Apple AirPods (2nd generation) vs Sony LinkBuds Truly Wireless: Which Headphones Are Better? - RTINGS.com

FEEDBACK

Products

Apple AirPods (2nd generation)

Sony LinkBuds Truly Wireless

Tested using Methodology v1.5

Updated Oct 28, 2025 05:21 PM

Tested using Methodology v1.5

Updated Dec 01, 2025 08:39 PM

Apple AirPods (2nd generation) Picture

Sony LinkBuds Truly Wireless Picture

TypeEarbuds

EnclosureOpen-Back

WirelessTruly Wireless

TransducerDynamic

Noise CancellingNo

MicYes

TypeEarbuds

EnclosureOpen-Back

WirelessTruly Wireless

TransducerDynamic

Noise CancellingNo

MicYes

Our Verdict

Apple AirPods (2nd generation)

Sony LinkBuds Truly Wireless

The Apple AirPods (2nd generation) are better for most purposes than the Sony LinkBuds Truly Wireless. The Apple headphones have a more comfortable, stable fit for most, a better build quality, and a more neutral sound profile, although neither pair reproduces much bass. Their case holds more extra charges. On the other hand, the Sony headphones' continuous battery life is a few hours longer. They also support virtual surround sound and have a graphic EQ and presets for sound customization.

Variants

AirPods (2nd generation) (With charging case)
AirPods (2nd generation) (With wireless charging case)

LinkBuds (Gray)
LinkBuds (White)

Review

See Apple AirPods (2nd generation) Review

See Sony LinkBuds Truly Wireless Review

Check Price

With charging case

AirPods (2nd generation)

Gray

LinkBuds

With wireless charging case

AirPods (2nd generation)

White

LinkBuds

Main Differences for

Neutral Sound

Threshold

0.10

Neutral Sound

0.0

0.0

JOIN NOW to see main differences

Full Comparison

Neutral Sound

0.0

0.0

Commute/Travel

0.0

0.0

Sports/Fitness

0.0

0.0

Office

0.0

0.0

Wireless Gaming

0.0

0.0

Wired Gaming

0.0

0.0

Phone Calls

0.0

0.0

Design

Style

Design Picture 2

Apple AirPods (2nd generation) Design Picture 2 Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony LinkBuds Truly Wireless Design Picture 2 Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Type

Locked

Locked

Enclosure

Locked

Locked

Wireless

Locked

Locked

Transducer

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Comfort

N/A

N/A

Comfort Picture

Apple AirPods (2nd generation) Comfort Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony LinkBuds Truly Wireless Comfort Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Weight

Lock lbs

Lock lbs

Clamping Force

Lock lbs

Lock lbs

Show Text

Controls

N/A

N/A

Controls Picture

Apple AirPods (2nd generation) Controls Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony LinkBuds Truly Wireless Controls Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

OS Compatibility

Locked

Locked

Ease Of Use

Locked

Locked

Feedback

Locked

Locked

Call/Music Control

Locked

Locked

Volume Control

Locked

Locked

Microphone Control

Locked

Locked

Channel Mixing

Locked

Locked

Noise Cancelling Control

Locked

Locked

Talk-Through

Locked

Locked

Additional Controls

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Breathability

N/A

N/A

Breathability After Picture

Apple AirPods (2nd generation) Breathability After Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony LinkBuds Truly Wireless Breathability After Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Avg.Temp.Difference

Lock °C

Show Text

Portability

N/A

N/A

Portability Picture

Apple AirPods (2nd generation) Portability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony LinkBuds Truly Wireless Portability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

L

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

W

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

H

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

Volume

Lock in³ (Lock cm³)

Lock in³ (Lock cm³)

Transmitter Required

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Case

N/A

N/A

Case Picture

Apple AirPods (2nd generation) Case Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony LinkBuds Truly Wireless Case Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Type

Locked

Locked

L

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

W

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

H

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

Volume

Lock in³ (Lock cm³)

Lock in³ (Lock cm³)

Show Text

Build Quality

N/A

N/A

Build Quality Picture

Apple AirPods (2nd generation) Build Quality Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony LinkBuds Truly Wireless Build Quality Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Show Text

Stability

N/A

N/A

Stability Picture

Apple AirPods (2nd generation) Stability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony LinkBuds Truly Wireless Stability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Show Text

Headshots 1

Angled Picture

Apple AirPods (2nd generation) Angled Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony LinkBuds Truly Wireless Angled Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Side Picture

Apple AirPods (2nd generation) Side Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony LinkBuds Truly Wireless Side Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Headshots 2

Front Picture

Apple AirPods (2nd generation) Front Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony LinkBuds Truly Wireless Front Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Rear Picture

Apple AirPods (2nd generation) Rear Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony LinkBuds Truly Wireless Rear Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Top

