Customer reviews from sony.com
Sony - LinkBuds S True Wireless Noise Canceling Earbuds - Black
Average customer rating
4.2
(339 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 339 reviews
5 Stars
216
4 Stars
51
3 Stars
26
2 Stars
20
1 Star
26
83%of customers recommend this product.
(
260 out of
315)
Customer Reviews for Sony - LinkBuds S True Wireless Noise Canceling Earbuds - Black
Customer Rating
1
Poor Quality
on November 4, 2025
Posted by: tkuepfer
Gender:Male
I bought these 15 months ago, so just out of the warranty period, and now the battery dies in less than 20 minutes. I work in an office so there was no abuse or extreme conditions they were in. I also had connectivity issues and issues with the noise cancelling.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Response from sony.comBy Estefany, Sony North America Customer Support, November 4, 2025
Hi tkuepfer,
Thanks for reaching out to us about your Linkbuds S. We're truly sorry to hear you're running into these battery, connectivity and Noise Canceling issues.
We can certainly give you some steps that often resolve these types of problems:
1) Open the Sony | Sound Connect app on your phone and make sure the earbuds have the latest firmware installed.
2) Reset and Initialize the earbuds. Find detailed instructions here:
https://helpguide.sony.net/mdr/linkbudss/v1/en/contents/TP1000541613.html
https://helpguide.sony.net/mdr/linkbudss/v1/en/contents/TP1000541614.html
If the issues persist after trying these steps, we recommend checking online for a local electronic repair center near you. They might be able to help you get your product back in working order.
We appreciate your review of our Sony product and apologize for your experience.
Warm regards,
Estefany
Thanks for reaching out to us about your Linkbuds S. We're truly sorry to hear you're running into these battery, connectivity and Noise Canceling issues.
We can certainly give you some steps that often resolve these types of problems:
1) Open the Sony | Sound Connect app on your phone and make sure the earbuds have the latest firmware installed.
2) Reset and Initialize the earbuds. Find detailed instructions here:
https://helpguide.sony.net/mdr/linkbudss/v1/en/contents/TP1000541613.html
https://helpguide.sony.net/mdr/linkbudss/v1/en/contents/TP1000541614.html
If the issues persist after trying these steps, we recommend checking online for a local electronic repair center near you. They might be able to help you get your product back in working order.
We appreciate your review of our Sony product and apologize for your experience.
Warm regards,
Estefany
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com
Posted by: brandon29
Gender:Male
Verified Purchase:Yes
Bought these because I was disappointed my apple AirPods only lasted 2 and a half years. These were far worse only lasting 14 months... Conveniently 2 months after my warranty expired. The charging case doesn't hold a charge for more than a day and the right ear bud no longer charges at all. Wish I had seen all the complaints about battery life before buying.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Response from sony.comBy Estefany, Sony North America Customer Support, June 17, 2025
Hi brandon29, thank you for taking the time to share your experience with the LinkBuds S. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience you've encountered with the battery life and charging issues. We understand how frustrating this must be.
We're here to assist you and would be glad to provide you with some troubleshooting steps to address the charging problems:
1. Initialize the earbuds: Place both earbuds in the charging case, then press and hold the button on the back of the case for about 15 seconds until the LED indicator flashes. Detailed instructions can be found here: https://helpguide.sony.net/mdr/linkbudss/v1/en/contents/TP1000541614.html
2. Clean the Charging Contacts: Ensure that the charging contacts on both the earbuds and the charging case are clean and free of debris. Use a soft, dry cloth to gently wipe them.
Should the issue persist after following these steps, please reach out to us at socialsupport@am.sony.com. When you do, kindly include the following information to help us assist you more effectively:
- Full Name:
- Sony.com Username:
- Telephone Number:
- Model Number:
- Issue/Concern:
Thank you for being a valued Sony customer and for letting us know about this issue.
