Sony LinkBuds Fit: The best fitness earbuds for people who don’t like earbuds
Sony LinkBuds Fit: Two-minute review
this sony The LinkBuds Fit are the latest addition to Sony’s range of mid-range true wireless headphones. Sony has a reputation for producing some of the best high-end headphones, while also offering more affordable options for those on a budget. The LinkBuds range has already impressed in the past, with models similar to the originals Sony LinkBudshas an open ear design, and Sony LinkBuds S Features a closed-back design ideal for smaller ears.
The LinkBuds Fit takes a slightly different approach. The name tends to suggest that these buds are aimed at fitness enthusiasts – which they are – but it also hints at their best feature, a great fit. They stay put during rigorous workouts, yet are lightweight and comfortable enough to wear all day while you work.
they won’t beat very best earplugs When it comes to sound quality or noise cancellation. Sony’s high-end models, such as WF-1000XM5is much better in these areas, and Bose is still ahead of the competition in terms of ANC, Quiet and comfortable.
Although the LinkBuds Fit doesn’t have top-tier features, we think it makes up for that by being a solid and versatile option for most people. They’re perfect for sports, sports, and anyone struggling to find earbuds that are secure without sacrificing comfort.
Let’s start with the fit, which is truly outstanding. I’ve reviewed many mid-range priced earbuds, including fitness-focused models, and these are among my favorites. They’re small, lightweight and versatile, making them perfect for almost any use – whether you’re working at a desk all day or doing an intense workout at the gym.
The fit is notable for several reasons. Each earbud weighs just 4.9 grams, so light you might forget you’re wearing them. Although there are easier options – like budget Jlab Go Popular ANC Each earbud weighs 4.1 grams – few fitness earbuds are as lightweight, noise-cancelling and powerful. For comparison, the Jabra Elite 8 Active Jabra Elite 8 Activesome of my favorites weigh 5 grams per bud, Sennheiser Momentum Sports Edition Each bud weighs 6.4 grams, which is a significant difference for such a small device.
Two key features enhance stability and comfort. First up are the silicone ear tips, which come standard with most true wireless earbuds. Although there are only three sizes, I found the pre-installed earbuds fit my ears perfectly, although I usually choose the smaller size. That said, the limited tipping options may not be suitable for everyone. Secondly, the earbuds have silicone fins that fit snugly to the ear cartilage. Initially, I wasn’t a fan of the look of the fins, but they worked so well at holding the buds in place that they won me over.
These earbuds are not only comfortable; They are very stable. I put them to the test while running in the rain, perfecting my parallel bar inversion technique, attending yoga classes, and working out at the gym. No matter the activity, they stay securely in place without feeling tight or uncomfortable.
Aesthetically, their design is simple and interesting, with the earphones and charging case almost bubble-like in appearance. Their small size and lightweight construction allow them to sit discreetly in your ears without sticking out too much like some competitors. The design appears to be aimed at a younger audience, which makes sense considering they were marketed in collaboration with singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo.
The charging case is a bit chunky and less streamlined than competing earphones. While I personally like its unique, slightly marble-like look (it comes in white and green versions), it may not be very pocket-friendly. If you want other colors, the Sony LinkBuds Fit are also available in black and purple.
The Sony LinkBuds Fit has two noise-canceling modes: Standard and Ambient. Standard mode isn’t the best in class. For example, I can hear myself typing at my desk and a baby crying in a coffee shop. However, it effectively blocks low-frequency sounds, such as the hum of a heater or the rumble of a train. It seems to be particularly effective at suppressing hum and rumble, rather than completely eliminating all noise.
With that in mind, the Sony LinkBuds Fit may not be the right choice if you’re looking for something close to silent. They are designed to reduce noise rather than eliminate it entirely, which I personally appreciate because it makes me aware of alarms or emergencies. For those who need to hear their surroundings, Ambient Mode also reduces noise while still allowing announcements and other critical sounds to come through.
These settings can be adjusted in the feature-rich Sony Connect app. You’ll find the expected options like EQ settings (an intuitive process to determine which presets you like), head-tracked sounds, and multi-point pairing. There are even more unique features, like a mode that makes your music sound more like background noise, adaptive sound controls that adjust based on what you’re doing, and a voice chat feature that pauses your music while you speak. If this all feels overwhelming to you, the good news is that you don’t need to customize every feature to enjoy a great experience right out of the box.
Connectivity is strong, with Bluetooth 5.3 supporting AAC, SBC, LDAC and LC3 codecs to suit a variety of preferences and devices.
You can also customize gesture controls through the app. Sony claims you can tap under your earlobe or in the area between your ear and temple to activate the gesture, but I couldn’t get it to work reliably. Instead, I had to tap the buds myself, which sometimes required a hard tap to register.
