Yes—the Sony WF-C510 remains an excellent buy at £28, provided you do not need active noise cancellation. What Hi-Fi? says the compact wireless earbuds still deliver the most engaging sound it has heard at this price, and they have now won a third consecutive What Hi-Fi? Award. The £28 Amazon deal was recorded on 15 October 2026, reduced from £55, so price and stock may change.
What makes the WF-C510 worth buying after two years?
What Hi-Fi? first reviewed the Sony WF-C510 in September 2024. After two years, its assessment is unchanged: no rival tested at the same budget has matched the Sony’s combination of musical sound, comfort, small dimensions and battery life.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
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Sony WF-C510 Truly Wireless Bluetooth Earbud Headphones, White | $48.00 | Buy on Amazon |
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Sony WF-C510 Truly Wireless Bluetooth Earbud Headphones, Butter Yellow | $68.00 | Buy on Amazon |
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The earbuds are tuned for enjoyment rather than clinical analysis. What Hi-Fi? describes their presentation as fun, engaging and rhythmic, with enough timing control to keep complicated recordings coherent. Its review says: “You can tell the WF-C510 are part of the Sony family, such is their musicality and rhythmic ability – even complex pieces of music don’t unravel and their sense of timing and ability to just get into the groove of a song works with any music you play through them.”
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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →That consistency is the reason the model has collected its third consecutive What Hi-Fi? Award. The award recognises performance in its price category; it is not a guarantee that every listener will prefer the Sony’s sound or that the earbuds are the best choice for every feature checklist.
#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.
Price and what the current deal means
| Item | Figure reported by What Hi-Fi? | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Current WF-C510 price | £28 | Amazon deal reported on 15 October 2026; price and stock are time-sensitive |
| Previous price | £55 | Used as the comparison price in the article’s deal panel |
| Advertised saving | 49% | Calculated in the 2026 deal panel |
At £28, the WF-C510 is competing with entry-level true wireless earbuds, yet its award-winning sound is the same reason What Hi-Fi? continues to recommend it. Check the live listing before paying: promotional pricing can end, and availability can differ by seller and region.
Battery life for commuting and everyday use
Sony rates the earbuds for 11 hours on a charge. The charging case provides another 11 hours, giving 22 hours of stated listening across the earbuds and case. What Hi-Fi?’s writer says that combination lasted several days in normal use. That is an editorial usage observation, not a controlled endurance test, so playback volume, codec, call time and other settings will affect your result.
Comfort and design
The WF-C510 has a compact shape that What Hi-Fi? describes as supremely comfortable, including during extended listening. Their small footprint makes them practical for work, travel and long sessions when larger earbuds become tiring. Comfort still depends on ear shape and tip fit, so a secure seal is worth checking before judging bass or isolation.
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Features you get—and the one major omission
- Bluetooth Multipoint: switch between two paired devices without repeatedly disconnecting and reconnecting.
- Independent-bud listening: use either earbud on its own when you need to keep one ear open.
- Ambient Sound Control: let surrounding sound through when awareness matters.
- IPX4 water resistance: protection suited to splashes and light workout exposure, not submersion.
- No active noise cancellation: the earbuds do not electronically reduce external noise.
The missing ANC is the central compromise. Passive sealing and Ambient Sound Control can help in ordinary environments, but frequent flyers, train commuters and office users seeking a quieter background should consider a model with active cancellation instead.
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.
WF-C510 versus the step-up WF-C710N
Sony’s WF-C710N is the named upgrade for buyers who prioritise higher-end sound and additional features. In the 2026 article’s context, it costs more than twice as much as the discounted WF-C510. The cheaper model therefore makes the most sense when value, comfort and musicality matter more than ANC.
| Consideration | WF-C510 | WF-C710N |
|---|---|---|
| Position | Affordable, simple true wireless earbuds | Step-up Sony option |
| Sound priority | Fun, engaging and rhythmic presentation praised by What Hi-Fi? | Named for buyers seeking a sound-quality step-up |
| Active noise cancellation | No | Not stated in the supplied 2026 comparison |
| Price context | £28 deal, down from £55 on 15 October 2026 | More than double the WF-C510 in the article’s context |
| Value case | Strongest when you want performance without extra cost | Justified only if the upgrade priorities matter to you |
How the WF-C510 fits Sony’s budget-earbud history
The WF-C510 follows the WF-C500, which What Hi-Fi? tested at £89, $79 and AU$149 and named a 2023 What Hi-Fi? Awards winner. The earlier verdict called the C500’s compromises sensible and said it was a genuine competitor in the budget true wireless arena. The C510 carries that value-focused approach forward while retaining the traits What Hi-Fi? considers most important: coherent musical timing, comfort and practical battery life.
Who should buy the WF-C510?
- Buy it if you want lively, musical sound at the lowest price possible.
- Buy it if long-wearing comfort and a compact design are priorities.
- Buy it if 11-hour earbud endurance and Multipoint cover your routine.
- Skip it if active noise cancellation is essential for planes, trains or a noisy workplace.
- Look at the WF-C710N if you are willing to spend more than twice as much for a step-up experience.
What two years of use does—and does not—prove
What Hi-Fi?’s continued recommendation reflects extended editorial use and the fact that the earbuds remain competitive against newer budget models. It does not establish a laboratory durability score, a failure rate or a measured decline in battery capacity. Individual lifespan will depend on charging habits, sweat and water exposure, storage and daily use.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →For the specific £28 offer reported on 15 October 2026, the buying decision is straightforward: accept the lack of ANC and you get unusually capable sound, dependable stated battery life and useful everyday features for very little money. Confirm the live price and stock before ordering.
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.