Best regards,
Estefany
We're here to assist you and would be glad to provide you with some troubleshooting steps to address the charging problems:
1. Initialize the earbuds: Place both earbuds in the charging case, then press and hold the button on the back of the case for about 15 seconds until the LED indicator flashes. Detailed instructions can be found here: https://helpguide.sony.net/mdr/linkbudss/v1/en/contents/TP1000541614.html
2. Clean the Charging Contacts: Ensure that the charging contacts on both the earbuds and the charging case are clean and free of debris. Use a soft, dry cloth to gently wipe them.
Should the issue persist after following these steps, please reach out to us at socialsupport@am.sony.com. When you do, kindly include the following information to help us assist you more effectively:
- Full Name:
- Sony.com Username:
- Telephone Number:
- Model Number:
- Issue/Concern:
Thank you for being a valued Sony customer and for letting us know about this issue.
Best regards,
Estefany
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com
Customer Rating
5
High quality ear buds
on April 22, 2022
Posted by: Kymo24
Gender:Female
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I absolutely love these! They are so high quality and so easy to use. I love the convenience Of them and not having to worry about cords or anything while running it working out.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Response from sony.comBy Sony North America Customer Support, April 22, 2022
Hi Kymo24,
Perfect! We're thrilled that you are enjoying the sound quality, user-friendly functions, and design of these amazing headphones. The all-new Sony LinkBuds feature a comfortable open-ring design that naturally blends your online and offline worlds. The LinkBuds provide crystal clear calls with our Precise Voice Pickup technology. Sony’s V1 Processor provides a well-balanced and high-quality sound for an authentic listening experience. The LinkBuds feature an IPX4 splash-proof and sweat-proof design, Adaptive Volume Control adjusting the volume to the environment around you and a battery life is 5.5 hours and up to 17.5 hours with the charging case. The Ultra-small and light design gives you the ability to listen to music, take calls and game all while still connecting with the world around you. Thank you for choosing Sony!
-Ralph
Perfect! We're thrilled that you are enjoying the sound quality, user-friendly functions, and design of these amazing headphones. The all-new Sony LinkBuds feature a comfortable open-ring design that naturally blends your online and offline worlds. The LinkBuds provide crystal clear calls with our Precise Voice Pickup technology. Sony’s V1 Processor provides a well-balanced and high-quality sound for an authentic listening experience. The LinkBuds feature an IPX4 splash-proof and sweat-proof design, Adaptive Volume Control adjusting the volume to the environment around you and a battery life is 5.5 hours and up to 17.5 hours with the charging case. The Ultra-small and light design gives you the ability to listen to music, take calls and game all while still connecting with the world around you. Thank you for choosing Sony!
-Ralph
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com
Customer Rating
5
Overall rating: 4.5/5
on August 25, 2022
Posted by: Hmurphy2233
Gender:Female
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] These earbuds are amazing!! I have many pairs of wireless earbuds, but these offer a lot of things that others don't. They give amazing sound quality in a pair of open-designed buds, making them a much better option than Airpods or Buds Live. In this review, I'll compare the Linkbuds to those buds, as well as Sony's flagship WF-1000xm4s (which I will refer to as xm4s).
SOUND QUALITY: 4.5
-Wow. The Linkbuds have an incredibly clean sound that sets them apart from other open-designed earbuds. The mids are clean and the highs are crisp, but something to keep in mind is that the low end is not very prominent. It is more of a bass you can hear rather than feel, which is to be expected for a pair of open-designed earbuds.
When compared to other open-designed earbuds like the AirPods and Buds Live, the Linkbuds blow them out of the water. The AirPods and Buds Live have more bass, but when compared to the Linkbuds, it is evident that the mids and highs get completely drowned out as a result of the added bass.
-The xm4s and Linkbuds have similar mids and highs, but the low-end on the xm4s is amazing and gives the music a lot more body. That's to be expected from sealed earbuds.
