Sony’s LinkBuds S Description

Sony LinkBuds S are the company’s latest earbuds, fitting into a lineup that consists of the flagship .The very unique LinkBuds and the entry-level WF-C500s. Though they share a name with the open-air LinkBuds, the “S” model earbuds have a far more conventional design that seals in the ear with silicone tips. This makes it possible for them to include active noise cancellation, which the regular LinkBuds lack, and Sony also added support for its higher-quality LDAC Bluetooth codec.

The LinkBuds S attempt to toe the line between the LinkBuds and 1000XM4s and deliver the best of both worlds: they’re more comfortable for extended listening than the pricier flagship earbuds — thanks in large part to a smaller, lighter design. And while nothing beats an open design for natural ambient sound, Sony’s transparency mode is better than ever. The sound quality and noise cancellation aren’t fully up to par with the  1000XM4s, but might rank as good enough for many people in exchange for the outstanding comfort these earbuds provide.

Battery life

Sony promises up to five and a half hours on the LinkBuds themselves, with another 12 hours in the charging case. During my tests, I managed almost six hours of use before having to dock the earbuds, consistently getting around 30 minutes more than advertised. There’s no wireless charging here, but a 10-minute plug-in will give you 90 minutes of use. Honestly, the charging case for the LinkBuds is so small.