94
Pocket-lintTier 3 outlet, weighted 40%★ Editors' ChoiceMar 16, 2026
“The open-ear sound is very good, the device's tap functions are solid, and the app has some great features!”
By Tshaka Armstrong · Rated 4.5/5Full review
Headphones
Sony LinkBuds Clip
Sony · From $229.99
Release date Jan 21, 2026
67
Worth a Look
Based on 9 Critic Reviews
7 with a published score, 2 scored from text · How it works
Latest review Sep 14, 2026
Early score: only 9 reviews so far
1 Rave2 Positive2 Favorable3 Mixed1 Negative
Critics' Take
Critics like the comfortable, secure clip-on fit, the light build and the app customization. Sound is the weak point: reviewers found thin bass and little isolation, and Engadget and T3 say Sony has not done enough to stand out from cheaper clip-on rivals. Scores range from 60 to 90, with most landing in the 60s and 70s.
What critics loved
- Comfortable, secure clip-on fit
- Light, well-made design
- 10-band EQ and customizable controls in the app
- Good battery life for open earbuds
Common gripes
- Thin bass and modest sound quality
- No noise isolation by design
- Priced at $229.99 against cheaper rivals
- Missing some Sony features such as wear detection
- Tragus tap controls and connectivity can be erratic
Critic Scorecard
9 reviewsSort:
Weighted by outlet tier:Tier 1 outlet, weighted 100%100%Tier 2 outlet, weighted 75%75%Tier 3 outlet, weighted 40%40%Tier 4 outlet, weighted 20%20%
79
The PC EnthusiastTier 4 outlet, weighted 20%Apr 26, 2026
“Sound quality is only serviceable, and comfort starts to become an issue after a couple of hours due to the pressure from the clip.”
By Peter Paul · Rated 3.8/5Full review
75
Pokde.NetTier 4 outlet, weighted 20%Mar 16, 2026
“Make no mistake, it’s still a decent pair of earbuds for those looking for this kind of form factor, but better options certainly exist to cater to this group of listeners.”
By Low Boon Shen · Rated 7.9/10Full review
74
eCousticsTier 4 outlet, weighted 20%Jan 28, 2026
“They deliver a highly convenient, low-friction wireless experience for listeners who value comfort, awareness, and flexibility.”
By Aaron Sigal · Unrated, scored from textFull review
72
EngadgetTier 1 outlet, weighted 100%Jan 21, 2026
“Subpar bass performance and the omission of some of Sony's more attractive features (and even some basic ones) mean the company hasn't done enough to distinguish the Clip from the competition in an obvious way.”
Engadget scores out of 100; the page's update note says the score was lowered from 72 to 70.
By Billy Steele · Rated 70/100Full review
64
GSMArenaTier 3 outlet, weighted 40%Sep 14, 2026
“$230 is a lot for what is ultimately a rather basic pair of earbuds, functionally speaking.”
Staff review · Unrated, scored from textFull review
Show 3 more reviews ▾Show fewer ▴
57
SoundGuysTier 3 outlet, weighted 40%Feb 19, 2026
“If you're looking for clip-style open earbuds, the Sony LinkBuds Clip are a solid addition to the LinkBuds line.”
By Christian Thomas · Rated 6.8/10Full review
55
T3Tier 3 outlet, weighted 40%Mar 12, 2026
“Sony’s LinkBuds Clip are comfortable, well-made and nicely customisable, but the sound quality struggles to keep up with similarly priced open-ear rivals.”
By Matt Kollat · Rated 3.25/5Full review
52
Tom's GuideTier 2 outlet, weighted 75%Jan 21, 2026
“Adequate listening modes and voice calling aren’t enough to recommend the Sony LinkBuds Clip over other clip-on favorites.”
By Alex Bracetti · Rated 3/5Full review
64
GSMArenaTier 3 outlet, weighted 40%Sep 14, 2026
“$230 is a lot for what is ultimately a rather basic pair of earbuds, functionally speaking.”
Staff review · Unrated, scored from textFull review
79
The PC EnthusiastTier 4 outlet, weighted 20%Apr 26, 2026
“Sound quality is only serviceable, and comfort starts to become an issue after a couple of hours due to the pressure from the clip.”
By Peter Paul · Rated 3.8/5Full review
94
Pocket-lintTier 3 outlet, weighted 40%★ Editors' ChoiceMar 16, 2026
“The open-ear sound is very good, the device's tap functions are solid, and the app has some great features!”
By Tshaka Armstrong · Rated 4.5/5Full review
75
Pokde.NetTier 4 outlet, weighted 20%Mar 16, 2026
“Make no mistake, it’s still a decent pair of earbuds for those looking for this kind of form factor, but better options certainly exist to cater to this group of listeners.”
By Low Boon Shen · Rated 7.9/10Full review
55
T3Tier 3 outlet, weighted 40%Mar 12, 2026
“Sony’s LinkBuds Clip are comfortable, well-made and nicely customisable, but the sound quality struggles to keep up with similarly priced open-ear rivals.”
By Matt Kollat · Rated 3.25/5Full review
57
SoundGuysTier 3 outlet, weighted 40%Feb 19, 2026
“If you're looking for clip-style open earbuds, the Sony LinkBuds Clip are a solid addition to the LinkBuds line.”
By Christian Thomas · Rated 6.8/10Full review
Show 3 more reviews ▾Show fewer ▴
74
eCousticsTier 4 outlet, weighted 20%Jan 28, 2026
“They deliver a highly convenient, low-friction wireless experience for listeners who value comfort, awareness, and flexibility.”
By Aaron Sigal · Unrated, scored from textFull review
72
EngadgetTier 1 outlet, weighted 100%Jan 21, 2026
“Subpar bass performance and the omission of some of Sony's more attractive features (and even some basic ones) mean the company hasn't done enough to distinguish the Clip from the competition in an obvious way.”
Engadget scores out of 100; the page's update note says the score was lowered from 72 to 70.
By Billy Steele · Rated 70/100Full review
52
Tom's GuideTier 2 outlet, weighted 75%Jan 21, 2026
“Adequate listening modes and voice calling aren’t enough to recommend the Sony LinkBuds Clip over other clip-on favorites.”
By Alex Bracetti · Rated 3/5Full review
Quick Facts
- Type
- Open-ear clip-on true wireless earbuds
- Driver
- 10mm
- Battery life
- Up to 9 hours per charge, 37 hours with case (Sony claim)
- Bluetooth
- 5.3, multipoint
- Codecs
- SBC, AAC
- Water resistance
- IPX4
- Weight
- 6.4 g per earbud
- Colors
- Black, Greige, Green, Lavender
- Price
- $229.99