The Sony INZONE Buds are wireless earbuds designed with gaming use in mind. Sony have manufactured a number of gaming headsets under the INZONE name, but this is the first pair of earbuds they've released as part of the line. They feature active noise cancelling (ANC) and spatial sound technologies and a purported 12-hour battery life. While they use the same drivers as the Sony WF1000-XM5 Truly Wireless, the manufacturer claims they have a unique design that reduces ear contact for a more comfortable fit. They also support Bluetooth via LE audio and use the LC3 codec for lower energy and lower bandwidth audio data transmission.
Our Verdict
The Sony INZONE Buds are decent for neutral sound. They have a tilted bass response that overemphasizes low-bass and exaggerates the high-bass frequencies. As a result, footsteps are clearly audible, but explosions and cinematic sequences feel relatively lacking in rumble and punch. The treble range is a touch inconsistent, which can make sibilants dull or piercing, depending on their pitch. That said, they feature Sony's Spatial Sound immersive audio technology, and you can adjust the sound through EQ and presets in the Sony INZONE Hub app.
- Robust customization options via INZONE Hub.
- Consistent audio delivery.
- Poor passive soundstage.
- Only support Bluetooth LE Audio.
The Sony INZONE Buds are good for commuting and travel use. Their noise isolation performance is good enough to block out most external sound, but some noise, especially bass frequency noises like engine rumble, will find their way into your audio. You'll also need to use the wireless transmitter to connect them unless you own a device that supports Bluetooth LE audio. Nevertheless, these buds are portable, decently comfortable, and their solid battery life will get you through everything from commutes to long journeys.
- Very good battery life.
- Great full range noise isolation performance.
- Lightweight and portable design.
- Loose fit won't be for everyone.
The Sony INZONE Buds are great for sport and fitness even though they aren't designed with this use in mind. They're portable, lightweight, and decently comfortable. However, if you don't have a device that supports Bluetooth LE, you'll need to bring the wireless transmitter with you on your runs.
- Robust customization options via INZONE Hub.
- Great full range noise isolation performance.
- Lightweight and portable design.
- Loose fit won't be for everyone.
- Only support Bluetooth LE Audio.
The Sony INZONE Buds are decent for office use. Their ANC performance does a good job of blocking out background conversations and office chatter, and their battery life performance is enough to get you through even the longest work days. That said, you'll need to use the wireless transmitter to connect them unless you own a device that supports Bluetooth LE audio. Users who are used to buds that create an in-ear seal might also not like their unique, loose fit.
- Robust customization options via INZONE Hub.
- Great full range noise isolation performance.
- Loose fit won't be for everyone.
- Only support Bluetooth LE Audio.
The Sony INZONE Buds are a decent choice for wireless gaming. Their wireless transmitter offers low-latency gaming performance on PCs and PlayStation consoles. Their loose fit takes some getting used to, but combined with their very good battery life performance, these buds can get you through some marathon gaming sessions. While the lack of low-bass means explosions sound less vivid, fans of first-person shooters will enjoy how the boosted high-bass response brings out footsteps. If you play mobile games, they have app support, too, but you'll need to check your device's Bluetooth codec compatibility for LE Audio.
- Very good battery life.
- Robust customization options via INZONE Hub.
- Loose fit won't be for everyone.
- Poor passive soundstage.
The Sony INZONE Buds are truly wireless buds and they can't be used with a wired connection.
The Sony INZONE Buds are okay for phone calls. The integrated mic's recording quality and noise handling are adequate, but your voice will sound fuzzy and obfuscated in moderately noisy environments. However, they have a great full-range noise isolation performance that lets you hear the other person on the line without distractions. You'll also need to carry around the wireless transmitter to connect them unless you own a device that supports Bluetooth LE audio.
- Great full range noise isolation performance.
- Only support Bluetooth LE Audio.
Changelog
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Updated Jan 16, 2025:
Several Sound tests have been updated following Test Bench 1.8. There have also been text changes made throughout the review, including to the usages and product comparisons to match these results.
