In Brief: Sony LinkBuds Fit
A spin-off of Sony’s premium WF-1000XM5 earphones, these mid-range true wireless earbuds deliver standout audio fidelity, a secure fit for exercise, and a decent active noise cancellation (ANC). They’re far from perfect—battery life and ANC lag behind Sony’s high-end pair—but at around €180, the LinkBuds Fit offer excellent sound quality and strong everyday performance.
Pros
- Excellent audio for the price, thanks to Dynamic Driver X
- Very comfortable, secure fit for sports
- Feature-rich Sony Headphones app (now Sony Sound Connect)
- Detects wearing/removal and supports multipoint Bluetooth
- Decent ANC with good continuous noise reduction
Cons
- App can be overwhelming at first
- Limited battery life (about 5–6 hours with ANC)
- Only IPX4 (exercise-friendly, but caution in heavy rain)
- ANC short of premium Sony WF-1000XM5
Key Specifications
- Drivers: 8.4 mm Dynamic Driver X
- ANC & Transparency: Sony V2 chip, with adjustable levels
- Battery: ~5.5 h with ANC (up to 20 h with case)
- Codec Support: SBC, AAC, LDAC, LE Audio
- Water Resistance: IPX4
- Weight (each earbud): 4.9 g
- Price: ~€180 (often discounted to €150)
Tested with firmware version and Sony Sound Connect app on iOS/Android.
Design & Comfort: Made for Movement
Secure Ergonomics
The LinkBuds Fit are designed as sports earbuds, featuring soft silicone ear fins that securely anchor them in the ear. At just 4.9 g each, they vanish into your ears, causing no significant pressure. We’ve run and biked with them—no dislodging. Four sizes of ear tips come in the box, and the single-size fins are universal enough for most ear shapes.
Build Quality
The glossy plastic exterior won’t wow with premium density, but it feels sturdy. IPX4 rating ensures splash-resistance, though it’s not fully watertight; be sure to wipe them off before returning to the case if they get sweaty or damp. The clamshell charging case is shaped like a small “hamburger,” measuring about 47 × 47 × 33 mm. It’s chunkier than typical TWS cases, but still pocketable. There’s no wireless charging, just a USB-C port (cable included).
App & Features: Extensive Yet Complex
Sony Sound Connect
Previously known as Sony Headphones Connect, this app remains one of the most feature-rich in the industry—albeit a bit confusing. Once you learn its structure, you can adjust:
- ANC & Transparency
- EQ with 5-band customization
- Adaptive Sound Control (auto adjusting ANC/transparency)
- Speak-to-Chat for auto-pause in conversations
- Touch/Gesture Controls (assignable)
- Notifications read-aloud
- Bluetooth multipoint (2 devices simultaneously)
Missing Some Upmarket Perks
Unlike Sony’s WF-1000XM5, the LinkBuds Fit only partially inherit the advanced noise-cancellation performance. Microphone quality (for calls) is weaker—voices can sound distant or compressed in noisy settings. Also, while they can do phone-based location/time-based ANC transitions, it’s not as smooth as some rivals’ auto modes.
Audio Quality: Borrowing from Sony’s Best
Dynamic Driver X
Adopting drivers from Sony’s flagship buds means you get top-tier clarity, impactful bass, and spacious mids—particularly for this mid-range price. Out of the box, the LinkBuds Fit are a bit bass-heavy, but you can flatten them via the 5-band EQ to emphasize their strong midrange detail and cohesive highs. Overall sound is lively and dynamic, challenging many €200–€250 rivals.
ANC & Transparency
The V2 chip offers stable ANC for steady noise (e.g., airplane hum), but quick spikes or unpredictable sounds slip through. Transparency mode is decent but not as “transparent” as on WF-1000XM5 or Apple’s AirPods Pro 2. Still, for everyday commuting or gym sessions, ANC is good enough to block droning AC or light city traffic.
Battery Life
- Earbuds: ~5.5 hours with ANC (slightly better in typical usage if you keep volume moderate)
- Case: up to an additional 15 hours, total ~20–21 hours
No wireless charging. A 5-minute quick charge in the case yields about 60 minutes of playback.
Conclusion
Overall Rating: 9/10
For sporty or casual users wanting a near-premium listening experience without splurging on the WF-1000XM5, the Sony LinkBuds Fit are a top pick. Their snug, stable fit handles running and workouts, while their adoptive drivers and solid ANC deliver a balanced, engaging sound. The fiddly app and average battery life are small downsides, but at around €180 (often discounted), these earbuds offer fantastic value—potentially the best mid-range TWS for active lifestyles.
