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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Sony Linkbuds are less expensive and feature an open design suitable for those who want to remain aware of their surroundings, but they offer less noise isolation and lower overall sound quality compared to the Sony WF1000XM4. If price is a concern and situational awareness is important, go for the Linkbuds; if you value sound quality and noise isolation, the WF1000XM4 are the better choice despite their higher price. 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 WF1000XM4
- Excellent for music
- Very good for air travel
- Best in class for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
6.6
9.0
The Sony WF1000XM4 is excellent for music, while the Sony Linkbuds is only fair.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.8
10.0
The Sony WF1000XM4 is best in class for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony Linkbuds is good.
TV and Video
5.4
6.0
The Sony WF1000XM4 is only fair for TV and video, while the Sony Linkbuds is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
8.3
The Sony WF1000XM4 is very good for noise reduction, while the Sony Linkbuds is poor.
Battery
5.5 Hours
9.0 Hours
The Sony Linkbuds has 5.5 hours of battery life. The Sony WF1000XM4 has 9 hours of battery life.
Cost
$178
$220
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Sony Linkbuds has a price of $178 and the Sony WF1000XM4 costs $220.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.5
5.6
The Sony WF1000XM4 and Sony Linkbuds are both poor for gaming.
Phone Calls
6.8
6.7
The Sony Linkbuds and Sony WF1000XM4 are both only fair for phone calls.
Build Quality
9.3
8.9
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sony Linkbuds to have excellent build quality, while the Sony WF1000XM4 has very good build quality.
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How the Sony Linkbuds and the Sony WF1000XM4 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Sony Linkbuds | Sony WF1000XM4 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$178 | $220 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Sony | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2022 | July 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.7/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 6.9/10 | 6.7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.6/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.4/10 | 6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7/10 | 6.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5.5 Hours | 9 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | 5.2 | |
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 | 5.4/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9.3/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4.5 Grams | 6.5 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 WF1000XM4
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Dig into reviews and images
What HiFi?
What HiFi? | March 2023
"The headphones deliver a satisfying user experience, class-leading battery life, some of the best noise-cancelling we’ve heard in this category, and absolutely stunning sound quality."
Get a great deal on the Sony Linkbuds or the Sony WF1000XM4
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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