Sony WF-C500 vs boAt Airdopes 131
An in-depth comparison to help you choose the right Wireless Earbuds for your needs
Sony
₹4,030
boAt
₹815
Sony's audio heritage meets India's best-selling budget earbud. The Sony WF-C500 at Rs 4,030 bring DSEE upscaling, precision 5.8mm drivers, and Sony's legendary sound tuning with 20hr battery. The boAt Airdopes 131 at Rs 815 offer 13mm drivers, ENx calls, and a massive 60hr battery. The Sony costs four times more for what looks like less on paper - smaller drivers, shorter battery, no ANC. But Sony's sound quality advantage is real and audible to anyone who listens carefully.
Head-to-Head
How each product stacks up across key dimensions
Product A
Sony WF-C500
1
wins
Product B
boAt Airdopes 131
5
wins
Sony WF-C500
₹4,030
boAt Airdopes 131
₹815
Sony WF-C500
4.3 / 5
boAt Airdopes 131
4.1 / 5
Sony WF-C500
84/100
boAt Airdopes 131
88/100
Sony WF-C500
2,876 reviews
boAt Airdopes 131
Bestseller
Sony WF-C500
5.8mm Driver Unit
boAt Airdopes 131
13mm Drivers
Sony WF-C500
Up to 20 hours (with case)
boAt Airdopes 131
Up to 60 hours (with case)
Quick Summary
Sony's audio heritage meets India's best-selling budget earbud.
Our Recommendation
Best Overall
boAt Airdopes 131
₹815
4.1/5 rating
Winner
boAt
Alternative
Sony
The boAt Airdopes 131 win on features and value by every measurable metric. The Sony WF-C500 win on pure audio quality, which is harder to quantify but immediately noticeable. Most Indian buyers should pick the boAt. Serious music listeners should audition the Sony.
The Products
Sony
Sony WF-C500
Inclusive of all taxes
Key Features
- DSEE technology restores high-frequency sound details
- 360 Reality Audio support for immersive listening
- 20 hours total battery with compact charging case
Specs at a Glance
Driver Size
5.8mm Driver Unit
Battery Life
Up to 20 hours (with case)
Active Noise Cancellation
No ANC
Bluetooth Version
5.0
boAt
boAt Airdopes 131
Inclusive of all taxes
Key Features
- Massive 60 hours total playback time
- ASAP Charge: 10 minutes = 180 minutes playtime
- ENx Environmental Noise Cancellation for crystal-clear calls
Specs at a Glance
Driver Size
13mm Drivers
Battery Life
Up to 60 hours (with case)
Active Noise Cancellation
No ANC (ENx for calls)
Bluetooth Version
5.0
Prices accurate as of 26/11/2025. Prices and availability on Amazon.in may change.
Key Differences
The most important things that set these products apart
₹3,215 price difference
boAt Airdopes 131The boAt Airdopes 131 is 80% more affordable, saving you ₹3,215. This is a significant price gap that could be a deciding factor.
Sony WF-C500 is rated higher by users
Sony WF-C500With 4.3 stars from 2,876 reviews, the Sony WF-C500 has stronger customer satisfaction. The large number of reviews makes this rating highly reliable.
Driver Size: 13mm Drivers vs 5.8mm Driver Unit
boAt Airdopes 131The boAt Airdopes 131 leads in driver size with 13mm Drivers compared to 5.8mm Driver Unit.
Battery Life: Up to 60 hours (with case) vs Up to 20 hours (with case)
boAt Airdopes 131The boAt Airdopes 131 leads in battery life with Up to 60 hours (with case) compared to Up to 20 hours (with case).
Weight: 4g per earbud vs 5.4g per earbud
boAt Airdopes 131The boAt Airdopes 131 is more efficient in weight with 4g per earbud compared to 5.4g per earbud.
Detailed Specifications
| Specification | Sony WF-C500 | boAt Airdopes 131 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ₹4,030 | ₹815 |
| Rating | 4.3 / 5(2,876) | 4.1 / 5(8,764) |
| Driver Size | 5.8mm Driver Unit | 13mm Drivers |
| Battery Life | Up to 20 hours (with case) | Up to 60 hours (with case) |
| Active Noise Cancellation | No ANC | No ANC (ENx for calls) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Water Resistance | IPX4 | IPX4 |
| Charging Type | USB Type-C | USB Type-C |
| Microphones | Built-in Mic | Quad Mic with ENx |
| Weight | 5.4g per earbud | 4g per earbud |
Indicates better value in this category
Pros & Cons
Sony WF-C500
What we like
- Signature Sony sound quality and clarity
- DSEE audio enhancement technology
- 360 Reality Audio creates immersive soundstage
- Extremely compact and portable charging case
- Comfortable ergonomic fit for long listening
- Reliable Sony build quality and durability
What could be better
- No Active Noise Cancellation feature
- Relatively short 20-hour battery life
- Higher price without ANC compared to rivals
- Touch controls can be finicky
- Bluetooth 5.0 (not latest 5.3)
- Bass response not as strong as competitors
boAt Airdopes 131
What we like
- Exceptional 60-hour battery life, best in segment
- Ultra-fast ASAP charging technology
- Excellent value for money under ₹1,000
- Clear call quality with quad mic ENx
- Low latency gaming mode works well
- Lightweight and comfortable for daily use
- Strong bass performance typical of boAt
What could be better
- No Active Noise Cancellation for music
- Sound quality lacks detail in mids and highs
- Build quality feels plasticky
- Touch controls can be inconsistent
- Bluetooth 5.0 (older version)
- App support is basic with limited features
Which One Should You Buy?
Pick the one that matches your priorities
Choose Sony WF-C500 if
- Audio quality and natural sound tuning are your top priority
- Sony's DSEE upscaling improves your streaming music quality
- You listen primarily in quiet environments like home or office
- You appreciate detailed, balanced audio over loud bass-heavy sound
Choose boAt Airdopes 131 if
- Rs 815 fits your budget and 60hr battery is unmatched
- You prefer loud, bass-heavy 13mm drivers for Bollywood and EDM
- Battery endurance for a week of college or travel matters most
- You want India's most popular earbud with easy availability everywhere
Buying Tip
Sony's DSEE upscaling technology was developed for their premium WF-1000XM series and trickled down to the WF-C500. You are getting Rs 15,000 audio processing technology in a Rs 4,030 earbud. The boAt Airdopes 131 use no such processing - what the driver produces is what you hear, unenhanced.
Ready to decide?
Frequently Asked Questions
Sony charges for audio engineering, DSEE processing, and decades of sound expertise. The boAt uses larger but simpler drivers with straightforward tuning. It costs less to make bigger basic drivers than to engineer small precision drivers with advanced processing. You pay for Sony's R&D, not raw materials.
The boAt Airdopes 131's 13mm drivers deliver louder, punchier bass for Bollywood dance tracks. The Sony WF-C500 produces more detailed vocals and better instrument separation for ghazals and ballads. For Badshah and Honey Singh, boAt works great. For Arijit Singh and Shreya Ghoshal, Sony reveals more nuance.
Not ideal. Without ANC, the tiny 5.8mm drivers cannot physically compete with ambient noise on Mumbai locals or Delhi buses. You will raise volume to unsafe levels to hear music. The boAt's 13mm drivers at least get loud enough. For commuters specifically, neither is great - consider ANC earbuds instead.
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