True Wireless
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C)
84Great
$125
Full review dataApple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C) vs Sony LinkBuds Open: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C) comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 84. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C) - Great overall at around $125.
True Wireless
Sony LinkBuds Open
72Good
$230
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C)
Sound8.5
Noise cancelling9.0
Battery7.5
Calls8.0
Value7.5
Sony LinkBuds Open
Sound6.5
Battery8.0
Value7.0
Specifications
| Spec | Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C) | Sony LinkBuds Open |
|---|---|---|
| Type | True Wireless | True Wireless |
| Price (USD) | $125 | $230 |
| HearWiki score | 84 / 100 · Great | 72 / 100 · Good |
| Released | 2022 | 2024 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | 11mm ring-shaped driver unit |
| Driver size | 11 mm | 11 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20 Hz - 20,000 Hz | 20Hz-20kHz |
| Impedance | 16 Ω | - |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB/mW | - |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, LC3 |
| Multipoint pairing | No | Yes |
| Wireless range | - | 10 m |
| Battery | ||
| Battery incl. case | 30 h | 22 h |
| Full charge time | - | 150 min |
| Quick charge | - | approx. 3 min = up to 60 min playback |
| Wireless charging | Yes | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | - | No |
| ANC type | adaptive | none |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes |
| Companion app | Yes | Yes |
| Custom EQ | No | Yes |
| Wear detection | Yes | No |
| Controls | both | touch |
| Voice assistant | Siri | - |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 10.6 g | 5.1 g |
| Case weight | 50.8 g | 30.6 g |
| Water resistance | IP54 | IPX4 |
| Foldable | No | No |
| Detachable cable | No | No |
| USB-C | Yes | Yes |
What reviewers said
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C)
These wireless earbuds deliver strong active noise cancellation and a natural-sounding transparency mode, making them a solid pick for Apple users. With around 6 hours of playback per charge and a case that boosts total listening time to 30 hours, they offer dependable daily use. The IP54 rating adds some protection against sweat and splashes, while Bluetooth 5.3 ensures a stable connection for most devices.
- Pro:Excellent active noise cancellation
- Pro:Natural transparency mode for ambient awareness
- Pro:Decent battery life with case
- Con:No multipoint connection
- Con:Limited to AAC codec
- Con:No custom EQ in app
Sony LinkBuds Open
The Sony LinkBuds Open are open-style wireless earbuds that prioritize situational awareness and all-day comfort over noise isolation. They offer a clever ring-driver design, solid battery life, and a robust feature set, though their sound signature is a compromise typical of this category. They are a practical choice for those who need to stay tuned in to their surroundings, but audiophiles may find the audio performance underwhelming.
- Pro:Extremely comfortable and lightweight for all-day wear
- Pro:Strong battery life with quick charging support
- Pro:Transparency-focused design keeps you aware of your environment
- Con:No active noise cancellation
- Con:Sound quality is not as rich or immersive as sealed earbuds
- Con:Lacks wireless charging support
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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