I’m always testing new headphones, so it can take a lot to impress me. I tried out around 60 different pairs last year and have already tested almost 50 this year (I’m keeping track) – the more time I spend working out what makes the best pair of true wireless earbuds, the more I think it’s a compact size and comfortable fit that matters more than many of the other headline features.
That’s why Apple’s AirPods are so popular and why so many of my top picks, including budget headphones under £50, are petite earbuds you can wear for several hours without getting uncomfortable.
I’m a huge fan of the small Sony WF-C500, which delivers brilliant audio, passive isolation and button controls for £55.
The only major downside is that these buds don’t have any active noise-cancelling (ANC), something remedied by the £99 Sony WF-C700N, which I’ve used as my primary earphones for the last week. If you were on the fence about the WF-C500, it's worth paying a little extra for this upgrade. In addition, the WF-C700N are somehow even smaller and more comfortable, have useful Bluetooth multipoint for two simultaneous connections, and have even better sound performance.
It won’t surprise you to learn that the WF-C700N are an immediate standout in a competitive field where it feels like new rivals come out every few days.
At this price, though, they’re getting my vote as the best earbuds under £100 for most listeners. The sound is rich and detailed, the button controls are intuitive, the fit is super comfortable and they have the same isolating ear tips that I already love from the WF-C500, as well as an impressive 7.5 hours of battery life (with an additional charge available in the case).
In addition to the superb sound quality, you’re getting fantastic active noise-cancelling (ANC). I’m not just saying that, I put it to the test in the office, in coffee shops and on my commute on the bustling London Underground.
To get a sense of how much noise was getting cancelled, I tried to keep track of the decibel level measurements with my Apple Watch, noticing when I could hear the screeches of the train or the voices of my coworkers.
Everything below 80 decibels gets silenced by the noise-cancelling system on these Sonys, and they do a brilliant job with low-frequency rumbles up to about 85 decibels. In practical terms, they’ll be a brilliant companion on a flight, where cabin noise shouldn’t get above this level. Higher frequencies like voices are a bit more audible even with the ANC on, but we didn’t find this a major downside and they handle the din of a coffee shop well.
They’re also the most affordable way to get my favourite Sony feature: Adaptive Sound Contol. I’ll simplify the jargon: essentially, this switches your noise-cancelling mode depending on what you’re doing.
If you’re walking, it’ll turn it off for better awareness; if you’re running, you get full awareness with “ambient sound” dialled up to the top level; when “staying” or “riding in a vehicle”, it’ll turn noise-cancelling on without you doing anything. I love how this deals with important controls for me, and it can learn how you use the modes or be set to come on at specific locations.
Are there downsides? While I appreciate the simple button controls over touch input, it’s a shame they aren’t customisable in the Sony Headphones app. The battery life is great, but I’ve tested a few rivals at this price tier that offer a couple more hours, like the Soundcore Liberty 4NC. There’s also no in-ear detection, something I find handy for auto-pausing music when I take out a bud, and this is something you can get on the £99 Nothing Ear (a) and £129 Nothing Ear.
Good Housekeeping’s verdict on Sony’s WF-C700N
Overall, though, and especially given that these tiny buds weigh a mere 4.6g each, these are my new favourites at under £100. The Sony WF-C700N sound brilliant, cancel loads of external noise and have a long-lasting battery life. The charging case is also small and pocketable, and they come in four appealing colours: black, white, lavender and sage green.
Pros
- Tiny design and compact charging case
- Discreet and comfortable in-use
- Excellent sound quality
- 15 hours of total battery life
- Impressive active noise-cancelling
- Bluetooth multipoint
- Straightforward buttons for control
Cons
- Button controls lack customisation
- No in-ear wear detection
- Some rivals are better at noise-cancelling
- Not the longest battery life
- Huge amount of competition at this price
Key specifications
| Noise-cancelling | Yes |
|---|---|
| Battery life | 15 hours (7.5 hours on a single charge) |
| Charging | USB-C |
| Weight | 4.6g per earbud (40.2g with the case) |
Simon Cocks is Good Housekeeping UK’s Technology Editor, overseeing tech shopping content and strategy for the title. He previously also worked across other titles including Esquire UK, Digital Spy, Men’s Health UK and Women’s Health UK.
Simon specialises in testing the latest smart gadgets, home entertainment gear, headphones, speakers, portable chargers, radios, e-book readers and smartphones. He's reviewed top tech products from brands including Google, Apple, Amazon, JBL and Bose.
A magazine journalism graduate from Kingston University in 2014, Simon also worked on the Discovery and Silkroad inflight magazines. He then gained experience writing about entertainment at SFX and Total Film. He also contributed reviews and interviews to TwitchFilm (later ScreenAnarchy), CultBox and Frame Rated.
He joined Good Housekeeping UK as the Editorial Assistant for Special Projects and was part of Good Housekeeping’s Consumer Affairs Team between 2014 and 2019. In this role, he conducted price comparison research, wrote detailed household and money-saving advice guides and edited thousands of in-depth reviews for the Good Housekeeping Institute.
He has focused on technology and gadgets since 2020, where he started by testing out power banks and instant cameras. He writes reviews, roundups, news articles and deals updates, and also covers top tech deals during sales like Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
When not testing out the latest gizmos, you’ll find Simon either catching up with the newest releases at his local cinema or out shooting with his beloved compact camera.
You can follow Simon on Instagram, on Bluesky, on LinkedIn and on Threads.
