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Clip-on earbuds have gone from a niche experiment to a full-fledged category, and there’s no clearer sign of that than one of the biggest audio giants getting in on the action — in late January, Sony unveiled the LinkBuds Clip, a clip-on style pair of wireless earbuds. They’re an open-ear style that lets you enjoy music while remaining situationally aware at work or on the go.
We’ve been putting them to the test to see how they stack up to the competition, including similar styles from Bose, Shokz, and Anker. In short, they’re among the most comfortable in this category and have surprisingly robust sound, but the steep $229 price may limit their appeal for some.
Design and Construction
Sony has been in the open-ear earbuds game for years, and previous LinkBuds models have featured an open-ear design with a donut-shaped driver that lets ambient sound in. But this is Sony’s first foray into the growing clip-on earbud category, a style popularized by Bose’s excellent but exorbitant Ultra Open Ear earbuds.
Sony LinkBuds Clip
Stated Battery Life: Up to 9 hours with the earbuds, 28 with the case
Water Resistance: IPX4
They’re quirky-looking, but the appeal is that they don’t interfere with eyeglasses, unlike earbuds with ear hooks. They can also be comfortable for those who find in-ear styles irritating.
The LinkBuds line has long been associated with cheery colors and a more affordable price point than the brand’s flagships, and the same goes here. The case has a bulbous design and comes in black and “greige,” as well as poppier options like lavender and green. The case lacks wireless charging, and it isn’t quite as svelte as AirPods or similar buds.
Sony
As for the earbuds themselves, they have a flexible but firm silicone band that connects the battery, which sits behind the ear, and the driver, which rests in the ear but leaves the canal open. Comfort-wise, I found them easy to wear yet secure, and arguably more comfortable than Bose’s similar UOE earbuds. If they don’t fit as securely for you, Sony also includes adapters that attach to the band for a more snug fit (I didn’t try these, as the buds fit my ear well out of the box). That said, comfort is subjective, and your mileage may vary if you have smaller ears.
Controls and Features
The LinkBuds feature tap controls on the band, with customizable controls on the left and right side. A double-tap on the right side controls playback, while the left side toggles between different audio modes, including one that boosts vocals and one that reduces sound leakage for quiet environments.
Both sound somewhat unnatural, so I stuck with the standard mode most of the time. The controls are fairly dependable, although I prefer the tactile controls found on Bose’s open earbuds.
The app is somewhat cluttered, but it does have many features
As for the Sony app, it’s feature-rich and offers plenty of customization, although it’s somewhat cluttered, with a confusing number of sub-menus to sift through. Battery life is solid, with a stated 9 hours and 28 hours in the charging case.
Audio and Call Quality
These earbuds feature solid audio performance, with crisp, detailed vocals and highs that don’t sound harsh. Like many open-ear earbuds, these lack some punch when it comes to bass, but they mostly make up for it with clarity and a surprisingly expansive soundstage. You can also tinker with the earbuds’ EQ using the SoundConnect app if you prefer a more customized sound.
Jonathan Zavaleta/Rolling Stone
Sony claims to use AI-powered voice pickup technology for clear phone calls. Real-world results were mixed. I recorded myself using the earbuds in a quiet office phone booth and a crowded street, and while I sounded clear in the quiet environment, the earbuds struggled to consistently pick up my voice on the busy street.
Verdict
The LinkBuds Clip may be a new category for Sony, but they’re entering an increasingly crowded market. Bose, Anker, Shokz, JLab, and numerous other brands already make clip-on earbuds. Sony arguably didn’t do enough to differentiate itself from the competition, particularly for $229. At this price, they don’t fully live up to the LinkBuds line’s promise of value.
On their own, though, they offer solid audio performance and superb comfort, while the eye-catching colors add a poppy appeal.
Sony LinkBuds Clip
Pros: Good sound quality, solid comfort, fun colors
Cons: Bulky case, lack of extra features at this price
