Sony LinkBuds vs. AirPods 3: Which true wireless earbuds are for you?

Sony’s most recent $179 LinkBuds are priced to go head-to-head with other popular headphones, including Apple’s third-generation AirPods. And though they are both quality earbuds from big-name brands, the LinkBuds offer a unique design that will let you stay fully immersed in the outside world while still allowing you to listen to your music, podcasts or streaming audio.

Intrigued? Here’s everything you need to know before you decide between the Sony LinkBuds for more transparent everyday sound or the third-generation AirPods for a more traditional experience.

Apple aims to block out outside noise, while Sony strives to amplify it

Neither the third-generation AirPods nor the LinkBuds feature active noise cancellation (ANC), a popular feature that uses microphones and low frequencies to help cancel out certain sounds, but Apple’s design is similar to the more expensive AirPods Pro minus the silicon tips. As a result, the drivers themselves sit further in your ears, giving a tighter seal for less outside noise.

On the flip side, Sony’s LinkBuds feature ring-shaped drivers with a small, distinguished hole in the bud, which lets you hear all the goings-on around you while you listen. And though that may seem counterintuitive when looking for a new pair of headphones, it’s a great feature for anyone not interested in pulling out a bud to hear someone speak as well as for activities like listening for your flight at the airport or for outdoor workouts like running or cycling.

Different designs, different controls

The LinkBuds and third-gen AirPods may be opposites in terms of their physical looks, but they still share a few key features, like IPX4 certifications for sweat and water resistance (good for the gym or inclement weather). And while LinkBuds weigh in at just 4.1 grams, AirPods skew slightly heavier at 4.25 grams.

When it comes to controls, the AirPods stick to Apple’s classic sensors in the stems, which detect pressure, letting you squeeze them to play/pause music or skip a track. The LinkBuds take a more science fiction approach, allowing you to simply tap your face between your cheek and ear to play or pause your audio. Though this worked well during our testing, we acknowledge that there’s a chance it could be less accurate..

What’s more, the LinkBuds come with a feature called Speak to Chat that will automatically pause your music if the earbuds detect you talking. AirPods don’t have that functionality, though you can manually pause your music. And if you’re a fan of voice controls, keep in mind that the LinkBuds work with the Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, whereas AirPods exclusively use Siri.

Sony’s LinkBuds offer great sound quality, but AirPods are better

In our review, we found the LinkBuds offer excellent sound quality with a crisp and clear soundstage as well as solid bass, even with that hole in their drivers. Yet, because Apple’s third-generation AirPods come with a tighter seal in your ears, everything from the highs in your tunes to the thumping bass will sound crisper and more defined. Of course, this also brings us back to what you may be looking for in a pair of headphones for your specific lifestyle.

Both sets of earbuds ship with a form of 360-degree audio for better immersion, with Sony including its 360 Reality Audio format for services like Tidal, Amazon Music and Deezer, while the AirPods’ Spatial Audio feature is exclusively available through Apple Music.

AirPods have better battery life than the LinkBuds

If battery life is important to you, third-generation AirPods offer a solid six hours of listening time on a full charge, and the included case extends that to a huge 30 hours. The LinkBuds lasted a close five hours and 45 minutes on a full charge during our testing, but the case extended that to a less impressive 17 hours.

When it comes to recharging, the AirPods are equipped with both a Lightning port and wireless charging compatibility. The LinkBuds use a USB-C port and do not come with wireless charging, though they do offer helpful fast charging, with a 10-minute charge supplying up to 90 minutes of listening time.

Bottom line

The Sony LinkBuds and third-generation Apple AirPods both offer quality sound and specific controls, though they are aimed at different types of users. The elephant in the room is always the Apple versus Everyone angle, and of course, you may want to stick with AirPods if you use lots of Apple products. However, if you’re interested in stepping out of your comfort zone and want a pair of headphones that offer cutting-edge design and controls as well as the ability to easily hear your surroundings without taking them off your ears, the Sony LinkBuds are an interesting choice for the exact same price.