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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Shokz OpenMove, being significantly less expensive than the Sony Linkbuds, offers a good value for those on a tighter budget, but keep in mind that the Sony model may present higher sound quality due to its newer technology. The Shokz use bone conduction and are open, which keeps you aware of your surroundings, beneficial for outdoor activities; however, their sound experience may not be as rich as traditional earbuds. In contrast, the Sony Linkbuds feature an open ring design, also allowing ambient sound, but with potentially better sound fidelity. They also include touch controls, a more standard feature in modern earbuds. Consider the Shokz if cost and maintaining environmental awareness are your priorities, but if you prefer higher sound quality and modern features, the Sony Linkbuds could be worth the extra expense. 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 Shokz OpenMove
- Good for phone calls
Advantages of the Sony Linkbuds
- The Sony Linkbuds has no clear advantages over the Shokz OpenMove.
Key differences
Music
4.8
6.6
The Sony Linkbuds is only fair for music, while the Shokz OpenMove is poor.
Gaming
4.9
5.5
The Sony Linkbuds and Shokz OpenMove are both poor for gaming, though the Sony Linkbuds is somewhat better.
Phone Calls
7.8
6.8
The Shokz OpenMove is good for phone calls, while the Sony Linkbuds is only fair.
Cost
$80
$178
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
The Shokz OpenMove has a price of $80 and the Sony Linkbuds costs $178.
Build Quality
8.5
9.3
The Sony Linkbuds has excellent build quality, while the Shokz OpenMove has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.9
7.8
The Shokz OpenMove and Sony Linkbuds are both good for podcasts and audiobooks.
TV and Video
5.0
5.4
The Sony Linkbuds and Shokz OpenMove are both poor for TV and video.
Noise Reduction
2.5
2.5
The Shokz OpenMove and Sony Linkbuds are both poor for noise reduction.
Battery
6.0 Hours
5.5 Hours
The Shokz OpenMove has 6 hours of battery life. The Sony Linkbuds has 5.5 hours of battery life.
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How the Shokz OpenMove and the Sony Linkbuds compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Shokz OpenMove | Sony Linkbuds |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$80 | $178 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Shokz | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2020 | February 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 4.9/10 | 6.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.8/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.1/10 | 7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6 Hours | 5.5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1 Hours | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.1 | 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 | 2.5/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | No | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 8.5/10 | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.4/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 29 Grams | 4.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Shokz OpenMove
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Lily Katz | May 2023
"The Shokz OpenMove are a bit more affordable than the company's other bone conduction headphones, making them a more appealing option for athletes on a budget. These headphones support premium features like multipoint connectivity and a durable build, but you lose other niceties like fast charging and a long battery life. Still, for less than $80, these are nice bone conduction headphones that will keep you safe when exercising."
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 Shokz OpenMove 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.
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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
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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