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Sony is expanding its LinkBuds lineup with a welcome open-ear addition, the LinkBuds Clip, and they’re the open earbuds I’ve been waiting for.
These latest earbuds build on Sony’s developments with its LinkBuds Open, which launched in 2024. I found the LinkBuds Open’s form factor uncomfortable and ill-fitting for different ears. Sony solves this problem with the LinkBuds Clip by creating a size-agnostic, universally fitting cushion that attaches to the outer ear, with a speaker positioned next to the ear canal for aware listening.
Also: Sony fixed this major issue I have with clip-on earbuds – at no extra cost
If you’re well-versed in the world of premium earbuds, you might take one look at Sony’s clip-on earbuds and think it’s taking notes from Bose’s Ultra Open clip-on earbuds, as the two earbuds bear several similarities. For one, they have a similar form factor. Additionally, both companies designed the earbuds to deliver immersive sound while keeping listeners aware of their environments – they’re the opposite of noise-canceling earbuds.
Unlike noise-canceling earbuds that distance you from the sounds of your office or the outdoors, open earbuds balance the internal music inside your ears with the external sounds around you, so you can jam out in the park while marathon training and still hear the stampede of cyclists passing you by.
Bose’s Ultra Open came out two years ago, while Sony’s LinkBuds Clip just debuted. Which is right for you?
Sony LinkBuds ClipBose Ultra OpenBattery life9 hours; 37 hours with case7 hours; 19 hours with caseIP ratingIPX4IPX4MultipointYesYesColors Black, Greige, Green, and LavenderBlack, White Smoke, Sunset Iridescent, Midnight Violet, Desert Gold, Moonlight Grey, Driftwood Sand, Moonstone BlueControlsTouchButtonPrice$230$300
You should buy the Sony LinkBuds Clip if…
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1. You’re shopping on a budget
The LinkBuds Clip cost $230, while the Bose Ultra Open cost $300. The LinkBuds lineup emphasizes affordability and Sony’s more experimental designs — this is where the LinkBuds Open originated, after all. Despite their lower price, the earbuds still deliver robust, clean sound. While the case itself is plasticky, the earbuds don’t feel cheap.
2. You’d rather not have to stress about battery life
The LinkBuds Open offer nine hours of battery life in the earbuds and 37 hours in the case. That’s two hours longer than the Bose Ultra Open’s earbud battery life and 18 hours longer than its case battery life.
Also: These earbuds outperformed my AirPods in real world tests
3. You want all-around great sound
The LinkBuds Clip’s sound is clear and distinct, emphasizing the details of my music and delivering a rich audio experience, a task Sony reliably outperforms. Sony makes audio products for analytical listeners who want sophisticated sound, and the LinkBuds Clip are no different. Unlike Bose’s punchy, bass-heavy sound, Sony’s audio is more neutral, with balanced bass and sharper highs.
You should buy the Bose Ultra Open if…
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1. You want options (aka colors)
If you want a conversation piece alongside an audio device, I’d choose the Bose Ultra Open. The Bose Ultra Open offer eight colors, compared to the LinkBuds Open’s four. Bose’s color options are creative and unconventional: think a metallic Moonlight Grey that looks straight out of a Y2K fantasy, a shocking violet, and a powdery Moonstone Blue. The unique, iridescent colors pair well with this special ear cuff design by creating a device that’s part tech and part accessory.
Also: I compared the two best headphones from Bose and Sony right now – here’s my winner
At $300, you’re opting for an earbud with a more luxury feel than the LinkBuds Clip, with richer colors and a more expensive heft. ZDNET’s Kerry Wan even pointed out that the earbuds’ case magnets were impressively strong. Because this is a higher-end device, the earbuds will feel of higher quality than the LinkBuds Clip.
2. Clicky buttons are your thing
As the rest of the audio world adopts touch or pinch controls, the Bose Ultra Open stand out for their button controls. The decision to add buttons to this device makes perfect sense to me; touch controls can become increasingly finicky when moving. If you’re out and about exercising with these earbuds, it’s much harder to precisely control your earbuds through touch.
A button provides an immediate, haptic response that the user can feel, unlike a touch control. The Sony LinkBuds Clip controls are mostly responsive, though a few exceptions, but I’d like them a lot more if they had physical buttons.
Writer’s choice
Clip-on open earbuds are an increasingly popular personal audio product category. You likely won’t use these earbuds for everyday use cases. Instead, you’ll use them for exercise, casual listening at home, or while running errands. Therefore, people who engage in focused listening for video calls, study sessions, or silence will need another pair of headphones, preferably with noise cancellation.
Knowing this, I’d choose the earbud that nails its function at an affordable price. That’s hands down the Sony LinkBuds Clip. They’re $70 cheaper than the Ultra Open with a longer battery life and wonderful sound. They’re not as stylish as the Ultra Open, but I’m willing to sacrifice some style points for a fairer price.
