Sony’s latest LinkBuds Fit earbuds strike a balance between innovation and practicality, offering an alternative to their flagship WF-1000XM5 earbuds. While the LinkBuds Fit may not match the WF-1000XM5 in sound quality or noise cancellation, they offer a lightweight, comfortable fit and an impressive feature set, making them a strong contender in the earbuds market.
Comfort and Fit: A Step Ahead
Weighing in at just 4.9 grams, the LinkBuds Fit are designed for all-day comfort. Sony has paid particular attention to fit with the introduction of Air Fitting Supporters, a new design element that enhances stability and comfort. Additionally, the redesigned ear tips come in a variety of sizes, including XL tips for those with larger ear canals. This wide range of options allows for a better fit compared to the WF-1000XM5, which some users may struggle to seal properly.
Sound and Noise Cancellation: Solid Performance
The LinkBuds Fit are powered by Sony’s Integrated Processor V2, which optimizes noise cancellation in real time based on the user’s environment. This chip, paired with dual noise sensor technology, effectively filters out external noise for a more immersive experience. While the noise cancellation isn’t quite on par with the WF-1000XM5—which pairs the V2 chip with Sony’s HD Noise Canceling Processor QN2e—it still delivers commendable performance.
Out of the box, the earbuds feature Sony’s signature sound profile, characterized by a slightly warm, bass-forward tuning. The sound is open, dynamic, and works well across various music genres. While it may lack the clarity of higher-end earbuds, the sound quality should satisfy most users. Those looking for a more tailored audio experience can tweak the sound via the equalizer in Sony’s revamped Sound Connect app, which replaces the older Sony Headphones app.
Enhanced Features: Transparency, Gesture Controls, and Calls
Sony has also improved the ambient (transparency) mode, offering a more natural listening experience compared to its predecessor, the LinkBuds S. This makes it easier to stay aware of your surroundings without removing the earbuds.
For voice calls, the LinkBuds Fit shine. In early testing, callers reported minimal background noise even in bustling environments like New York City streets. Voice clarity was consistently high, with very few glitches—a testament to the quality of the microphones and Sony’s call-optimization technology.
The earbuds also include Sony’s signature Speak-to-Chat feature, which automatically pauses your music when you start a conversation, as well as gesture controls like nodding to accept calls or shaking your head to reject them.
Battery Life and Charging
The LinkBuds Fit offer a battery life of 5.5 hours with noise-canceling enabled, and the charging case provides an additional three charges for a total of around 22 hours of playback. However, the charging case lacks wireless charging, which might be a drawback for some users.
Design and Collaborations
The LinkBuds Fit are available in various colors which makes your earbuds more insta-friendly too
Verdict
The LinkBuds Fit deliver a well-rounded package with strong sound quality, effective noise cancellation, and an excellent fit. While they don’t dethrone the WF-1000XM5 as Sony’s flagship earbuds, they are a compelling option for those seeking a lightweight and comfortable alternative. Their robust feature set, improved ambient mode, and standout voice-calling performance make them a great choice for everyday use.
If you value comfort, reliable sound, and advanced features, the Sony LinkBuds Fit might be the perfect companion for your on-the-go lifestyle.
