Budget earbuds are a populous segment. You’ll find all sorts of companies offering earbuds that have been passed off as a copy of a copy of a copy. But apart from a few newcomers (Nothing, for example), there are few players that have had and continue to have a major impact on the market like Sony.

The company has produced some real gems over the years, such as the WF-XB700, the WF-C700N and the latest WF-C510. But if you’re on an even tighter budget, you don’t have to jump into the unknown just yet, because there’s always the Sony WF-C500. In my opinion, they’re the best deal in town, especially for those on a budget who don’t want to compromise on audio quality, app connectivity or long-term reliability.

I’ve had the Sony WF-C500 for over two years now. And I couldn’t be happier with them. While there are a few earbuds that give them a better value, they’re still my budget choice for the following reasons.

That's why the Sony WF-C500 are still as relevant as when they launched in 2021.