Compare Sony WF-C510 Earbuds vs Audio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW Earbuds

The WF-C510 does not provide active noise cancellation; reviewers often accept that tradeoff at the price, but ANC-focused buyers are repeatedly told to look elsewhere.

ANC performance was the most divided feature: some reviewers found it strong or effective, while several called it average, mediocre, or disappointing versus leaders.

Android compatibility is positive where tested, especially Google Fast Pair and app-supported pairing that reviewers describe as uncomplicated or fast.

Android pairing was praised through Google Fast Pair and straightforward setup on Android devices.

The Sony app is mostly praised for EQ, setup, device control, and ease of use, but PC support and some interface choices draw criticism.

The Connect app was broadly praised as thorough, useful, and feature-rich, with repeated appreciation for customization, updates, and extra controls.

aptX support is treated as absent and a limitation by the one reviewer who explicitly wanted higher-quality Bluetooth codec options.

aptX support was treated as a positive for higher-quality or potentially better fidelity, especially for compatible devices.

Video and gaming sync evidence is mixed: one reviewer found lip sync spot-on, while gaming-oriented comments note no low-latency mode or only limited gaming suitability.

Low-latency performance and video sync were a clear strength, with reviewers repeatedly reporting little to no perceptible delay.

Bass impressions are mixed: several reviewers praise controlled, punchy or well-rounded bass, while others say bass is light, not skull-rattling, or weaker than pricier Sony buds.

Bass was a major strength for most reviewers, described as deep, warm, thumpy, or great, but a few noted it could obscure mids or lacked flagship-level cleanliness.

Battery life is widely praised for long earbud runtime, often around 10-11 hours, but the case's single extra charge creates some battery-life caveats.

Battery life was the clearest consensus strength, with reviewers repeatedly calling it epic, insane, best-in-class, or unusually long.

Bluetooth connection reliability is praised where reviewers discuss reconnection and pairing, though one review notes minor jitters in busy stations.

Bluetooth performance was generally stable and reliable, with strong connection praise, though one reviewer reported random signal drops in some multipoint use.

Build quality is split: some reviews call the buds solid or well built, while others emphasize cheap plastic, budget feel, or cut corners.

Build quality was mostly viewed positively, with reviewers praising sturdy construction or non-cheap materials, though one reviewer criticized the build as not amazing.

Physical button usability is divisive: some reviewers prefer the tactile controls and find them easy, while others dislike pushing the buds into the ear or repeated presses.

Button usability split reviewers sharply: some preferred responsive physical buttons, while others found them fiddly, hard to locate, or awkward to press.

Case quality is mixed: reviewers like the small, pocketable case and some hinge resistance, but others call the plastic cheap or the case limited.

Case quality was generally positive for sturdiness, magnets, finish, or design, although size hurt portability rather than perceived construction.

Charging is generally acceptable thanks to quick-charge support, but reviewers criticize slow case charging, no wireless charging, or limited case reserve.

Charging was mixed: fast charging drew strong praise, but multiple reviewers criticized the lack of wireless charging on the original model.

Codec support is a common compromise: AAC and SBC are usually considered sufficient for streaming, but reviewers still flag the lack of higher-end codec options.

Codec support was praised as a strong spec highlight, especially around Bluetooth 5.2 and aptX Adaptive.

Comfort is one of the strongest areas, with many reviewers saying the small, light buds are easy to wear for long sessions, though one had fit problems.

Comfort was mostly positive despite the bulky housings, with several reviewers wearing them for long periods, though one TW2 review found the design less comfortable.

Design sentiment is mostly positive for the compact size, clean look, matte colors, and small profile, though some reviews see the finish as clearly budget.

Design impressions were mixed to negative: some liked the subdued look, but many called the buds or case bulky, plain, or not especially attractive.

Eartip fit is usually strong, with many reviewers praising seal and comfort, though one reviewer could not get any included tip size to fasten securely.

Fit was generally secure and comfortable for some reviewers, but fit concerns remained for smaller ears or wind-noise isolation.

Ear tip option evidence is limited but positive where reviewers connect the included choices or secure tips to small-ear comfort and practical fit.

One review praised the four tip sizes as giving plenty of range to find a comfortable fit.

EQ customization is a major value add for many reviewers, especially Sony's custom tools, though SoundGuys and TechRadar find the EQ limited or confusing.

EQ customization was one of the strongest software features, with reviewers praising the ability to tune sound and create more personalized profiles.

Frequency response evidence is limited and mixed, with SoundGuys describing a response that is not immediately off-putting but does require adjustment for some listeners.

Reviewers described the overall tuning as balanced or safe, with the frequency range generally represented without harshness.

Included accessories are a mild weakness: the missing USB-C cable is criticized by one reviewer but dismissed as a non-issue by another.

Instrument separation is praised in the strongest hi-fi-leaning reviews, though some note that instruments are not the sharpest at this price.

Instrument separation was praised when reviewers heard transient details and individual elements clearly, but one reviewer found separation below audiophile rivals.

The integrated microphone receives limited direct praise, with PCMag calling it decent, but broader call-quality evidence is more mixed.

Reviewers who evaluated the built-in microphones found them useful or strong for calls in favorable conditions, though noise handling could struggle outdoors or in busy spaces.

The snap-together magnetic bud design on the TW2 was strongly praised for reducing loss and battery drain outside the case.

LDAC support is absent and repeatedly cited as a compromise, though some reviewers say the omission is acceptable for the budget tier.

Maximum-volume clarity is a strength in several reviews, with repeated comments that the earbuds avoid distortion or peaking even when pushed.

