Sony LinkBuds Open Review: Open-Ear Earbuds with Unique Features

Explore the innovative design and sound experience of Sony LinkBuds Open — open-ear earbuds packed with features and tailored sound options.

Unboxing a Fresh Take on Open-Ear Audio

Sony LinkBuds Open immediately grab attention with their bold and unconventional design. Unlike many open-ear earbuds that cling with clips or ear hooks, these beauties sport a ring-shaped driver that lets environmental sounds flow naturally through. The battery snugly fits inside a small spherical housing, and unique wing tips help anchor the earbuds securely in your ears.

From the moment I pulled them out of the box, I was struck by how different they felt. The ring-shaped earbuds sit comfortably and effortlessly let ambient noise through, which is perfect if you want to stay aware of your surroundings. That spherical outer shell, however, feels a bit bulky, and while the wing tips do their job, the fit was slightly unfamiliar—something that tempered my comfort during extended listening sessions. Still, they're wearable for hours, though if you're after plush comfort, rivals like Apple’s AirPods 4 with ANC might steal the crown.

The charging case also deserves a shoutout. Sporting a glossy, marble-like finish in white, it adds a touch of elegance to your tech gear. You can also snag these earbuds in black or a special purple edition inspired by singer Olivia Rodrigo—a cool collaboration that includes custom EQ presets from the artist and her producer.

Features Abound in a Compact Package

Sony didn't hold back filling the LinkBuds Open with a rich suite of features. From multipoint Bluetooth connection to immersive 360 Reality Audio support, and seamless integration with voice assistants and Spotify Tap, this pair isn’t just a pretty face. All these perks are easily managed through the Sony Sound Connect app, which offers an intuitive user interface.

Some standout features you'll find:

• Customizable touch controls that respond crisply
• DSEE tech, which upsamples low-bitrate music files (yes, Spotify playlists included!)
• Detailed EQ settings, including a fun "Find Your EQ" game to tailor sound to your liking
• Five-band customizable equalizer presets
• Gesture controls for head movement and wearing detection

All these come together to deliver an experience that’s both playful and professional.

However, there are some notable omissions. Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) isn’t here—understandable given that open-ear buds prioritize situational awareness. This feature is available in competitors like Edifier LolliClip or Honor Earbuds Open for those who want it. Also missing is Sony’s LDAC codec for high-res Bluetooth audio, but again, the open design limits audio isolation and thus the benefits of such codecs.

Health monitoring features like pulse or blood oxygen sensors are absent here too—if that’s your jam, Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 might offer more in that department.

Real-World Performance: How Do They Sound?

You’re probably wondering about the sound. I had mixed feelings, honestly. Open-ear designs usually mean some compromises on bass and overall sound isolation, and the LinkBuds Open are no exception.

Surprisingly, the bass performance impressed me more than expected. Listening to “AAAAA” by Kiefer with the EQ flat, the pulsing bass felt meatier than on some other open-ear competitors like the SoundCore AeroClip. That said, it’s not the deepest or cleanest bass you’ll hear in a pair of buds.

On funkier tracks like “Stepping Out (feat. $Ha Hef)” by Jay Worthy and LNDN DRGS, the bass line sometimes crowded the vocals, making the midrange feel a little compressed. The sub-bass on “The Boys Are Back In Town” by Yung Gravy was restrained, which aligns with the open design’s natural acoustic limits.

Treble frequencies came through fairly bright, sometimes a bit sharp. Luckily, the EQ in the app lets you tame those peaks easily.

Where these earbuds truly shine is in vocal-centric tunes. Tracks like “Déchire la Toile” by Lauriane Testard and Alice Duporc-Percey revealed clean, controlled vocals with lovely openness and detail. Even cranking the volume high didn't muddy the sound, though leakage might make these less ideal for quiet offices or public transport.

So, while not perfect or richly layered, the LinkBuds Open deliver a clean, solid sound signature that many fans of open-ear buds will appreciate.

Battery Life and Extras: What to Expect

Battery life is about what you'd hope for in this category: roughly 8 hours per charge on the buds themselves, plus another 14 hours from the charging case. My personal tests confirmed these numbers, putting them on par with similar models like the Soundcore AeroClip.

Another nice touch is the availability of extra accessories, including colorful cases for both the earbuds and their charging case. If you want to add a splash of personality to your gear, these options let you customize beyond the standard black, white, or purple finishes—though these extras will cost you a bit more.

Specs Snapshot: Sony LinkBuds Open

• Water resistance: IPX4
• Battery life: 8 hours (earbuds), 22 hours with charging case
• Bluetooth: 5.3
• Weight: 5.1g per earbud, 30g case
• Frequency range: 20 Hz – 20 kHz

Pricing and Availability

Sony LinkBuds Open, also known as WF-L910, launched in October 2024 with a $199 MSRP—a hefty price for open-ear earbuds but still a notch below Bose’s Ultra Open Earbuds at $299.

They’re already available in some markets, with prices dipping a bit below £130 or AU$250. Color choices include black, white, and that special purple edition featuring Olivia Rodrigo’s touch in sound design.

Should You Buy Sony LinkBuds Open?

Alternatives to Consider

Anker Soundcore AeroClip

I’m a big fan of the Anker Soundcore AeroClip. While its bass isn’t as full as the LinkBuds Open out of the box, the EQ lets you dial in your preferred sound easily. The clip-on design offers a secure fit, good battery life, and a wallet-friendly price.

Huawei FreeArc

If you want something more traditional in open-ear style, the Huawei FreeArc is a top contender. It combines great sound quality, solid weather resistance, and a comfy fit—all at a very reasonable price point.

How I Tested the Sony LinkBuds Open

• Used for several weeks in varied settings: office, home, and outdoor strolls
• Primarily streamed music via Tidal, with occasional Spotify sessions
• Ran through diverse playlists, including the TechRadar test playlist spanning multiple genres
• Compared against competitors like Anker Soundcore AeroClip to assess sound and comfort

This thorough approach helped me understand where these earbuds excel and where they fall short.

“Sony LinkBuds Open offer a rich feature set and solid sound for open-ear wearers, though comfort and price may make you weigh options carefully.”
— Tech Review Enthusiast

Sony’s LinkBuds Open bring a fresh twist to open-ear audio, blending innovative design with a feature-packed experience. While not flawless—especially regarding price and comfort—they offer a compelling choice for those wanting to stay connected to their environment without sacrificing sound quality.

FAQ

• What is the battery life of Sony LinkBuds Open?
  About 8 hours continuous listening per charge, with an additional 14 hours from the charging case.
• Do Sony LinkBuds Open have active noise cancellation?
  No, they lack ANC to preserve ambient awareness, which is common for open-ear designs.
• Can I customize the sound on LinkBuds Open?
  Yes, the Sony Sound Connect app includes a five-band EQ and a “Find Your EQ” interactive feature.
• Are these earbuds water-resistant?
  Yes, they have an IPX4 rating, meaning they resist splashes and light rain.
• How do they fit compared to other open-ear earbuds?
  They provide a secure fit with wing tips but might feel bulkier and less comfortable over long periods compared to some rivals.

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