The Sony LinkBuds S are a sleek and stylish pair of wireless earbuds that offer a solid combination of sound quality, noise cancellation, and battery life. With their compact design and comfortable fit, they are perfect for anyone looking for an unobtrusive and portable audio solution.
Design-wise, the LinkBuds S are a bit understated compared to some of Sony’s other recent offerings, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. They are made from recycled plastics and come in four different colours – black, white, ecru and Earth blue – with a minimalist design and a matte finish.
The earbuds themselves are small and lightweight at 4.8g per earbud. It has a circular touchpad on each one that allows you to control playback, adjust the volume, and activate various features. The touch controls are pre-configured so that the right earbud can be used to pause, play, or skip audio, while the left earbud can be used as a toggle for active noise cancellation and transparency mode. However, users have the option to customise these controls according to their preference.
In terms of fit, the LinkBuds S come with a selection of ear tips in different sizes, so you can find the one that fits best for your ears. The earbuds also have an IPX4 rating, which means they are resistant to splashes and sweat, making them a great option for workouts or outdoor activities.
One of the standout features of the LinkBuds S is their noise cancellation. While it’s not quite as powerful as Sony’s top-tier WF-1000XM4, it still performs quite well for earbuds in this price range. The noise-cancelling function is efficient at minimizing external noises such as traffic, the hustle and bustle of people, and environmental sounds. That being said, I still heard some ambient noise but this can be remedied by switching the ear-tip size you use. Still, in my opinion, these are one of the best performing noise cancelling earphones at their price. The Transparency mode is also a useful feature, allowing you to hear your surroundings without having to take the earbuds out.
When it comes to sound quality, the LinkBuds S don’t disappoint. They offer a balanced and natural sound that’s well-suited to a wide range of music genres. The soundstage is wide and spacious, allowing you to hear each instrument and vocal clearly. While the LinkBuds S may not be the most powerful wireless earbuds when it comes to sound, especially at moderate volumes, cranking up the volume enhances their performance, making them more assertive. Nonetheless, they provide a sound quality that is good enough to meet the needs of most casual listeners.
The battery life of the LinkBuds S is estimated to be around 6 hours when active noise cancellation is enabled, and the earbuds can be charged up to 20 hours using the case. During my review period, I found that these estimates were accurate, and the earbuds consistently delivered on their promised battery life. The case also supports fast charging, with just five minutes providing an hour more playback.
In terms of connectivity, the LinkBuds S use Bluetooth 5.2 and support SBC, AAC, and LDAC codecs. While walking in crowded areas, there might be occasional stutters in the connection, but they are minor and unlikely to interfere with your listening experience. The earbuds also come with built-in voice assistants in Google and Alexa, which respond promptly and hands-free when called upon. The Spotify Tap feature is also a nice touch, allowing you to start playing music with just a tap.
Overall, the Sony LinkBuds S are a solid pair of wireless earbuds that offer great noise cancellation, good sound quality, and impressive battery life.
Price: AED 549
