Sony Linkbuds Fit Review: Small buds, Smart moves

Sony’s latest entry in the LinkBuds lineup, the LinkBuds Fit, is a curious mix of familiar ambition and quiet reinvention. After the open-ear experimentation of the original LinkBuds and the safer, more conventional approach of the LinkBuds S, this 2024 update leans harder into lifestyle — and, perhaps, personality. Despite what the name suggests, these aren’t your next workout companions. The “Fit” here isn’t about burpees or 5Ks — it’s about comfort. These are earbuds designed to feel like they’re not even there, whether you’re hopping on a call or zoning out to lo-fi at a café.

But at ₹18,990, the LinkBuds Fit walk into an intensely competitive arena. This price bracket is packed with contenders promising better ANC, more features, or bolder sound. So, the question is obvious — are these the best wireless earbuds under ₹20,000, or just another stylish-but-safe option from Sony? Let’s find out.

Sony LinkBuds Fit Review: Sound

The Sony LinkBuds Fit aren’t trying to win any audio purist awards — and that’s exactly why they work so well. With Sony’s Dynamic Driver X at the helm, these tiny earbuds deliver a rich, bass-forward sound profile that feels energetic, full-bodied, and downright fun to listen to.

If you’re someone who leans into bass-heavy wireless earbuds, this tuning will feel like home. The LinkBuds Fit sound quality is tailored to deliver punchy lows, clean mids, and smooth treble that’s easy on the ears — perfect for powering through cardio sessions, long commutes, or even a busy workday. Tracks like Karan Aujla’s “Winning Speech” or “Meri Gully Mein” hit with satisfying depth, and there’s a real sense of drive in every beat.

The overall sound signature is what many would call “safe” — but in the best possible way. The elevated bass adds warmth and weight without becoming boomy or bloated. The treble doesn’t try to dazzle, but it stays clear and fatigue-free, even at higher volumes. It’s the kind of tuning that works across genres — pop, Bollywood, hip-hop, electronic — with very little effort.

And if you’re into tweaking, the custom EQ in Sony’s app lets you dial in even more bass, which I did for that extra punch. It got intense, sure — but in a good way. Listening to “Arambh Hai Prachand” from Gulaal with boosted bass was a full-body experience, and vocals came through with gritty texture and raw energy. The same goes for action-packed gaming sessions or movie nights on the go. These buds bring the vibes.

Sony also includes its DSEE audio engine, which helps enhance the quality of compressed tracks. Even older Bollywood classics or classical pieces hold up surprisingly well, with texture and presence that belie the earbuds’ compact form. No, they won’t out-resolve the WF-1000XM5 or give you that ultra-wide hi-fi soundstage — but that’s not their goal.

Occasionally, things can get a little tight in the soundstage, and instrument separation isn’t perfect in very complex tracks. But for everyday use — whether you’re on the treadmill, catching a flight, or crushing a playlist on the metro — the Sony LinkBuds Fit deliver consistent, dynamic, and enjoyable audio.

Sony LinkBuds Fit Review: Design & Build

Let’s just get this out of the way: the Sony LinkBuds Fit might be my favorite Sony earbuds design to date. They’re small, light, and thoughtfully designed in a way that makes them stand out — both in how they look and how they feel. These aren’t just earbuds for workouts. They’re designed for real-life use — the kind of buds you actually want to wear for hours without constantly fiddling with them.

Sony here offers a clever mix of stability and comfort, delivered through a feature called the Air Supporter. It looks a bit like a wing tip — the kind you’d find on something like the Beats Fit Pro — but it’s not. Instead, it’s a hollow, flexible silicone fin that’s designed to provide grip without pressure. And it works shockingly well.

As someone with small ears, most wing-tip earbuds tend to overpromise and underdeliver — usually resulting in sore ears after 20 minutes. But the LinkBuds Fit Air Supporter is different. It conforms to your ear rather than forcing your ear to conform to it. I’ve worn these for up to two hours straight with minimal fatigue, which is rare for me.

The ear tips are also quite shallow, which adds to the comfort. Instead of feeling jammed in, they sit just right — enough to feel secure, but not so deep that you’re counting down the minutes until you can pop them out.

The charging case is another win. It’s incredibly compact, even smaller in footprint than the AirPods case — and that’s saying something. It’s a bit chunkier in thickness, sure, but easily one of the most pocket-friendly wireless earbud cases out there.

What’s even more appealing is the marble-like finish on the case. Under the right lighting, it reveals a soft pattern that’s actually unique to each case — meaning no two are exactly the same. It’s a subtle detail, but one that makes the LinkBuds Fit feel a little more premium than your typical white-plastic-everything aesthetic.

As for durability, the Sony LinkBuds Fit are IPX4 rated, meaning they can handle sweat and light rain just fine — exactly what you’d want from a pair of wireless earbuds for the gym or running. Just don’t take them swimming or hop in the shower with them.

Sony LinkBuds Fit Review: App

Let’s start with the basics: Bluetooth 5.3 powers the connection, and Sony’s codec support here is excellent. You’ve got AAC, SBC, LDAC, and even LC3 on board, making these some of the most future-ready wireless earbuds you can buy right now — especially if you’re using high-resolution streaming services or planning for LE Audio compatibility down the road.

