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Yes—but not every inexpensive Sony earbud has the same features. The WF-C700N is the budget model to choose when you want active noise cancellation (ANC) and two-device multipoint. It supports SBC and AAC Bluetooth audio, but not LDAC. Sony’s LinkBuds S (WF-LS900N) adds LDAC and LC3 alongside ANC and multipoint. The less expensive WF-C500 is a basic SBC/AAC model; its current Sony specification does not document ANC, multipoint or LDAC.
That makes the choice straightforward: buy the WF-C700N for affordable noise cancelling and device switching, LinkBuds S when LDAC is essential, and WF-C500 only when the lowest cost matters more than those features. Retail prices and stock vary by country and date, so compare current listings after choosing the feature set you need.
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Which Sony budget earbuds have each feature?
The table separates features that Sony explicitly lists from features that are not documented for a model. “Not documented” does not prove that a feature can never work; it means you should not buy that model expecting it without checking a current regional listing or manual.
| Model | Active noise cancellation | Two-device multipoint | Bluetooth codecs listed by Sony | Battery claim | Other stated details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WF-C700N | Yes; ambient sound and noise-cancelling modes are listed | Yes; Sony says it can stay connected to two devices simultaneously | SBC, AAC; LDAC is not supported | Up to 7.5 hours with noise cancelling on; up to 10 hours with it off | Bluetooth 5.2; IPX4 water resistance |
| LinkBuds S (WF-LS900N) | Yes | Yes; Sony product materials identify Multipoint Connection | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 | Exact runtime is not stated in the supplied specifications for this comparison | Broader codec support than WF-C700N |
| WF-C500 | Not documented in the checked Sony specification | Not documented in the checked Sony specification | SBC, AAC | Not stated in the checked specification used here | Low-cost baseline; do not assume ANC, multipoint or LDAC |
The WF-C700N and LinkBuds S are the feature models. The WF-C500 is a simpler design whose documented capabilities stop at the common SBC and AAC codecs.
#1 Best Overall
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Sony WF-C700N: the affordable ANC and multipoint option
What it actually supports
Sony lists ambient-sound and noise-cancelling functionality for the WF-C700N. Its maximum music playback figure is 7.5 hours with noise cancelling enabled or 10 hours with noise cancelling disabled. Those are Sony’s stated maximums, not independent laboratory measurements, and actual time changes with volume, calls, wireless interference and other settings.
The earbuds use Bluetooth 5.2 and are rated IPX4 for water resistance. IPX4 is intended for splashes and sweat; it is not a rating for submersion, swimming or rinsing the earbuds under a tap.
Multipoint on the WF-C700N
Sony’s product description says Multipoint Connection lets the earbuds pair with two devices simultaneously, such as a phone and a laptop. What Hi-Fi reports that multipoint arrived through a firmware update, so an older unit may need its software updated before the option appears or works reliably.
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“Connected to two devices” does not mean both streams play at once. It means the earbuds maintain links to both sources so you can move between them without manually disconnecting and pairing every time. The phone and computer still decide which audio gets priority when music, a call or a notification starts.
Codec limitation
The WF-C700N specification lists only SBC and AAC. What Hi-Fi also reports that aptX HD and LDAC are absent. If your phone is set to LDAC, it will fall back to a codec the earbuds support; changing a developer setting cannot add LDAC hardware support.
Rank #2
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- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Sony LinkBuds S: the step-up for LDAC
Codecs and noise cancelling
The LinkBuds S (model WF-LS900N) is the better match when higher-quality Bluetooth options are a deciding factor. Sony lists SBC, AAC, LDAC and LC3, as well as noise cancelling. LDAC can carry more audio data than SBC or AAC when the source phone and listening conditions allow it, while LC3 is associated with newer Bluetooth LE Audio implementations.
Codec availability is a system-wide negotiation. You need a source device that supports the codec, the codec enabled in that device’s Bluetooth settings, and a connection stable enough to sustain it. If any of those conditions fail, the earbuds use another supported codec. LDAC therefore improves your options; it does not guarantee a permanently higher-bitrate connection in every environment.
Multipoint
Sony’s product materials identify Multipoint Connection for the LinkBuds S. It is consequently the feature-rich choice for someone who wants both two-device switching and LDAC, provided the current firmware and the source devices support the relevant modes.
Sony WF-C500: what you get at the low end
Sony’s checked WF-C500 specification lists SBC and AAC audio formats. It does not document active noise cancelling, multipoint or LDAC. Treat that as a deliberate buying boundary: the WF-C500 can be a sensible low-cost pair for ordinary Bluetooth listening, but do not purchase it expecting the WF-C700N’s noise control or two-device behavior.
There is an important difference between “no feature listed” and “feature tested and found impossible.” Sony can revise regional pages, firmware and product bundles. Before ordering an older or refurbished WF-C500, check the exact model number and a current manual. Unless that documentation explicitly adds a feature, assume it is not included.
Rank #3
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- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
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- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
How much difference does the noise cancellation make?
ANC uses microphones and signal processing to reduce external sound, especially steady low-frequency noise such as an aircraft or train engine. Sony documents ANC on the WF-C700N and LinkBuds S, but the supplied specifications do not provide a standardized attenuation figure or an independent comparison between the models.
