Sony WI-C300 Wireless  Headphones Review

Reviewed Jun 28, 2018 at 11:52am
Test bench update Nov 21, 2019 at 11:26am
Tested using Methodology v1.3.1 
Sony WI-C300 Wireless

Track

0.0
Mixed Usage 
0.0
Neutral Sound 
0.0
Commute/Travel 
0.0
Sports/Fitness 
0.0
Office 
0.0
Wireless Gaming 
0.0
Wired Gaming 
0.0
Phone Call 

Track

 0
The Sony WI-C300 are average wireless in-ears for most use cases. They have a simple and easy-to-use design, although their control scheme doesn't have the best feedback. They're compact enough to fit in your pockets and sufficiently stable for running, which makes them a good option for sports. They also sound moderately well-balanced, although they won't be ideal for more critical listeners. Unfortunately, they have a weak build quality that doesn't feel as durable as some of the other in-ears in their price range. They also have a slightly bulky module on their cable which may be bothersome for certain listeners.

Our Verdict

0.0
Mixed Usage 

The Sony WI-C300 are an average mixed usage wireless in-ear. They have a passable sound quality that would be good enough for most but not ideal for more critical listeners. They also have a decent battery life and wireless range but lack a few features compared to similarly designed headphones. They do not have as many tip sizes and lack stability fins but should be stable enough to run with. Unfortunately, their build quality is mediocre at best and the thin cables do not seam very durable. They also do not block noise as well as typical in-ears, so they won't be the best headphones for commuting.

Pros
  • Simple and compact design.
  • Breathable and stable enough for sports.
  • Very low leakage.
Cons
  • Mediocre-at-best noise isolation.
  • Weak build quality.
  • Poor microphone quality.
  • Bass delivery varies significantly across users.
0.0
Neutral Sound 

Passable for neutral listening. These headphones have a decently well-balanced frequency response although they can sound a bit sharp on already bright tracks and their bass range tends to be a little boomy and cluttered. On the upside, they should sound good enough for most listeners but they do not have a large and spacious soundstage due to their small closed back earcups which won't be ideal for more neutral listening.

0.0
Commute/Travel 

Decent for commuting. They're compact and fit into most pockets. They also have a decent control scheme that you can use on the go with your phone. Unfortunately, the in-ear fit does not block as much noise as typical in-ear headphones but should be fine if you're playing your music at higher than average volumes.

0.0
Sports/Fitness 

Good for sports. The Sony WIC300 have a decently stable in-ear fit, they're wireless and small enough to carry around on your person wherever you go. Unfortunately, though functional, their in-line remote doesn't have the best feedback and the module on the back of the cable may cause the earbuds to slip out of your ears during more intense physical exercises.

0.0
Office 

Decent for office use. The Sony WI-C300 don't leak, so you can mask the ambient noise of a lively office by playing your audio at higher than average volumes.

0.0
Wireless Gaming 

Sub-par for gaming. They have a mediocre-at-best mic, lack customization options and have a bit too much latency to be suitable for gaming. They're also Bluetooth only headphones that will not pair with your Xbox One or PS4.

0.0
Wired Gaming 
0.0
Phone Call 
  • 0.0
    Mixed Usage
  • 0.0
    Neutral Sound
  • 0.0
    Commute/Travel
  • 0.0
    Sports/Fitness
  • 0.0
    Office
  • 0.0
    Wireless Gaming
  • 0.0
    Wired Gaming
  • 0.0
    Phone Call
  • Changelog

    1.  Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.1.
    2.  Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.
    3.  Updated Jun 28, 2018: Review published.
    4.  Updated Jun 27, 2018: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.

    Popular Headphones Comparisons

    Comparison picture

    The Sony WI-C300 are basic wireless in-ears, decent enough for most use cases. They have a moderately balanced sound, a decent battery life and wireless range, and a simple design that's easy to use but doesn't have the best feedback. They're also a bit more comfortable than typical in-ears thanks to their small buds. Unfortunately, they do not come with a lot of tip options, and their build quality doesn't feel as durable as some of the other wireless in ears in their price range compared below. They also do not block noise as well as more conventional in-ear designs. Check our recommendations for the best sounding wireless earbuds, the best Bluetooth earbuds under $50 and the best wireless earbuds.

    JBL E25BT Wireless

    Track

    The JBL E25BT are better headphones overall than the Sony WI-C300. The JBLs also have a higher-end build quality and a flatter battery module with better cable management. The E25BT also have longer battery life and a more balanced sound with deeper bass. The WI-C300, on the other hand, support NFC, which makes them slightly easier to pair with mobile phones.

    How We Test Headphones: Over 800 And Counting!
    How We Test Headphones: Over 800 And Counting!

