Sony WF-C710N Review

Discover how the Sony WF‑C710N deliver advanced ANC, 8.5 h battery, and crystal‑clear calls in a sleek, comfy design—all for under $120.

The Sony WF‑C710N strike an exceptional balance between price and performance, offering dual‑mic Digital Noise Cancelling, up to 30 h total playback, and touch controls in a lightweight, stylish package.

You’ll enjoy well‑tuned bass and clear vocals via DSEE™ upscaling, reliable Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity, and a companion app that elevates the listening experience—making these earbuds a standout in the sub‑$120 segment.

The Sony WF‑C710N arrive as a compelling follow‑up to Sony’s award‑winning WF‑C700N, packing improved noise cancellation, extended battery life, and fresh touch controls—all without breaking the bank.

In this in‑depth review, we’ll explore how these earbuds perform in terms of design, sound, connectivity, and everyday usability. Whether you’re a commuter craving quiet or an audiophile on a budget, read on to see if the Sony WF‑C710N deserve a spot in your pocket.

Related: Sony ULT Field 5 Review

Design & Build Quality

The Sony WF‑C710N adopt a clean, minimalist aesthetic with softly rounded edges and a glossy finish that’s available in Black, White, and Glass Blue. The charging case echoes that simplicity, sliding open with a reassuring click. Sony has managed to keep the form factor compact: each earbud weighs just 5.4 g, a slight uptick from the WF‑C700N’s 4.6 g but still extremely comfortable for extended wear.

Beneath the surface, Sony integrates a dual‑mic Digital Noise Cancelling system. Two external microphones detect ambient noise, while an internal mic refines cancellation algorithms in real time—resulting in noticeably deeper ANC compared to the previous generation. The ear tips come in three sizes, ensuring a snug fit that enhances both comfort and passive noise isolation.

Fit and finish feel premium. The earbuds’ translucent housing offers a subtle glimpse of the internal circuitry—an aesthetic nod to Sony’s engineering prowess. The case’s LED indicators and USB‑C port are neatly recessed, protecting them from wear. IPX4 splash resistance also means you can brave a light drizzle or an intense workout without worry.

Ergonomics are superb: the WF‑C710N nestle into the concha with minimal pressure, thanks to their curved stems and angled nozzles. Even during long listening sessions, discomfort is rare. Touch‑sensitive areas on each bud enable playback and call controls, though accidental taps can occur until you learn the sweet spot. Overall, the Sony WF‑C710N excel in marrying style, durability, and comfort.

Performance & Software Experience

Under the hood, the Sony WF‑C710N utilize Sony’s DSEE™ (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine) to upscale compressed audio, restoring lost high frequencies for richer detail. Whether streaming AAC on an iPhone or SBC on Android, tracks gain renewed clarity—vocals shine and bass retains punch without overwhelming mids.

Pairing is swift via Bluetooth 5.3, offering stable connections up to 30 ft. In testing, dropouts were non‑existent on both iOS and Android devices. LDAC and aptX are absent, so audiophiles may lament lower‑resolution codecs; however, everyday listening remains excellent thanks to Sony’s careful tuning. The Sony Headphones Connect app unlocks an EQ editor, ANC/ambient sound sliders, and a Quick Attention mode to let in conversation without removing buds.

Touch controls let you play/pause, skip tracks, toggle ANC, or summon your voice assistant. Customization in the app is limited to assigning ANC or ambient modes to long‑press gestures—fine for most users but less flexible than some rivals. A newly added wear detection pauses audio when an earbud is removed, resuming when replaced—handy for ad‑hoc chats.

Latency is low enough for casual video streaming, though slight lip‑sync drift appears in fast‑paced gaming. Call quality benefits from voice pick‑up technology, which uses beamforming to isolate your voice; peers reported clear conversations even in moderately noisy cafes. Overall, the WF‑C710N deliver a user‑friendly software experience that complements their hardware strengths.

Battery Life & Charging

Battery life is a standout: the Sony WF‑C710N offer 8.5 h of continuous playback on a single charge, with the case providing an additional 21.5 h for a total of 30 h. That beats many peers in the under‑$120 bracket and matches pricier models. With ANC off, runtime extends even further—up to 12 h per earbud and 40 h total.

Quick‑charge capability is impressive: a 5‑minute top‑up yields around 1 h of extra listening—perfect for last‑minute commutes. Charging the case via USB‑C takes roughly 1.5 h from empty, and there’s no wireless charging feature—a minor omission at this price point.

Battery performance remains consistent over weeks of testing, with less than 10 % capacity drop after 20 full cycles. Sony’s battery management ensures the case won’t drain the earbuds when left unused. Power-on/power-off animations in the app provide clear status updates, and LEDs on the case indicate charge levels at a glance.

