By 
We judge all headphones and earbuds on a scale of 10, analyzing the categories we think are most important: sound, comfort, design, battery performance, and, if applicable, special features. Here's how the Sony LinkBuds S stack up.
The LinkBuds S true wireless earbuds are a timely addition to Sony’s lineup, bringing a variety of impressive features, like supreme comfort, ambient awareness, onboard noise cancellation, and comfortable in-ear fit with silicone ear tips. With a $200 price tag, the LinkBuds S slots in between the original futuristic LinkBuds and the best-in-class WF-1000XM4 earbuds.
Sony launched the LinkBuds S a few days after the fantastic WH-1000XM5 wireless headphones — the best noise-canceling cans in the business. After more than a week of testing, here’s everything you need to know about the tech giant’s latest wireless buds.
SCORES
Sound: 9/10
Comfort: 9/10
Design: 8/10
Battery Performance: 7/10
Overall Score: 8/10
Sony Linkbuds at a Glance
- Great sound and reliable noise cancellation
- Lightweight and exceptionally comfortable
- Up to 6 hours of battery life
- IPX4 sweat- and water-resistant
SOUND: 9/10
The sound quality of the LinkBuds S is nothing short of impressive — making them a contender for the best from a pair of $200 earbuds. Sony fitted the earbuds with custom 5-millimeter audio drivers, which, in tandem with a sophisticated V1 processor (the same that powers the superior WF-1000XM4) and support for Hi-Res Audio content, produce a sonic experience with plenty of power and lavish detail. I streamed various content on Qobuz while testing the buds — from energetic live jazz to eclectic beats-filled downtempo tracks — and enjoyed the consistent acoustic performance.
Like all true wireless earbuds from Sony, the LinkBuds S have a sound enhancement engine that helps you get more detail out of compressed content, along with a companion app for customizing the sound. You can choose from various audio presets or create your own by tweaking a graphic equalizer. And, of course, there’s a separate toggle for adjusting the bass intensity.
And if you're looking to constantly drown out background noise, these earbuds are worthy of your investment — because their noise cancellation is strong. Throughout my testing, the LinkBuds S reliably canceled out the weekday traffic cacophony from the Midtown Manhattan street underneath my living room. As impressive as this feature is though, it's not as powerful as the near-silence the pricier Sony WF-1000XM4 earbuds can immerse you in.
The noise-canceling setup of the LinkBuds S includes adaptive sound control — an intelligent feature that impressed me in the Sony WF-1000XM4 earbuds. Based on your activities and location, it will seamlessly increase or lower the ambient sounds the buds let in.
The LinkBuds S buds also keep you connected to your surroundings better than their pricier rivals, thanks to built-in microphones and air vents. However, you should know that the vents, while noticeably more prominent than those of other earbuds, can’t match the open-air efficacy of the donut-shaped LinkBuds drivers.
I used the LinkBuds S during calls and remote work sessions and was very pleased with their seamless performance. The Bluetooth 5.2 earbuds also maintained a stellar connection with an iPhone 13 Pro and a Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra during my testing.
COMFORT: 9/10
Some earbuds can deliver great sound, but lack comfort. Thankfully, the Sony LinkBuds S are the comfiest top-shelf noise-canceling earbuds I've experienced to date. At 4.8 grams each, the buds weigh less than direct rivals like the Jabra Elite 7 Pro and the AirPods Pro. I wore the ergonomically shaped earbuds for hours and never felt the urge to take them off for a break.
Weighing at 7.3 grams each, Sony’s best-in-class WF-1000XM4 wireless earbuds weigh significantly more than the LinkBuds S, but given how incredible their noise cancellation and battery life are, you can justify their heaviness. On the other hand, the regular LinkBuds weigh 4.1 grams each, making them a tad lighter but nowhere near as immersive.
The textured housings of the LinkBuds S make the buds’ touch-sensitive controls feel surprisingly reassuring and pleasant to interact with. You can customize them in the Sony Headphones app.
Speak to Chat has been a standout feature of premium Sony headphones and earbuds since the 2020 launch of the WH-1000XM4 wireless cans. It will pause the buds’ audio playback and activate their ambient sound mode upon detecting your voice. The trick is handy for having a short conversation at the office or while out and about.
As expected from a high-end pair of wireless earbuds, the LinkBuds S have wear sensors that will pause the audio playback when you remove them. The earbuds are also easy to pair with Android phones and PC, courtesy of Google Fast Pair and Microsoft Swift Pair tech. Connecting them to an iPhone only took me an extra couple of seconds.
DESIGN: 8/10
The ergonomic shape of the LinkBuds S is a bit similar to that of the cheaper Sony WF-C500 wireless earbuds. However, the pricier product looks more high-tech and distinctive by rocking a subtle-yet-characterful dual-tone finish, engraved Sony branding, and larger vents.
The IPX4 rating of the LinkBuds S allows the earbuds to survive exposure to sweat and water, making them a great option for exercising and outdoor activities. But if your workouts are particularly demanding and strenuous, you should consider a pair of earbuds with a more robust durability rating.
BATTERY PERFORMANCE: 7/10
The 6-hour battery life of the LinkBuds S with noise cancellation on is solid, given how lightweight and feature-packed the earphones are. Their storage case will get you a tad more than two charges for 20 hours’ worth of sound between charging sessions with the bundled (or any) USB-C cable.
And while we’re on the subject, I’ll be honest with you — my biggest gripe with the LinkBuds S is their case’s lack of support for wireless charging. In 2022, this functionality is standard on countless true wireless earbuds, including sub-$100 sets. It’s a feature that’s notably missing in the first-ever LinkBuds, too.
OVERALL: 8/10
If you're shopping for a proficient set of true wireless earbuds and don’t want to drop almost $300 for the Sony WF-1000XM4, you should keep the LinkBuds S on your radar. I’d pick the Sony buds over similarly priced rivals for comfort and sound alone. In addition to being an excellent pair of earbuds right out of the box, the latter is also infinitely customizable.
The Jabra Elite 7 Pro and the Beats Fit Pro are eminent alternatives to the Sony LinkBuds S. Jabra’s offering has a tougher build, longer battery life, and more robust call quality. The Beats Fit Pro earbuds offer convenient controls and Apple connectivity that’s in a different stratosphere. That said, the LinkBuds have an edge in audio fidelity and ergonomics.
Sony offers the LinkBuds S in black or white with a matching case.
Stefan is the senior technology editor for BestProducts.com, where he’s been covering the tech industry and testing the latest gadgets since 2015. He has more than a decade of experience covering consumer tech products, especially smartphones, tablets, laptops, and audio gear. He was previously the US editor for GSMArena.com; his work can also be found on Popular Mechanics and other Hearst publications.In the rare moments when he’s not playing with a new gadget, Stefan likes to watch live Premier League games or hang out with his cat and rabbit. He’s also an espresso snob.