Top Picture

Apple AirPods (2nd generation) Top Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony LinkBuds Truly Wireless Top Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

In The Box

In The Box Picture

Apple AirPods (2nd generation) In The Box Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony LinkBuds Truly Wireless In The Box Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Show Text

Sound

Sound Profile

Frequency Response

Apple AirPods (2nd generation) Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony LinkBuds Truly Wireless Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bass Amount

Lock dB

Lock dB

Treble Amount

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Frequency Response Consistency

N/A

N/A

Consistency L

Apple AirPods (2nd generation) Consistency L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony LinkBuds Truly Wireless Consistency L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Consistency R

Apple AirPods (2nd generation) Consistency R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony LinkBuds Truly Wireless Consistency R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Avg. Std. Deviation

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Raw Frequency Response

Raw FR L

Apple AirPods (2nd generation) Raw FR L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony LinkBuds Truly Wireless Raw FR L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Raw FR R

Apple AirPods (2nd generation) Raw FR R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony LinkBuds Truly Wireless Raw FR R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bass Accuracy

N/A

N/A

Bass

Apple AirPods (2nd generation) Bass Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony LinkBuds Truly Wireless Bass Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Std. Err.

Lock dB

Lock dB

Low-Frequency Extension

Lock Hz

Lock Hz

Low-Bass

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid-Bass

Lock dB

Lock dB

High-Bass

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Mid Accuracy

N/A

N/A

Mid

Apple AirPods (2nd generation) Mid Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony LinkBuds Truly Wireless Mid Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Std. Err.

Lock dB

Lock dB

Low-Mid

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid-Mid

Lock dB

Lock dB

High-Mid

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Treble Accuracy

N/A

N/A

Treble

Apple AirPods (2nd generation) Treble Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony LinkBuds Truly Wireless Treble Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Std. Err.

Lock dB

Lock dB

Low-Treble

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid-Treble

Lock dB

Lock dB

High-Treble

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Peaks/Dips

N/A

N/A

Peaks/Dips Graph

Apple AirPods (2nd generation) Peaks/Dips Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony LinkBuds Truly Wireless Peaks/Dips Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Peaks

Lock dB

Lock dB

Dips

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Imaging

N/A

N/A

Group Delay

Apple AirPods (2nd generation) Group Delay Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony LinkBuds Truly Wireless Group Delay Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Phase Response Mismatch

Apple AirPods (2nd generation) Phase Response Mismatch Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony LinkBuds Truly Wireless Phase Response Mismatch Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Weighted Group Delay

Lock

Lock

Weighted Phase Mismatch

Lock

Lock

Weighted Amplitude Mismatch

Lock

Lock

Weighted Frequency Mismatch

Lock

Lock

Show Text

Passive Soundstage

N/A

N/A

PRTF

Apple AirPods (2nd generation) PRTF Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony LinkBuds Truly Wireless PRTF Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

PRTF Accuracy (Std. Dev.)

N/A

N/A

PRTF Size (Avg.)

N/A

N/A

PRTF Distance

N/A

N/A

Openness

0.0

0.0

Acoustic Space Excitation

0.0

0.0

Show Text

Virtual Soundstage

N/A

N/A

Virtual Soundstage

Apple AirPods (2nd generation) Virtual Soundstage Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony LinkBuds Truly Wireless Virtual Soundstage Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Head Modeling

Locked

Locked

Speaker Modeling

Locked

Locked

Room Ambience

Locked

Locked

Head Tracking

Locked

Locked

Virtual Surround

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Weighted Harmonic Distortion

N/A

N/A

Weighted Harmonic Distortion

Apple AirPods (2nd generation) Weighted Harmonic Distortion Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony LinkBuds Truly Wireless Weighted Harmonic Distortion Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

WHD @ 90

Lock

Lock

WHD @ 100

Lock

Lock

Show Text

Test Settings

Firmware

Locked

Locked

Power

Locked

Locked

Connection

Locked

Locked

Codec

Locked

Locked

EQ

Locked

Locked

ANC

Locked

Locked

Tip/Pad

Locked

Locked

Microphone

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Isolation

Noise Isolation

N/A

N/A

Noise Isolation

Apple AirPods (2nd generation) Noise Isolation Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony LinkBuds Truly Wireless Noise Isolation Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Isolation Audio

Overall Attenuation

Lock dB

Lock dB

Noise Cancelling

Locked

Locked

Bass

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid

Lock dB

Lock dB

Treble

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Leakage

N/A

N/A

Leakage

Apple AirPods (2nd generation) Leakage Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony LinkBuds Truly Wireless Leakage Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Leakage Audio

Overall Leakage @ 1ft

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Microphone

Microphone Style

Integrated

Locked

Locked

In-Line

Locked

Locked

Boom

Locked

Locked

Detachable Boom

Locked

Locked

Mic

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Recording Quality

N/A

N/A

Microphone Frequency Response

Apple AirPods (2nd generation) Microphone Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony LinkBuds Truly Wireless Microphone Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Recorded Speech

LFE

Lock Hz

Lock Hz

FR Std. Dev.

