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What we think
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Updated April 10, 2024·
Opt for the Sony Linkbuds if you prioritize wireless convenience, better build quality, and features such as an open-ring driver for situational awareness, app customization, and hands-free calls with good microphone quality. They are more suited for exercise due to their sweatproof design, but they offer poor noise isolation, making them less ideal for noisy environments. On the other hand, the Sony MDREX15AP, while being more affordable and offering a closed design with good noise isolation, is a wired option with a more limited feature set. It may offer better suitability for TV and video due to its wired connection, and its sound quality is praised for music listening, though it lacks modern features like app customization and wireless connectivity. 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 MDREX15AP
- Very good for music
- Excellent for TV and video
Key differences
Music
6.6
8.3
The Sony MDREX15AP is very good for music, while the Sony Linkbuds is only fair.
Gaming
5.5
6.7
The Sony MDREX15AP is only fair for gaming, while the Sony Linkbuds is poor.
Phone Calls
6.8
3.5
The Sony Linkbuds is only fair for phone calls, while the Sony MDREX15AP is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.8
5.4
The Sony Linkbuds is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony MDREX15AP is poor.
TV and Video
5.4
9.3
The Sony MDREX15AP is excellent for TV and video, while the Sony Linkbuds is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
7.0
The Sony MDREX15AP is good for noise reduction, while the Sony Linkbuds is poor.
Battery
5.5 Hours
N/A
The Sony Linkbuds has 5.5 hours of battery life. The Sony MDREX15AP does not have a battery.
Cost
$178
$20
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
The Sony Linkbuds has a price of $178 and the Sony MDREX15AP costs $20.
Build Quality
9.3
8.0
The Sony Linkbuds has excellent build quality, while the Sony MDREX15AP has very good build quality.
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How the Sony Linkbuds and the Sony MDREX15AP compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Sony Linkbuds | Sony MDREX15AP |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$178 | $20 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Sony | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2022 | March 1, 2014 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.7/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 6.9/10 | 3.5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.6/10 | 6.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.4/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7/10 | 4.6/10 | |
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 | 7/10 | |
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 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4.5 Grams | 3.1 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 MDREX15AP
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Dig into reviews and images
Make It Sound Great
Pete Anthony | June 2022
"At the ultra budget $10 price-point (and we’ve seen the no-mic version go for as cheap as $7), I’d say these are a decent option if you’re looking for a passable pair of earbuds for basic use that’s as cheap as possible. I wouldn’t say they feel or sound as good as some of the ultra-budget alternatives out there – of which there are a few at this point – but some might disagree. I will say though that the cable is a little bit nicer than those of that same competition."
Get a great deal on the Sony Linkbuds or the Sony MDREX15AP
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
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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