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Sony WF-C710N vs Sony WF-1000XM5: Save your money
Published onMay 2, 2025
Sony’s wireless earbuds span a wide range of prices and performance, from budget-friendly models to top-tier flagships. In this comparison, I put the mid-range Sony WF-C710N up against the premium Sony WF-1000XM5 to see how much of a difference spending more really makes. From comfort and controls to sound quality and noise cancelation, here’s what I found.
This article was originally published on May 2, 2025 and this is the first version of the article. Updates will follow as needed to ensure information is relevant.
What’s it like to use the Sony WF-C710N compared to the Sony WF-1000XM5?
The Sony WF-C710N earbuds sport a bold translucent blue plastic design that some will love and others will find toy-like. If you don’t like the translucent color option, you can also get them in plain black or white. They have a lightweight, stemless build and a pill-shaped charging case that’s easy to pocket. That said, their limited fit options—just three silicone ear tip sizes—made it hard for me to get a secure fit during workouts.
In contrast, the WF-1000XM5 feel more refined. Sony’s flagship model includes both silicone and flexible polyurethane foam ear tips for improved fit and isolation. I find the foam tips more secure than the silicone ear tips of the C710N. The case is also smaller and more premium feeling, with wireless charging and a better grip thanks to its matte texture. Both the WF-1000XM5 and WF-C710N have an IPX4 water resistance rating.
| Input | Left earbud | Right earbud |
|---|---|---|
| Input Single tap | Left earbud ANC/Ambient sound | Right earbud Play/pause |
| Input Double tap | Left earbud Not assigned | Right earbud Next song |
| Input Triple tap | Left earbud Not assigned | Right earbud Previous song |
| Input Long press | Left earbud Quick attention | Right earbud Voice assistant |
| Input | Left earbud | Right earbud |
|---|---|---|
| Input One tap | Left earbud ANC/Ambient sound | Right earbud Play/Pause |
| Input Two taps | Left earbud Quick Access | Right earbud Next |
| Input Three taps | Left earbud Quick Access | Right earbud Previous |
| Input Four taps | Left earbud Volume Down | Right earbud Volume Up |
| Input Tap and hold | Left earbud Quick Attention | Right earbud Voice Assistant |
Do the Sony WF-C710N or Sony WF-1000XM5 have more features?
The Sony Sound Connect app experience for the WF-C710N is nearly identical to the WF-1000XM5. No matter which earbuds you have, you can adjust ambient sound controls, including the Adaptive Sound Control feature, to have ANC automatically turn on or off depending on your actions and locations. With both earbuds, you can also adjust the sound using the custom equalizer or select from a number of EQ presets. If you like spatial audio, you can scan your ears to use 360 Reality Audio with either earbuds, assuming you have a music source that supports it.
How do the Sony WF-C710N and Sony WF-1000XM5 connect?
Both earbuds use Bluetooth 5.3, but codec support is where things diverge. The WF-C710N only supports SBC and AAC, which works fine for iPhone users but limits sound quality potential on Android.
On the other hand, the WF-1000XM5 supports LDAC and LE Audio (including LC3), giving Android users access to higher-quality streaming and lower latency. Both earbuds support Bluetooth multipoint, so I could easily switch between my laptop and phone—a huge plus for workdays and travel.
Is battery life better on the Sony WF-C710N or Sony WF-1000XM5?
Battery life is surprisingly close between the two. The WF-C710N lasted 9 hours and 25 minutes in our testing, beating Sony’s claimed 8.5 hours. The WF-1000XM5 came in slightly ahead with 9 hours and 32 minutes.
Where the WF-1000XM5 pulls ahead is in convenience. They support both USB-C and wireless Qi charging, while the WF-C710N sticks to USB-C only.
Do the Sony WF-C710N or Sony WF-1000XM5 block noise better?
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The WF-C710N impressed me with its passive isolation and ANC performance for the price. They block up to 30dB of low-frequency noise, with an average reduction in external noise of 85%. However, the fit plays a big role, and without foam tips, results can vary from person to person.
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The WF-1000XM5, meanwhile, sits at the top of the ANC game. The foam ear tips provide impressive passive isolation accompanied by good ANC for an average reduction in external noise of 87%. Whether I am commuting or just trying to focus at home, these earbuds consistently shut out the world more effectively than any other wireless earbud option.
Do the Sony WF-C710N sound better than the Sony WF-1000XM5?
Most people will enjoy the sound quality of both the Sony WF-C710N and the Sony WF-1000XM5. You can customize the sound of either to your liking using the app equalizer, and both support Sony 360 Reality Audio.
Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (MDAQS)
The WF-C710N scored a stellar 4.8 overall, with a near-perfect 4.9 Timbre rating and respectable Immersiveness at 4.3. Their Distortion score of 3.8 is good for wireless earbuds. The WF-1000XM5 scored slightly higher across the board in MDAQS testing, with a 4.9 Overall rating. With such high ratings, chances are that most listeners will enjoy the sound quality of either.
- Timbre (MOS-T) represents how faithfully the headphones reproduce the frequency spectrum and temporal resolution (timing information).
- Distortion (MOS-D) represents non-linearities and added noise: higher scores mean cleaner reproduction.
- Immersiveness (MOS-I) represents perceived source width and positioning: how well virtual sound sources are defined in three-dimensional space.
Objective Measurements
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Looking at the frequency response charts, the WF-C710N slightly over-emphasize sub-bass and under-emphasize treble around 10kHz, which dulls some brilliance in cymbals and high-hats. The WF-1000XM5 have a similar emphasis on bass, but do a better job retaining upper treble detail. For the most part, both are aligned with the SoundGuys Preference Curve.
Do the Sony WF-C710N or Sony WF-1000XM5 have a better microphone?
The Sony WF-C710N and Sony WF-1000XM5 have very comparable microphone quality. Listen to our standardized microphone demonstrations below and let us know which you think sounds better.
Sony WF-C710N microphone demo (Ideal conditions):
Sony WF-1000XM5 microphone demo (Ideal conditions):
Sony WF-C710N microphone demo (Street conditions):
Sony WF-1000XM5 microphone demo (Street conditions):
Which microphone sounds better?
Sony WF-C710N vs Sony WF-1000XM5: Price and availability
The Sony WF-C710 have a starting retail price of only $119.99, less than half the Sony WF-1000XM5 starting retail price of $299.99. Both are currently available, but the C710N is a few years newer than the XM5. In fact, we might see a Sony WF-1000XM6 soon.
Should you get the Sony WF-C710N or Sony WF-1000XM5?
The Sony WF-1000XM5 have been a staple on our list of best wireless earbuds for a long time, but they cost a lot of money. For most people, that extra expense isn’t justified when excellent budget earbuds like the WF-C710N exist. The Sony WF-C710N provide 90% of the same features and performance of the WF-1000XM5, for less than half the price. That sounds like a pretty sweet deal to me.
Comfortable
SBC, AAC, and LDAC support
Great app support
Great battery life
What should you buy instead of the Sony WF-C710N or Sony WF-1000XM5?
You don’t have to buy from Sony to get great wireless earbuds. There are lots of great options on the market that sound great and don’t cost an arm and a leg. If you prioritize comfort and features, check out the Nothing Ear ($149 at Amazon). On the other hand, if you want the best sound quality, check out the Creative Aurvana Ace Mimi (on the product's website).