Sony’s LinkBuds ($179.99) didn’t impress us, with an open design that didn't fit securely and weak bass that flirted with distortion. Thankfully, the LinkBuds S ($199.99) are a completely different story. First and foremost, this new pair of noise-cancelling true wireless earbuds ditches the inconsistent open design for a closed one that enables much better audio quality. They also offer above-average active noise cancellation (ANC), a feature the original model lacked entirely. This leads to a higher price, albeit one that's more in line with the features and performance you get. But while the LinkBuds S are undoubtedly an improvement over the regular LinkBuds, Jabra's Elite 7 Pro earphones offer comparable sound quality and ANC performance, along with longer battery life and a fully waterpoof design, making them our Editors' Choice.A Decidedly Improved Design Available in black (more of a graphite) or white, the LinkBuds S are covered in a grainy, but not rough, matte material, ...
Sony's true wireless LinkBuds S earphones deliver good sound quality and noise cancellation in a much more effective design than previous pair, but they don't quite outshine the rest of the competition.
Quality audio performance with rich lows and crisp, clear highs; Effective noise cancellation; In-app EQ, customizable controls, and Spotify Tap support; Water-resistant design
Unimpressive battery life