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Top Pros
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Reddit Reviews
Sony wf-c500 Cheap, good, reliable, long battery.
Sony wfc500 at around 4k. Everything is very good about it
I use the Sony WF-C500 and clarity and tuning is good for the price, its lightweight and comfy for multi-hour use, and exceptional battery life (around 10 hours on a single charge). Simple controls and reliable Bluetooth make them low-fuss too which I like and prefer
I have a pair of Sony WF-C500 earbuds - currently £40 due to being discontinued (the updated model is still only £60). Although they do obviously block some sound, I find they're not isolating enough to stop me hearing the tyre noise of cars coming up behind me, provided the music is relatively quiet. But I mostly use them to listen to speech when I'm riding (especially on roads), and for that I don't think they're a safety issue at all. And they sound good enough that I never bother to get out my B&W PX7s any more.
Still use my WF-C500s
Shokz is good but I don't like the sound, for ultrarunning I want to be able to shut off the outside world and listen to some 'good' music. Sony WF-C500/WF-C510 have been my go to, they cost between 30-50€ for a pair, seem to withstand heavy rain and sweat, sound OK (a lot better than bone conducting like Shokz) and most importantly they last 10 hours on a charge.
also had them, they are pretty good. I upgraded to the c700n and they are worth the extra bit of money
I've had WF-C500s for a couple of years now, and I use them for genuinely about 6 hours a day. The batteries are great, they fit my ears better than most, the controls are well-tuned, and they've always sounded great. I spent £30 on them from HMV and it might be the best value for money I've ever got. When or if they ever need replacing, it will be Sony WF-C's I replace them with, so I'm glad to see that the newer models are just as good value
Rankings by Use Case
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Best for Situational awareness (when running, cycling, parenting etc)

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