- Updated Jan 15, 2025: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.8, which updates our target curve and Sound tests. You can read more about this in our changelog.
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Updated Nov 18, 2024:
Thanks to a user in the comments, the App section has been updated to include information about the Sony Sound Connect app with a video tour.
- Updated Aug 01, 2024: We've updated the following test groups after Test Bench 1.7: Noise Isolation - Full Range, Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios, and ANC Wind Handling. There have also been text changes made throughout the review, including to the usages and product comparisons to match these results.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The Sony INZONE buds come in two color variants: 'Black' and 'White. We tested the 'Black' variant but we expect all color variants to perform similarly. You can see our model's label here. If you encounter another variant of these headphones, please let us know in the forums, and we'll update our review.
Popular Headphones Comparisons
The Sony INZONE Buds are Sony's first wireless earbuds designed specifically with gaming in mind. They're manufactured by Sony Electronics, as opposed to their PlayStation subsidiary. While they use the same drivers as the Sony WF-1000XM5 Truly Wireless, some key differences in features make them more suited to gaming. Like the Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed True Wireless, they have a wireless transmitter for a low-latency gaming experience with PCs and PlayStation consoles. They also have a fit that minimizes contact with your skin, so you can game all day without ear fatigue. However, their noise isolation performance isn't as exceptional as the WF-1000XM5.
Check out our picks for best earbuds for gaming, the best noise cancelling earbuds, and the best Sony headphones.
The Sony INZONE Buds Truly Wireless and the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds have different strengths and limitations that will influence your choice. The Sony have a longer continuous battery life, they work well with PlayStation and PCs, and they have better ANC and mic noise handling than the SteelSeries. However, the SteelSeries are a bit more flexible when it comes to Bluetooth codec support. Even though the SBC codec isn't exactly high-quality, most devices can support it compared the limited compatibility of the LC3 codec on the Sony. The SteelSeries feel more comfortable with better controls and an IP55 rating, too, though they only come in an Xbox variant. Otherwise, both support wireless USB dongles and low-latency audio.
The Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed True Wireless are better earbuds for wireless gaming than the Sony INZONE Buds Truly Wireless. While both buds have similarly comfortable fits and lightweight, portable designs, the Razer have a more balanced sound profile, which you may prefer. They also have better mic performance and better Bluetooth connectivity options as they use the SBC codec by default. In contrast, the Sony only use LE audio, which is newer and has limited compatibility. However, the Sony have a considerably longer battery life.
The Sony INZONE Buds Truly Wireless are better for most uses than the Sony PULSE Explore Truly Wireless. The INZONE have a longer battery life, a better mic performance, and a better noise isolation performance, thanks to their ANC feature. They also include a dedicated app with sound customization features. On the other hand, the PULSE support Bluetooth, so you can use their dongle to connect with PlayStation consoles and stream audio from your phone simultaneously.
The Sony INZONE H9 Wireless are better for wireless gaming than the Sony INZONE Buds Truly Wireless, but the buds are more versatile overall. They both have a similar build quality, and their ANC features offer a comparable level of noise isolation. The H9 Wireless have an over-ear, close-back design that some users may prefer. As a result, they have a longer battery life and a better passive soundstage performance. They also have better controls and better Bluetooth connectivity than the Buds, which only support Bluetooth LE audio.
If you primarily want Bluetooth earbuds with a wireless dongle, the ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova are better for most people. The Sony INZONE Buds Truly Wireless are hampered by their limited Bluetooth connectivity, only supporting LE Audio via the LC3 codec, which not every device can use. However, you can use their USB-C dongle for a low-latency connection. The ASUS support a greater variety of devices with a wider net of standard Bluetooth codecs and a wireless dongle. The Sony are more geared towards PC and console gaming with dedicated support and EQ and a more advanced virtual surround sound. Their sound profile is more balanced, too. The ASUS have slightly more effective noise isolation in common scenarios, but their battery life isn't as long as the Sony.
