Sony LinkBuds Open vs Technics EAH-AZ100: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the Technics EAH-AZ100 comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 86. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: Technics EAH-AZ100 - Outstanding overall at around $250.

True Wireless

Score breakdown

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

Technics EAH-AZ100 leads on 5 of 7 measures.

Sony LinkBuds Open
Technics EAH-AZ100

HearWiki score

Sound

6.4

9.2

Noise cancelling

8.6

Battery

7.8

8.7

Calls

8.4

7.8

Value

5.5

8.1

Price (USD)

$230

$250

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?

Half a step newer

Technics EAH-AZ100 (2025) against Sony LinkBuds Open (2024). The Technics EAH-AZ100 edges ahead on platform, but only just: ANC type Hybrid against None. It also adds Wireless charging and Wear detection.

LinkBuds Open2024
EAH-AZ10020251 yr newer

What differsLinkBuds OpenEAH-AZ100

ANC type: None; Hybrid
Wireless charging: No; Yes
Wear detection: No; Yes

Level on: Bluetooth, Top codec, LE Audio (LC3), Multipoint pairing, USB-C, Transparency mode, Custom EQ, Companion app, Water resistance.

Specifications

LinkBuds OpenEAH-AZ100

Type: True Wireless; True Wireless
Price (USD): $230; $250
HearWiki score: 68; 86
Released: 2024; 2025
Availability: Still sold new; Sold new
Driver: 11 mm dynamic; 10 mm dynamic
Driver type: dynamic; dynamic
Driver size: 11 mm; 10 mm
Drivers per side: 1; 1
Frequency response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz; 20 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance: -; 16 Ω
Bluetooth: 5.3; 5.3
Codecs: SBC, AAC, LC3; SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC
Multipoint pairing: Yes; Yes
Wireless range: 10 m; 10 m
Battery life: 8 h; 12 h
Battery life (ANC on): -; 10 h
Battery incl. case: 22 h; 28 h
Full charge time: 150 min; 120 min
Quick charge: 3 min → 1 h; 15 min → 1.2 h
Wireless charging: No; Yes
Active noise cancelling: No; Yes
ANC type: none; hybrid
Transparency mode: Yes; Yes
Companion app: Yes; Yes
Custom EQ: Yes; Yes
Wear detection: No; Yes
Controls: touch; touch
Voice assistant: Alexa, Google Assistant; Yes
Weight: 5.1 g; 11.8 g
Case weight: 30.6 g; 42 g
Water resistance: IPX4; IPX4
Foldable: No; -
Detachable cable: No; -
USB-C: Yes; Yes
Model code: WF-L910/B; -
Microphones: -; 2
Microphone type: -; MEMS

Specification comparison of Sony LinkBuds Open vs Technics EAH-AZ100
Spec	Sony LinkBuds Open	Technics EAH-AZ100
Type	True Wireless	True Wireless
Price (USD)	$230	$250
HearWiki score	68 / 100 Good	86 / 100 Outstanding
Released	2024	2025
Audio
Driver	11 mm dynamic	10 mm dynamic
Driver type	dynamic	dynamic
Driver size	11 mm	10 mm
Drivers per side	1	1
Frequency response	20 Hz - 20 kHz	20 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance	-	16 Ω
Wireless
Bluetooth	5.3	5.3
Codecs	SBC, AAC, LC3	SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC
Multipoint pairing	Yes	Yes
Wireless range	10 m	10 m
Battery
Battery life	8 h	12 h
Battery life (ANC on)	-	10 h
Battery incl. case	22 h	28 h
Full charge time	150 min	120 min
Quick charge	3 min → 1 h	15 min → 1.2 h
Wireless charging	No	Yes
Features
Active noise cancelling	No	Yes
ANC type	none	hybrid
Transparency mode	Yes	Yes
Companion app	Yes	Yes
Custom EQ	Yes	Yes
Wear detection	No	Yes
Controls	touch	touch
Voice assistant	Alexa, Google Assistant	Yes
Design
Weight	5.1 g	11.8 g
Case weight	30.6 g	42 g
Water resistance	IPX4	IPX4
Foldable	No	-
Detachable cable	No	-
USB-C	Yes	Yes
Model code	WF-L910/B	-
Calls
Microphones	-	2
Microphone type	-	MEMS

What reviewers said

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

Technics EAH-AZ100

The Technics EAH-AZ100 are premium true wireless earbuds that deliver rich, detailed sound through a 10mm dynamic driver, with support for high-resolution LDAC streaming. They combine effective hybrid active noise cancellation with a comfortable, IPX4-rated design, plus smart features like multipoint pairing and wireless charging for versatile daily use. With up to 12 hours of playtime on a single charge, they are built to last through long listening sessions.

Pro:Excellent sound quality with LDAC support
Pro:Strong hybrid ANC and transparency modes
Pro:Long battery life with wireless charging case

Con:Premium price point
Con:Touch controls may be overly sensitive
Con:No aptX codec 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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