Sony WI-C100 Neckband Review: Should You Trust the Budget Brilliance?

When it comes to wireless neckbands under ₹2000, the market is flooded with choices — but not all of them live up to the hype. That’s where the Sony WI-C100 tries to stand out, promising the trusted Sony audio experience at an affordable price point.

But does it actually deliver the “Sony sound” you expect? I tested this neckband for over a week — during calls, Netflix binges, late-night podcasts, and morning walks — and here’s everything you need to know before making the purchase.

From build quality to sound clarity, let’s break it down.

Budget Brilliance from Sony

Sony WI-C100 Neckband

The Sony WI-C100 offers a balanced sound, lightweight comfort, and impressive battery life at an affordable price. But can this budget-friendly neckband live up to Sony’s premium reputation? Here’s the full story.

See Price & Full Review

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Design & Build Quality

Lightweight, Subtle, and Surprisingly Comfortable

At first glance, the Sony WI-C100 doesn’t try to be flashy — and that’s a good thing. It’s built for daily use, with a minimalist, clean matte finish that gives off a more premium feel than most budget Bluetooth neckbands.

Weighing just around 20 grams, it’s incredibly light. I wore it for 3–4 hours straight during a workday and barely noticed it was there. The flexible neckband sits comfortably and doesn’t tug or irritate, even if you wear it over a shirt collar or while lying on your back.

Build quality feels solid, with decent rubberized texture.
The earbuds are angled well, and the magnets keep them secure when not in use.
Buttons are tactile, though I wish they were slightly more raised — they take some getting used to.

Also worth noting: this neckband is IPX4 water resistant, so it easily handles light rain or sweat during workouts — no stress on monsoon days or gym sessions.

Personal Note: I even wore it while jogging in light drizzle, and it held up without any issues. That kind of peace of mind is rare in this price segment.

Sound Quality

Balanced, Clean, and Perfect for Everyday Listening

If you’re expecting booming bass like in Boat or Realme earbuds, the Sony WI-C100 might feel a bit understated. But that’s exactly where Sony plays it smart.

Instead of overpowering lows, the WI-C100 delivers a well-balanced sound signature — clear vocals, crisp mids, and just enough bass to keep music engaging.

I tested it with everything from Arijit Singh’s soulful ballads to EDM beats from Ritviz, and it consistently offered clean audio without distortion. Even at higher volumes, the sound didn’t get muddy — something most neckbands at this price struggle with.

Here’s what stood out during testing:

• Vocals shine through beautifully, especially in podcasts and acoustic tracks.
• Bass is tight, not thumpy — ideal for those who prefer clarity over loudness.
• Soundstage is decent, meaning instruments and vocals feel nicely spaced.

Personal favorite test track: “Let Me Down Slowly” by Alec Benjamin — the soft vocals and background instruments really pop on this neckband.

If you’re into bass-heavy music like Punjabi hits or hip-hop, this might not thrill you. But for everyday listeners, movie watchers, and voice-focused users, the WI-C100 hits the sweet spot.

Call Quality & Microphone Performance

Great for Zoom, Work Calls & Outdoor Chatter

The real surprise was the microphone clarity — it’s far better than what most sub-₹2000 neckbands offer. I took calls while walking through traffic and even during a quick grocery run. The mic held up well in all situations.

On the receiving end, people told me I sounded “clear and natural”, even without holding the mic close to my mouth. No muffled tones, no “underwater” sound effect that’s common with cheaper neckbands.

Call Test Summary:

• Indoors (quiet): Clear and crisp
• Outdoors (moderate noise): Slight background noise, but still understandable
• Outdoors (heavy traffic): Usable, not crystal clear — but didn’t disconnect or distort

Pro Tip: Try to keep your phone nearby while calling outdoors. Mic clarity drops a bit if the signal weakens.

If you take frequent calls, attend online classes, or hop on Zoom often — the Sony WI-C100 is a reliable option, better than most others under this price bracket.

Battery Life

25+ Hours That Actually Deliver – No Exaggeration

Sony claims up to 25 hours of playback, and in my experience, that number is surprisingly accurate.

I used it mainly for:

• ~2 hours of music daily
• 30–40 mins of calls
• Occasional YouTube and Netflix

After 4 days of moderate use, it still had ~30% battery left. That’s real-world usage that holds up.

