Deliveryabout 1–2 days
Returns30-day free returns
Sony LinkBuds Open
Before you buy, compare it with 2 recommended alternatives
Beside them, two models on sale today that come closest on score and price, of the same type where we have them.
Green is the best of these 3, also when they share the lead.
| This model Sony LinkBuds Open Best on 1 fact | Lower score, 17% cheaper Nothing Ear (open) Best on 1 fact | Lower score, 13% cheaper Soundcore AeroFit 2 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most important facts | |||
| The lowest price today at a shop that delivers to you, delivery included. A price with an asterisk comes from a shop abroad, and its delivery cost is our own estimate. Lowest price | € 115Amazon.nl | € 95bol.com best | € 99Soundcore (brand store) |
| Our own score out of 10: 60% the maker’s facts and 40% shop ratings. Price does not count. Score | best | ||
| The average of the stars buyers give at the shops, with the number of reviews behind it. We only compare it from 20 reviews. Customer rating | – | ★ 4.3 · 14 reviews | ★ 4.4 · 8 reviews |
| How the headphones cancel outside noise with microphones. Hybrid uses microphones outside and inside the cup, adaptive also adjusts to the sound around you. When it matters
When it matters less
Source
| None (assumed) | None (assumed) | None (assumed) |
| What the headphones or one earbud weigh. Lighter is more comfortable for hours at a time. In this comparisonWhen it matters
When it matters less
Source
| 5.1 g | 8.1 g | 10 g |
| The Bluetooth version. A newer one connects more steadily and uses less power, if the phone has it too. In this comparisonSource
| 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.4 |
| How well they resist water and dust, as the IP code states. IPX4 survives sweat and rain, IPX7 a short dip in water. When it matters
When it matters less
Source
| IPX4 | IP54 | IP55 |
| How the sound is packed for Bluetooth. AAC suits iPhones, aptX and LDAC carry more detail from Android phones that support them. When it matters
When it matters less
Source
| SBC, AAC, LC3 | SBC, AAC | LDAC |
| Connected to two devices at once, such as a phone and a laptop, and switching by itself to the one that plays. When it matters
When it matters less
Source
| yes | yes | yes |
Facts as the maker states them. A dash means the maker does not name it. Each model’s page gives the source of every fact. Noise is the maker’s own figure, so we do not judge it, and a customer rating only counts from 20 reviews.
Prices per shop
On 1 November 2026 the lowest price for the Sony LinkBuds Open is € 115 at Amazon.nl, delivery to the Netherlands included. In our ranking it is rank 1 of 11 with an open-ear fit, with a score of 8.6 out of 10.
All prices include VAT and delivery to the Netherlands. We may earn a commission when you buy through these links. It never changes our ranking.
* Shop abroad: delivery and VAT are our estimate. Returns are the shop's own terms, a marketplace seller sets its own. Tap a return term to read the shop's policy. Let your browser translate it.
Price history
Lowest price per day
Follow price changes via RSS. A feed reader (RSS app) shows a new entry at every change, with no e-mail address needed.
Lowest since 1 Nov€ 115
Highest since 1 Nov€ 115
Price drops since 1 Nov0no drop seen yet
Sony LinkBuds Open specifications
The numbers that matter first, then every fact by group. As published by the maker or the shop we read it from.
Sony · on the market since July 2024
Build and fit 8 facts
- Form factor
Source: derived, no source of its own · checked on 1 Nov
How the headphones sit: over the ear, on the ear, in the ear canal, in the outer ear, beside the ear or on the cheekbone.
- Open-ear
- True wireless
96 of the 184 models we track have this.
Source: derived, no source of its own · checked on 1 Nov
Two separate earbuds with no wire between them, charged in a case.
- yes
- Wireless
153 of the 184 models we track have this.
Source: derived, no source of its own · checked on 1 Nov
They play over Bluetooth, without a cable to the phone.
- yes
- Wired connection
Source: derived, no source of its own · checked on 1 Nov
The plug for a cable, so you can also listen wired, for instance on a plane or with a battery that has run out.
- None
- Audio over USB-C
Source: assumed, not named by the maker · checked on 1 Nov
They play sound over a USB-C cable, straight from a phone or a laptop. On this model: Assumed, not a stated fact: the maker's full specification does not name it, so we take it as no.
