NEW YORK, Jan 26, 2026, 07:11 EST
- Early reviews say Sony’s LinkBuds Clip nail comfort and call quality but feel thin on extras for the price
- The clip-on, open-ear design targets runners and commuters who want music without blocking outside sound
Sony’s new LinkBuds Clip open-ear earbuds are drawing a familiar verdict from early testers: easy to wear for hours, solid on calls, and harder to justify at $230 once you start looking for premium features.
That matters now because Sony is trying to sell a clip-on design that leaves the ear canal open — a style meant for people who want to hear traffic, gym cues or co-workers while listening, not shut the world out.
The pitch also lands in a crowded lane. Bose has been pushing its own cuff-style open-ear buds, and cheaper clip-on models from smaller brands are forcing buyers to decide how much “open-ear convenience” is worth.
In a review published on Sunday, The Verge’s John Higgins said the LinkBuds Clip “don’t quite hit the mark” despite comfort, strong call quality and a nine-hour battery claim, pointing to missing features for the money. He noted there’s no wireless charging for the case, no LDAC (Sony’s higher-quality Bluetooth audio codec), and no audio sharing, and said the buds look and sound fine but do not stand out against cheaper clip-on rivals such as Shokz’s OpenDots One and the EarFun Clip. (The Verge)
The Gadgeteer, in a Jan. 24 write-up, framed the LinkBuds Clip as Sony’s most “fashion-minded” move yet and laid out the basics: a C-shaped cuff with a 10 mm driver that sits outside the ear canal, plus a bone-conduction sensor and AI noise reduction for calls. The site said Sony lists SBC and AAC Bluetooth codecs and multipoint (the ability to stay connected to two devices), rates battery at up to nine hours on the earbuds and up to 37 hours with the case, and lists an IPX4 rating for sweat and light splashes. (The Gadgeteer)
A FindArticles review updated on Jan. 25 took a more bullish view after a head-to-head with Bose’s Ultra Open, calling the LinkBuds Clip the “better everyday companion” and leaning on fit and day-to-day endurance as the separator. The same review said Bose’s physical buttons were more reliable than Sony’s touch controls during workouts, and flagged wind as a problem for both open designs. (FindArticles)
Sony is listing the LinkBuds Clip at $229.99 on its U.S. online store, with color options that include black, green, “greige” and lavender. (Sony Electronics)
Bose lists its Ultra Open Earbuds at $299 and markets features including “Immersive Audio,” an IPX4 water-resistance rating, and Bluetooth multipoint connectivity — which Bose explains as linking to two devices at once. (Bose)
There are clear trade-offs that could trip up would-be buyers. Open-ear designs tend to deliver lighter bass than sealed in-ear buds, and sound leakage can still happen at higher volumes; reviewers also said buyers paying near-premium prices will notice missing extras such as wireless charging.
For Sony, the next test is pricing discipline. If the LinkBuds Clip quickly slide into discounts — or bundle deals — they may look more competitive against Bose at the top end and the cheaper clip-on field below it.