The battery life is very long, with 5.5 hours of battery life with noise cancellation on and 8 hours of battery life without noise cancellation. This matches my testing, although it varies depending on the audio codec and extra features you use. With this case, you’ll get over 20 hours in total. While it’s not bad by modern true wireless standards, it’s not exceptional. For example, the more affordable Sony WF-C510 offers 11 hours of playback, but lacks noise cancellation – so your choice depends on your priorities.
As expected from workout-focused earbuds, the LinkBuds Fit have an IPX4 rating, making them sweat-resistant. However, don’t take them to the shower or to the swimming pool.
During testing, the sound produced by Sony LinkBuds Fit can be described as “powerful”. While I wasn’t blown away by the detail or richness of the audio, the experience was undeniably enjoyable. These headphones deliver bouncy, bass-heavy sound that’s perfect for fueling up while working out.
If you’re a fan of energetic, energetic tracks, these earbuds will be perfect for you. I even boosted the bass in the EQ settings for extra impact. Although this becomes tiring over time, tracks like Armani White billie eilish and Hanu human big mouth wolf With adrenaline-pumping intensity. Likewise, a heavy stone like Queens of the Stone Age Sick, sick, sick It sounds meaty and very satisfying.
Dramatic ballads like Lana Del Rey extreme violence The effect is also very good, giving an emotional impact. In work meetings, I find Ólafur Arnalds’ melodic tracks particularly enjoyable, often pairing them with background music effects to enhance concentration.
However, these headphones sacrifice some detail and subtlety in favor of their bass-forward profile. Sony’s DSEE technology, which improves low-quality sound, may be doing some magic. But it felt a bit lacking when I listened to classical music and expected the richness and spaciousness found in higher-end earbuds. At higher volumes, complex arrangements sound a bit chaotic and restrained.
That said, the LinkBuds Fit excels at providing a strong, energizing soundtrack for daily activities and workouts. However, if you want to analyze every nuance of your favorite tracks, a more refined option will be better.
Sony LinkBuds Fit: price and availability
- Price £179/USD179/AU$348
- Released in October 2024
Sony LinkBuds Fit costs £179 / $179 / AU$348. Although the headphones are currently discounted on Sony’s website in some regions. At the time of writing, the UK price has dropped from £179 to £149.
This price puts the buds in the mid-range category. Cheaper than Sony WF-1000XM5 earplugs Priced at $299.99 / £259 / AU$499, but cheaper than Sony WF-C700N Priced at $119/£99/AU$199.
Other competitors in this space are Apple AirPods 4 with ANC US$179/£179/AU$299 JBL Live Beam 3 Price is $199.95 USD / £179.99 / AU$249. There are several similarly priced headphones that are also considered suitable for exercise, e.g. Jabra Elite 8 Active Jabra Elite 8 Active Priced at $199.99 USD / £199.99 / AU$329, and Beats Fit Pro Price is $199 / £199 / AU$299.
This means that while you’ll find better headphones for less and spend more on better audio performance and features, the feature-rich, comfortable fit, design, and fitness-friendly specs make the Sony LinkBuds Fit worth the price. Competitive and good value for money.
Sony LinkBuds Fit: Specs
| Element | Sony LinkBuds fit |
| design | closure |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.3, LE audio |
| Format | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 |
| Battery | 5.5 hours with earbuds; 21 hours total battery life with charging case |
| frequency | 20 Hz – 20,000 Hz (44.1 kHz sampling)/20 Hz – 40,000 Hz (LDAC 96 kHz sampling 990 kbps) |
Sony LinkBuds Fit: Scorecard
| category | Comment | Fraction |
| design | Very lightweight, lovely aesthetics and an incredibly comfortable and stable fit. | 5/5 |
| feature | Multipoint pairing, 360 audio, plenty of codecs, and a decent battery. | 4/5 |
| Performance | The pleasant, powerful sound is perfect for exercise. Just don’t expect high-end details. | 4/5 |
| value | You’ll find cheaper fitness headphones, but even mid-range ones, few offer the superior fit and rich features that these headphones can match. | 4/5 |
Sony LinkBuds Fit: Should I buy one?
Buy it if…
Don’t buy it if…
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how i tested
I tested the Sony LinkBuds Fit every day for two weeks. This gave me the opportunity to try them out in a variety of different environments and situations.
I mainly use them to listen to music and podcasts on my iPhone 14 Pro apple Music, Spotify and Youtube music. I tested them while traveling on the train, working in a busy cafe, in a quiet library, and at my desk at home. I also take them to the gym, yoga studio, a few runs along the beach, and to an outdoor pull-up bar while I use cardio machines and weights.
Over the past 12 years, I’ve tested many headphones and earbuds, with an emphasis on fitness equipment. I’m interested in technology that prioritizes comfort and ease of use.
First review: December 2024