-Overall, these are by far the best sounding pair of open-designed earbuds I have ever used. They are the closest sounding buds to open-backed headphones I have tried, and even though they miss some bass, they give the music a really pleasant and natural sound.
-Wow. The Linkbuds have an incredibly clean sound that sets them apart from other open-designed earbuds. The mids are clean and the highs are crisp, but something to keep in mind is that the low end is not very prominent. It is more of a bass you can hear rather than feel, which is to be expected for a pair of open-designed earbuds.
When compared to other open-designed earbuds like the AirPods and Buds Live, the Linkbuds blow them out of the water. The AirPods and Buds Live have more bass, but when compared to the Linkbuds, it is evident that the mids and highs get completely drowned out as a result of the added bass.
-The xm4s and Linkbuds have similar mids and highs, but the low-end on the xm4s is amazing and gives the music a lot more body. That's to be expected from sealed earbuds.
-Overall, these are by far the best sounding pair of open-designed earbuds I have ever used. They are the closest sounding buds to open-backed headphones I have tried, and even though they miss some bass, they give the music a really pleasant and natural sound.
COMFORT: 5
-The Linkbuds are extremely comfortable. They are similar to AirPods and Buds Live in the sense that I can wear them for extended periods of time without my ears hurting, but I do think that I could wear the Linkbuds even a bit longer just because they are extremely lightweight. They even come with 5 different sizes of wingtips. Plus, the hole in the center of the driver really makes you forget you are wearing earbuds! It's pretty amazing.
-The Linkbuds are extremely comfortable. They are similar to AirPods and Buds Live in the sense that I can wear them for extended periods of time without my ears hurting, but I do think that I could wear the Linkbuds even a bit longer just because they are extremely lightweight. They even come with 5 different sizes of wingtips. Plus, the hole in the center of the driver really makes you forget you are wearing earbuds! It's pretty amazing.
BATTERY: 4.5
- one charge will give me 5 hours of use, which is right around Sony's estimated 5.5 hours. That is slightly above average for wireless earbuds and I haven't run into any problems with it yet.
- one charge will give me 5 hours of use, which is right around Sony's estimated 5.5 hours. That is slightly above average for wireless earbuds and I haven't run into any problems with it yet.
CONTROLS: 5
-The Linkbuds introduce a new type of control where you tap the sides of your head to pause, play, skip, or activate other functions you can set in the app. I got the hang of these functions instantly, and they are very convenient! On top of that, I haven't noticed any issues with false touches, and now I love the feature! It's not a big deal but I kinda wish I could set the functions myself, somehow. Still an amazing feature that i have never seen before!
-The Linkbuds introduce a new type of control where you tap the sides of your head to pause, play, skip, or activate other functions you can set in the app. I got the hang of these functions instantly, and they are very convenient! On top of that, I haven't noticed any issues with false touches, and now I love the feature! It's not a big deal but I kinda wish I could set the functions myself, somehow. Still an amazing feature that i have never seen before!
VOLUME: 4
-These buds don't get too loud. I don't mind, because i seldom listen to loud music anyway, so they are perfect for me, but if volume is one of your main concerns then all the other buds I have previously mentioned get much louder than you would ever need. However, other products may damage your ears if you play music too loud.
-These buds don't get too loud. I don't mind, because i seldom listen to loud music anyway, so they are perfect for me, but if volume is one of your main concerns then all the other buds I have previously mentioned get much louder than you would ever need. However, other products may damage your ears if you play music too loud.
SOUND LEAKING: 3
-The Linkbuds leak a lot of sound, even compared to AirPods or the Buds Live. I expected this, since there's a hole in the middle of the driver and there is nothing to block sound from escaping, but just be cautious, because if you are listening to something above 70% volume, then someone in a quiet room will probably be able to hear it a bit.
-The Linkbuds leak a lot of sound, even compared to AirPods or the Buds Live. I expected this, since there's a hole in the middle of the driver and there is nothing to block sound from escaping, but just be cautious, because if you are listening to something above 70% volume, then someone in a quiet room will probably be able to hear it a bit.
