Sony WI-C100 Review: Why a Neckband Still Makes Sense

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The Short Version

Buy it if you keep losing earbuds, forget to charge cases, or want something cheap from a brand you trust. A 25-hour battery, a splash rating and Sony's app make it a sensible everyday pair.

It is the Android-friendly neckband. Google Fast Pair and Sony's app work on Android and iPhone alike, where the rival Beats Flex saves its best tricks for Apple devices.

Skip it if you want noise cancelling or the smallest thing in your pocket. There is no cancelling, and a neckband is bulkier to carry than a case.

Why a Neckband

You cannot lose one earbud. True wireless earbuds are two small objects with nothing attaching them to you, and losing one is the most common way they end. On the WI-C100 the earbuds hang from the band when they are out of your ears.

There is no case to forget. The battery is in the neckband itself, so there is nothing to keep track of or to leave on a desk.

The trade is the band. You are wearing something around your neck, and it is a look not everyone likes. It is also harder to slip into a small pocket than a case.

What You Get

Up to 25 hours of battery. That is several days of commuting for most people, and well beyond what any true wireless earbud manages on a single charge without its case. As with any manufacturer figure, treat it as a ceiling.

IPX4 splash and sweat resistance. Enough for rain and an ordinary workout. It is not a swimming rating.

Sony's Headphones Connect app, with an equaliser. Tuning control is rare at this price and it is the main thing the Sony name brings. The app also offers DSEE, Sony's processing that tries to restore detail lost in compressed audio — a modest effect, and most noticeable on low-bitrate streams.

Physical buttons. Play, pause, track skip and volume sit on the band. They are easy to find by feel and do not trigger by accident the way touch controls can.

Google Fast Pair. On Android, the WI-C100 pairs with a single tap when you switch it on near your phone.

What You Give Up

No noise cancelling. The earbuds seal the ear and block some sound passively, but nothing more. For a noisy commute, a cheap pair of cancelling earbuds such as the Soundcore P30i is the better tool.

Pocketability. A neckband does not fold away as neatly as a charging case.

Fit depends on the tips. Sony's own listing stresses that the wrong tip size costs both sound quality and call clarity. Try the other included sizes before deciding the sound is thin.

WI-C100 or Beats Flex?

The Beats Flex is the other well-known neckband, and the two suit different phones.

On Android, the WI-C100 is the better buy: twice the battery, a water rating and an equaliser. On an iPhone, the Flex has the edge for its instant pairing and switching across Apple devices.

Other Options Around the Same Money

Cheap true wireless earbuds. If the neckband does not appeal, the Soundcore P20i costs less and comes with an app and a case. Our best wireless earbuds under $50 guide covers the wider field.

For workouts. IPX4 handles sweat, but if training is the main use, our best wireless earbuds for running guide covers designs built to stay put.

FAQ

How long does the Sony WI-C100 battery last? Up to 25 hours by Sony's figure. Real use at higher volume lands lower.

Is the Sony WI-C100 waterproof? It is rated IPX4, which covers splashes and sweat. It should not be submerged.

Does the WI-C100 have noise cancelling? No. Isolation comes only from the earbud tips.

Does it work with iPhone? Yes. It works as a standard Bluetooth headset with any phone, and the Sony app runs on iPhone too. Google Fast Pair is an Android feature.

Does it have an app? Yes, Sony's Headphones Connect app, with an equaliser and DSEE.

Is a neckband better than true wireless earbuds? For people who lose earbuds or forget to charge cases, often yes. For the smallest possible carry or noise cancelling, true wireless is the better choice.

The Verdict

Our score: 7.8/10. The WI-C100 is a deliberately simple product that gets the practical things right: a long battery, a water rating, physical buttons, an app with an equaliser and a design that keeps both earbuds attached to you.

It does not cancel noise and it will not disappear into a pocket. But for someone who wants dependable everyday earbuds that cannot be lost one at a time, especially on Android, it is one of the most sensible cheap buys from a major brand.