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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Sony Linkbuds have an open design making them less isolating, which might be useful if you want to stay aware of your surroundings while listening, but they provide less noise isolation than the Sony WF1000XM3, which have active noise cancellation, making them better for environments like air travel. The Linkbuds are smaller and have unique silicone fins for stable fit during exercise, whereas the WF1000XM3 are larger. Sound quality is higher in the WF1000XM3 making them better for immersive listening sessions. Both have similar features such as app customization and integration and are optimized for both Android and Apple devices. If budget is a prime concern, consider the Linkbuds as they are somewhat less expensive. 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
Advantages of the Sony WF1000XM3
- Good for music
- Very good for phone calls
- Very good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
6.6
7.5
The Sony WF1000XM3 is good for music, while the Sony Linkbuds is only fair.
Phone Calls
6.8
8.2
The Sony WF1000XM3 is very good for phone calls, while the Sony Linkbuds is only fair.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.8
8.7
The Sony WF1000XM3 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony Linkbuds is good.
Noise Reduction
2.5
8.3
The Sony WF1000XM3 is very good for noise reduction, while the Sony Linkbuds is poor.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.5
5.6
The Sony WF1000XM3 and Sony Linkbuds are both poor for gaming.
TV and Video
5.4
5.7
The Sony WF1000XM3 and Sony Linkbuds are both poor for TV and video.
Battery
5.5 Hours
6.0 Hours
The Sony Linkbuds has 5.5 hours of battery life. The Sony WF1000XM3 has 6 hours of battery life.
Cost
$178
$180
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The Sony Linkbuds has a price of $178 and the Sony WF1000XM3 costs $180.
Build Quality
9.3
9.0
The Sony Linkbuds and Sony WF1000XM3 both have excellent build quality.
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How the Sony Linkbuds and the Sony WF1000XM3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Sony Linkbuds | Sony WF1000XM3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$178 | $180 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Sony | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2022 | August 1, 2019 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.7/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 6.9/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.6/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.4/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7/10 | 6/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5.5 Hours | 6 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | 3.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 17.5 | 24 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9.3/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4.5 Grams | 9 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
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 WF1000XM3
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Lily Katz | November 2022
"Wireless earbuds are a dime a dozen, and the Sony WF-1000XM3 makes it easy to justify the cost. The design and comfort are good, and the connection strength is consistent. While the lack of aptX or LDAC support is a big drawback, DSEE HX processing improves low-quality audio files. If you want stylish active noise canceling (ANC) earbuds, the WF-1000XM3 needs to be at the top of your list."
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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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