9.0 Score
The earbuds that have stuck with me since the end of 2024 and even phased out my trusty Sony WF-1000XM5 are Sony’s other earbuds from their Linkbuds lineup – more specifically, the Sony Linkbuds Fit, and I have been using them for the longest time. Not only has it served me as a trusty earbuds for music, but it has checked my box for the best earbuds for the way it’s designed.
Sony Linkbuds Fit Review
On a Similar level as the WF-1000XM5 for Hardware
You might think that the Sony Linkbuds Fit falls in a different category – which it does, but on a hardware level, it rivals the likes of WF-1000XM5, which should make your head turn.
The reason why I say this is because it gets the same Integrated Processor V2 for audio experience, but misses out on the more elusive QN2e for noise-cancelling, which is where the Linkbuds ANC brings a different experience with the build and design it comes in. The drivers used in the Linkbuds Fit a new 8.4mm driver, which shares the same dimensions as the WF-1000XM5’s Dynamic Driver X, but it isn’t the same driver.
So with hardware similarities that line up with the flagship offering from Sony, it’s safe to say that the Linkbuds Fit is offering a similar experience with a different approach entirely – hence the Linkbuds series branding. That said, what’s special about the Linkbuds Fit? It starts with the fit and finish, and I can say this…
… This is the Most Comfortable Earbuds You’ll Ever Use
Just like there are plenty of fish in the sea, there are so many earbuds out there – but not all of them take ear shapes and sizes into consideration. Sony did their fair share of tests to get the appropriate fit for all sorts of ear shapes, which puts them way up on the list as a good earbuds to go for. The Linkbuds series in general, takes this factor seriously, and in response, you get these crazy light earbuds that sit in your ear and feel like there’s barely anything in your ears.
On top of that, the tips are made out of silicon, which is alright, and it has a fin tip on the outside, which sits on the upper area of your concha to give a secure fit. If you happen to do rigorous exercise and move a lot, they are designed to stay in your ears very well. I loved my Linkbuds S when I had it (I still do, but I lost one of the earbuds – RIP) – and these Fit came into the studio at the right time to replace those and put my XM5 back in its packaging.
Since it is small, Sony went for a different approach in controlling the earbuds.
No Reason to Tap the Earbuds to Change or Control
There’s no need to tap the earbuds, as it has a Wide Area Tap feature that allows you to tap around the earbuds to control them. It’s effective when you tap exactly around the Auricularis anterior muscle area, which is adjacent to the ear. Double-tap and bam, the function you set will get triggered.
It does take time to get used to, but Sony’s sensitivity for Wide Area Tap is good that I have not touched the earbuds to control, and the only time I do touch the earbud is when I want to wear it and take it off.
Noise Isolation and Cancellation are Less Intense but still handle Better
Earlier, I mentioned the design – now that light earbuds with fin tips come with a caveat. It has slightly less intense Noise Isolation, and because it doesn’t get the QN2e Processor for high-quality ANC, the experience varies when you compare it to the XM5. However, this isn’t a flaw; it’s designed by choice.
The whole point about Linkbuds Fit is to keep you connected to your environment with or without music, so that the earbuds always stay in your ears and don’t break the illusion and blend your audio well. And from that stance, with good comfort and a slightly less intense ANC and Isolation, I do love these earbuds a lot. If you are out and about, in trains, buses and such, the ANC and Isolation does a good job still. The place where it leaves a lot to be desired is when you are flying.
It’s the only time I switched to my big and proper WH-1000XM5 or XM6 for music and entertainment and never resorted to my Linkbuds Fit. So, if you need earbuds that fulfil a more intense ANC for travel, then the WF-1000XM5 is still the one to go for.
But it Sounds Great
Sony knows how to make good-sounding earbuds, and these Linkbuds Fit are designed to deliver a slightly clearer presence in the mids and highs with a less intense bass profile compared to the more intense bass we get from the XM5. I do prefer the sound staging and presence of the Linkbuds Fit a lot more than I do with the XM5, which was the biggest reason why I switched over in a heartbeat.
Throw any music at it and it can handle it like a champ. The audio spatial presence is fantastic, with good layering and balance overall that gives good dynamic staging throughout your listening experience. The place where the Linkbuds Fit comes as a better earbuds is in the App and the controls it offers, as it supports LC3, LDAC, which is good for Android users. Followed by that, you have access to DSEE Extreme, which is solid and does appear beneficial for Apple users with AAC.
The app gives you access to a plethora of controls, which will make a lot of users take advantage of – especially the EQ, which can be tweaked to geta good audio presence that is up to your liking.
Amazing Battery Life and Management
If you do compare with the XM5, the battery life with the Linkbuds Fit isn’t the best but with ANC, I can still get about 4.5 hours of battery life, and the case does give an extra 14-15-ish battery life. This is good, and if you do choose not to use ANC or the Ambient mode, then the battery life does go up to 7 hours-ish based on my testing.
Definitely Deserving of the Price it’s Sold at
At the time of writing, the Sony Linkbuds Fit goes for RM 799 via Sony Store and at that price point, you are looking at an earbuds that is deemed premium. But there’s more you are paying for: a good sound quality, ANC that isn’t going to overwhelm, and it’s going to be kind towards a lot of users who don’t want the strong ANC, workout-friendly design and light earbuds that feel almost nothing in-ears.
We strongly recommend the Linkbuds Fit, and there’s a good reason why it has stuck with me throughout every moment in my life since I got my hands on them in 2024.
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