The Sony INZONE Buds Truly Wireless are better for wireless gaming than the Razer Hammerhead True Wireless Pro. While the Razer have a more neutral sound profile and better mic recording quality, which you might prefer, they're Bluetooth-only and don't have a dedicated wireless dongle like the Sony. They can only connect to PCs via Bluetooth, and even with their "Game" mode enabled, the latency is still too high for many games. The Sony also have a superior noise isolation performance and a longer continuous battery life, but their LE Audio codec severely limits which devices they're compatible with over Bluetooth.
We've upgraded our Headphones Test Bench to 2.0! This update brings several key changes to our tests and usages, making it easier than ever to interpret our sound results based on your personal preferences. You'll also find a brand-new interactive graph tool featuring multiple targets (including our own!) for you to explore and compare.
For a full breakdown, check out our changelog, which includes detailed commentary from our test designer explaining the rationale behind our update.
We'd also love to hear your thoughts: your feedback helps us keep improving, so join us in the comments!
Test Results
These buds have a sleek and minimalist aesthetic. Unlike the Sony WF-1000XM5 Truly Wireless, they have a stem design that protrudes from your ear. There's a touch-sensitive surface at the end of each stem that you can use to input controls. They come in two color variants: 'Black' and 'White'. The black variant features a monochromatic, all-black look, including matching ear tips. With the white variant, white is used around the edges of the stem to accent the rest of the buds, which are black.
The Sony INZONE Buds are decently comfortable. The manufacturer designed them to have a looser fit that doesn't go fully in your ear canal, so they don't sit as deep as the Sony WF-1000XM5 Truly Wireless. The lighter ear contact is intended to create a more comfortable fit. However, this means they also stick out from your ears and can get snagged if you move around. Fortunately, they come with four sets of ear tips, making it relatively simple to achieve a good fit.
These buds have simple, reasonably intuitive controls. There are distinct controls for each bud, so you won't be able to input some controls if you only have one bud in. The touch-sensitive surface is also easy to accidentally tap. There are useful chimes that sound when you engage the ANC or mic, as well as when you increase or decrease the volume or hit max/min volume. There are no playback controls by default, but you can map these via the companion app.
On the left earbud:
- Single tap: Toggles ANC and Ambient Sound mode on/off.
- Hold Toggles mic on/off.
On the right earbud:
- Single tap: Raises the volume.
- Hold: Lowers the volume.
These buds are very portable. They're lightweight and won't take up much space in a bag or pocket. However, you'll need to bring the transmitter to pair them with most devices. Thankfully, the included carrying case has a section for the transmitter and can protect the buds when not in use.
They come with a good carrying case. It has magnets to secure the buds and prevent them from moving in transit, and there's even a dedicated nook for storing the wireless transmitter. However, the all-plastic design feels both weak and bulky. It lacks the heft of more premium cases, and its awkward shape takes up more space in a bag than other cases from this manufacturer. The hinge is also quite weak and won't stay shut if you accidentally drop the case.
These earbuds are decently well-built. Apart from the silicone ear tips, they're made entirely of plastic that doesn't feel as dense and high-quality as some of the manufacturer's other earbuds. While they lack an official IP rating, Sony says they're IPX4 equivalent for protection against water splashes.
The stability is satisfactory. Their looser, shallower fit means that you can easily dislodge them if you move your head sharply while gaming, and they'll require readjustment afterward.
- Sony INZONE Buds Truly Wireless
- 4x tip sizes
- Charging case
- USB-C to USB-A charging cable
- USB-C transmitter
- Manuals
- Warranty
- Strickers
These buds use the same drivers as the Sony WF-1000XM5 Truly Wireless. While they have slightly similar sound profiles, we can largely attribute some key differences to the difference in fit. The response across the bass range is tilted, resulting in a low bass that's slightly underemphasized relative to the exaggerated high bass. That means explosions feel like they lack a little thump but still sound immersive. The boosted high-bass continues up into the low-mids, which can help bring out sounds like footsteps but also muddies voices somewhat. There are also some slight inconsistencies in the treble range, but sibilants sound well-balanced overall. You can adjust their sound profile with the EQ and presets in the Sony INZONE Hub app. The buds sound slightly different with ANC turned on or off.