Charging:

• It uses Type-C charging, which is great.
• Full charge takes roughly 2.5–3 hours.
• Bonus: A 10-minute quick charge gives you ~60 minutes of playback — very handy when you’re in a rush.

Personal note: Once, I forgot to charge it before stepping out. Plugged it in while getting ready — by the time I left, it had enough juice for my commute.

Features & App Support

Packed with Practical Features – Including App Tuning!

For a neckband under ₹2000, the Sony WI-C100 brings more to the table than expected. What makes it stand out is the support for the Sony Headphones Connect app — something usually reserved for higher-end Sony devices.

Here’s what you get:

Budget Brilliance from Sony

Sony WI-C100 Neckband

The Sony WI-C100 offers a balanced sound, lightweight comfort, and impressive battery life at an affordable price. But can this budget-friendly neckband live up to Sony’s premium reputation? Here’s the full story.

See Price & Full Review

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

Key Features:

• Fast Pairing with Android devices via Bluetooth 5.0
• Support for 360 Reality Audio (if you’re using compatible streaming services)
• Sony’s Headphones Connect App lets you:
  • Customize the equalizer
  • Toggle sound presets (Bright, Bass Boost, Relaxed, etc.)
  • Update firmware (rare in budget neckbands)

I personally tweaked the EQ to increase vocal clarity and drop the treble slightly — the sound became warmer and more comfortable for long listening.

Unfortunately, there’s no ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) — but at this price, that’s understandable. It does, however, offer passive noise isolation due to its snug earbud fit.

Codec Support:

• Only supports AAC and SBC — no LDAC here, but sound quality remains clean and stable.

If you’re someone who enjoys customizing your sound profile or switching between devices, this added app support gives you a rare level of control for the price.

This video provides a complete hands-on review of the Sony WI-C100 Neckband. It covers everything from build quality, design, sound performance, battery life, to calling experience and comfort. If you prefer a visual walk-through or want to hear how it performs in real-life scenarios, this video will give you a practical understanding before diving deeper into the written review. Watch it and then scroll down to explore our detailed insights, comparisons, and user feedback.

Video credits: SRJ TECH WORLD

Comparison Table

User Feedback – What Amazon & Reddit Tell Us

Here are a few highlights from reviews and forums:

• Amazon (May 2025): “Eleven-hour workday? No sweat—battery is solid.”
• Amazon (Apr 2025): “Great podcast sound, but lost in traffic noise.”
• Reddit thread “Budget Sony Neckbands 2025”: “The WI-C100 still wins for battery and comfort. But JBL for bass, Realme for ANC.”

Users often comment:

“It feels like a reliable old friend—never fails.”

Versus feedback like:

“It does its job, nothing more.”

This tells you: buy it for dependability. Expect no bells and whistles.

Budget Brilliance from Sony

Sony WI-C100 Neckband

The Sony WI-C100 offers a balanced sound, lightweight comfort, and impressive battery life at an affordable price. But can this budget-friendly neckband live up to Sony’s premium reputation? Here’s the full story.

See Price & Full Review

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

For under ₹2000, you’re getting:

• Comfortable design
• Balanced sound
• Reliable battery life
• Above-average mic quality
• App-based customization

But if you’re a basshead or someone who wants thumpy beats and aggressive sound tuning, you may find this underwhelming. Also, the lack of multi-point connectivity or ANC might be a dealbreaker for some.

Should You Buy the Sony WI-C100?

Buy it if:

• You value clarity, vocals, and balanced sound
• You want a light, comfortable neckband for daily wear
• You take a lot of calls or attend virtual meetings
• You’re looking for something reliable from a trusted brand like Sony

Skip it if:

• You want deep bass and booming sound
• You prefer earbuds with ANC or gaming features
• You need multi-device connectivity or advanced codecs

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Suggested Reads: More Neckband Guides You’ll Find Useful

Best Neckbands Under ₹1500 in India – Top Picks with Pros & Cons

Neckband Buying Guide 2025—Just the Way You Like It

Sony WI-C100 Neckband Review – Is This the Best Budget Earphone Under ₹1500?

Explore these helpful resources to find the right neckband or make a smart buying decision.

FAQs – Sony WI-C100 Neckband

About the Author

Hari Prasad is the editor of AudioPick.in and a lifelong audio enthusiast. He writes detailed, honest reviews and guides to help everyday users pick the right gear without tech jargon. His personal interest in Bluetooth audio, neckbands, and codecs comes from testing dozens of devices over the past few years.