Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Sony LinkBuds Open: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the Apple AirPods Pro 3 comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 86. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: Apple AirPods Pro 3 - Outstanding overall at around $179.

True Wireless

Apple AirPods Pro 3

86Outstanding

$180

Full review data

True Wireless

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

Apple AirPods Pro 3 leads on 5 of 7 measures.

Apple AirPods Pro 3
Sony LinkBuds Open

HearWiki score

Sound

8.6

6.4

Noise cancelling

9.3

Battery

7.3

7.8

Calls

7.4

8.4

Value

8.3

5.5

Price (USD)

$180

$230

Generation & platform

The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?

Mixed generations

Apple AirPods Pro 3 (2025) against Sony LinkBuds Open (2024). Neither is straightforwardly newer: the Apple AirPods Pro 3 brings ANC type Adaptive against None, while the Sony LinkBuds Open answers with Top codec LC3 against AAC and LE Audio (LC3). The Apple AirPods Pro 3 answers on convenience features: it adds Wireless charging, Wear detection and Water resistance IP57 against IPX4.

AirPods Pro 320251 yr newer
LinkBuds Open2024

What differsAirPods Pro 3LinkBuds Open

Top codec: AAC; LC3
LE Audio (LC3): No; Yes
ANC type: Adaptive; None
Wireless charging: Yes; No
Wear detection: Yes; No
Water resistance: IP57; IPX4

Level on: Bluetooth, Multipoint pairing, USB-C, Transparency mode, Companion app.

Specifications

AirPods Pro 3LinkBuds Open

Type: True Wireless; True Wireless
Price (USD): $180; $230
HearWiki score: 86; 68
Released: 2025; 2024
Availability: Sold new; Still sold new
Driver: 10.7 mm dynamic; 11 mm dynamic
Driver type: dynamic; dynamic
Driver size: 10.7 mm; 11 mm
Drivers per side: 1; 1
Frequency response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz; 20 Hz - 20 kHz
Sensitivity: 110 dB/mW; -
Bluetooth: 5.3; 5.3
Codecs: SBC, AAC; SBC, AAC, LC3
Multipoint pairing: Yes; Yes
Wireless range: -; 10 m
Battery life: 8 h; 8 h
Battery life (ANC on): 8 h; -
Battery incl. case: -; 22 h
Full charge time: -; 150 min
Quick charge: -; 3 min → 1 h
Wireless charging: Yes; No
Active noise cancelling: Yes; No
ANC type: adaptive; none
Transparency mode: Yes; Yes
Companion app: Yes; Yes
Custom EQ: -; Yes
Wear detection: Yes; No
Controls: touch; touch
Voice assistant: Siri; Alexa, Google Assistant
Weight: 5.5 g; 5.1 g
Case weight: 44 g; 30.6 g
Water resistance: IP57; IPX4
Foldable: -; No
Detachable cable: -; No
USB-C: Yes; Yes
Model code: -; WF-L910/B
Microphones: 3; -
Microphone type: beamforming; -

Specification comparison of Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Sony LinkBuds Open
Spec	Apple AirPods Pro 3	Sony LinkBuds Open
Type	True Wireless	True Wireless
Price (USD)	$180	$230
HearWiki score	86 / 100 Outstanding	68 / 100 Good
Released	2025	2024
Audio
Driver	10.7 mm dynamic	11 mm dynamic
Driver type	dynamic	dynamic
Driver size	10.7 mm	11 mm
Drivers per side	1	1
Frequency response	20 Hz - 20 kHz	20 Hz - 20 kHz
Sensitivity	110 dB/mW	-
Wireless
Bluetooth	5.3	5.3
Codecs	SBC, AAC	SBC, AAC, LC3
Multipoint pairing	Yes	Yes
Wireless range	-	10 m
Battery
Battery life	8 h	8 h
Battery life (ANC on)	8 h	-
Battery incl. case	-	22 h
Full charge time	-	150 min
Quick charge	-	3 min → 1 h
Wireless charging	Yes	No
Features
Active noise cancelling	Yes	No
ANC type	adaptive	none
Transparency mode	Yes	Yes
Companion app	Yes	Yes
Custom EQ	-	Yes
Wear detection	Yes	No
Controls	touch	touch
Voice assistant	Siri	Alexa, Google Assistant
Design
Weight	5.5 g	5.1 g
Case weight	44 g	30.6 g
Water resistance	IP57	IPX4
Foldable	-	No
Detachable cable	-	No
USB-C	Yes	Yes
Model code	-	WF-L910/B
Calls
Microphones	3	-
Microphone type	beamforming	-

What reviewers said

Apple AirPods Pro 3

The Apple AirPods Pro 3 are premium true wireless earbuds that combine adaptive active noise cancellation with a comfortable, secure fit. They deliver clear calls, robust battery life, and a balanced sound profile, all wrapped in an IP57-rated design that handles water and dust. With Bluetooth 5.3, multipoint connectivity, and wireless charging, they offer a polished experience for Apple and non-Apple users alike.

Pro:Excellent adaptive noise cancellation
Pro:Clear call quality with beamforming mics
Pro:Strong battery life of 8 hours with ANC on

Con:Fit may be tricky for some ears
Con:Premium price point
Con:Limited codec support (SBC, AAC only)

Sony LinkBuds Open

The Sony LinkBuds Open are open-ear wireless earbuds that prioritize comfort and environmental awareness over noise isolation. They offer a feature-rich experience with multipoint connectivity, app support, and a secure, lightweight fit, though their audio performance reflects the inherent trade-offs of the open design. Battery life is a notable strength, providing solid endurance for daily use.

Pro:Extremely comfortable and secure open-ear fit
Pro:Strong battery life for the form factor
Pro:Useful features like multipoint and custom EQ

Con:Sound lacks bass impact compared to sealed earbuds
Con:No active noise cancellation
Con:Audio quality may not satisfy critical listeners

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

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