PAIRING/CONNECTIVITY: 4.5
-For Apple products, you just need to go to your bluetooth settings and click the device to pair them. I'm not sure about Samsung products.
-For Apple products, you just need to go to your bluetooth settings and click the device to pair them. I'm not sure about Samsung products.
-i was hoping for a multipoint connection, but thats still a pretty rare feature in earbuds so im not letting that effect my overall rating.
- they are incredibly easy to connect over multiple devices
- they are incredibly easy to connect over multiple devices
CASE: 5
It's a perfect little case for these airpods. The airpods click into place when you put them in there. I definitely prefer over the Apple airpods case.
It's a perfect little case for these airpods. The airpods click into place when you put them in there. I definitely prefer over the Apple airpods case.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Response from sony.comBy Sony North America Customer Support, August 26, 2022
Hi Hmurphy2233, Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experience with your new Sony LinkBuds S. We are thrilled to know that you like most of their functions, features and qualities. Our LinkBuds S offer premium noise canceling to help you focus on your favorite playlist or podcast. They have Precise Voice Pickup Technology that optimally controls microphones on the outside and inside of the earbud, and advanced audio signal processing, conversations are ultra-clear, even in noisy environments. LinkBuds S also supports High-Resolution Audio Wireless thanks to LDAC, our industry-adopted audio coding technology. Thank you for your purchase. Enjoy! Vincent
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com
Customer Rating
5
Great Sound Quality and Noise Canceling
on September 3, 2022
Posted by: BeachieBummi
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] This is my third pair of earbuds, and they are now my favorite. The LinkBuds S come with 4 total pairs of ear tips (one pair is on the ear buds when they arrive), a charging case, and a USB cable. They are lightweight, fit well, and I found them very comfortable. The app was easy to install and use. I love the various equalizer settings, the “Speak-to-Chat” feature, and the “Adaptive Sound Control”. The sound quality from the LinkBuds S is fantastic. The biggest thing for me was the noise canceling, and the LinkBuds S do not disappoint. The noise canceling is top notch. With other wireless earbuds, for example, I was still able to hear my air conditioner running, but with these, I only hear what I have playing through the earbuds. To date, the battery life has been pretty close to the estimates from Sony. They are waterproof, so I feel comfortable wearing them when I’m working out. I really appreciate the fact that these earbuds are made with recycled plastic from automobile parts. The only thing I do wish these had is wireless charging. Other than that, I love these earbuds, and they will be my “go to” pair from now on.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Response from sony.comBy Sony North America Customer Support, September 4, 2022
Hi BeachieBummi, We are glad that you are enjoying our all-new LinkBuds S. The Linkbuds S are the world’s smallest and lightest, noise cancelling, Hi-Res truly wireless headphones. This combines a shape that perfectly matches the human ear with an ergonomic design for a more stable fit. With Precise Voice Pickup Technology that optimally controls microphones on the outside and inside of the earbud, and advanced audio signal processing, conversations are ultra-clear, even in noisy environments. The LinkBuds S feature an IPX4 splash-proof and sweat-proof design, Adaptive Sound Control, a a smart function that senses where you are and what you’re doing, then adjusts ambient sound settings for the ideal listening experience. Your LinkBuds S are designed for both style and environmental consciousness. Thanks for choosing Sony. Erin
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com
Customer Rating
3
They shut off on their own, and then back on
on September 16, 2022
Posted by: Tony85
Gender:Male
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I can't say that I am impressed with the Sony LinkBuds S. Though the sound is crystal clear, the Bluetooth connection gets cut causing the audio to come out of the phone speaker without you realizing it. The sensors take some getting used to. Why buttons can't be used now is beyond me, but these ear buds are mid level compared to other Sony ones I have.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Response from sony.comBy Sony North America Customer Support, September 17, 2022
Hi Tony85, while we're glad that you like sound quality, we regret that you're having an issue with your headphones. We'd love to help you troubleshoot your problem and turn this into a better experience.
