Sony LinkBuds Open WFL910/B

The most comfortable earbuds for people who hate the feeling of earbuds. Just don't expect any bass or a decent microphone.

What surprised me most was the sound quality, which lands in the 92nd percentile in our database. The mids and highs are genuinely clear and detailed, making vocals and podcasts sound fantastic. But the open design means bass takes a serious nosedive. You'll hear the texture of a bassline, but you won't feel it. The other surprise was the microphone, which is a weak spot at the 34th percentile. In a quiet room it's fine, but any ambient noise and your caller will know all about it. The adaptive volume control is a neat trick, automatically raising the volume as you walk from a quiet street onto a noisy bus, and the head gesture controls for accepting calls feel less gimmicky than I expected.

The LinkBuds Open don't have a direct competitor because nobody else is doing this exact open-ring thing. The closest in spirit are the Bose QuietComfort Ultra, which offer an 'Aware' mode that's the best in the business, but they still seal your ear canal. If you want to stay aware but also want the option to block out the world, the Apple AirPods Pro are the smarter, more versatile pick with far superior noise cancellation and a more secure fit. The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro also offer a better blend of sound quality and ambient mode. The LinkBuds Open are for the person who actively hates the plugged-up feeling of every other earbud on the market.

Without a firm price, value is tough to nail down, but with a range of $228 to $312, these sit in premium territory. You're paying a premium for a very specific, niche feature: the open ring. If that feature solves a daily problem for you, the comfort and unique design justify the cost. If you just want great all-around earbuds, you can get better sound and ANC for less money.

The Sony LinkBuds Open are the weirdest earbuds I've tested this year, and I kind of love them for it. The one thing to know is that they don't try to seal you off from the world. Instead, that literal hole in the 11mm driver lets everything in, which is either a revelation or a dealbreaker depending on how much you hate hearing your coworker's keyboard clacking. For anyone who finds traditional earbuds claustrophobic or needs to stay aware of their surroundings on a commute, these are a breath of fresh air. They're incredibly light at 5g per bud, and Sony's new 'Air Fitting Supporters' actually work, making them one of the most comfortable pairs we've ever stuck in our ears. But if you're looking for thumping bass or a silent sanctuary, you're reading the wrong review.

If you're looking for a do-it-all pair of earbuds with great sound and noise cancellation, this isn't it. Go get the Apple AirPods Pro or Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro instead. The LinkBuds Open are a specialized tool for a specific job, and that job is not blocking out your noisy open-plan office.

The Sony LinkBuds Open are a niche masterpiece. They are not for everyone, and they're not trying to be. If you prioritize all-day comfort and environmental awareness above thumping bass and call quality, there is nothing else like them. They're a second pair of ears, not a replacement for a good pair of noise-canceling buds. For the right person, they're a 5-star product. For everyone else, they're a fascinating curiosity.