- no (assumed)
- Weight
Among the models we track
5.1 g on this model
Lowest
3.1 g Highest
451 g Middle
8.6 gLower than 129 of the 168 models we track.
When it matters
- Wearing them for hours at a desk or on a flight.
- Running or the gym, where a heavy earbud works loose.
When it matters less
- Short listens, where comfort hardly has time to matter.
Source: helpguide.sony.net · checked on 1 Nov
What the headphones or one earbud weigh. Lighter is more comfortable for hours at a time.
- 5.1 g
- Case weight
Among the models we track
30.6 g on this model
Lowest
22 g Highest
134.5 g Middle
46 gLower than 76 of the 78 models we track.
Source: helpguide.sony.net · checked on 1 Nov
What the charging case weighs, without the earbuds.
- 30.6 g
- Water and dust resistance
When it matters
- Running and the gym, where sweat gets in.
- Cycling or walking in the rain.
When it matters less
- Listening indoors only.
Source: helpguide.sony.net · checked on 1 Nov
How well they resist water and dust, as the IP code states. IPX4 survives sweat and rain, IPX7 a short dip in water.
- IPX4
Sound 2 facts
- Equaliser in the app
105 of the 106 models we track have this.
Source: helpguide.sony.net · checked on 1 Nov
You can adjust bass and treble in the maker’s app.
- yes
- Spatial audio
83 of the 88 models we track have this.
Source: helpguide.sony.net · checked on 1 Nov
Sound that seems to come from around you rather than from inside your head.
- yes
Noise cancelling 3 facts
- Active noise cancelling
When it matters
- Flights, trains and open-plan offices.
- A daily commute in traffic.
When it matters less
- Listening at home in a quiet room.
Source: assumed, not named by the maker · checked on 1 Nov
How the headphones cancel outside noise with microphones. Hybrid uses microphones outside and inside the cup, adaptive also adjusts to the sound around you. On this model: Assumed, not a stated fact: the maker's full specification does not name it, so we take it as no.
- None (assumed)
- Transparency mode
Source: assumed, not named by the maker · checked on 1 Nov
Lets outside sound through on purpose, so you hear traffic or a colleague without taking them off. On this model: Assumed, not a stated fact: the maker's full specification does not name it, so we take it as no.
- no (assumed)
- Hearing aid function
Source: assumed, not named by the maker · checked on 1 Nov
Can work as a hearing aid for mild to moderate hearing loss, where the maker has it approved. On this model: Assumed, not a stated fact: the maker's full specification does not name it, so we take it as no.
- no (assumed)
Wireless 9 facts
- Bluetooth version
Among the models we track
5.3 on this model
Lowest
5 Highest
6.1 Middle
5.3Lower than 43 of the 141 models we track.
Source: helpguide.sony.net · checked on 1 Nov
The Bluetooth version. A newer one connects more steadily and uses less power, if the phone has it too.
- 5.3
- Bluetooth codecs
When it matters
- Lossless or high-resolution music from an Android phone that supports aptX or LDAC.
- An iPhone, where AAC is the codec that counts.
When it matters less
- Podcasts, calls and streaming at normal quality.
Source: helpguide.sony.net · checked on 1 Nov
How the sound is packed for Bluetooth. AAC suits iPhones, aptX and LDAC carry more detail from Android phones that support them.
- SBC, AAC, LC3
- Multipoint
115 of the 117 models we track have this.
When it matters
- Switching between a laptop for calls and a phone for music.
- Working from home with two devices on the desk.
When it matters less
- Using them with one phone only.
Source: helpguide.sony.net · checked on 1 Nov
Connected to two devices at once, such as a phone and a laptop, and switching by itself to the one that plays.
- yes
- Devices connected at once
Among the models we track
2 on this model
Lowest
2 Highest
3 Middle
2Lower than 5 of the 64 models we track.
Source: helpguide.sony.net · checked on 1 Nov
How many devices they stay connected to at once.
- 2
- LE Audio
29 of the 32 models we track have this.
Source: helpguide.sony.net · checked on 1 Nov
The newer Bluetooth standard for sound, with the LC3 codec: better sound on less power, with phones that support it.