If the sound skips frequently, please follow the steps here:
https://helpguide.sony.net/mdr/linkbudss/v1/en/contents/TP1000537649.html?search=priority
If this does not help, please email us at socialsupport@am.sony.com with the following details:
Name:
Username:
Model Number:
Issue:
Telephone Number:
Sincerely,
Erin
If the sound skips frequently, please follow the steps here:
https://helpguide.sony.net/mdr/linkbudss/v1/en/contents/TP1000537649.html?search=priority
If this does not help, please email us at socialsupport@am.sony.com with the following details:
Name:
Username:
Model Number:
Issue:
Telephone Number:
Sincerely,
Erin
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com
Customer Rating
5
Awesome set of earbuds
on September 22, 2022
Posted by: Mchammer
Gender:Male
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I have the AirPods Pro, and I can say that this does compete with them a lot. For one, the bass is MUCH better than the Pros. The build quality is very impressive, and if you download the official companion Sony app you can customize the sound of these earbuds like crazy. Would totally recommend this to anyone!
I would recommend this to a friend!
Response from sony.comBy Sony North America Customer Support, September 23, 2022
Hi Mchammer, We are glad that you are enjoying our all-new LinkBuds S. The Linkbuds S are the world’s smallest and lightest, noise cancelling, Hi-Res truly wireless headphones. This combines a shape that perfectly matches the human ear with an ergonomic design for a more stable fit. With Precise Voice Pickup Technology that optimally controls microphones on the outside and inside of the earbud, and advanced audio signal processing, conversations are ultra-clear, even in noisy environments. The LinkBuds S feature an IPX4 splash-proof and sweat-proof design, Adaptive Sound Control, a a smart function that senses where you are and what you’re doing, then adjusts ambient sound settings for the ideal listening experience. Your LinkBuds S are designed for both style and environmental consciousness. Thanks for choosing Sony. Erin
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com
Customer Rating
3
Just ok
on November 14, 2022
Posted by: Michi92xo
Gender:Female
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] The initial setup was fairly easy as long as you read the directions but I disliked that you need to take out both buds in order to connect. The sound was also not great and sounded muffled.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Response from sony.comBy Sony North America Customer Support, November 14, 2022
Hi Michi92xo, Thank you for the feedback on your experience with your Sony Linkbuds S. While we're glad you like the easy initial setup, we regret to hear that you're having an issue with the sound quality.
For low sound quality issue, or noise or unusual sound can be heard, please follow the troubleshooting steps on the link below to resolve this issue.
https://helpguide.sony.net/mdr/linkbudss/v1/en/contents/TP1000537646.html
You also can remove one unit of the headset from the charging case and use the unit by itself. In this case, only the unit that has been removed from the charging case will turn on.
For more information on using only one unit of the headset, please refer to the link below:
https://helpguide.sony.net/mdr/linkbudss/v1/en/contents/TP1000539672.html
If you are unable to resolve your concern and need further assistance, please email us at socialsupport@am.sony.com with the following details:
Name:
Username:
Model Number:
Issue:
Telephone Number:
Sincerely,
Sam
For low sound quality issue, or noise or unusual sound can be heard, please follow the troubleshooting steps on the link below to resolve this issue.
https://helpguide.sony.net/mdr/linkbudss/v1/en/contents/TP1000537646.html
You also can remove one unit of the headset from the charging case and use the unit by itself. In this case, only the unit that has been removed from the charging case will turn on.
For more information on using only one unit of the headset, please refer to the link below:
https://helpguide.sony.net/mdr/linkbudss/v1/en/contents/TP1000539672.html
If you are unable to resolve your concern and need further assistance, please email us at socialsupport@am.sony.com with the following details:
Name:
Username:
Model Number:
Issue:
Telephone Number:
Sincerely,
Sam
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com