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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're on a budget and looking for a solid, durable option for casual listening and exercise with decent sound isolation, the Skullcandy Dime could be a good choice. However, if you can afford to spend more and prefer a wider soundstage for more immersive audio and an open design that keeps you aware of your surroundings—with the added benefits of an equalizer app, customizable controls, and slightly longer battery life—the Sony Linkbuds might be worth the premium. The Linkbuds also feature virtual surround support and are optimized for both Android and Apple devices, which the Dime lacks. 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 Skullcandy Dime
- 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 Skullcandy Dime is poor.
Gaming
4.8
5.5
The Sony Linkbuds and Skullcandy Dime are both poor for gaming, though the Sony Linkbuds is somewhat better.
Phone Calls
6.2
6.8
The Sony Linkbuds and Skullcandy Dime are both only fair for phone calls, though the Sony Linkbuds is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.1
7.8
The Sony Linkbuds and Skullcandy Dime are both good for podcasts and audiobooks, though the Sony Linkbuds is somewhat better.
Noise Reduction
6.5
2.5
The Skullcandy Dime is only fair for noise reduction, while the Sony Linkbuds is poor.
Battery
3.5 Hours
5.5 Hours
The Skullcandy Dime has 3.5 hours of battery life. The Sony Linkbuds has 5.5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$16
$178
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
The Skullcandy Dime has a price of $16 and the Sony Linkbuds costs $178.
Build Quality
8.5
9.3
The Sony Linkbuds has excellent build quality, while the Skullcandy Dime has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
TV and Video
5.3
5.4
The Sony Linkbuds and Skullcandy Dime are both poor for TV and video.
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How the Skullcandy Dime and the Sony Linkbuds compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Skullcandy Dime | Sony Linkbuds |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$16 | $178 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Skullcandy | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 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 | 4.8/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.4/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.6/10 | 7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 3.5 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 | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6.5/10 | 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 | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4.5 Grams | 4.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Skullcandy Dime
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Dig into reviews and images
PC Magazine
Tim Gideon | April 2021
"For $25, the Skullcandy Dime True Wireless Earbuds deliver a powerful, balanced, rich, and bright sound signature. There’s really not much else to talk about, but the audio is better than you would expect for the price."
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 Skullcandy Dime or the Sony Linkbuds
About Skullcandy
Skullcandy is an American, consumer-oriented, earbuds and headphones manufacturer with 20 years of market experience. They sell a wide variety of, budget-friendly and unique, wired and wireless products that are sure to please the vast majority of users. Among their most popular offerings, the Crusher headphones, includes a pair of actual subwoofers inside the cups which makes the bass extra prominent for a unique and extra fun sound.
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
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
94,400
Recommendations made
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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.
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