- yes
- Auracast
Source: assumed, not named by the maker · checked on 1 Nov
Can listen to a Bluetooth broadcast, such as a TV, an airport announcement or a friend sharing music. On this model: Assumed, not a stated fact: the maker's full specification does not name it, so we take it as no.
- no (assumed)
- Google Fast Pair
54 of the 55 models we track have this.
Source: helpguide.sony.net · checked on 1 Nov
Pairs in one tap with an Android phone.
- yes
- Made for
Source: derived, no source of its own · checked on 1 Nov
Whose phones the headphones are made for. Some features, such as one-tap pairing or spatial audio, work only with that maker’s phones.
- Any phone
- Wireless range
Among the models we track
10 m on this model
Lowest
9 m Highest
40 m Middle
10 mLower than 11 of the 68 models we track.
Source: helpguide.sony.net · checked on 1 Nov
How far from the phone the maker says the connection holds, without walls in between.
- 10 m
Battery 6 facts
- Battery life without noise cancelling
Among the models we track
8 h on this model
Lowest
5 h Highest
135 h Middle
10 hLower than 89 of the 123 models we track.
Source: helpguide.sony.net · checked on 1 Nov
How long they play on one charge with noise cancelling off.
- 8 h
- Fast charge time
Among the models we track
3 min on this model
Lowest
3 min Highest
20 min Middle
10 minLower than 123 of the 132 models we track.
Source: helpguide.sony.net · checked on 1 Nov
How many minutes of charging give the playback below.
- 3 min
- Playback from a fast charge
Among the models we track
1 h on this model
Lowest
1 h Highest
15 h Middle
3 hLower than 101 of the 132 models we track.
Source: helpguide.sony.net · checked on 1 Nov
How many hours of playback a short fast charge gives.
- 1 h
- Full charge time
Among the models we track
90 min on this model
Lowest
40 min Highest
210 min Middle
120 minLower than 54 of the 95 models we track.
Source: helpguide.sony.net · checked on 1 Nov
How long a full charge takes.
- 90 min
- Wireless charging
Source: assumed, not named by the maker · checked on 1 Nov
The case or the headphones charge on a Qi pad, without a cable. On this model: Assumed, not a stated fact: the maker's full specification does not name it, so we take it as no.
- no (assumed)
- Charging port
Source: helpguide.sony.net · checked on 1 Nov
The plug the headphones or their case charge through.
- USB-C
In use 3 facts
- Wear detection
57 of the 58 models we track have this.
Source: helpguide.sony.net · checked on 1 Nov
The music pauses when you take them off and plays on when you put them back.
- yes
- Voice assistants
Source: helpguide.sony.net · checked on 1 Nov
The voice assistants you can call up from the headphones.
- Google Assistant, Alexa
- App
Source: helpguide.sony.net · checked on 1 Nov
The name of the maker’s app.
- Sony | Sound Connect
Sources: helpguide.sony.net
Our score
Confidence: medium. Fewer than 300 owners’ ratings at the shops. The highest score today is 8.8.
-
Owners’ ratings 40%7.0
No ratings yet, so counted at the market’s mean of 4.4 stars.
-
Features 60%9.6
67 of 67 points for the maker’s facts, the other 33 counted at the market’s average share of 89%.
- Price never countsA sale can’t lift a model. Today’s lowest price sits beside the score, checked every morning.
- Too few facts, no rankOnly headphones whose type and enough of whose facts are known are ranked. The rest get a provisional score.
- Reviewers beside, not insideReviewers’ picks are shown next to the score and do not count in it.
Frequently asked questions about the Sony LinkBuds Open
How long does the battery of the Sony LinkBuds Open last?
The maker states up to 8 hours of play on a charge. A 3-minute charge gives 1 hour of play.
Can the Sony LinkBuds Open connect to two devices at once?
Yes, it can stay connected to 2 devices at a time, such as a phone and a laptop.
Which Bluetooth codecs does the Sony LinkBuds Open support?
It supports SBC, AAC and LC3.
Is the Sony LinkBuds Open water resistant?
It is rated IPX4. That protects it against splashing water from any direction, such as rain and sweat.
How much does the Sony LinkBuds Open weigh?
Each earbud of the Sony LinkBuds Open weighs 5.1 g. The charging case weighs 30.6 g.
