Sony WF-C710N Review: Improved Noise-Cancelling Is A Value Marvel

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Need-to-knows

• The best noise-cancelling earbuds for under $120
• 30 hours of battery life makes them truly all-day buds
• New design makes touch controls easier to use
• Solid overall sound quality with brilliant bass

I’ve been using the WF-C710N earbuds for a week now and there isn’t much to say other than wow, you get a lot for your money here. The predecessor WF-C700N earbuds were known for delivering great sound quality and noise cancelling for less than $120/£100, but were due an update. And now it’s here.

The WF-C710N earbuds bring a tweaked design, better noise-cancelling and a familiar audio profile, but how big of an update is it? And are they still the value kings? I cover it all in my full review below, so let’s get into it!

How I reviewed the Sony WF-C710N earbuds

I wore the WF-C710N earbuds for a week, using them as my main earbuds for work and leisure. I took video calls using them, phone calls outside and listened to music and podcasts in a variety of environments, including the London Underground.

I also use them whilst working out in the gym and when running to test suitability for exercise. They’ve been with me everywhere I’ve gone!

Noise-cancelling: better than the WF-C700N

I’m going to start this review by talking about the noise-cancelling capabilities of the WF-C710N which might seem strange as you’re probably most interested in the sound quality. But I have a good reason; the noise-cancelling on these earbuds is the thing Sony has most improved since the WF-C700N.

And that is impressive in itself because the noise-cancelling was already good on those earbuds. Now it’s even better and considerably so, I would say. The Dual Noise Sensor technology, which makes use of two external microphones in each earbud, is largely responsible for this improvement.

It’s hard to describe the difference using words but I live in London and use the Underground regularly. If you’ve ever been on the Underground, you’ll know that it often screetches as it goes round a bend. The WF-C700N took the edge off of the high-pitched noises, but the WF-C710N dampens them much more effectively to the point that they sound like background noises.

Is it the best noise-cancelling I’ve used for under $120/£100? Just about. It’s close between these and the Redmi Buds Pro 6, but the WF-C710N take it.

Sound quality: if it ain’t broke…

To my ears, the WF-C710N earbuds sound the same as their predecessors. I’ve worn them side by side and listened to the same songs/podcasts and can’t really pick up on any major differences.

And that makes sense. The WF-C710N use the same 5mm driver and sound enhancement software as before. Don’t take this the wrong way, though, it’s a good thing. It means that the sound quality remains the best out there in this price range.

They have a well-rounded and dynamic 20-20,000Hz range, but the bass is where the WF-C710N excels. It’s incredibly punchy and crisp and never feels like it’s getting too murky or overpowering. The drivers inside the WF-C710N can handle low rumbling undertones or deliver short intervals of shuddering booms with equal assurance. 

The rest of the frequency range is dealt with well, too. Top-end sounds are rarely tinny or distorted, and the mids are as detailed as you can expect for this money. I’m not going to get into technicalities here; no one buying these earbuds cares that much about the intricacies of sound design. You’re just after an affordable but highly capable pair of earbuds. 

Well, it’s good news if that is you; these earbuds offer the best sound quality for this price. It’s that simple.

Design: one minor change makes a difference

I liked the design of the WF-C700N and it remains largely the same for the WF-C710N.

The stemless, rounded shape is still my preference as it reduces wind noise and fits perfectly in the curvature of most ears. They are quite chunky and those with smaller ears might find them slightly too big, but for most people, it’s fine.

Touch controls remain, which you’ll know, if you’ve ever read my reviews before, is my biggest pet peeve for earbuds and headphones. I much prefer mechanical buttons because they provide you with a sense of surety; you know when and how many times you’ve pressed a button. It’s especially important when you’re exercising and don’t have as much precision as when stationary.

But the new slightly concave shape to the exterior of the WF-C710N is a genuinely useful upgrade. It means that your finger is directed into the right spot automatically and you can find it easily, even when on the move.

It’s a minor change but one I wholeheartedly appreciate as my quest to learn to love touch controls goes on.

In other news, Sony has added two new colourways on top of Black and White; Pink and Glass Blue. That blue one is see-through for those wondering and it is very cool. JLab did it earlier this year with their G0 Pop ANC earbuds which came in a range of see-through colours.

I love this new trend as it harkens back to the Y2K era when tech looked ‘futuristic’ for the sake of it. I distinctly remember having a see-through Tamagotchi (anyone else?). Sony, JLAB and Nothing, you’re twenty years late to the party.

Battery life, call quality and case: two stars and a wish

The battery life of the WF-C710N is impressive if not mind-blowing. You get 8.5 hours in the earbuds and a further 21.5 hours with the case giving you 30 hours overall. In my usage during normal work days, you easily get a full day out of them which is really all you need.

And I can confirm that Sony’s claim that five minutes of charging gives you an hour of play time rings true (although it’s more like ten minutes). This surpasses the JLab Go Pop ANC earbuds which impressed me with their 24 hours of total listening time.

The microphone is good too. Again, nothing particularly revolutionary but on calls I’ve tested outdoors, the microphone gives a clear enough representation of your voice and Sony’s noise reduction algorithm does a good job of dampening wind noise. It’s perfectly fine for everyday use.

My one minor niggle with the WF-C710N is the case. It is fairly large compared to competitors like AirPods, for example, or (yes, I’m mentioning them again) the tiny JLab Go Pop ANC. The case is larger to accommodate the larger design of the earbuds which is fair enough, they just feel a bit chunky in my pocket. I’m splitting hairs here, though, it’s still perfectly pocketable.

Ambient Sound mode

I’ll be honest, I rarely use Ambient Sound mode on any earbuds. I just don’t think it is ever that useful or frankly good enough to do an effective job. The old WF-C700N fell into that category. The ambient mode was there but not very good.

For the uninitiated, ambient sound modes allow you to hear the outside world whilst still listening to your music. It’s a sort of weird reconstructed version of reality that the earbuds replay to you mixed in with whatever you’re listening to.

I’m happy to report that the WF-C710N has improved a lot on ambient sound. For a start, the volume of external sounds is much higher this time around so you actually hear them above your music. Not only that, the sounds are far crisper than before too, meaning you can more clearly make out what you’re hearing. In particular, voices are much easier to pick out.

It all adds up to a much more coherent and, yes, useful experience. I could actually use the WF-C710N in ambient mode if I wanted to and get something out of it. It’s the best ambient mode (I’m going to say it again!) at this price point.

Conclusion: The best value earbuds ever?

I’ve tested a lot of mid-range to budget earbuds in the last 12 months and I can say that the Sony WF-C710N are the best earbuds under $120/£100. You won’t find the same combination of great sound quality, stellar noise-cancelling and solid ambient sound anywhere else for this money.

Are they the best value earbuds I’ve ever used? It’s very close, but I think they come in just underneath the JLab Go Pop ANC which costs a ridiculously low $30/£40 and do a good all-round job. But, the WF-C710N sound definitively better than those earbuds and has more effective noise cancelling. There’s a lot to like with Sony that you don’t get with the Go Pop ANC, like automatic ear detection which stops a track if you take an earbud out.

If you can stretch to the $119/£99 for the Sonys, then just do it. They’re a marvel for what you pay.