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The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize a secure fit for exercising and longer battery life, you may favor the Beats Powerbeats Pro as they have ear hooks and a longer battery life for both the earbuds and the case. However, if you prefer an open design that allows you to hear your surroundings and have better microphone quality for calls, the Sony Linkbuds would be a better option. The Beats Powerbeats Pro may provide slightly better overall sound quality and are sweatproof, making them better for intense workouts, whereas the Linkbuds are lighter and have app features such as an equalizer and virtual surround. Both are suitable for use with both Android and Apple devices and do not support wireless charging. 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 Beats Powerbeats Pro
- Good for phone calls
- Good for air travel
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Sony Linkbuds
- Good for exercise
Key differences
Podcasts and Audiobooks
9.2
7.8
The Beats Powerbeats Pro is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony Linkbuds is good.
Noise Reduction
4.6
2.5
The Beats Powerbeats Pro and Sony Linkbuds are both poor for noise reduction, though the Beats Powerbeats Pro is somewhat better.
Battery
10.0 Hours
5.5 Hours
The Beats Powerbeats Pro has 10 hours of battery life. The Sony Linkbuds has 5.5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$124
$178
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
The Beats Powerbeats Pro has a price of $124 and the Sony Linkbuds costs $178.
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Key similarities
Music
6.5
6.6
The Sony Linkbuds and Beats Powerbeats Pro are both only fair for music.
Gaming
5.5
5.5
The Sony Linkbuds and Beats Powerbeats Pro are both poor for gaming.
Phone Calls
7.0
6.8
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Beats Powerbeats Pro to be good for phone calls, while the Sony Linkbuds is only fair.
TV and Video
5.7
5.4
The Beats Powerbeats Pro and Sony Linkbuds are both poor for TV and video.
Build Quality
8.8
9.3
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sony Linkbuds to have excellent build quality, while the Beats Powerbeats Pro has very good build quality.
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How the Beats Powerbeats Pro and the Sony Linkbuds compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Beats Powerbeats Pro | Sony Linkbuds |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$124 | $178 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Beats | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2019 | February 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.5/10 | 6.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.5/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.6/10 | 7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 10 Hours | 5.5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 24 | 17.5 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 4.6/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | No | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6/10 | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.8/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 11 Grams | 4.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Beats Powerbeats Pro
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | November 2022
"Sweat resistance, actual noise isolation, and a secure fit in your ears make these the true wireless earphones you want in Apple-land. Android users may find other options they like better, as these only support AAC."
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 Beats Powerbeats Pro or the Sony Linkbuds
About Beats
Beats is an American, consumer-focused, audio products manufacturer. Founded originally by American rapper and producer Dr Dre, the company is now a subsidiary of Apple. Beats sells a wide range of audio products, including several models of headphones, earbuds and speakers as well as full car audio systems.
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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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.
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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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