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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize sound quality and noise isolation for immersive music experiences, Beats Studiobuds might be better, but they are less suitable for a wide soundstage effect and outdoor activities due to their closed design. On the other hand, Sony Linkbuds offer a more open sound and better voice call quality, making them advantageous for calls and meetings, plus they integrate well with both Android and Apple devices. The Linkbuds also have ear detection and an interesting open-ring driver design for situational awareness, which is great for being aware of your surroundings when outside but provides less noise isolation. Beats Studiobuds are more exercise-friendly with their sweatproof certification and secure fit. Choose the Studiobuds for better music and exercise use, but opt for the Linkbuds if you want better call quality and integration with smartphones. 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 Studiobuds
- Good for music
- Good for phone calls
- Very good for air travel
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Sony Linkbuds
- The Sony Linkbuds has no clear advantages over the Beats Studiobuds.
Key differences
Music
7.2
6.6
The Beats Studiobuds is good for music, while the Sony Linkbuds is only fair.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
9.0
7.8
The Beats Studiobuds is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony Linkbuds is good.
Noise Reduction
6.5
2.5
The Beats Studiobuds is only fair for noise reduction, while the Sony Linkbuds is poor.
Cost
$80
$178
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
The Beats Studiobuds has a price of $80 and the Sony Linkbuds costs $178.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.2
5.5
The Sony Linkbuds and Beats Studiobuds are both poor for gaming.
Phone Calls
7.0
6.8
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Beats Studiobuds to be good for phone calls, while the Sony Linkbuds is only fair.
TV and Video
5.6
5.4
The Beats Studiobuds and Sony Linkbuds are both poor for TV and video.
Battery
6.0 Hours
5.5 Hours
The Beats Studiobuds has 6 hours of battery life. The Sony Linkbuds has 5.5 hours of battery life.
Build Quality
8.8
9.3
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sony Linkbuds to have excellent build quality, while the Beats Studiobuds has very good build quality.
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How the Beats Studiobuds and the Sony Linkbuds compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Beats Studiobuds | Sony Linkbuds |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$80 | $178 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Beats | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2021 | February 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.2/10 | 6.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.2/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.7/10 | 7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6 Hours | 5.5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 0.9 Hours | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | 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 | 6.5/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | 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 | 7.9/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5 Grams | 4.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Beats Studiobuds
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Chase Bernath | May 2023
"For less than the price of the AirPods, the Beats Studio Buds delivers a good fit, great sound, and active noise cancellation. This is also the first set of Apple-owned Beats earbuds to feature quick pairing with Android devices, albeit at the expense of some key features for Apple users."
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."
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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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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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11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
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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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