Sony entered the open wear stereo (OWS) earbuds market early with its original LinkBuds in 2022, and its latest iteration showcases a unique clip-on design. The LinkBuds Clip promises enhanced audio quality and an impressive battery life of up to 37 hours when combined with their carrying case.
Let’s delve into the contents of the LinkBuds Clip package.
Inside the typical recycled cardboard packaging found in recent Sony headphones and earbuds, you'll find the charging and carrying case that contains the LinkBuds Clip. Besides the usual manuals and warranty card, there’s little else included.
The LinkBuds Clip feature a distinctive C-shaped design, constructed entirely from plastic. One end hosts the speaker, while a bean-shaped module sits comfortably behind your ear helix.
Available in multiple colors, we have the Black and Lavender models for review.
Designed to accommodate various ear shapes, we have previously tested similar designs and can confirm that these earbuds do indeed fit comfortably and securely throughout the day.
Lightweight and easy to wear, the LinkBuds Clip stay in place without causing discomfort. The connecting cable between the two earbud halves is flexible, adding to the overall comfort.
This is how the LinkBuds Clip look when worn
The specifications of the LinkBuds Clip include 10mm drivers and Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity. They support both SBC and AAC codecs, along with Sony’s DSEE upscaling algorithm and the 360 Reality Audio feature, which provides a spatial audio experience. Additionally, the earbuds support multipoint pairing and include a fully customizable 10-band equalizer via the Sony Sound Connect app.
Sony LinkBuds Clip
The LinkBuds Clip feature three listening modes: standard, voice boost, and sound leakage reduction. However, they lack wear detection sensors, meaning the earbuds do not automatically pause media playback when removed. This omission is surprising given their price point of $230/€200/£180, especially as many entry-level earbuds include this feature.
Battery life is rated at 9 hours for the earbuds alone, extending up to 37 hours with the charging case. The LinkBuds Clip are IPX4 rated for splash resistance, although the case itself does not offer ingress protection.
