroundings.
- EASY HANDS- FREE CALLING: A built-in microphone provides you with hands-free calling. No need to even take your phone from your pocket.
That makes them a sensible choice for listeners who want energy and timing from pop, rock, electronic music and other rhythm-led genres. The Award is an editorial assessment, not a laboratory measurement, and the article does not provide frequency-response graphs or codec comparisons.
Battery life and everyday use
Sony rates the WF-C510 at 11 hours per charge. The case supplies another 11 hours, for a stated total of 22 hours before the case itself needs recharging. What Hi-Fi? says this was enough for several days of its normal use. That is an account of editorial use, not a controlled endurance or battery-degradation test.
Bluetooth Multipoint lets the earbuds maintain connections with two devices, which is useful when moving between a phone and a laptop. Independent-bud listening allows one earbud to be used while the other remains in the case. Ambient Sound Control provides an awareness mode for hearing surrounding sounds, while IPX4 water resistance is intended for splashes and sweat—not submersion or swimming.
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Rank #2
- ALL DAY COMFORT: Light and compact to give you all-day comfort and designed for the ideal fit, for an exceptional all-round listening experience.
- LONG BATTERY LIFE & QUICK CHARGING: Up to 11 hours of battery life (up to 22hrs with case) with quick charging (5 min charge for up to 1 hour of playback).
- MULTIPOINT CONNECTION: Quickly switch between two devices at once.
- STAY CONNECTED: Ambient Sound Mode keeps you aware of your surroundings.
- EASY HANDS- FREE CALLING: A built-in microphone provides you with hands-free calling. No need to even take your phone from your pocket.
What you give up: no ANC
The decisive compromise is the lack of active noise cancellation. In a quiet home or office, the WF-C510’s comfort and sound may matter more than ANC. On aircraft, trains or beside heavy traffic, an ANC-equipped model can reduce low-frequency background noise more effectively. Ambient Sound Control is an awareness feature; it does not cancel external noise.
WF-C510 versus Sony WF-C710N
What Hi-Fi? identifies the Sony WF-C710N as the named sound-quality step-up, but places it at more than twice the WF-C510’s price in the article’s context. The choice is therefore mainly about budget and priorities rather than a simple replacement.
| Factor | WF-C510 | WF-C710N |
|---|---|---|
| Deal context | £28 at Amazon, down from £55 on 15 October 2026 | More than twice the WF-C510 price in the article’s context |
| Sound | Fun, engaging and musical; praised for rhythm and timing | Named as the sound-quality step-up; specific measurements not stated |
| ANC | No active noise cancellation | Not stated in the cited article |
| Battery | 11 hours per charge; case adds another 11 hours | Not stated |
| Multipoint, comfort and water resistance | Multipoint, compact comfortable design and IPX4 | Not stated |
| Award history | Third consecutive What Hi-Fi? Award reported in 2026 | Not stated |
Choose the WF-C510 when value, comfort and musical sound are the priorities. Consider the WF-C710N when paying substantially more for the higher sound-quality tier is acceptable and its complete feature specification fits your needs.
Rank #3
- Note : If the size of the earbud tips does not match the size of your ear canals or the headset is not worn properly in your ears, you may not obtain the correct sound qualities or call performance. Change the earbud tips to ones that fit more snugly in your ear
- Long battery life of up to 25 hours
- DSEE restores high frequency sounds lost in compression
- Splash-proof and sweat-proof with an IPX4 rating
- Easier, clearer hands-free calling
How the WF-C510 fits Sony’s budget-earbud record
Sony’s previous WF-C500 was tested at £89, $79 and AU$149 and named a 2023 What Hi-Fi? Awards winner. Its verdict called the model a strong budget true-wireless competitor because of “sensible compromises.” The WF-C510 continues that approach at a lower current deal price: it omits ANC and concentrates spending on a small, comfortable body, dependable battery life and musical performance.
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- Buy the WF-C510 if you want inexpensive earbuds for long listening sessions, value battery life and prefer lively sound over a large feature set.
- Look beyond them if ANC is essential for commuting or travel, or if you need a documented specification that the 2026 article does not provide.
- Check the deal immediately before paying: £28 is a time-sensitive Amazon price, not a permanent list price, and availability can change.
Verdict
At the reported £28 price, the Sony WF-C510 remain an unusually convincing budget buy. Their third consecutive What Hi-Fi? Award reflects a rare balance: genuinely enjoyable, rhythmic sound; a small and comfortable fit; Multipoint and independent-bud flexibility; IPX4 protection; and 11-hour earbud endurance. The absence of ANC is the clear reason not to choose them, but for listeners who can live without it, two years of continued editorial recognition suggests the WF-C510 have not been overtaken at this price.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
