LinkBuds S vs. WF-1000XM5 vs. WF-C700N: Which Sony Earbuds Are Worth Your Money?
Sony's lineup of noise-cancelling true wireless earphones spans a wide range of prices, features, and quality. At the top end, the premium WF-1000XM5 earbuds ($299.99) compete against the best from Apple and Bose. The midrange LinkBuds S ($199.99) offer advanced features with slightly less impressive drivers. And the lower-tier WF-C700N ($119.99) sacrifice less than you might think to reach their more affordable price.
We've tested and rated each of these models, and you can see our individual reviews for a detailed rundown of each. Here, we walk you through all of the similarities between these models and, more importantly, their differences, to help you decide between them. We don't pick winners in each category because performance and features scale pretty linearly with price; in other words, the more you pay, the better the earphones you get.
Before you dive into our analysis, just note that we respectively refer to the WF-1000XM5 and WF-C700N as the XM5 and C700N throughout the comparison for the sake of brevity.
From a design standpoint, the XM5 earphones look streamlined and cool, with a textured, stone-like surface on the case and outer panels. The LinkBuds S also feature a similarly easy-to-grip matte, textured surface. Meanwhile, the C700N earbuds opt for a plasticky, lightweight design that feels a bit cheap.
They all have an IPX4 water-resistance rating, which means they can resist light rain and sweat, but nothing more intense.
Most true wireless in-ears offer a stable fit and these three are no exception. That said, the earpieces can sit in a range of positions in your ear and still feel secure, which is good. With the XM5 and C700N models, however, this variability affects the ANC (active noise
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