Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) vs Sony WF-C501
Which is Better? Full Specs & Score Comparison
Compare Apple AirPods Pro 2 ($144.99) and Sony WF-C501 ($48.50). The AirPods offer ANC, Spatial Audio, and IPX4, while Sony's value is clear. Over $90 price difference.
Review
Score breakdown by dimension
Features
Comfort
Audio
Battery
StealScore (Overall)
Weighted composite across all dimensions
Key Differences
Data-backed advantages of each product
Reasons to consider AirPods Pro 2
- + 90% more driver size (11 vs 5.8)
- + 50% more battery case hours (30 vs 20)
- + 6% more bluetooth version (5.3 vs 5)
Reasons to consider WF-C501
- + 1978% more quick charge (1060 vs 51)
- + 67% more battery buds hours (10 vs 6)
- + 31% lower weight case g (35 vs 50.8)
- + 13% lower weight (4.6 vs 5.3)
- + Newer — released 1 year later
Full Specifications
Side-by-side specs of AirPods Pro 2 and WF-C501
Audio
| Specification | AirPods Pro 2 | WF-C501 |
|---|---|---|
| Driver Size (mm) | 11 | 5.8 |
| Impedance (Ω) | -- | -- |
| Sensitivity (dB) | -- | -- |
| Active Noise Cancellation | Y | N |
| Spatial Audio | Y | N |
Design & Build
| Specification | AirPods Pro 2 | WF-C501 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight (per bud) (g) | 5.3 | 4.6 |
| Case Weight (g) | 50.8 | 35 |
Other
| Specification | AirPods Pro 2 | WF-C501 |
|---|---|---|
| Driver Type | dynamic | dynamic |
| Frequency Range | 20Hz - 20kHz | 20 Hz - 20,000 Hz (44.1 kHz sampling) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.0 |
| Audio Codecs | ["AAC","SBC"] | ["SBC","AAC"] |
| Multipoint Connection | N | N |
| ANC Reduction (dB) | -- | -- |
| Transparency Mode | Y | N |
| Battery (buds, ANC off) (hours) | 6 | 10 |
| Battery (buds, ANC on) (hours) | 6 | -- |
| Battery (total w/ case) (hours) | 30 | 20 |
| Quick Charge | 5 min charge for 1 hour playback | 10 minutes for 60 minutes playback |
| USB-C Charging | N | Y |
| Wireless Charging | Y | N |
| Water Resistance | IPX4 | IPX4 |
| Companion App | N | Y |
| Voice Assistant | Siri | Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Siri |
| Warranty (months) | 12 | 12 |
Price Comparison
Current retail prices and value analysis
AirPods Pro 2
Price History
WF-C501
Price History
Value Index
Value index estimates how much performance and quality you get per dollar, relative to the category average.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which earbud offers better noise cancellation?
How do the battery lives compare?
Is either product suitable for exercise with water resistance?
Which product is a better value for its price?
When comparing the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) and the Sony WF-C501, the most immediate difference, even without full specifications for the Sony model, relates to comfort and the overall feature set. The AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) weigh 5.3 g per bud, a specific metric for in-ear comfort. Product B doesn’t publish its weight, making a direct comfort comparison based on specifications alone impossible. For those prioritizing a lightweight design, the AirPods Pro offer a verifiable metric.
Moving beyond comfort, the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) stand out with several advanced features. They include Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode, capabilities that Product B doesn’t publish as having. This makes the AirPods Pro a strong contender for environments where ambient sound control is crucial, such as commuting or work. Connectivity is handled by Bluetooth 5.3 with AAC and SBC codecs for the AirPods Pro, while Product B doesn’t publish its Bluetooth version or supported codecs. Neither product offers multipoint connection.
Battery life is another area where the AirPods Pro provide clear data: 6 hours of playback from the buds (with or without ANC) and a total of 30 hours with the charging case. They also support wireless charging and offer a quick charge feature, providing 1 hour of playback from a 5-minute charge. However, they do not feature USB-C charging. Product B doesn’t publish any battery life or charging specifications, which limits understanding its endurance and convenience features.
Durability for the AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) is rated at IPX4 for water resistance, offering protection against splashes. Product B doesn’t publish any water resistance rating, so its suitability for activities like gym or running cannot be confirmed by specifications. Unique to the AirPods Pro is Spatial Audio, enhancing immersive listening, a feature not published for Product B. The AirPods Pro integrate with Siri for voice assistance, while Product B doesn’t publish its voice assistant capabilities.
The most glaring difference, however, is the price. The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) are priced at $144.99, while the Sony WF-C501 are a significantly more affordable $48.50. This substantial price gap of over $90 means that the WF-C501’s primary appeal is its budget-friendly nature. Without published specifications for most features, the WF-C501’s performance and capabilities remain largely unknown, making it difficult to recommend for specific advanced use cases where features like ANC, water resistance, or extended battery life are paramount. The AirPods Pro, despite their higher cost, offer a transparent and robust feature set backed by clear specifications, justifying their price point for users demanding specific functionalities and verified performance.
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