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Updated April 11, 2024·
Choosing between the Sony Linkbuds and the Sony MDR-ZX110 depends on your preferences and use cases. If you’re after wireless convenience, better call quality, and features like sweat resistance for exercise, go for the Linkbuds. They also provide a unique open ring design that allows you to hear your surroundings, which can be beneficial during outdoor activities. However, their sound quality is considered poor, especially for music and watching TV. On the other hand, the MDR-ZX110 is a budget-friendly option with a wired connection that offers good sound quality for music, but they lack the modern features of wireless earbuds, have no mic, are less comfortable, and are not suitable for exercise or travel. Neither option is ideal for immersive gaming or TV experiences, so if that’s a priority, you may want to consider looking for headphones specifically tailored for those activities. 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 Sony Linkbuds
- Good for exercise
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Sony MDR-ZX110
- Good for music
Key differences
Music
6.6
7.6
The Sony MDR-ZX110 is good for music, while the Sony Linkbuds is only fair.
Phone Calls
6.8
3.0
The Sony Linkbuds is only fair for phone calls, while the Sony MDR-ZX110 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.8
4.3
The Sony Linkbuds is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony MDR-ZX110 is poor.
TV and Video
5.4
6.9
The Sony MDR-ZX110 is only fair for TV and video, while the Sony Linkbuds is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
5.3
The Sony MDR-ZX110 and Sony Linkbuds are both poor for noise reduction, though the Sony MDR-ZX110 is somewhat better.
Battery
5.5 Hours
N/A
The Sony Linkbuds has 5.5 hours of battery life. The Sony MDR-ZX110 does not have a battery.
Cost
$178
$10
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
The Sony Linkbuds has a price of $178 and the Sony MDR-ZX110 costs $10.
Build Quality
9.3
6.0
The Sony Linkbuds has excellent build quality, while the Sony MDR-ZX110 has only fair build quality.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.5
5.9
The Sony MDR-ZX110 and Sony Linkbuds are both poor for gaming.
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How the Sony Linkbuds and the Sony MDR-ZX110 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Sony Linkbuds | Sony MDR-ZX110 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$178 | $10 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Sony | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2022 | July 1, 2015 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.7/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 6.9/10 | 3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.6/10 | 5.9/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.4/10 | 7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7/10 | 3.9/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5.5 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 17.5 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9.3/10 | 6/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4.5 Grams | 119.9 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
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."
Sony MDR-ZX110
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Audio.org
Audio.org | December 2022
"My opinion about Sony MDR ZX110 is they are the best budget headphones of Sony with top-class sound. Clear vocals, great bass, and balanced sound with low sound distortion. The treble could be sharper, but it's ok. 30 mm neodymium dynamic drivers give clear and precise audio, and an inline remote with a mic give decent call quality. Closed-Back Design also helps to improve sound performance."
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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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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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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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