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    Test Results

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    RATINGS
    Category:
    All
    Design
    Style
    TypeLockedIn-ear
    EnclosureLockedClosed-Back
    WirelessLockedYes
    TransducerLockedDynamic

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    0.0
    Comfort
    WeightLockedLock lbs
    Clamping Force
    LockedLock lbs

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    0.0
    Controls
    OS Compatibility
    LockedN/A
    Ease Of UseLockedLocked
    FeedbackLockedLocked
    Call/Music ControlLockedLocked
    Volume ControlLockedLocked
    Microphone ControlLockedLocked
    Channel Mixing
    LockedN/A
    Noise Cancelling ControlLockedLocked
    Talk-Through
    LockedN/A
    Additional ButtonsLockedN/A

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    0.0
    Breathability
    Avg.Temp.DifferenceLockedLock °C

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    0.0
    Portability
    LLockedLock"
    WLockedLock"
    HLockedLock"
    VolumeLockedLock in³
    Transmitter RequiredLockedN/A

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    0.0
    Case
    TypeLockedN/A
    LLockedN/A
    WLockedN/A
    HLockedN/A
    VolumeLockedN/A

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    0.0
    Build Quality

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    0.0
    Stability

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    Headshots 1
    Headshots 2
    Top
    In The Box

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    Sound
    Sound Profile
    Bass Amount
    LockedLock dB
    Treble Amount
    LockedLock dB
    0.0
    Frequency Response Consistency
    Avg. Std. Deviation
    LockedLock dB

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    Raw Frequency Response
    0.0
    Bass Accuracy
    Std. Err.
    LockedLock dB
    Low-Frequency Extension
    LockedLock Hz
    Low-Bass
    LockedLock dB
    Mid-Bass
    LockedLock dB
    High-Bass
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Mid Accuracy
    Std. Err.
    LockedLock dB
    Low-Mid
    LockedLock dB
    Mid-Mid
    LockedLock dB
    High-Mid
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Treble Accuracy
    Std. Err.
    LockedLock dB
    Low-Treble
    LockedLock dB
    Mid-Treble
    LockedLock dB
    High-Treble
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Peaks/Dips
    Peaks
    LockedLock dB
    Dips
    LockedLock dB
    0.0
    Imaging
    Weighted Group Delay
    LockedLock
    Weighted Amplitude Mismatch
    LockedLock
    Weighted Frequency Mismatch
    LockedLock
    Weighted Phase Mismatch
    LockedLock

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    0.0
    Soundstage
    PRTF Accuracy (Std. Dev.)
    LockedN/A
    PRTF Size (Avg.)
    LockedN/A
    PRTF Distance
    LockedN/A
    Openness
    Locked
    0.0
    Acoustic Space Excitation
    Locked
    0.0

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    0.0
    Weighted Harmonic Distortion
    WHD @ 90
    LockedLock
    WHD @ 100
    LockedLock
    Isolation
    0.0
    Noise Isolation
    Isolation Audio
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    Overall Attenuation
    LockedLock dB
    Noise CancellingLockedNo
    Bass
    LockedLock dB
    Mid
    LockedLock dB
    Treble
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Leakage
    Leakage Audio
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    Overall Leakage @ 1ft
    LockedLock dB

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    Microphone
    Microphone Style
    Integrated
    LockedLocked
    In-line
    LockedLocked
    Boom
    LockedLocked
    Detachable Boom
    LockedN/A
    MicLockedYes

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    0.0
    Recording Quality
    Recorded Speech
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    LFE
    LockedLock Hz
    FR Std. Dev.
    LockedLock dB
    HFE
    LockedLock Hz
    Weighted THD
    LockedLock
    Gain
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Noise Handling
    Speech + Pink Noise
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    Speech + Subway Noise
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    SpNR
    LockedLock dB

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    Active Features
    0.0
    Battery
    Battery Type
    LockedLocked
    Continuous Battery Life
    LockedLock hrs
    Additional Charges
    LockedLock
    Total Battery Life
    LockedLock hrs
    Charge Time
    LockedLock hrs
    Power Saving Feature
    LockedLocked
    Audio While Charging
    LockedLocked
    Passive Playback
    LockedLocked
    Charging PortLockedLocked

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    0.0
    App Support
    App NameLockedN/A
    iOSLockedN/A
    AndroidLockedN/A
    macOSLockedN/A
    WindowsLockedN/A
    Equalizer
    LockedN/A
    ANC Control
    LockedN/A
    Mic ControlLockedN/A
    Room effects
    LockedN/A
    Playback Control
    LockedN/A
    Button MappingLockedN/A
    Surround SoundLockedN/A

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    Connectivity
    0.0
    Bluetooth
    Bluetooth Version
    LockedLocked
    Multi-Device Pairing
    LockedLocked
    NFC Pairing
    LockedLocked
    Line of Sight Range
    LockedLock ft
    Default Latency
    LockedLock ms
    aptX Latency
    LockedN/A
    aptX(LL) Latency
    LockedN/A

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    0.0
    Non-Bluetooth Wireless
    Non-BT Line of Sight Range
    LockedN/A
    Non-BT Latency
    LockedN/A
    0.0
    Wired
    Analog Audio
    LockedN/A
    USB Audio
    LockedN/A
    DetachableLockedLocked
    LengthLockedN/A
    ConnectionLockedN/A
    Wired Latency
    LockedN/A

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    PC / PS4 Compatibility
    PC / PS4 Analog
    LockedLocked
    PC / PS4 Wired USB
    LockedLocked
    PC / PS4 Non-BT Wireless
    LockedLocked
    Xbox One Compatibility
    Xbox One Analog
    LockedLocked
    Xbox One Wired USB
    LockedLocked
    Xbox One Wireless
    LockedLocked
    0.0
    Base/Dock
    Type
    LockedN/A
    USB Input
    LockedN/A
    Line In
    LockedN/A
    Line Out
    LockedN/A
    Optical Input
    LockedN/A
    RCA Input
    LockedN/A
    Dock Charging
    LockedN/A
    Power Supply
    LockedN/A

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