Sony LinkBuds Vs. AirPods 3: Which $180 Earbuds Should You Buy?

screenrant.com:

Sony's latest earbuds are the LinkBuds, and they are unlike any currently available on the market. Sony makes a number of personal audio solutions including the WF-1000XM4 earbuds, which are one of the best earbuds to buy and especially in regards to active noise cancellation (ANC). In terms of the newer LinkBuds, the unusual design and interesting features may appeal to some buyers, but the earbuds face stiff competition from several brands and products, including Apple's AirPods (3rd generation) that sell for the same price.

Earbuds come in different shapes, sizes, and colors. However, there are some that clearly stand out from the rest. Microsoft's Surface Earbuds are one such example, and the bean-shaped Samsung Galaxy Buds Live are another. The LinkBuds also fall under the category of earbuds with an unconventional style, and thankfully, Sony has replaced its complex naming scheme with one that's simpler and easier to remember.

RELATED: These Porsche Design Noise Cancelling Earbuds Look Awesome

Both the LinkBuds and AirPods (3rd generation) are priced at $179, but they are starkly different, and these differences will help to determine which are the right earbuds for a buyer. For starters, even though they both employ an open design, they do so in different ways. Sony has gone for an open ring design that makes one-half look like a donut. In contrast, AirPods have the familiar stem design. The two earbuds have an IPX4 rating against sweat and splashes, but the LinkBuds are slightly lighter at 4.1 grams per bud compared to each 4.28-gram AirPod. Sony offers its earbuds in white and gray colorways while the AirPods are available in only white.

The AirPods support Spatial Audio for surround sound, and feature an