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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless earbuds offer good overall sound quality, better microphone quality, and are great for calls and meetings. They're also sweatproof and dustproof, making them suitable for exercise, and have a longer battery life for typical use. The Sony Linkbuds, while more expensive, offer a unique open-ring design that allows you to hear your surroundings better and have a lighter build. They also come with app features like equalizer customization, support virtual surround, and are optimized for both Android and Apple devices. The Linkbuds might be preferred if you value an open design for situational awareness and app-based customization. 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 JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless
- Good for phone calls
- Good for gaming
- Very good for air travel
Advantages of the Sony Linkbuds
- Good for exercise
Key differences
Gaming
7.3
5.5
The JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless is good for gaming, while the Sony Linkbuds is poor.
Phone Calls
7.8
6.8
The JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless is good for phone calls, while the Sony Linkbuds is only fair.
TV and Video
6.9
5.4
The JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless is only fair for TV and video, while the Sony Linkbuds is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.5
2.5
The JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless is only fair for noise reduction, while the Sony Linkbuds is poor.
Battery
8.3 Hours
5.5 Hours
The JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless has 8.3 hours of battery life. The Sony Linkbuds has 5.5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$50
$178
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
The JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless has a price of $50 and the Sony Linkbuds costs $178.
Build Quality
8.5
9.3
The Sony Linkbuds has excellent build quality, while the JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
6.6
6.6
The Sony Linkbuds and JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless are both only fair for music.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.3
7.8
The Sony Linkbuds and JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless are both good for podcasts and audiobooks.
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How the JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless and the Sony Linkbuds compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless | Sony Linkbuds |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$50 | $178 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2023 | February 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.6/10 | 6.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.9/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.4/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6/10 | 7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 8.3 Hours | 5.5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.1 Hours | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 16 | 17.5 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6.5/10 | 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 | 8/10 | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 8.8 Grams | 4.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphone Dungeon
LaFonda | April 2023
"The Vibe Beam earbuds may not be a sleek as other earbuds in the price range, such as the equally priced Vibe Buds, but they sound great, have a long battery life, and come with an equalizer. And if you just need a solid pair if earbuds to get you through your commute, these will do the trick. I have no complaints here."
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 JBL
JBL is an American audio equipment manufacturer. Owned by Harman International which is, itself, owned by Samsung Electronics. JBL markets a wide array of monitoring speakers, professional headphones and consumer market headphones and earbuds. It was founded in 1946 by James Bullough Lansing (whose initials give the company its name) and has become one of the most prolific audio companies ever. Their products were responsible for audio during the 1969 Woodstock Festival.
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
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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