Sony has entered the clip-style earbud arena with its first model, the LinkBuds Clip. These open-ear earbuds are designed to provide all-day comfort, spatial awareness, and a secure fit that outperforms traditional earbud designs. Priced at $230 and available in four colors, they promise balanced sound and AI-enhanced voice pickup. But do they deliver? We put them through their paces to find out.
Design and Comfort
Sony has reimagined the clip-style earbud with the LinkBuds Clip. Instead of the usual wiry bridge connecting the speaker and main unit, these earbuds use a flexible, soft-touch hinge that gently grips the ear. The result is a lightweight, unobtrusive design that stays put without causing pressure points. The earbuds come in four colorways: black, white, blue, and pink, so you can match your style.
The clip mechanism is easy to put on and take off, and once in place, the LinkBuds Clip feel surprisingly secure. Even during vigorous head movements, they remained firmly attached. The open-ear design means you’re not plugging your ear canal, which enhances comfort for extended wear. We wore them for several hours without any discomfort, making good on Sony’s all-day comfort claim.
Fit and Stability
The flexible hinge adapts to different ear shapes, and the earbuds are so light you might forget you’re wearing them. They don’t bounce or shift during runs or workouts, which is a common issue with many open-ear designs. The LinkBuds Clip also come with a charging case that’s pocketable and provides additional protection.
Sound Quality
Sony has tuned the LinkBuds Clip to deliver balanced sound with clear mids and highs. Because of the open-ear design, bass is naturally less pronounced than with sealed earbuds, but the LinkBuds Clip still produce a satisfying low-end for casual listening. The soundstage is wide, and the spatial awareness is excellent—you can hear your surroundings while enjoying your music, which is ideal for outdoor activities or office use.
For critical listening, the lack of isolation means you’ll hear ambient noise, but that’s the trade-off for situational awareness. The earbuds handle a variety of genres well, from pop to classical, though bass-heavy tracks may leave some wanting more punch. Overall, the sound is balanced and pleasant, living up to Sony’s promise.
AI-Enhanced Voice Pickup
One of the standout features is the AI-enhanced voice pickup. Using advanced algorithms, the LinkBuds Clip isolate your voice during calls, even in noisy environments. In our tests, callers reported clear and natural-sounding audio, with minimal background noise. This makes them a great choice for remote meetings or calls on the go.
Features and Controls
The LinkBuds Clip offer a range of features typical of Sony’s recent earbuds. They support Bluetooth 5.2, Google Fast Pair, and Swift Pair for easy connectivity. There’s also multipoint pairing, so you can connect to two devices simultaneously. The earbuds are IPX4 rated for water resistance, making them suitable for workouts and light rain.
Touch controls are responsive and customizable through the Sony Headphones Connect app. You can adjust volume, skip tracks, and activate voice assistants. The app also offers an equalizer and presets to tailor the sound to your preference.
Battery Life
Sony rates the LinkBuds Clip for 8 hours of playback on a single charge, with the case providing an additional 16 hours. In our testing, we got close to those numbers at moderate volume. A quick charge feature gives you 60 minutes of playtime from a 10-minute charge, which is handy when you’re in a rush.
Verdict
The Sony LinkBuds Clip are a solid first attempt at clip-style earbuds. They excel in comfort, secure fit, and situational awareness, making them ideal for those who want to stay connected to their environment. The balanced sound and AI-enhanced voice pickup are impressive, though bass lovers might find them lacking. At $230, they’re priced competitively against other open-ear options. If you prioritize comfort and awareness over isolation and deep bass, the LinkBuds Clip are a worthy choice.
