Skip to content
HearWiki
Sony LinkBuds OpenImage © Sony

Sony LinkBuds Open

68/ 100
Good
HearWiki score

Priced about right

$230
typical price, USD
Still sold newupdated
Manufacturer pageBuy now onAmazon

At a glance

Brand
Sony
Type
True Wireless
Fit
-
Connection
Wireless
Noise cancelling
No
Released
2024

Score breakdowngood overall

Sound6.4
Battery7.8
Calls8.4
Value5.5

Sony LinkBuds Open are truly wireless earbuds with an open ring design for ambient sound, featuring an 11mm driver and up to 22 hours of total battery life with the charging case.

The HearWiki takeAI-condensed

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.

What works

  • Extremely comfortable and secure open-ear fit
  • Strong battery life for the form factor
  • Useful features like multipoint and custom EQ
  • Lightweight and portable design

What doesn't

  • Sound lacks bass impact compared to sealed earbuds
  • No active noise cancellation
  • Audio quality may not satisfy critical listeners
  • Limited codec support beyond basic options

Paraphrased from published reviews & specs - not an original hands-on test. Our AI disclosure.

Specifications

Audio - Sony LinkBuds Open
Driver11 mm dynamic
Driver typedynamic
Driver size11 mm
Drivers per side1
Frequency response20 Hz - 20 kHz

Where to buy

Retailers we matched to this exact model. Prices are periodic snapshots - the link always opens the retailer's current listing.

What the reviews said

3 source(s) feeding this product's score.

whathifi.com

60

The reviewer describes the LinkBuds Open as very comfortable, cleverly designed, and rich in features, but says their sound quality comes with unavoidable tradeoffs. The overall take is positive for fit and usability, with more tempered enthusiasm for audio performance.

Read the full review

ecoustics.com

The review notes Sony’s familiar feature set and codec support, and it frames the LinkBuds Open as a more affordable option than some premium competitors. Battery life is presented as a meaningful improvement, though still within the limits of the open-ear format.

Read the full review

wired.com

WIRED says the second-generation LinkBuds Open bring better battery life, a slimmer design, and a redesigned driver, but the sonic results are mixed. The review suggests Sony improved the product in key practical ways even if the sound is not a clear home run.

Read the full review

What YouTube reviewers say

Video reviews we found, each condensed to its verdict. They do feed the HearWiki score, at a measured weight below what a published written review carries.

The consensus

Mixedacross 5 videos

Reviewers agree the Sony LinkBuds Open excel in comfort and open-ear awareness, making them ideal for staying alert to surroundings, with standout features like the wide-area tap controls and clear vocal reproduction.

Reviewers liked

  • Comfortable, form-fitting open-ring design
  • Excellent ambient sound awareness
  • Wide-area tap controls and useful app features
  • Clear sound with crisp vocals

Reviewers flagged

  • Average sound quality with weak bass
  • Lacks ANC and wireless charging
  • Fit may be insecure for some, especially during exercise
  • Battery life is decent but not outstanding
  • Pricey at $200
8:03

Sony LinkBuds Open Review: The donuts are BACK! But are they any good?

SoundGuys31.7K viewsOct 2024

The reviewer finds the Sony LinkBuds Open to be a creative and well-executed open-ear design, particularly praising the comfortable fit, wide-area tap controls, and excellent battery life. However, they note the sound quality is only average for the category, lacking bass, and the $200 price is steep. Ultimately, the reviewer says they personally wouldn't buy them because they need ANC, but they are a credible alternative for those who dislike ear hooks.

11:53

These Earbuds Let You Hear EVERYTHING ( Sony Linkbuds Open )

WhatGear18.2K viewsFeb 2025

The reviewer finds the Sony LinkBuds Open to be a unique open-ear earbud option that excels at keeping you aware of your surroundings while delivering decent sound quality, though not as good as closed models. They highlight the customizable design, useful app features, and seamless integration with Sony's new speaker, but caution that the fit may not be secure for everyone, especially during exercise. Overall, they recommend trying them on before purchasing.

11:02

Sony Linkbuds Open - Niche Earbuds With Big Upgrades

GYMCADDY17.9K viewsOct 2024

The reviewer finds the Sony LinkBuds Open to be a niche but well-executed pair of open earbuds, praising their traditional earbud-like fit, improved case, and useful features like the wide tap area. However, they note the battery life is only decent, the case lacks wireless charging, and the microphone struggles with background noise. Overall, they prefer these over the Bose Open Ultra but suggest waiting for a sale.

10:29

Hear Everything - Sony LinkBuds Open Review After 10 Days 🔥

Tech Singh7.1K viewsApr 2025

The reviewer spent 10 days with the Sony LinkBuds Open and found them to be excellent everyday earbuds for those who want to stay aware of their surroundings. They praise the comfortable open-ring design, clear sound, and useful features like head gestures and multipoint connectivity, but note the lack of ANC and wireless charging as drawbacks. Overall, they recommend them for specific use cases like commuting or working, while suggesting the Sony WF-1000XM5 for those needing noise cancellation.

22:21

Innovative or Infuriating? Sony Link Buds Open Ear Earbuds Review

The reviewer finds the Sony LinkBuds Open innovative in design and comfort, but is frustrated by the unreliable fit, which makes them unsuitable for active use. They also criticize the lack of advanced codecs, average battery life, and limited gesture customization, though they praise the microphone quality and open-ear awareness. Overall, the product is seen as a mixed bag with potential for specific use cases.

Summaries are AI condensations of each video's own conclusion, not transcripts. Titles, thumbnails and view counts belong to their channels.

Own these? Rate them.

A minute of your experience with the Sony LinkBuds Open helps the next person shopping for them.

Alternatives in the $110–$460 range

Other true wireless models at a comparable price, ordered by HearWiki score.

More from Sony

Other Sony models in the database, same category first.

Where it sits in our rankings

The data-driven guides this model qualifies for.