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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) offers better overall sound quality and includes low latency mode, making them suitable for gaming and TV watching, as well as active noise cancellation for air travel or noisy environments. Also, they are sweatproof and dustproof certified, which is great for exercise, and they have a longer battery life. The Sony Linkbuds have a more open soundstage suited to those who prefer environmental awareness, they are somewhat lighter, and offer a unique stemless design. However, the open design could result in lower noise isolation compared to the "Nothing" Brand Ear (2). If you prioritize sound quality, low latency, and noise cancellation, the "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) may be worth the extra cost, while the Sony Linkbuds might appeal to those who value a more natural listening experience during activities like walking or running. 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 "Nothing" Brand Ear (2)
- Good for music
- Good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
- Very good for air travel
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Sony Linkbuds
- The Sony Linkbuds has no clear advantages over the "Nothing" Brand Ear (2).
Key differences
Gaming
8.5
5.5
The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) is very good for gaming, while the Sony Linkbuds is poor.
Phone Calls
7.9
6.8
The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) is good for phone calls, while the Sony Linkbuds is only fair.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
9.1
7.8
The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony Linkbuds is good.
TV and Video
8.0
5.4
The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) is very good for TV and video, while the Sony Linkbuds is poor.
Noise Reduction
8.0
2.5
The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) is very good for noise reduction, while the Sony Linkbuds is poor.
Battery
6.7 Hours
5.5 Hours
The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) has 6.7 hours of battery life. The Sony Linkbuds has 5.5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$149
$178
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) has a price of $149 and the Sony Linkbuds costs $178.
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Key similarities
Music
7.0
6.6
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) to be good for music, while the Sony Linkbuds is only fair.
Build Quality
9.0
9.3
The Sony Linkbuds and "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) both have excellent build quality.
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How the "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) and the Sony Linkbuds compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) | Sony Linkbuds |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$149 | $178 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | "Nothing" Brand | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2023 | 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 | 7.9/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.6/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.9/10 | 7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6.7 Hours | 5.5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1 Hours | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3. | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 30 | 17.5 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8/10 | 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 | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4.4 Grams | 4.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
"Nothing" Brand Ear (2)
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Jasper Lastoria | March 2023
"For the price the Nothing Ear (2) is pretty good. It fits well, and the IP54 rating (and IP55 with case) is durable enough for daily life. Most of its unique features are found in the Nothing X app, such as personalized frequency responses, and personalized, adjustable ANC."
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 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.
By the numbers
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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
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Earbuds and Headphones Expert
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