A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Sony Linkbuds offer an open design suited for those who want situational awareness while listening, but with a lower overall sound quality and a poorer noise isolation due to their open design. They are also more portable and have a secure fit with silicone fins that could be good for exercise, include a microphone, and have app support for customization. On the other hand, the Sony WH-CH520 are over-ear headphones with better overall sound quality, a higher comfort score, and better performance for gaming and TV due to their closed design which also provides better noise isolation. They are considerably bulkier, which may affect portability but have exceptional battery life. The WH-CH520 may be more suited for home use or in quiet environments where immersion and noise isolation are priorities, while the Linkbuds are geared towards outdoor use or when engagement with surroundings is necessary. The price difference reflects these distinct use cases, with the Linkbuds being more expensive. Choose based on your primary use case, desired sound quality, need for noise isolation, and budget. 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 WH-CH520
- Good for music
- Very good for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
- Very good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
6.6
7.6
The Sony WH-CH520 is good for music, while the Sony Linkbuds is only fair.
Gaming
5.5
8.8
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for gaming, while the Sony Linkbuds is poor.
TV and Video
5.4
8.2
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for TV and video, while the Sony Linkbuds is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
4.6
The Sony WH-CH520 and Sony Linkbuds are both poor for noise reduction, though the Sony WH-CH520 is somewhat better.
Battery
5.5 Hours
52.0 Hours
The Sony Linkbuds has 5.5 hours of battery life. The Sony WH-CH520 has 52 hours of battery life.
Cost
$178
$50
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
The Sony Linkbuds has a price of $178 and the Sony WH-CH520 costs $50.
Build Quality
9.3
7.0
The Sony Linkbuds has excellent build quality, while the Sony WH-CH520 has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
6.8
6.7
The Sony Linkbuds and Sony WH-CH520 are both only fair for phone calls.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.8
8.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sony WH-CH520 to be very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony Linkbuds is good.
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How the Sony Linkbuds and the Sony WH-CH520 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Sony Linkbuds | Sony WH-CH520 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$178 | $50 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Sony | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2022 | April 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.7/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 6.9/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.6/10 | 8.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.4/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7/10 | 6.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5.5 Hours | 52 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | 1.9 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | 5.2 | |
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 | 4.6/10 | |
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 | 7/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 10/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4.5 Grams | 147.41 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 WH-CH520
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | September 2023
"If you’re looking for headphones that simply do what you ask them to: the Sony WH-CH520 is a decent option, even if it isn’t very exciting. Sony’s WH-CHXXX line fits this role quite well, and the WH-CH520 offers a decent raft of quality-of-life updates over its predecessor that should keep listeners happy. If the Sony WH-CH520 were a car, it’d be the boring-but-safe commuter compact."
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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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11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
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Recommendations made
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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.
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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