We obtained our sound results with the transmitter set to 'PC' mode, using 'INZONE Buds - Game' on Windows. However, we also ran an extra sweep set to 'PS5/Mobile' mode and found no difference in frequency response. It's worth also mentioning that these buds have a higher noise floor than most earbuds. However, it's not unusually high or annoying.
The Sony INZONE Buds have excellent frequency response consistency. Despite their looser fit, you'll achieve consistent bass and treble delivery each time you use them.
These buds have amazing compliance with our target curve in the bass range. The mid- and high-bass regions are overemphasized, which adds punch to kick drums and warmth to basslines but can also overwhelm mid-range sounds like voices a touch.
The Sony INZONE Buds have very good mid-range target compliance. There's some overemphasis in the low-mid, which is a continuation of the boosted high-bass, cluttering the mix somewhat. The slightly recessed mid-mids can make it tricky to pick out the whispered dialogue between NPCs in games like Ghost of Tsushima. However, the high mid-range is fairly well-balanced, so the upper harmonics of vocals and lead instruments sound detailed and present.
These earbuds have excellent treble compliance. The response in this range is fairly neutral, with some slight deviations. A small, narrow dip in the low-mid dulls the upper harmonics of vocals and instruments. Similarly, a small dip in the mid-treble dulls sibilants slightly.
The Sony INZONE Buds have a decent peaks and dips performance, meaning they generally follow their own sound profile well, with some minor deviations mostly occuring in the treble range. The mid-mids are a touch inconsistent, but it's hard to notice this with regular audio. On the other hand, a series of small, narrow peaks and dips in the low- and mid-treble can render sounds like cymbals alternately dull or piercing depending on their pitch.
The imaging performance is great. Sony has a reputation for good quality control and ergonomics in their earbuds, and the imaging performance of these buds indicates this. Our unit's drivers are well-matched in terms of group delay and phase. There's a sharp peak in both group delay and phase response at the very top of the range, but this is tough to hear, considering we lose our sensitivity to this range over time. There's also an audible phase mismatch in the low to mid-mids that causes the placement of sound objects to vary between the left and right driver in the soundstage. This can be distracting during cutscenes that feature characters with differently-pitched voices, as the placement of their voices changes in stereo width depending on who's speaking.
These buds have a bad passive soundstage, which is normal given their in-ear design. Audio needs to interact with your outer ear to create a wide and spacious soundstage; this isn't possible with closed-back buds. As a result, audio sounds like it's coming from inside your head and isn't spacious or immersive.
The Sony INZONE Buds are compatible with Sony's 360 Reality Audio and Spatial Sound features. The app can analyze your ear shape and creates a custom profile that helps deliver a more immersive listening experience via a virtual soundstage. You can access this in the PC or mobile app.
These buds have a very good weighted harmonic distortion performance. While there are increased levels of distortion between the mid-mid and treble frequencies, it's difficult to hear in real-life content, even if you crank the volume to high levels. Otherwise, audio reproduction is clean and pure.
These are the settings used to test the Sony INZONE Buds. The Windows setting we used was 'INZONE Buds - Game', but some computers may default to 'INZONE Buds - Chat', which has worse sound quality. Our results are only valid when used with these settings.
The full range noise isolation performance is great. While the loose fit doesn't provide much passive isolation in the bass range, the ANC can block out low-end sounds. Attenuation against treble range sounds is good, too, and mostly comes as a result of the seal created with these in your ears.
