Sony WF‑C710N Review: Premium ANC and Sound Under ₹9,000?

When Sony launched the WF‑C700N in India a couple of years ago, it gave budget-conscious buyers a decent ANC experience for around ₹6,000–7,000. But let’s be honest: users wanted more. Longer battery life, better sound, true multipoint connectivity… the wishlist kept growing. And with the TWS space heating up with solid options from Realme, OnePlus, Soundcore, and even Nothing, expectations have only gotten higher.

That’s why Sony has introduced the all-new WF-C710N to India. Priced at ₹8,990, these earbuds promise to check all the right boxes: enhanced ANC, a funky translucent finish, and improved app controls. Sony says they bring a slice of flagship finesse to a mid-range price point. But is it all just marketing gloss, or do the WF‑C710N truly punch above their weight? Time to plug in and find out.

Table of Contents

Design, Comfort, and Connectivity

The WF‑C710N sticks to the familiar stemless silhouette of Sony’s true wireless lineup, with a case that’s pocketable despite being slightly chunkier than the older C700N. We’ve got the Glass Blue variant in hand, and it’s quite the head-turner. The translucent design gives you a subtle peek into the internals, which seems to be all the rage these days. However, unlike Nothing’s products, what Sony offers is a style that balances somewhere between “cool tech toy” and “sleek fashion flex.”

For the most part, I’m a fan. That said, I do have mixed feelings about the red and yellow wires visible through the case’s rear. On one hand, they add to that raw, exposed aesthetic. It’s almost like Sony wants you to know these things mean business. But part of me wonders: wouldn’t black wires have kept the vibe more cohesive? It’s a small detail, but one that left me a bit torn. Then again, design is subjective, and while some might love the exposed-wiring vibe, others might find it distracting. The good news? It’s the earbuds themselves that matter most, and thankfully, they deliver.

Each earbud weighs just 5.2g, while the case comes in at a lightweight 38g. And comfort? Surprisingly great. I usually don’t trust TWS earbuds to stay in place during workouts, but the C710N held firm during brisk walks, stretching sessions, and even a couple of jumpy warm-ups. Your mileage may vary, of course, but for my ears, this is easily one of the most secure and comfortable fits I’ve experienced in this price bracket. The box includes three sizes of silicone tips, though if you’re into heavy cardio or trail running, you might want to upgrade to memory foam tips for extra grip.

Moving along, the touch controls are also quite smooth and reliable. There’s a single tap for play/pause, a double tap for skipping tracks, a long press for ANC/Ambient toggle, and even a quadruple tap for volume adjustments. I was initially wary of the single-tap function, thinking accidental touches might ruin the experience. But after two weeks of use, I never once faced a misfire. And before you ask, yes, you can customise all controls through the Sony Headphones Connect app, which is always appreciated.

Speaking of connectivity, Sony’s loaded these buds with Bluetooth 5.3, support for SBC and AAC codecs, multipoint pairing, wear detection (Instant Pause), Google Fast Pair, and Adaptive Sound Control. Switching between my iPhone 16 and MacBook Pro was seamless, and I never encountered any connectivity drops during my testing. It’s all refreshingly reliable, which is just the way you’d expect from Sony.

Sound Quality

Sure, the design is slick and that translucent finish adds flair, but at the end of the day, it’s the sound that truly matters, right? With any Sony audio product, there’s a certain expectation: a balanced, refined audio profile with that signature warm, bass-forward tuning. I’m happy to report that the WF-C710N delivers on that promise.

Before diving in, a couple of quick notes. First, most of my testing was done on the iPhone 16. Since the C710N supports only AAC and SBC codecs, I wasn’t really missing out on anything here. Also, the very first thing I noticed was that these earbuds don’t get as loud as some competitors in the same range. If you’re someone who likes cranking the volume to full blast during workouts or while zoning out to your favourite tracks, it might catch you off guard at first. But, and this is important, the quality of sound more than makes up for it. There’s a finesse to the audio here that most budget and even mid-range TWS options struggle to achieve, even after aggressive EQ tuning.

Here’s how I would define the classic Sony sound signature: warm, rich, and just the right amount of bass without going overboard. Straight out of the box, the WF-C710N sounds well-balanced, with enough clarity and separation to keep both casual listeners and audiophiles happy. My usual test track is Hyperreal by Flume, and the layering on this one came through beautifully. Each element stood on its own, highlighting the C710N’s impressively wide soundstage. For bass lovers, tracks like Clarity by Zedd and Favor by Skrillex pack a satisfying punch that’s thumpy, energetic, but never messy. The low-end knows its place and doesn’t drown out the rest.