Lock dB

Lock dB

HFE

Lock Hz

Lock Hz

Weighted THD

Lock

Lock

Gain

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Noise Handling

N/A

N/A

SpNR

Apple AirPods (2nd generation) SpNR Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony LinkBuds Truly Wireless SpNR Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

SpNR

Lock dB

Lock dB

Noise Gate

Locked

Locked

Speech + Pink Noise Handling

0.0

0.0

Speech + Pink Noise Audio Sample

Speech + Subway Noise Handling

0.0

0.0

Speech + Subway Noise Audio Sample

Show Text

Active Features

Battery

N/A

N/A

Battery Type

Locked

Locked

Continuous Battery Life

Lock hrs

Lock hrs

Additional Charges

Lock

Lock

Total Battery Life

Lock hrs

Lock hrs

Charge Time

Lock hrs

Lock hrs

Power-Saving Feature

Locked

Locked

Audio While Charging

Locked

Locked

Passive Playback

Locked

Locked

Charging Port

Locked

Locked

Show Text

App Support

N/A

N/A

App Picture

Apple AirPods (2nd generation) App Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony LinkBuds Truly Wireless App Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

App Name

Locked

Locked

iOS

Locked

Locked

Android

Locked

Locked

macOS

Locked

Locked

Windows

Locked

Locked

Equalizer

Locked

Locked

ANC Control

Locked

Locked

Mic Control

Locked

Locked

Room Effects

Locked

Locked

Playback Control

Locked

Locked

Button Mapping

Locked

Locked

Surround Support

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Connectivity

Bluetooth

N/A

N/A

Bluetooth Version

Locked

Locked

Multi-Device Pairing

Locked

Locked

NFC Pairing

Locked

Locked

Line Of Sight Range

Lock ft (Lock m)

Lock ft (Lock m)

PC Latency (SBC)

Lock ms

Lock ms

PC Latency (aptX)

N/A

N/A

PC Latency (aptX HD)

N/A

N/A

PC Latency (aptX-LL)

N/A

N/A

iOS Latency

Lock ms

Lock ms

Android Latency

Lock ms

Lock ms

Show Text

Non-Bluetooth Wireless

N/A

N/A

Non-BT Line Of Sight Range

N/A

N/A

Non-BT Latency

N/A

N/A

Wired

N/A

N/A

Cable Picture

Apple AirPods (2nd generation) Cable Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony LinkBuds Truly Wireless Cable Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Analog Audio

Locked

Locked

USB Audio

Locked

Locked

Detachable

Locked

Locked

Length

N/A

N/A

Connection

Locked

Locked

Analog/USB Audio Latency

N/A

N/A

Show Text

PC Compatibility

Analog

Locked

Locked

Wired USB

Locked

Locked

Non-BT Wireless

Locked

Locked

Show Text

PlayStation Compatibility

PS4 Analog

Locked

Locked

PS4 Wired USB

Locked

Locked

PS4 Non-BT Wireless

Locked

Locked

PS5 Analog

Locked

Locked

PS5 Wired USB

Locked

Locked

PS5 Non-BT Wireless

Locked

Locked

Xbox Compatibility

Xbox One Analog

Locked

Locked

Xbox One Wired USB

Locked

Locked

Xbox One Non-BT Wireless

Locked

Locked

Xbox Series X|S Analog

Locked

Locked

Xbox Series X|S Wired USB

Locked

Locked

Xbox Series X|S Non-BT Wireless

Locked

Locked

Base/Dock

N/A

N/A

Type

Locked

Locked

USB Input

Locked

Locked

Line In

Locked

Locked

Line Out

Locked

Locked

Optical Input

Locked

Locked

RCA Input

Locked

Locked

Dock Charging

Locked

Locked

Power Supply

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Check Price

With charging case

AirPods (2nd generation)

Gray

LinkBuds

With wireless charging case

AirPods (2nd generation)

White

LinkBuds

Apple AirPods (2nd generation)

Sony LinkBuds Truly Wireless

Comments

Comparison

• Posted 2 years ago

Apple AirPods (2nd generation) vs Sony LinkBuds Truly Wireless: Main Discussion

What do you think of these products? Let us know below.

Looking for a personalized buying advice from the RTINGS.com experts? Members have direct access to buying advice on our member forum.

PreviewBack to editorFormat guide

No comments yet, refresh to see new ones