If you're looking to buy a pair of true wireless headphones, you'll see an overwhelming number of recommendations for the Sony WF-1000XM4. In the five years since they launched, they have become a go-to for anyone looking for some of the best noise-cancelling in-ears you can buy.
However, not everyone wants to spend their $200/£200 asking price, and if you have been looking for something cheaper, Sony has just launched a pair of headphones that may be of interest. They are the WF-C700N and replace 2021's WF-C500N, aiming to deliver a lot of what we love in the flagship buds for half the price.
Can they bring the sort of quality we expect from Sony's earbuds to a lower price bracket without too many compromises? We've been testing them to find out.
For their price, the WF-C700N offer up an appealing balance of attractive design, good features and a well-judged sound, but miss out on build quality.
Sony WF-C700N Truly Wireless Headphones Review
The Sony WF-C700N Truly Wireless are entry-level noise cancelling earbuds. Aside from their active noise cancellation (ANC) feature, which cuts out background noise to help you focus on your music, these buds have much in common with the Sony WF-C500 Truly Wireless. They have the same sleek design and lightweight build well-suited for commuters and casual listeners. They're also rated IPX4 for protection against water splashes, making them durable enough for brisk jogs and hikes outside.
Sony’s budget wireless earbuds are a good value with inevitable compromises
The WF-C700N earbuds fit great, sound decent, and offer plenty of software tricks. But even within Sony’s own lineup, you might have better options.
Sony WF-C700N review
Sony’s wireless earbuds combine comfort, ANC and sensational sound quality Tested at £100 / $120 / AU$200
Sony adds yet another pair of excellent-sounding wireless earbuds to this super-competitive sector. For the money, their spread of abilities makes them a no-brainer
Where do you go when you’re a manufacturer with a great pair of budget wireless earbuds and an excellent premium pair? Well, if you’re Sony, you try and plug the gap between and cover every base, which is exactly what it’s done with the new WF-C700N.
These affordable in-ears sit right between the entry-level WF-C500, and the premium WF-1000XM4. And if they can justify their position they could very well be the sweet spot for anyone looking to dip their toe (or should that be ear?) into the world of noise-cancelling wireless earbuds.
ony’s WF-C700N earbuds give you a lot for their reasonable price of $119.99. That’s always been true of the company’s underrated entry-level wireless earbuds dating back to the corkscrew-like WF-XB700s in 2020, and Sony has gradually tacked on more features with each revision. The WF-C500 buds switched to a more conventional design and added support for Sony’s companion smartphone app. And a few weeks ago came the new WF-C700N earbuds, which bring noise cancellation to Sony’s budget tier for the first time.
But over the last several months, I’ve come to really enjoy Sony’s midrange LinkBuds S, which feel impossibly light and almost imperceptible in your ears. Can the C700N buds still stand out among the company’s own lineup?
However, not everyone wants to spend their $200/£200 asking price, and if you have been looking for something cheaper, Sony has just launched a pair of headphones that may be of interest. They are the WF-C700N and replace 2021's WF-C500N, aiming to deliver a lot of what we love in the flagship buds for half the price.
Can they bring the sort of quality we expect from Sony's earbuds to a lower price bracket without too many compromises? We've been testing them to find out.
For their price, the WF-C700N offer up an appealing balance of attractive design, good features and a well-judged sound, but miss out on build quality.
Sony WF-C700N Truly Wireless Headphones Review
The Sony WF-C700N Truly Wireless are entry-level noise cancelling earbuds. Aside from their active noise cancellation (ANC) feature, which cuts out background noise to help you focus on your music, these buds have much in common with the Sony WF-C500 Truly Wireless. They have the same sleek design and lightweight build well-suited for commuters and casual listeners. They're also rated IPX4 for protection against water splashes, making them durable enough for brisk jogs and hikes outside.
Sony’s budget wireless earbuds are a good value with inevitable compromises
The WF-C700N earbuds fit great, sound decent, and offer plenty of software tricks. But even within Sony’s own lineup, you might have better options.
Sony WF-C700N review
Sony’s wireless earbuds combine comfort, ANC and sensational sound quality Tested at £100 / $120 / AU$200
Sony adds yet another pair of excellent-sounding wireless earbuds to this super-competitive sector. For the money, their spread of abilities makes them a no-brainer
Where do you go when you’re a manufacturer with a great pair of budget wireless earbuds and an excellent premium pair? Well, if you’re Sony, you try and plug the gap between and cover every base, which is exactly what it’s done with the new WF-C700N.
These affordable in-ears sit right between the entry-level WF-C500, and the premium WF-1000XM4. And if they can justify their position they could very well be the sweet spot for anyone looking to dip their toe (or should that be ear?) into the world of noise-cancelling wireless earbuds.
ony’s WF-C700N earbuds give you a lot for their reasonable price of $119.99. That’s always been true of the company’s underrated entry-level wireless earbuds dating back to the corkscrew-like WF-XB700s in 2020, and Sony has gradually tacked on more features with each revision. The WF-C500 buds switched to a more conventional design and added support for Sony’s companion smartphone app. And a few weeks ago came the new WF-C700N earbuds, which bring noise cancellation to Sony’s budget tier for the first time.
But over the last several months, I’ve come to really enjoy Sony’s midrange LinkBuds S, which feel impossibly light and almost imperceptible in your ears. Can the C700N buds still stand out among the company’s own lineup?
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