Pop tracks are handled well, too. Blinding Lights by The Weeknd sounds as vibrant as ever, with the synths hitting hard and the vocals staying crisp. Even vocal-forward tracks like Say You Love Me by Jessie Ware and Nervous by Gavin James showcase great midrange clarity. The vocals are textured and warm, and the subtle acoustic elements in the background hold their ground. That said, if you’re someone who loves extra sparkle in the highs, the upper treble might feel a tad restrained. It’s not flat by any means, but it doesn’t shimmer as much as some might like.

Still, as a whole, the sound profile is thoroughly enjoyable, with the best part being that this is all with the default tuning, no tweaks necessary. Of course, for those who enjoy tailoring their sound, Sony offers a five-band EQ within the Sony Sound Connect app. It’s easy to use and can dramatically change the output to your taste. For instance, switching on the Bass Boost preset instantly adds some sub-bass rumble for EDM or hip-hop lovers. It’s subtle enough to avoid distortion, but noticeable enough to satisfy that craving for depth.

Noise Cancellation

This is one area where expectations are naturally high, especially if you’ve ever used Sony’s over-ear ANC headphones. Thankfully, the WF-C710N lives up to the brand’s reputation. Even before switching on ANC, the passive noise isolation is impressive, thanks to the snug and secure fit. And once you enable Sony’s “Dual Noise Sensor” ANC, the earbuds kick things up a notch, smartly filtering out ambient sounds in most everyday scenarios.

Sure, you’ll still catch the occasional keyboard clack in a quiet office or a honk or two while walking on a busy street, and honestly, that’s how it should be. But for the most part, the ANC here is seriously good. I’d even go as far as saying it’s among the best noise cancellation you can get on a pair of TWS earbuds under ₹10,000. What makes it even better is that Sony has managed to achieve this without compromising on comfort. Whether it’s a long commute or a few hours at your desk, the buds stay light and cosy in the ears, even with ANC on.

There’s another side of the coin, so let’s talk about Ambient Mode. It’s often an afterthought for many users, but personally, I find it just as important, and I know I’m not the only one. On a lot of budget TWS, Ambient Mode can sound artificial or, worse, harsh to the point of discomfort. Thankfully, that’s not the case here. Sony’s implementation feels clean and natural, allowing external sounds to pass through in a way that’s genuinely usable. Whether you’re walking on the street or waiting for your name to be called at a café, the Ambient Mode here strikes a nice balance between awareness and comfort.

Mic/Call Experience

Before diving into this, a quick confession—I’ve never been a fan of using TWS earbuds for calling. The mic quality is usually underwhelming, and honestly, it makes sense. The mic is located quite a distance from your mouth, so you’re relying heavily on AI processing to salvage anything usable. That said, I have to give credit where it’s due. During my time with the WF-C710N, most people on the other end of the call told me my voice sounded crisp and clear. Of course, that’s thanks to Sony’s AI-powered voice pickup and the dual-mic setup on each bud doing some heavy lifting.

I also did some voice recording tests for my own reference. Indoors, the voice comes through nicely and clean, with minimal background interference. Outdoors, the background noise is fairly well suppressed, and while the voice can sound a bit robotic or processed, it never becomes unintelligible. So even if the audio doesn’t feel entirely natural, the clarity is still good enough for the other person to follow what you’re saying without asking you to repeat yourself. Sure, it’s not flawless, but for a sub-₹10K pair of TWS earbuds, the calling experience is surprisingly dependable.

Battery Life

When it comes to battery life, Sony claims up to 8.5 hours of playback with ANC on, and a total of 30 hours including the case. There’s also support for quick charging, where just 5 minutes of juice gives you around 60 minutes of listening time, which is great for those last-minute rushes.

In my real-world usage, I consistently got just under 8 hours of playback with ANC enabled, which is pretty close to the claimed figure and honestly quite solid for daily use. I’d listen for about 3–4 hours a day throughout the workweek before needing to reach for the charger. While I did miss the convenience of wireless charging, the fast-charging support made up for it in most situations. Plug it in for a few minutes, and you’re good to go for your next commute or gym session.

Verdict

The Sony WF-C710N offers a surprisingly well-rounded package for its price. There’s excellent ANC, a warm and balanced sound profile, great comfort, and reliable battery life. While it skips high-res codecs like LDAC or wireless charging, it nails the basics where it matters most.

Of course, there are alternatives to choose from. Against the OnePlus Buds 4, Sony feels more refined in sound and ANC, though OnePlus does appeal with features like LHDC and punchier bass. Compared to the Nothing Ear (a), Sony edges ahead in ANC and comfort, while Nothing wins on codec support and futuristic design. There’s also the Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro, which is usually on discount, and offers excellent ecosystem integration plus 360 Audio, but Sony holds its own in noise cancellation and battery life for much less. Finally, if you can stretch the budget, the Sony LinkBuds Fit brings elite ANC and audio quality, but at more than double the price.

At the end of the day, if the focus is on dependable ANC, balanced sound, and comfort under ₹9,000, the WF-C710N is easily one of the best picks in the segment.

Editor’s Rating: 8 / 10

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