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What “high-quality codec” means here
SBC
SBC is the baseline Bluetooth audio codec and is supported by all three models in this comparison. It is broadly compatible, but it is not the reason to buy a premium phone or a higher-tier earbud.
AAC
AAC is also listed for all three models. It is commonly used by phones and tablets and can sound very good at ordinary listening settings. The exact result depends on the phone’s encoder, connection quality and the recording itself, so a codec label alone cannot predict audible quality.
LDAC
LDAC is listed for LinkBuds S but not WF-C700N or WF-C500. It is the key dividing line in this range. Choose LinkBuds S if you specifically need LDAC from a compatible source device; do not assume that an Android setting or a firmware update can provide it on the WF-C700N or WF-C500.
Rank #4
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LC3
LC3 appears in Sony’s LinkBuds S specification. Support in the earbuds does not automatically mean every phone, computer or music app will use it. The source must support the relevant Bluetooth LE Audio profile, and operating-system support can vary by device and version.
How to set up multipoint without losing the first device
Use this general sequence for a WF-C700N or LinkBuds S. Menu names can differ slightly between Android, iOS, Windows and macOS, and Sony may change the companion-app label in a firmware release.
- Update first. Charge the earbuds, install Sony’s current headphone companion app, connect the earbuds to your primary phone and install any offered firmware update. This step is particularly important for the WF-C700N because multipoint was reported as a firmware-added feature.
- Pair the first device. Open the device’s Bluetooth settings, select the earbuds in the available-device list and complete pairing.
- Enable the two-device option. In the Sony app, open the connection or system settings and select the option for connecting to two devices simultaneously. If the option is absent, finish firmware updates and remove an old pairing before trying again.
- Pair the second device. With the first device still connected, put the earbuds into Bluetooth pairing mode, open the second device’s Bluetooth settings and select the same earbud name.
- Test switching. Pause audio on one device, start a short track or video on the other, then place a test call. This confirms that both links remain active and shows which device takes priority for calls.
Multipoint is not the same as multi-source mixing. If both devices send audio simultaneously, one stream may pause, duck or take priority according to the operating system and the app.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Battery, fit and durability considerations
For the WF-C700N, Sony’s 7.5-hour figure applies with ANC on and the 10-hour figure applies with ANC off. Because ANC consumes additional power, the shorter number is the one to use when planning long commutes. The figures describe maximum music playback for the earbuds; they do not state a total charging-case duration in the specifications cited here.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFit affects both comfort and ANC. Try the supplied ear-tip sizes and choose the smallest size that seals without pressure. A loose seal reduces passive isolation and makes ANC seem weak; an overly large tip can create discomfort and a blocked-ear sensation. IPX4 on the WF-C700N protects against splashes, not immersion. Keep any of these earbuds away from swimming, shower spray and charging while wet.
Best Value
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- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
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Which model should you buy?
Choose WF-C700N when ANC and multipoint matter most
Pick the WF-C700N if you want Sony’s documented combination of active noise cancelling, ambient sound, two-device connection and a relatively low entry point. SBC and AAC are sufficient for ordinary streaming, calls and video. The trade-off is clear: there is no LDAC, aptX HD or other documented high-bitrate codec.
Choose LinkBuds S when LDAC is a requirement
Choose LinkBuds S when your phone supports LDAC and you want that codec in addition to ANC and multipoint. It is the technically broader option, with SBC, AAC, LDAC and LC3 listed by Sony. Confirm that your source device and operating system can actually select LDAC or LE Audio before paying extra for the capability.
Choose WF-C500 only for a basic, low-cost setup
WF-C500 is appropriate when minimizing purchase cost is the main goal and ANC, two-device switching and LDAC are optional. Its documented codec support is SBC and AAC. If any of the three missing features would disappoint you later, move up to the WF-C700N rather than assuming a sale listing has added them.
Price, availability and firmware checks
No single “cheap Sony earbuds” price applies worldwide. Retail pricing, discontinued-stock discounts, refurbished units and included accessories vary by country and date. The models also have different firmware histories, particularly around WF-C700N multipoint. Check the exact model number, the seller’s region, the return policy and the current Sony specification before ordering.
- Confirm that the listing says WF-C700N, WF-LS900N/LinkBuds S or WF-C500; similar names are not interchangeable.
- For WF-C700N, verify that the earbuds can receive the firmware update needed for multipoint.
- For LDAC, verify both the source phone and the earbud model; WF-C700N and WF-C500 do not list LDAC.
- For ANC, look for an explicit noise-cancelling specification rather than a vague claim about “noise reduction,” which can refer only to call microphones.
- For used or open-box units, check battery condition and whether the charging case and correct ear tips are included.
Bottom line
The WF-C700N is the practical budget answer for Sony ANC and multipoint, provided SBC/AAC streaming is enough. LinkBuds S is the upgrade when LDAC or LC3 is part of your requirements. WF-C500 remains the basic SBC/AAC choice and should be treated as having none of the three headline extras unless a current model-specific document says otherwise.
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.
