Sony launches funky new LinkBuds earbuds with customizable cases – and a new Bluetooth speaker to match

Sony updates its LinkBuds range with more customization, better audio, and a surprise new portable speaker.

News By Carrie MarshallContributions from Matt Bolton published 1 October 2024

Two weeks ago we reported on a leak that said Sony was about to expand its weird and wonderful LinkBuds range of headphones. And now it's official, and even more interesting than the leak suggested: in addition to two new sets of LinkBuds headphones, there's a LinkBuds speaker too.

The new Linkbuds range features the new LinkBuds Fit (which replaces the Sony LinkBuds S), the new LinkBuds Open (replacing the original Sony LinkBuds), and the new LinkBuds Speaker. They're all keenly priced, with the LinkBuds Fit and LinkBuds Open at $199.99 / £179, and the LinkBuds Speaker at $179.99 / £139. 

All three products are available to order now and will ship during October. Here's what's new.

Sony LinkBuds Fit, LinkBuds Open: key features

Both pairs of LinkBuds earbuds come in new colors and a wide range of custom cases and have been made with comfort in mind, with a teardrop shape and a squishy 'supporter' to really hold them in your ear. The LinkBuds Fit have a new eartips too, which are slightly shallower than those in the Sony WF-1000XM5, again improving comfort compared to many of the best wireless earbuds – something we praised the LinkBud S for.

The LinkBuds Open still have an iconic circular design to their driver, so they're closer to the best open-ear headphones, allowing outside sound in naturally. 

As expected, the Fit are water and sweat resistant with an IPX4 rating. The Open earbuds have the same certification – though the cases aren't IP certified.

Sony says that the LinkBuds Fit have Sony's best ambient sound and auto adjustment, with an automatic noise canceling optimizer and a new app to configure it all. There's a new transparency mode that's more like what you get on AirPods Pro 2, where it adjusts exactly how much sound is allowed in depending on the ambient volume. Sony gave us the example of wanting lots of fine sound in if you're out in a quiet park and someone calls your name, compared to needing some control over the sound if you're at a train station.

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