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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If budget is a significant concern, the Moondrop Nekocake would be a good choice, as they are often significantly less expensive than the Sony Linkbuds, while still offering decent overall sound quality and build quality. However, the Sony Linkbuds have better mic quality, which might be important for calls and meetings, and come with a slightly higher score for soundstage, which can make a difference for listening to music. The Linkbuds are also optimized for both Android and Apple devices, support wireless charging, and have a feature for virtual surround, unlike the Nekocake. The Linkbuds also have a higher portability score, but their noise isolation score is lower compared to the Nekocake's, which means they might not be the best choice in noisy environments. 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 Moondrop Nekocake
- Very good for air travel
Advantages of the Sony Linkbuds
- Good for exercise
Key differences
Music
5.7
6.6
The Sony Linkbuds is only fair for music, while the Moondrop Nekocake is poor.
Gaming
4.6
5.5
The Sony Linkbuds and Moondrop Nekocake are both poor for gaming, though the Sony Linkbuds is somewhat better.
Phone Calls
6.1
6.8
The Sony Linkbuds and Moondrop Nekocake are both only fair for phone calls, though the Sony Linkbuds is somewhat better.
Noise Reduction
7.0
2.5
The Moondrop Nekocake is good for noise reduction, while the Sony Linkbuds is poor.
Battery
3.0 Hours
5.5 Hours
The Moondrop Nekocake has 3 hours of battery life. The Sony Linkbuds has 5.5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$39
$178
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
The Moondrop Nekocake has a price of $39 and the Sony Linkbuds costs $178.
Build Quality
8.5
9.3
The Sony Linkbuds has excellent build quality, while the Moondrop Nekocake has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.7
7.8
The Sony Linkbuds and Moondrop Nekocake are both good for podcasts and audiobooks.
TV and Video
5.0
5.4
The Sony Linkbuds and Moondrop Nekocake are both poor for TV and video.
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How the Moondrop Nekocake and the Sony Linkbuds compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Moondrop Nekocake | Sony Linkbuds |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$39 | $178 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Moondrop | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2021 | February 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 5.7/10 | 6.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 6.2/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 4.7/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 5.6/10 | 7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 3 Hours | 5.5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1 Hours | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 12 | 17.5 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 7/10 | 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 | 8.5/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5.4 Grams | 4.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Moondrop Nekocake
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphonics
Jarvin | January 2022
"What sets the Nekocake apart from its competition at this price point is the Moondrop Link app that allows the user to change the tonal balance of the Nekocake. This makes sure that it’s versatile enough to suit different sonic preferences while allowing some customization of controls."
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 Moondrop Nekocake or the Sony Linkbuds
About Moondrop
Moondrop is a Chinese brand of smart audio equipment, portable audio players, earbuds and headphones started in 2015. During the last few years they have become one of the major players in what is lovingly referred to as the Chi-fi market, the bulk of Chinese companies that have managed to actually compete with the western manufacturers in both prices and superior quality. Products such as the Blessing II, Chu and Kato are among the most popular offerings of the brand, more popular among those users that wish for good quality audio that won't break the bank. Besides audio, the brand also works in what they call the ACGN field (Animation, Comics, Games and Short Novels).
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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Earbuds and Headphones Expert
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