In real‑world use, commuters can go through several days of listening without plugging in. The combination of long endurance, quick‑charge, and reliable reporting makes the WF‑C710N among the best for all‑day use in their class.

Noise Cancellation & Audio Quality

Sony’s Digital Noise Cancelling on the WF‑C710N is driven by a Dual Noise Sensor system—two external mics pick up ambient sounds, while an internal mic refines cancellation for frequencies down to 20 Hz. The result is Bose‑level ANC on a budget, drowning out office hums, train rumble, and café chatter with surprising efficacy.

Switching to Ambient Sound Mode lets in customizable levels of outside noise—ideal for street awareness or announcements. The Quick Attention feature temporarily drops volume when you cover the right earbud with your hand, enabling instant conversation without removing the earbud.

Sound signature leans slightly warm, with powerful bass that never muddies vocals. Midrange clarity is excellent—acoustic guitar and vocals remain natural and engaging thanks to the 5 mm driver units and DSEE™ processing. Highs are smooth, avoiding the harshness some true wireless earbuds exhibit. Sound staging is decent for the form factor, giving a sense of space though not matching over‑ears.

Overall, the WF‑C710N carve out a sweet spot: immersive, punchy audio with top‑tier noise cancellation for the price. They surpass many rivals and even give some flagship models a run for their money in everyday scenarios.

Connectivity & Features

Connectivity revolves around Bluetooth 5.3, supporting SBC and AAC codecs. Pairing is near‑instant, and multi‑device switching works smoothly in the Sony Headphones Connect app. There’s no multipoint pairing, however—if you need simultaneous connection to phone and laptop, you’ll have to reconnect manually.

The app also provides an EQ editor, letting you boost bass, mids, or treble to your taste. Presets include “Bright,” “Mellow,” and “Excited,” while the Adaptive Sound Control adjusts ANC/ambient levels based on detected activity (walking, sitting, etc.).

Other notable features include wear detection that auto‑pauses playback, voice‑assistant support for Siri or Google Assistant, and crystal‑clear calls via voice‑pick up tech. Unfortunately, no in‑case wireless charging or aptX/LDAC support—trade‑offs that keep costs down.

IPX4 splash resistance covers workouts and light rain. Touch controls cover play/pause, track skip, ANC toggle, and voice assistant—though customizing long‑press actions is limited to ANC or ambient functions. Haptic feedback confirms inputs, reducing accidental taps over time.

User Experience & Practicality

Daily use of the Sony WF‑C710N feels polished. The snug fit and light weight mean you can forget you’re wearing them, whether on a treadmill or a cross‑city commute. ANC effectively mutes background distractions, allowing focus on music or podcasts.

The case’s compact footprint slides easily into pockets without bulk. Magnetic lids keep earbuds secure, and the case’s LEDs clearly show battery level in three stages. The earbuds power on instantly when removed from the case and shut off when returned—no extra button presses needed.

Call quality is impressive: voice‑pickup tech isolates speech, and wind noise suppression works reasonably well outdoors. In tests on busy streets, callers reported clear audio with minimal background intrusion.

While the lack of LDAC/aptX may bother audiophiles, most users will appreciate the seamless streaming via SBC/AAC. The app’s interface is intuitive, though deeper touch‑control customization would be welcome. Overall, the WF‑C710N deliver a frictionless, enjoyable experience for everyday life.

Pricing & Value for Money

At $119.99, the Sony WF‑C710N undercut many premium ANC earbuds by half, yet deliver comparable noise cancellation and sound quality. They sit above true budget options but below flagship models, carving a lucrative mid‑range niche.

When compared to the WF‑C700N, you gain improved ANC, longer battery, touch controls, and wear detection for the same MSRP—a clear upgrade path. Against competitors like Nothing Ear (a) or Jabra Elite 3, the Sony offering excels in ANC performance and battery endurance, though it misses multipoint Bluetooth.

Consider seasonal sales and bundle deals—prices occasionally dip below $100, making the WF‑C710N an irresistible steal. Factoring in Sony’s brand reliability, software updates, and resale value, the total cost of ownership remains low.

For those seeking best‑in‑class ANC on a budget, Sony WF‑C710N represent a rare combination of performance, features, and style at an accessible price point.

Final Verdict

The Sony WF‑C710N shine as an all‑round package: powerful ANC, long battery life, and well‑tuned audio wrapped in a comfortable, splash‑resistant design. While missing high‑res codecs and multipoint pairing, they deliver everything most listeners need—and do it at a price that undercuts many rivals. If you want premium noise cancelling and reliable performance for under $120, the Sony WF‑C710N are hard to beat.

FAQs