Sony’s clip-on open earbuds have a quiet mode so others can’t listen in | The VergeSkip to main contentThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.The VergeThe Verge logo.TechReviewsScienceEntertainmentAICESHamburger Navigation ButtonThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.Hamburger Navigation ButtonNavigation DrawerThe VergeThe Verge logo.Login / Sign UpcloseCloseSearchTechExpandAmazonAppleFacebookGoogleMicrosoftSamsungBusinessSee all techGadgetsExpandLaptopsPhonesTVsHeadphonesSpeakersWearablesSee all gadgetsReviewsExpandSmart Home ReviewsPhone ReviewsTablet ReviewsHeadphone ReviewsSee all reviewsAIExpandOpenAIAnthropicSee all AIVerge ShoppingExpandBuying GuidesDealsGift GuidesSee all shoppingPolicyExpandAntitrustPoliticsLawSecuritySee all policyScienceExpandSpaceEnergyEnvironmentHealthSee all scienceEntertainmentExpandTV ShowsMoviesAudioSee all entertainmentGamingExpandXboxPlayStationNintendoSee all gamingStreamingExpandDisneyHBONetflixYouTubeCreatorsSee all streamingTransportationExpandElectric CarsAutonomous CarsRide-sharingScootersSee all transportationFeaturesVerge VideoExpandTikTokYouTubeInstagramPodcastsExpandDecoderThe VergecastVersion HistoryNewslettersExpandThe Verge DailyInstallerVerge DealsNotepadOptimizerRegulatorThe StepbackArchivesStoreSubscribeFacebookThreadsInstagramYoutubeRSSThe VergeThe Verge logo.Sony’s first clip-on open earbuds have a quiet mode so others can’t listen inComments DrawerCommentsLoading commentsGetting the conversation ready...TechCloseTechPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All TechGadgetsCloseGadgetsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All GadgetsAudioCloseAudioPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All AudioSony’s first clip-on open earbuds have a quiet mode so others can’t listen inThe LinkBuds Clip Open earbuds offer multiple sound modes optimized for noisy or quiet environments.The LinkBuds Clip Open earbuds offer multiple sound modes optimized for noisy or quiet environments.by Andrew LiszewskiCloseAndrew LiszewskiSenior Reporter, NewsPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Andrew LiszewskiJan 21, 2026, 4:00 PM UTCLinkShareGiftIf you buy something from a Verge link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.The LinkBuds Clip Open’s charging case can be customized with optional colored covers. Image: SonyAndrew LiszewskiCloseAndrew LiszewskiPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Andrew Liszewski is a senior reporter who’s been covering and reviewing the latest gadgets and tech since 2006, but has loved all things electronic since he was a kid.Sony is the latest company to announce a pair of open-style wireless earbuds that clip onto the back of your ear instead of resting inside it. The new Sony LinkBuds Clip Open earbuds are similar to the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, JVC’s Nearphones, and Shokz’ OpenDots One, with a design that doesn’t block the ear canal so you can hear your environment, or conversations with people, alongside whatever you’re streaming from your phone.The LinkBuds Clip Open are available starting today in black, greige (no, that’s not a typo), green, and lavender color options for $229.99. That’s cheaper than the $299.99 Bose Ultra Open, but more expensive than the $199.95 Shokz OpenDots One, and the $149.99 Soundcore AeroClip.Sony includes cushions that can be attached to improve the fit of its new clip-on earbuds. Image: SonyThe C-shaped design of the LinkBuds Clip Open doesn’t put any pressure on the inner ear, potentially making the earbuds comfortable to wear for longer periods. They’ll also fit a wider variety of ear sizes and shapes, and Sony includes “fitting cushions” that can be attached to make them feel as comfortable and secure as possible. If you’ve struggled to get traditional earbuds to stay in your ears, these could be an alternative worth considering.Battery life is rated at up to 37 hours — nine on their own plus an additional 28 hours from the included case — while a brief three-minute charge provides up to an hour of listening when they’re dead. There’s a 10-band EQ that can be used to adjust the LinkBuds Clip Open’s sound profile through Sony’s Sound Connect mobile app, plus three sound mode presets that can be accessed by tapping the headphones. There’s a standard mode for music, a voice boost mode that makes podcasts easier to hear in noisy environments, and a “sound leakage reduction mode” that keeps the volume lower for use in quieter places where you don’t want to disturb others.The earbuds are available in lavender, black, green, and a beige/gray mix that Sony calls “greige.” Image: SonyDespite the LinkBuds Clip Open being positioned farther from your mouth than standard earbuds, Sony says the headphones feature “high-precision voice pickup technology” that uses a bone conduction sensor to accurately capture your voice during a call. That works alongside an AI-powered noise reduction system to help your voice come across clear, even if you’re unable to find a quiet place to talk.Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.Andrew LiszewskiCloseAndrew LiszewskiSenior Reporter, NewsPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Andrew LiszewskiAudioCloseAudioPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All AudioGadgetsCloseGadgetsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All GadgetsHeadphonesCloseHeadphonesPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All HeadphonesSonyCloseSonyPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All SonyTechCloseTechPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All TechMost PopularMost PopularSony’s TV business is being taken over by TCLHow much can a city take?What a Sony and TCL partnership means for the future of TVsHow BYD beat TeslaSamsung’s discounted microSD Express card more than doubles your Switch 2 storageThe Verge DailyA free daily digest of the news that matters most.Email (required)Sign UpBy submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice. 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Sony’s Clip-On Open Earbuds Offer a Quiet Mode for Discreet Listening | The Verge

Sony has released its first pair of clip-on open-style wireless earbuds, dubbed the LinkBuds Clip Open. These earbuds, penned by Andrew Liszewski for The Verge, represent a shift from the traditional in-ear design by positioning the speakers further back on the ear, avoiding direct contact with the canal. This design mirrors approaches taken by competitors like Bose with the Ultra Open Earbuds, JVC with Nearphones, and Shokz with the OpenDots One, all aiming to deliver audio while maintaining awareness of the surrounding environment. The LinkBuds Clip Open are available for purchase starting today at a price point of $229.99.

The key innovation and distinguishing feature of the LinkBuds Clip Open is a “quiet mode,” intended to minimize audio leakage. This mode is designed to prevent others from hearing the audio being played, addressing a significant concern for users who want to enjoy music or podcasts without disturbing those around them. The earbuds utilize a C-shaped design, which distributes pressure and avoids direct contact with the ear canal, enhancing comfort and minimizing potential fatigue, particularly during extended listening sessions. Sony includes “fitting cushions” allowing for customized fit, catering to varying ear sizes and shapes.

Beyond the quiet mode, the LinkBuds Clip Open boast several other notable features. Battery life is rated at up to 37 hours – nine hours on their own and an additional 28 hours from the charging case. Audio customization is facilitated through a 10-band equalizer, accessible via Sony’s Sound Connect mobile app, alongside three pre-set sound modes. These modes include a standard ‘music’ mode, a ‘voice boost’ mode optimized for podcasts in noisy environments, and a ‘sound leakage reduction mode’ designed for quieter spaces. Furthermore, Sony has integrated “high-precision voice pickup technology” leveraging a bone conduction sensor to accurately capture voice during calls. Accompanying this is an AI-powered noise reduction system, aimed at ensuring vocal clarity even in less-than-ideal acoustic conditions. The earbuds prioritize accurate voice transmission and minimize background noise, a crucial element for successful calls. The LinkBuds Clip Open are offered in a range of color options including lavender, black, green, and a beige/gray mix called "greige," reflecting a deliberate attempt to appeal to a broad aesthetic spectrum.