Quick take: these are a substantial upgrade over the previous LinkBuds Fit — the sound is noticeably better, the noise cancellation is genuinely good, and the new case feels lightweight and compact in a way the old one didn't. They are the most comfortable earbuds I have used, and the design is clean enough that I actually want to carry them every day.
The earbud I keep coming back to
The best part is not just the audio. It is the complete lack of soreness. Most earbuds eventually remind me they are there. These basically disappear.
I expected the Sony LinkBuds Fit to be good. I did not expect them to feel this invisible. They sit in the ear without that hard pressure point I get from a lot of in-ear buds, and after a while I stop adjusting them completely.
Way easier to live with than big over-ear Sonys
I still like over-ear Sony headphones for serious isolation, but they are heavier, warmer, and more noticeable. The LinkBuds Fit are better for normal daily use because they do not clamp, they do not heat up my head, and they do not make my ears sore.
That comfort matters more than spec sheets. If I am working, walking around, or just listening for a short stretch, I would rather use something that feels like nothing in my ear than something technically bigger and heavier.
The sound is a real step up from the last generation
This is where the upgrade is most obvious. Side by side, the audio quality is clearly better than the previous LinkBuds Fit — richer low end, cleaner mids, and more space around vocals. The sound is full, way bigger than the design suggests, and music no longer feels thin the way smaller earbuds usually do. These are the kind of earbuds I will keep using until they die.
Noise cancellation is genuinely good now
ANC was the weak spot on the old version. On these, it is actually good. It cuts down the constant background hum that makes work or listening tiring, and it does it without making the earbuds feel pressurized. The earbuds still stay tiny and comfortable while doing it — that is the balance I care about most.
Use the Sony app — it makes them sound even better
I highly recommend opening the Sony Sound Connect app and going through the settings. The EQ presets, the custom equalizer, and the listening profile options all noticeably change the sound, and a couple of small tweaks made these go from great to genuinely impressive. If you only use the defaults, you are leaving real audio quality on the table.
Battery life in my use
In my real use, I am getting about an hour and a half to two hours in the kinds of sessions where I actually wear them. That is enough for how I use earbuds, especially because they are so comfortable that I reach for them constantly.
The new design is another reason I like them. The case feels lightweight and compact — noticeably smaller and easier to pocket than the previous one — and that little change makes a real difference when you're tossing them in a bag every day. The earbuds themselves look premium, and the whole setup feels cleaner than a bulky pair of headphones sitting around. Sony got the shape right here.
Bottom line
The Sony LinkBuds Fit are a substantial upgrade over the previous version — better sound, stronger ANC, and a lighter, more compact case. They sound excellent, the noise cancellation is genuinely good, and the no-soreness fit is the reason I keep using them over larger headphones. Spend five minutes in the Sony app on day one and the sound gets even better. For refurbished pricing, they are one of the best Sony earbud deals to watch.