These buds have very good noise isolation performance in common scenarios. They do a great job of attenuating against the whirr of oncoming traffic in a busy street. They perform slightly worse when it comes to blocking out the roar of airplane engines, as well as the hustle and bustle of office environments but still provide a solid amount of attenuation.
Wind noise differs from other sounds as it can interact with the ANC microphones, sometimes resulting in an annoying tone as the ANC tries to combat a sound that isn't reaching your ear. These headphones don't have a wind reduction feature and struggle in windy scenarios. That said, this won't be an issue if you plan on using them exclusively to game at home.
The leakage performance is superb. Audio bleed is mostly concentrated in the bass and treble ranges, but levels of leakage are generally very low. Consequently, you can crank up your in-game audio without worrying about disturbing others around you.
The integrated mic's performance is okay. Your voice will be understandable to your teammates but sound thin and distant.
The noise handling performance is reasonable. In moderately noisy environments, your voice will be fuzzy but still understandable. Noisier environments can easily drown out your voice, but if you plan on using these to game at home, this won't be an issue.
The Sony INZONE Buds' battery performance is very good. The manufacturer advertises 12 hours of battery life when using the transmitter with ANC on, and we measured slightly less than this. The included charging case also provides an extra full charge if you need to top up your battery in a pinch. The manufacturer advertises an even longer 24-hour battery life when connected to an LE Audio-compatible device. However, we measured this at closer to 18 hours. Battery life varies depending on use, so your experience may differ.
The earbuds are compatible with two apps, the Sony INZONE Hub app on PC and the Sony Sound Connect (formerly known as Sony Headphones Connect) for mobile, which offer excellent customization options. Both apps let you adjust sound profile presets, save EQ settings, and control ANC. You can also map additional controls, handle device connections, and enable spatial audio. Using the INZONE Hub, you can even create volume/chat mixes for individual games or apps, to name just a few.
We could only connect the buds with the Sony Sound Connect app on Android (as of firmware 2.0.2), but this may have more to do with their Bluetooth limitations. A video tour of the mobile app shows it shares many of the same features as the PC version, except it is a bit stripped back by comparison. For example, the equalizer has fewer bands that you can alter, and there are fewer microphone settings at your disposal. It includes adaptive listening modes, though it requires you to register an account. You still get plenty of features for on-the-go, such as a rather exhaustive selection of options to remap touch controls.
These buds come with a USB-C to USB-A cable for charging their carrying case. You can't use them with a wired connection.
The Sony INZONE Buds have poor Bluetooth connectivity. They only support Bluetooth LE audio, which uses the LC3 audio codec. Currently, only a select few phones are compatible with this codec. As a result, we couldn't test the Bluetooth performance using our usual methodology. However, if you have a compatible device, you'll benefit from LE audio's higher-quality wireless transmission, and your buds' battery will last longer than traditional Bluetooth. It's also possible to connect to a smartphone by plugging the included transmitter into your phone's USB-C port and setting the switch on the transmitter to 'PS5/Mobile'. Check out the Sony PULSE Explore Truly Wireless if you want gaming earbuds that can connect to any Bluetooth-compatible device.
These buds have an amazing, low-latency performance when connected via their USB-C dongle.
We used the 'PC' setting on the wireless transmitter to test for this but also used the 'PS5/Mobile' setting and found there was no significant difference in latency. When connected wirelessly on either setting, you won't encounter sync issues between your video and audio. The wireless range is slightly lower when using the 'PS5/Mobile' setting, but this won't be an issue if you're gaming from your couch.
These earbuds have full voice and audio compatibility with PCs via the wireless transmitter when set to the 'PC' setting. However, you can connect with the 'PS/Mobile' mode if your PC supports LE audio.
When connected with the wireless transmitter on the 'PS/Mobile' setting, these earbuds have full voice and audio compatibility with PlayStation family consoles.
The Sony INZONE Buds come with a carrying case that holds one extra charge. There's no wireless charging, so you'll need to charge the case using the USB-C to USB-A charging cable.