Sony LinkBuds vs. AirPods 3: How to Find the Best Open Earbuds for You – CNET [CNET]

When Apple’s original AirPods first came out, one of the things people liked about them was how lightweight and comfortable they felt in your ears. And because they were “open,” there were two big advantages: comfort and awareness. You didn’t have tips jammed into your ear canals, and you weren’t cut off from the outside world. The alternative was noise-isolating earbuds, which create an occluded sensation that leaves you hearing your footsteps as you walk — and unable to hear, say, approaching vehicles. 

With the invention of transparency modes that let sound into noise-isolating buds like the AirPods Pro, that occlusion sensation has become less of an issue, but plenty of folks still hate wearing earbuds with silicon tips; they just find them uncomfortable. So the AirPods, now on their third generation, remain a popular choice and have had little competition as far as open-style earbuds go. 

But Sony hopes to change all that with its new LinkBuds. The true wireless earbuds feature an innovative open ring design that looks a little weird at first glance. At $180, they cost almost exactly the same price as the AirPods 3, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Sony eventually start to match some of the AirPods 3 discounts (which have dipped as low as $140).

So, are the LinkBuds better than the AirPods 3? Well, in some ways yes and in other ways no. As usual, it’s not a clear cut answer and may also depend on whether you’re an Apple or Android user. But here’s a quick look at both buds’ strengths and weaknesses along with a conclusion at the end that hopefully helps you decide what option is best for you.

Read more: Best Wireless Open Earbuds for 2022

How to choose: Sony LinkBuds vs. AirPods 3

As noted, the LinkBuds and AirPods 3 are evenly matched, with each headphone edging out the other in certain specific areas. What it comes down to is your priorities. If you can’t get a secure fit with the AirPods, you’ll definitely want to lean toward the LinkBuds, particularly if you plan to use your buds for sporting activities such as running and biking.

The AirPods’ Apple-only extras include spatial audio for movies and TV, always-on Siri and automatic switching between Apple devices so long as they’re signed in to your iCloud account. If you’re an Android user who can’t take advantage of those features, the LinkBuds, with features such as Speak to Chat and Wide Area Tap will seem more feature-rich.

While both buds are excellent for voice calling with good background noise reduction, the AirPods 3rd Generation offer better sound quality with a bit more dynamic sound and punchier bass. They just sound a little fuller than the LinkBuds. 

In short, if you’re an Apple user who can get a secure fit with the AirPods 3rd Generation, they’re the better choice over, which is why I rated them slightly higher than the LinkBuds. But Android users and those who can’t quite get the AirPods 3 to stay in their ears as securely as they might like, the LinkBuds make for an excellent AirPods alternative.   

Go for the Sony LinkBuds if:

• You’ve tried the AirPods 3 but can’t get a secure fit. This is doubly true if you plan to use your buds for sporting activities like running and biking.
• You’re an Android user. The AirPods’ Apple-only advantages like spatial audio for movie and TV watching, always-on Siri and automatic switching between Apple devices (so long as they’re signed into your iCloud account) won’t benefit you on Android, so opt for the LinkBuds and their extras like Speak to Chat and Wide Area Tap. 

Go for the AirPods 3 if: 

• You want slightly better sound quality. While both buds are excellent for voice calling with good background noise reduction, the AirPods 3 do offer a bit more dynamic sound and punchier bass. They just sound a little fuller than the LinkBuds. 
• You’re an Apple user who values those Apple extras. If you like Apple’s spatial audio, always-on Siri (“Hey Siri”), audio sharing with other Apple users, Live Listen and iCloud pairing, you should stick with Apple-branded headphones.

In short, if you’re an Apple user who can get a secure fit with the AirPods 3, they’re the better choice, which is why I rated them slightly higher than the LinkBuds. But for Android users and those who can’t quite get the third-gen AirPods to stay securely in their ears, the LinkBuds make for an excellent AirPods alternative.   

AirPods 3

$170 at Amazon