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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 comfort for extended use, especially during calls and meetings, the Google Pixel Buds A Series could be a better option for you. They also provide better noise isolation, which is beneficial for travel and noisy environments. However, the Sony Linkbuds have an open design that allows you to stay more aware of your surroundings, making them safer for outdoor activities. They are also lighter and have a smaller form factor, which may be more comfortable for some users. The Linkbuds offer unique features like virtual surround sound and app equalizer customization, but they lack active noise cancelling and provide less battery life when compared to the Pixel Buds. Both support low latency modes and are optimized for Android devices, but the Sony Linkbuds have the added advantage of being optimized for Apple devices as well. 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 Google Pixel Buds A Series
- Very good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
- Good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Sony Linkbuds
- The Sony Linkbuds has no clear advantages over the Google Pixel Buds A Series.
Key differences
Gaming
8.6
5.5
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is very good for gaming, while the Sony Linkbuds is poor.
Phone Calls
8.5
6.8
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is very good for phone calls, while the Sony Linkbuds is only fair.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.4
7.8
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony Linkbuds is good.
TV and Video
7.8
5.4
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is good for TV and video, while the Sony Linkbuds is poor.
Noise Reduction
4.6
2.5
The Google Pixel Buds A Series and Sony Linkbuds are both poor for noise reduction, though the Google Pixel Buds A Series is somewhat better.
Cost
$58
$178
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
The Google Pixel Buds A Series has a price of $58 and the Sony Linkbuds costs $178.
Build Quality
7.4
9.3
The Sony Linkbuds has excellent build quality, while the Google Pixel Buds A Series has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
6.4
6.6
The Sony Linkbuds and Google Pixel Buds A Series are both only fair for music.
Battery
5.0 Hours
5.5 Hours
The Google Pixel Buds A Series has 5 hours of battery life. The Sony Linkbuds has 5.5 hours of battery life.
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How the Google Pixel Buds A Series and the Sony Linkbuds compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Google Pixel Buds A Series | Sony Linkbuds |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$58 | $178 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | 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 | 6.4/10 | 6.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8.5/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.7/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.8/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.4/10 | 7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | 5.5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.3 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 | 8.5/10 | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 7.4/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.2/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5.1 Grams | 4.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Google Pixel Buds A Series
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Jasper Lastoria | October 2022
"For the person who doesn’t want to think about their earphones while using them, Google has created the Pixel Buds A-Series. For a reasonable price, Google packs in a bevy of features like touch controls and a good fit into this Android-friendly set of earbuds to make productivity and life easier."
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 Google Pixel Buds A Series or the Sony Linkbuds
About Google
Mainly known as the most popular search engine on the planet, Google is a multinational technology company that also offers a variety of audio-oriented products. Beside their smart speakers under the Nest product line, Google offers several models of true wireless earbuds under the Pixel line, some of which happen to be an affordable but very powerful option for those already in the Android 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.
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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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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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