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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Sony Linkbuds offer wireless convenience and are optimized for use with both Android and Apple devices, featuring an open ring design that allows ambient sound for situational awareness, although they are less effective at noise isolation. They also support wireless charging and have a virtual surround feature, making them suitable for an immersive experience. In contrast, the Steelseries TUSQ, while wired, has a higher overall sound quality and superior microphone quality which could be preferable for gaming and calls. They are budget-friendly and provide better noise isolation but lack wireless capability and additional features such as app customization. If you prioritize wireless convenience and features, choose the Linkbuds; if sound quality and mic performance are more important, particularly for gaming or calls, and budget is a consideration, the TUSQ may be a better option. 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 Steelseries TUSQ
- Good for music
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
- Good for air travel
Key differences
Music
6.6
7.6
The Steelseries TUSQ is good for music, while the Sony Linkbuds is only fair.
Gaming
5.5
8.5
The Steelseries TUSQ is very good for gaming, while the Sony Linkbuds is poor.
Phone Calls
6.8
5.2
The Sony Linkbuds is only fair for phone calls, while the Steelseries TUSQ is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.8
4.7
The Sony Linkbuds is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Steelseries TUSQ is poor.
TV and Video
5.4
7.3
The Steelseries TUSQ is good for TV and video, while the Sony Linkbuds is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
6.0
The Steelseries TUSQ is only fair 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 Steelseries TUSQ does not have a battery.
Cost
$178
$30
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
The Sony Linkbuds has a price of $178 and the Steelseries TUSQ costs $30.
Build Quality
9.3
8.0
The Sony Linkbuds has excellent build quality, while the Steelseries TUSQ has very good build quality.
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How the Sony Linkbuds and the Steelseries TUSQ compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Sony Linkbuds | Steelseries TUSQ |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$178 | $30 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Sony | Steelseries | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2022 | August 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.7/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 6.9/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.6/10 | 8.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.4/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7/10 | 4.2/10 | |
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 | 6/10 | |
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 | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9.3/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4.5 Grams | 11 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Boom | |
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."
Steelseries TUSQ
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Dig into reviews and images
Can Buy or Not
Aloysius Low | March 2021
"The SteelSeries Arctis Tusq is a great headset for those on a more modest budget. You can use it for gaming or music, and I daresay it's also great for Zoom meetings when you don't want to be wearing on-ear or over-ear headphones."
Get a great deal on the Sony Linkbuds or the Steelseries TUSQ
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.
About Steelseries
Steelseries is a Danish gaming products manufacturer founded in 2001 and owned by GN Store Nord. Beside a large variety of gaming peripherals like mice, keyboards, and mousemats, Steelseries markets the Arctis line of gaming headsets which feature integrated boom microphones and RGB lighting. Steelseries has partnered with several game publishers and studios for limited editions of their products like a line of Cyberpunk 2077 themed headsets in 2020.
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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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Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
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Recommendations made
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Consumer hours saved
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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