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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 typically cost more than the Sony Linkbuds, but they provide better overall sound quality and active noise cancelling, which the Linkbuds lack, making them suitable for air travel or noisy environments. The Airpods Pro 2 also have a lower latency mode, enhancing the experience for gaming and watching videos. Meanwhile, the Linkbuds offer an open design that allows more environmental awareness — ideal for outdoor activities — and personalized app control. Both models support wireless charging and AAC codec for Apple devices, but if cost is a major concern, the Linkbuds will provide a unique open-ear experience at a lower price. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple Airpods Pro 2
- Good for music
- Good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
- Very good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Sony Linkbuds
- Good for exercise
Key differences
Gaming
8.4
5.5
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 is very good for gaming, while the Sony Linkbuds is poor.
Phone Calls
7.8
6.8
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 is good for phone calls, while the Sony Linkbuds is only fair.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.8
7.8
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony Linkbuds is good.
TV and Video
7.8
5.4
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 is good for TV and video, while the Sony Linkbuds is poor.
Noise Reduction
9.1
2.5
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 is excellent for noise reduction, while the Sony Linkbuds is poor.
Cost
$199
$178
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 has a price of $199 and the Sony Linkbuds costs $178.
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Key similarities
Music
7.0
6.6
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Apple Airpods Pro 2 to be good for music, while the Sony Linkbuds is only fair.
Battery
6.0 Hours
5.5 Hours
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 has 6 hours of battery life. The Sony Linkbuds has 5.5 hours of battery life.
Build Quality
9.0
9.3
The Sony Linkbuds and Apple Airpods Pro 2 both have excellent build quality.
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How the Apple Airpods Pro 2 and the Sony Linkbuds compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods Pro 2 | Sony Linkbuds |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$199 | $178 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2022 | February 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.1/10 | 6.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.8/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.4/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.8/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6 Hours | 5.5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 0.5 Hours | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 24 | 17.5 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5.3 Grams | 4.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Apple Airpods Pro 2
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Lily Katz | May 2023
"Apple's upgraded H2 chip begets better active noise canceling (ANC) and battery life, while the case's U1 chip and integrated speaker lets you precisely locate it from the Find My app. If you own an iPhone, the new AirPods Pro is an obvious choice."
Sony Linkbuds
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Sam Moore | February 2022
"The Sony LinkBuds is definitely the most unique audio product to release so far in 2022, and it largely executes well on it's unoccluded design. However, it's hamstrung by all the same things as other unsealed earbuds."
Get a great deal on the Apple Airpods Pro 2 or the Sony Linkbuds
About Apple
Apple Inc. is an American technology company, founded in 1976, known for its wide range of premium products, including smartphones, computers, and audio solutions. Apple offers the very popular personal audio line AirPods, highly regarded for their wireless, smart capabilities and their seamless integration with the iPhone, iPad and Mac devices. They provide a high-quality sound, comfort and lifestyle features perfect for all users invested in their ecosystem.
About Sony
Sony is a multinational corporation, based out of Japan, with over 75 years of experience in the consumer electronics industry. In the audio market, Sony has been a trendsetter several times throughout its history. In 1979 they released the first-ever portable music player, the Sony Walkman, followed by the Discman 20 years later. Today, Sony is one of the leaders in the wireless headphone and earbud market, especially in terms of Active Noise Cancellation technology.
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Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
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Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
124,700
Recommendations made
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Consumer hours saved
About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
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