Bose 700 vs Sony LinkBuds S
Bose 700 and Sony LinkBuds S target different use cases entirely. Bose's over-ear design delivers superior soundstage, exceptional call quality via its 8-microphone array, and impressive 20-hour battery life with 11 ANC levels—ideal for travel and office work. Sony's compact in-ears prioritize portability and hi-res audio through LDAC codec support, offering 6 hours per charge (20 total with case), IPX4 water resistance, and cutting-edge Bluetooth 5.2. Sound quality favors Sony's clarity and detail, while Bose excels in noise cancellation depth and comfort during extended wear. At $199, LinkBuds S represents exceptional value for fitness and daily commuting; the $379 Bose justifies its premium through superior ANC, battery endurance, and call performance. Choose LinkBuds S for portability and audio fidelity, Bose 700 for all-day comfort and best-in-class noise isolation.
Full Specifications
| Spec | Bose 700 | Sony LinkBuds S |
|---|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancelling | ||
| Type | over-ear | in-ear |
| Weight | 250 g | 4.8 g (per bud) |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 20 hrs (ANC on) | 6 hrs buds (ANC on), 14 hrs additional with case |
| Charging | USB-C, 15-min quick charge for 3.5 hrs playback | USB-C, Qi wireless |
| Features | 11 levels of adjustable ANC, 4 levels of Transparency (Ambient) mode, 8-microphone system for best-in-class call quality, Alexa, Google Assistant, and Bose AR built-in, Multipoint Bluetooth pairing, Stainless steel headband with fold-flat design | LDAC hi-res wireless audio, Integrated Processor V1 + QN1e chip, Adaptive Sound Control, Speak-to-Chat, Multipoint Bluetooth pairing, Smallest and lightest Sony ANC earbuds, Bluetooth LE Audio (LC3) |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wired option | ||
| Codecs | AAC, SBC | LDAC, LC3, AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 |
| Multipoint | ||
| Water Resistance | None | IPX4 (buds) |
| Drivers | — | 5 mm dynamic driver |
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Bose 700
Pros
- Best call quality on any over-ear headphone thanks to the 8-mic system
- Highly customizable ANC with 11 discrete levels
- Premium stainless steel build feels genuinely luxurious
- Multipoint Bluetooth and broad voice assistant support
- Elegant, minimal design that looks great
Cons
- No aptX or LDAC — limited to AAC and SBC codecs
- 20-hour battery life is shorter than Sony and JBL rivals
- Headband can cause hotspot pressure on the top of the head
- Expensive compared to competition offering similar ANC
Sony LinkBuds S
Pros
- Extremely compact and lightweight — barely noticeable when worn
- LDAC hi-res audio support at a sub-$200 price
- Solid ANC performance for such a small form factor
- Multipoint Bluetooth and Bluetooth LE Audio support
- Speak-to-Chat and Adaptive Sound Control are genuinely useful
Cons
- Smaller driver means less bass depth than larger rivals
- ANC is good but not as powerful as Sony WH-1000XM5 or WF-1000XM5
- IPX4 only — not suitable for heavy sweat or rain
- Small ear tips may not seal well for all ear shapes
Related Comparisons
Explore more in headphones, see all Bose products or all Sony products. View full details for the Bose 700 or the Sony LinkBuds S.