One reviewer noted that dynamics could feel slightly compressed at louder volumes, making maximum-volume clarity good but not perfect.

Microphone noise reduction is a weak spot overall, with multiple reviewers saying background sounds leak through or aggressive gating can cut into the voice.

Microphone noise reduction was a repeated weakness, with reviewers noting struggles against noise, exterior sounds, or wind.

Call microphone quality is inconsistent: some hear clear voice pickup in quiet settings, but several reviews criticize noisy-call performance and background pickup.

Call quality was usually acceptable to good in quiet conditions, with some strong praise, but several reviewers found it only average outside controlled environments.

Midrange clarity is a recurring strength, with vocals and instruments often described as clear, detailed, natural, and well separated from the bass.

Midrange clarity was mixed: some reviewers heard clear vocals and lead instruments, while others said vocals or lower mids were pushed back by the bass-forward tuning.

Multi-platform compatibility is supported by reviewers who praise iOS/Android parity or smooth phone-desktop use, but PC app support is a limitation.

Reviewers found phone-and-laptop use helpful, with multipoint and cross-device switching making the earbuds practical across platforms.

Multipoint connectivity is a recurring advantage, with several reviewers calling switching or reconnection seamless, reliable, or unusually good for the price.

Multipoint was consistently valued for switching between phone, laptop, computer, or other devices, with reviewers describing it as useful, seamless, or reliable.

Passive isolation is one of the clearest strengths; reviewers repeatedly say the seal blocks a surprising amount of ambient noise despite the lack of ANC.

Passive isolation was usually strong when the seal fit well, though one review noted fit-related wind-noise leakage.

Portability is a strength, with the tiny case and small buds repeatedly described as easy to pocket and carry.

Portability was a recurring weakness because the case was often described as bulky, clunky, hard to pocket, or inconvenient, despite battery-life tradeoffs.

Preset EQ evidence is sparse and mixed, with PCMag finding the preset selection serviceable and SoundGuys calling the presets bland.

One reviewer said the Clear Vocal preset effectively fixed a vocal-detail issue, supporting a strong score for preset EQ usefulness.

Sensor support is a weakness because wear detection is absent, forcing manual pause/play or allowing playback to continue after removal.

Sensors were a clear weakness where reviewers wanted wear detection and criticized its absence.

Sidetone was treated as useful for calls, helping users monitor their own voice or making the earbuds more office-friendly.

Setup simplicity is mostly praised for easy pairing and app use, though control customization and app-volume behavior can feel unintuitive.

One review described initial setup as simple and fast, supporting a strong software/setup score.

Reviewers consistently describe the WF-C510 as strong for the price, with clear, balanced, enjoyable sound; the main dissent is that some find it merely serviceable rather than exciting.

Reviewers mostly found the earbuds enjoyable and capable, with repeated praise for warm, detailed, or impressive sound, though one reviewer found the sound merely okay.

Soundstage depth evidence is limited and mixed, with one reviewer enjoying grander tracks while another says the buds do not emphasize open staging or layering.

Soundstage depth was praised by Expert Reviews but underwhelmed one YouTube reviewer who expected more depth from the large housings.

Soundstage width gets positive notes from reviews that hear spaciousness, separation, or a more open presentation, especially with Sony processing or acoustic material.

Soundstage width drew strong praise from some reviewers for wraparound or convincing staging, while one reviewer expected more width from the large earbuds.

Spatial audio is present and sometimes enjoyed for added scale, but several reviewers treat 360 Reality Audio as mixed, limited, or gimmicky for music.

Spatial audio opinions were divided, ranging from disappointment or superfluousness to strong immersion and impressive 360 Reality Audio effects.

In-ear stability is generally excellent, with repeated praise for secure fit during walking, running, cycling, workouts, and head movement; one review reports falling out.

Stability ranged from excellent in workout/head-shake testing to less reassuring on the bulkier TW2 design.

Touch-control evidence is limited to two reviews that describe the controls as responsive or easy, though most other reviews treat the controls as physical buttons.

Transparency or Ambient Sound mode is usually considered useful and natural for awareness, but some reviewers find it mild, situational, or not enough for easy conversations.

Transparency/hear-through mode was useful for awareness and conversation, but reviewers disagreed on quality, ranging from invaluable to merely okay.

Treble is generally clear and crisp, especially for vocals and detail-focused music, though a few reviews note underemphasis, crunchiness, or limited brightness.

Treble generally stayed clear and non-harsh, but several reviewers said highs lacked some sharpness, space, or detail compared with stronger competitors.

Value for money is the strongest consensus point: reviewers repeatedly frame the WF-C510 as a bargain or standout budget pick despite tradeoffs.

Value was generally positive because of battery life, sound, and features for the price, though one reviewer argued $150 was too high.

One review criticized the lack of built-in voice-assistant control, making this a weak point for hands-free assistant use.

Volume output is context-dependent: many reviewers find it more than loud enough, while a few flag low default app volume or a less powerful maximum.

Reviewers who commented on volume found adequate headroom and loud output, without major volume complaints.

The IPX4 rating is viewed as useful for sweat, rain, running, gym use, and daily activity, but reviewers consistently warn it is not full waterproofing.

Water and sweat resistance was treated as useful for workouts, outdoor use, and peace of mind, though not as full waterproofing.

Low weight contributes heavily to comfort; reviewers repeatedly highlight the roughly 4.6 g earbuds as light, slight, or easy to forget in the ear.

One review specifically described the earbuds as light and relatively inconspicuous, supporting a positive weight-comfort impression.