Sony’s Headphones Connect app has gotten a facelift recently, and the LinkBuds Fit are among the first to really show off what the update can do. You still get all the usual suspects — EQ tuning, adaptive sound control, ambient mode, and firmware updates. One of the highlights is Auto Ambient Mode. It’s like adaptive transparency, but smarter. The earbuds dynamically adjust how much sound they let in based on your surroundings. So if you’re walking down a busy street, it ramps up ambient noise so you stay aware. Sit down in a quiet café? It dials things back for a more peaceful soundstage.

You also get Speak-to-Chat, which pauses your music and activates ambient sound the moment you start talking. It’s like magic — especially when you’re multitasking or someone walks up to you mid-song. No taps required. There’s also an AutoPlay feature that lets you build routines. Want your Spotify playlist to start the second you pop the buds in? Done. You can configure different behaviors for different times of day or situations — workouts, commuting, winding down, etc. It’s like having a personal DJ who also understands your schedule.

One of the more unexpected features is Background Sound Mode. This one’s interesting: it mimics the vibe of being in a coffee shop or public space by making your music sound like it’s playing from a distance. It creates this light, ambient audio layer that helps you stay focused while still feeling like you’re part of the world. It’s niche, sure — but once you try it while working, it clicks.

Sony LinkBuds Fit Review: ANC and Passive Isolation

When it comes to active noise cancellation, the Sony LinkBuds Fit bring a surprisingly intelligent approach — one that doesn’t try to brute-force silence, but instead adapts to the real world in real time.

One of the first things I noticed while testing was how the ANC subtly adjusts to specific environmental sounds, even without Adaptive Sound Control turned on. For instance, when my Dreame robot cleaner runs across the my home, I could hear the LinkBuds Fit respond — like they were dialing in the cancellation algorithm on the fly. The background roar faded just as she got closer. It was kind of cool, and kind of weird, in a good way.

It doesn’t kick in for every little thing — you won’t notice it adjusting to clinking glasses or background chatter — but for low-frequency hums like fans, engines, or household appliances, the ANC is impressively responsive for earbuds in this price range.

That said, when it comes to higher-pitched sounds like human voices or sharp treble noise, the LinkBuds Fit don’t isolate quite as well. This is where the fit and form factor start to show their influence. The shallow ear tips, while supremely comfortable, don’t create as tight a seal as something like the WF-1000XM5 — and that means less passive isolation.

Sony clearly prioritized comfort and lightweight wearability over aggressive sound isolation, and for many users, that’s the right call. You can wear these for hours without pressure fatigue — but you’ll also hear a bit more of the world around you. It’s not bad; it’s just intentional.

Sony LinkBuds Fit Review: Controls

And let’s talk touch controls — or rather, tap controls 2.0. Yes, you can tap the buds like normal, but Sony also includes something called Wide Area Tap, which lets you tap the area near your temple or sideburn. The buds actually detect vibrations in your skin and respond accordingly. It sounds futuristic because it kind of is — and it means fewer missed taps when you’re on a run or wearing gloves.

Sony throws in voice commands, but not the usual “Hey Siri” or “OK Google” deal. You can say “Hey Headphones” and issue commands directly — from skipping tracks to adjusting volume or ambient sound. It’s not quite Jarvis-level smart, and you do need to speak clearly, but when it works, it really works.

Then there’s the head gesture support — nod to answer a call, shake to reject. It’s a little wild at first but quickly becomes second nature if you take a lot of calls while on the move.

Sony LinkBuds Fit Review: Battery

With active noise cancellation turned on, you’re looking at around 5.5 hours of continuous playback and with ANC turned off and that number stretches to a more generous 8 hours. The included charging case carries three additional top-ups, bringing your total listening time up to around 24 hours before you’ll need to look around for a USB-C cable. Sony has added fast-charging support offering an hour of playback after five minutes of charge. Sadly, there’s no wireless charging support. At this price point — hovering near the ₹18,000–₹20,000 mark in India its a feature some buyers will miss.

Sony has added an Auto Power Save mode, which automatically kicks in once the battery dips below 20%. It disables features like ambient sound mode and head gestures, giving you those last few percentage points when you need them most.

Sony LinkBuds Fit vs Competitors (2025)

Review Verdict: Should You Buy the Sony Linkbuds Fit?

If you’re looking for earbuds that fit into your life perfectly then the answer is yes. The LinkBuds Fit aren’t trying to outmuscle the flagships, but that’s their charm. With their feather-light design, clever “Air Supporter” fit, and IPX4 water resistance, they’re made for all-day wear and active use. The sound is bassy and energetic — not audiophile-grade, but fun and full — and with support for LDAC and DSEE, there’s plenty of sonic muscle for the price. Add in dependable ANC, responsive ambient sound, and a surprisingly good app experience, and you’ve got something that feels smarter than the spec sheet suggests.

There are trade-offs: no wireless charging, a shallower fit that affects isolation, and middling treble detail. But between the fast charging, smart gesture controls, autoplay routines, and voice-free commands, the LinkBuds Fit deliver a refreshingly seamless experience. They’re not the best-sounding or most feature-packed earbuds Sony makes — but they might be the easiest to live with. If comfort, convenience, and cleverness matter more than spec-chasing, the LinkBuds Fit are well worth considering in 2025.

Smartprix ⭐ Rating: 8.3/10

• Sound: 8.5/10  
• Design and Comfort: 8/10  
• Connectivity: 9/10  
• App: 8/10  
• Playback Controls: 8.5/10  
• Calling: 8/10  
• Battery and Charging: 8.5/10

First reviewed in April 2025.

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