Sony WI-C310 Wireless Headphones Review

Build quality

The build quality is not great. The two housings feel like they’re made from fairly weak plastic and can feel somewhat fragile. While the wires are flexible and flat, they don’t feel especially substantial and can seem like they could be pulled away from the housings or modules if caught on something.

A lack of an IP rating means you need to be careful when exercising or using the earbuds outside in the rain. The earbuds are magnetic, however, which helps with wire management when they are hanging around your neck.

Comfort

These fit suitably well for in-ear headphones. They don’t go extremely deep into your ear canal and don’t put much pressure on your ears because the buds are very small.

The headphones feel like small weights in your ears, but the long wires can be disturbing because they can catch on something and pull the buds out of your ears. They come with three ear-tip sizes to help you find a more reliable fit. Their in-ear design can also cause some fatigue if you’re wearing them for an extended period.

Availability of colors

The Sony WI-C310 was available in Black, Blue, and White, while a Gold version was also previously available. 

Color availability can vary by market, so the exact options may depend on where you purchase the headphones.

Style

The Sony WI-C310 has a fairly simple around-the-neck design with a soft and flexible neckband. The flat cable is relatively long, which creates a noticeable loop when the earbuds are in your ears.

The buds themselves are very short and don’t stick out much from your ears. The WI-C310 was available in several colors, including black, blue, white, and previously gold. If you don’t mind the color or want a similar alternative, the Sony WI-C200 is a closely related model with a similar design. 

Portability

Thanks to the flexible neckband design, the headphones are very portable and can easily be folded into a more compact shape for carrying in a pouch or bag.

They’re also easy to keep around your neck, with the magnetic earbuds holding together at the ends. The headphones don’t take up much space, but they don’t come with a carrying case, which can lead to tangling or other storage issues.

Stability

The Sony WI-C310 is lightweight and reasonably stable in your ears. However, even a short pull on the cable can cause the earbuds to shift or come out.

The wireless design means there is no cable connecting the headphones to your phone or other device, but the long neckband cable can still get caught on objects. This is something to keep in mind when using them around exercise equipment or other places where the cable could snag.

Sound Profile

The headphones have a fairly neutral sound profile with some extra emphasis in the bass region. The mid-range and treble provide a reasonable amount of detail and clarity, so voices and instruments generally sound natural.

The extra low-end response can also make music such as EDM and hip-hop more enjoyable. However, these aren’t designed as bass-heavy headphones, so listeners who want powerful low-end may prefer a more bass-focused model. 

Noise Isolation

The headphones have ordinary passive noise isolation. They perform reasonably well in higher-frequency ranges, which can help reduce sounds such as fans and some surrounding noise.

However, they don’t block low-frequency sounds particularly well. This means they aren’t ideal for commuting in environments with the deep rumble of a bus or train engine. Like most passive in-ear headphones, they don’t have active noise cancellation.

Recording Quality

The recording quality of the in-line microphone is weak. Voices can sound thin, and the microphone has difficulty separating speech from surrounding noise.

The microphone also produces a relatively narrow-sounding recording that lacks some detail and presence. The cable can also introduce unwanted noise, so movements around the cable may affect call quality. 

Battery Performance

The Sony WI-C310 has a maximum battery life of 15 hours for continuous music playback, according to Sony’s specifications. A full charge takes approximately three hours.

The headphones also support quick charging. A 10-minute charge provides about 60 minutes of playback, which is useful when you need a quick boost before heading out. 

For everyday use, the 15-hour battery should be enough for a full day of listening and can potentially cover more than one workday depending on how frequently you use them.