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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
For top-notch noise isolation and superior overall sound quality, the Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds are the best bet, making them ideal for air travel or noisy environments. However, Sony Linkbuds offer a unique open design that allows ambient sound, which can be safer for outdoor activities. The Sony's are also lighter, which may make them more comfortable for longer periods of wear. If phone call quality is important to you, the Sony Linkbuds have a better microphone. In contrast, if you're looking for earbuds optimized for exercise, both have similar ratings, but the Bose have a slightly edge in comfort. Keep in mind that the Bose tend to be more expensive, so if you're looking for a more budget-friendly option with acceptable performance for everyday use, the Sony Linkbuds could suffice. 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 Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds
- Good for music
- Very good for air travel
- Best in class for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Sony Linkbuds
- Good for exercise
Key differences
Podcasts and Audiobooks
9.5
7.8
The Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds is best in class for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony Linkbuds is good.
TV and Video
6.0
5.4
The Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds is only fair for TV and video, while the Sony Linkbuds is poor.
Noise Reduction
9.1
2.5
The Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds is excellent for noise reduction, while the Sony Linkbuds is poor.
Battery
7.0 Hours
5.5 Hours
The Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds has 7 hours of battery life. The Sony Linkbuds has 5.5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$199
$178
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds has a price of $199 and the Sony Linkbuds costs $178.
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Key similarities
Music
7.1
6.6
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds to be good for music, while the Sony Linkbuds is only fair.
Gaming
5.6
5.5
The Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds and Sony Linkbuds are both poor for gaming.
Phone Calls
6.6
6.8
The Sony Linkbuds and Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds are both only fair for phone calls.
Build Quality
8.9
9.3
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sony Linkbuds to have excellent build quality, while the Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds has very good build quality.
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How the Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds and the Sony Linkbuds compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds | Sony Linkbuds |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$199 | $178 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bose | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2020 | 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 | 6.7/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.6/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 6/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.8/10 | 7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 7 Hours | 5.5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.1 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 18 | 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 | No | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 5.4/10 | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.9/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 8.5 Grams | 4.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Lily Katz | March 2023
"The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds is a great do-it-all option for anyone, so long as you can afford it. This is a great alternative to the Apple AirPods Pro and Sony WF-1000XM4. You can choose the degree of noise canceling, and enjoy premium features like automatic ear-detection. These earbuds merit an IPX4 rating, making them a fine workout companion."
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 Bose
Bose is an American audio equipment manufacturer based out of Framingham, Massachusetts. Founded in 1964 by Amar Bose with the goal of creating a speaker system that could accurately recreate the sound of a concert hall, Bose has become one of the most prominent players in the modern consumer audio market due to the premium feel of their products and their wide brand recognition.
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.
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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.
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Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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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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