WF-C500

Released October 2021

Compact wireless earbuds with physical buttons, IPX4 splash resistance, app equalisation and a USB-C charging case.

Type: In-ear
Noise cancelling: No
Battery: 10 h
With case: 20 h
Best codec: AAC
Weight: 5.4 g

Earbuds

What reviewers say

Both reviews praised the comfortable fit, detailed and rhythmically engaging sound, and useful control app. They found the bass extension and scale of the presentation limited compared with some rivals. What Hi-Fi? considered the build solid; both noted that total battery life with the case was ordinary despite the long earbud runtime.

From techradar.com and whathifi.com

Specifications

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Sound

Type: In-ear
Noise cancelling: No
Transparency mode: No
Driver size: 5.8 mm
Bluetooth codecs: SBC and AAC
Drivers: Closed dynamic 5.8 mm drivers with neodymium magnets; the maker figure is retained rather than TechRadar's rounded 6 mm in its design discussion
Noise cancelling detail: No active noise cancelling or ambient listening mode; the reviews confirm these omissions. Call noise suppression is separate from listening noise cancellation.
Audio features: DSEE processing, app equaliser and personalised 360 Reality Audio playback with compatible services

Battery

Listening time (maker's claim): Up to 10 hours
With the case: Up to 20 hours
Wireless charging: No
Battery life detail: Up to ten hours per charge and 20 hours including the case with DSEE and equaliser off. The manual lists ten hours for AAC or SBC with DSEE AUTO or OFF, but warns that equaliser and DSEE settings can shorten runtime. Talk time up to five hours.
Charging case: USB-C charging; maker UK support gives approximately 2.5 hours for the earbuds and three hours for the case. No wireless charging, as confirmed by both reviews.
Fast charging: Ten minutes charging provides approximately one hour playback

Design

Weight (each earbud): 5.4 g
Water and sweat resistance: IPX4
Bluetooth: 5.0
Two devices at once: No
Controls: Physical buttons for playback, tracks, volume, calls and the paired phone's voice assistant
Microphones: Omnidirectional MEMS microphones; maker Japanese specifications
Fit and ear tips: Hybrid silicone tips in SS, M and LL; either earbud works independently
Case weight: Approximately 35 g; the earbud weight is approximately 5.4 g each
Dimensions: Charging case approximately 80.0 × 34.9 × 30.9 mm
Water resistance detail: IPX4 applies to the earbuds excluding the sound outlets; the charging case is not water resistant
Works with: Bluetooth A2DP, AVRCP, HFP and HSP; up to eight remembered paired devices. Maker manual explicitly excludes multipoint. Google Fast Pair and Microsoft Swift Pair; Sony Headphones Connect app. European maker announcement states October 2021 availability; Japan specifies 8 October, while Hong Kong specifies late October.
Colours: Black, White, Ice Green and Coral Orange
In the box: Earbuds, charging case, hybrid silicone tips in SS, M and LL, approximately 20 cm USB-C cable and documents