A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If price is a major concern, the KZ ZSN Pro earbuds offer good value and solid sound quality for a lower cost. However, the Sony Linkbuds may justify their higher price with additional features such as advanced wireless connectivity, more refined sound customization options through an app, and potentially better overall sound quality. The Sony Linkbuds are likely to have a more reliable Bluetooth connection, which can be important for convenience and range of use. If you frequently make calls or use voice commands, the Sony Linkbuds may have better microphone performance. Still, if your priority is to get a decent listening experience at the best price, the KZ ZSN Pro might be the way to go. 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 KZ ZSN Pro
- Good for music
- Good for TV and video
Advantages of the Sony Linkbuds
- Good for exercise
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
7.7
6.6
The KZ ZSN Pro is good for music, while the Sony Linkbuds is only fair.
Phone Calls
3.1
6.8
The Sony Linkbuds is only fair for phone calls, while the KZ ZSN Pro is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
4.9
7.8
The Sony Linkbuds is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the KZ ZSN Pro is poor.
TV and Video
7.4
5.4
The KZ ZSN Pro is good for TV and video, while the Sony Linkbuds is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3
2.5
The KZ ZSN Pro and Sony Linkbuds are both poor for noise reduction, though the KZ ZSN Pro is somewhat better.
Battery
N/A
5.5 Hours
The KZ ZSN Pro does not have a battery. The Sony Linkbuds has 5.5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$25
$178
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
The KZ ZSN Pro has a price of $25 and the Sony Linkbuds costs $178.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Key similarities
Gaming
6.0
5.5
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers KZ ZSN Pro to be only fair for gaming, while the Sony Linkbuds is poor.
Build Quality
9.0
9.3
The Sony Linkbuds and KZ ZSN Pro both have excellent build quality.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the KZ ZSN Pro and the Sony Linkbuds compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| KZ ZSN Pro | Sony Linkbuds |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$25 | $178 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | KZ | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2019 | February 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.8/10 | 6.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 3.2/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.5/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 5.5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 17.5 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 7 Grams | 4.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Shopping
KZ ZSN Pro
See more
Dig into reviews and images
PrimeAudio
David Becker | 2019
"Undoubtedly the focus and the star of the show, the ZSN Pro’s bass is big, bold and bangin’. The amount of gusto in the low end should satisfy anyone who likes a large lick of bass and even certified bassheads will probably get a kick out of this."
Sony Linkbuds
See more
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 KZ ZSN Pro or the Sony Linkbuds
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.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
FAQs
FAQs about earbuds and headphones
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
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
126,800
Recommendations made
19,020
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.
Featured in
