Living in the centre of London is a privilege, no doubt. Museums, shops, bars, markets, all a stone’s throw away — buzz on tap.
A downside? The traffic. Even with a congestion charge that’s supposed to limit numbers, the roads throng around the clock. And let’s not forget the swarms of cyclists and scooters whizzing past inches away from the pavement.
One way to block out the din? Headphones. While ANC (that’s Active Noise Cancelling) is an audio feature that’s most prized amongst die-hard users, blocking off an essential sense isn’t exactly the best idea when you’re darting through busy city streets. If you’re a pedestrian, you need to keep your wits about you. The number of close calls I’ve seen on my walk to the office can attest to that.
It’s why, despite years of using traditional headphones, open clip earbuds have become an essential in my handbag. The speakers sit beside the ear canal rather than wedged inside of it, so you can hear music clearly while remaining aware of ambient street noise.
What you sacrifice in full-blown immersion, you get back knowing you’re not about to be mown down by an idiot on a Lime bike (although do continue to look both ways before stepping onto the street).
I’ve been testing Sony’s LinkBuds Clip Open Earbuds for six weeks, on planes, trains, automobiles and the pavement. Here’s how they fared.
Sony LinkBuds Clip Open Earbuds key specs
- Type: Open-ear
- Weight: 18g
- Durability: IPX4 water resistance rating
- Modes: Standard, Voice Boost, Sound Leakage Reduction
- Quick charge: Three minutes for one hour of play
- Average battery life: 37 hours
- Companion app?: Yes
- Accessories: Charging Case, USB-C Cable, LinkBuds Clip, Fitting Supporters
- Colours: Black, lavender, griege and green
Design
Sony’s colourways for its LinkBuds Clip earbuds rack up a lot of style points. They come in standard black, but why choose that when lavender, griege and green are also on the table? My lavender pair feel particularly attuned for spring, acting as an extra piece of ear jewellery (they were, in fact, inspired by ear cuffs). Style and function, a tough duo to beat.
The C-shaped design clips around your upper lobe with the speaker end sitting at the ear canal and the slightly larger battery tucked behind your ear. Until now, I’ve only worn over-ear headphones and earbuds, so putting on the LinkBuds Clip took a little fiddling, but it’s second nature now.
The charging case also has a pleasant hand-feel, all smooth edges with gloss on the top half and matte underneath. It’s small enough for pockets on the days you want to go bag-free.
Performance
There is a companion app, but for those who prefer their tech fuss-free, the good news is that you can simply plug and play once you’ve paired everything up via Bluetooth. Rejoice, no need for yet another app hogging phone storage! That said, if you’re a pernickety sort who wants to twiddle with settings so your audio is just so, it might be worth downloading Sony’s Sound Connect app.
These earbuds are great for the commute, using three modes to adapt sound depending on your environment. It means you won’t miss an update from your tube driver or need to remove them when a colleague comes over to ask a question. Sound quality is excellent, and even taking calls is easy thanks to an AI-based noise reduction system that cuts out background noise.
The only time I struggled to hear clearly was on a flight to Copenhagen, but hey, these earbuds aren’t designed to override the sheer noise of jet engines, nor a plane full of excited tourists. You’re better off switching to an ANC pair there.
You won't have to endlessly charge these babies either. Battery life goes up to a pleasing 37 hours, which, admittedly, is enough time to forget to charge them altogether. No worries on that front either: the quick charge means you can get an hour's play from just three minutes of charging — endlessly helpful when you're about to head out the door and realise you're precariously close to zero power.
Cost — are they worth the price?
At £180, these aren’t the cheapest open-clip earbuds on the market, broadly in line with rivals Huawei and Bose. But like many headphones, they are a sterling example of you get what you pay for. I can’t find fault with the audio quality, they look great, and they’re a dream to use. Think of them as a style accessory for your ears, and the price feels easier to justify.
It’s key to note that, with a launch date of January 2026, these are fairly new too, so you can always bide your time and wait for a sale to see if the price drops a bit.
If you’re looking for a gift or a solution to keep your loved ones safer on the busy streets of the capital, Sony’s earbuds are a sound option.
Verdict
Ultimate Ears Miniroll speaker review: This tiny speaker offers field-filling sound
Best open-ear headphones for immersive listening with environmental awareness
Best ear protection for concerts and festivals: Top picks for 2025
The 2026 creator kit: A social media editor's essential tools for high-performing content
Shark ChillPill review: I tried the new 3-in-1 fan on the hottest day of the year (so far)
Sony LinkBuds Clip Open Earbuds
Keeping you aware of your surroundings while playing clear audio, Sony’s LinkBuds Clip Open Earbuds are essential for city commuters.
The open-clip earbuds, which boast adaptive noise cancellation and come in four colours including a cute lavender, mean you’ll never miss an important travel announcement or unwittingly ignore a colleague because you’ve got headphones in. An app is available to adjust settings like the equaliser, but you if you’re not fussy, you can plug-and-play straight from the box.
Battery life is impressive too, going 37 hours on a full charge and requiring just three minutes of charge for an hour of play.
They’re expensive, yes, but the considered style means they double as a style accessory, not just plain tech.
Also available from Amazon.
Buy now £180.00, Selfridges
