Between the LinkBuds Fit and Ear (3), the LinkBuds Fit comes out ahead in spatial audio, while the Ear (3) wins on battery — with case and battery — buds. Overall, the LinkBuds Fit scores 53.8 and the Ear (3) scores 70.8 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The Ear (3) is the clear pick on raw spec strength, leading by 17.0 points on the Mars Score. The margin is wide enough that the underdog only makes sense if its individual strengths line up with what you specifically need.
Pick the LinkBuds Fit if audio quality and feature breadth (ANC, codecs, multipoint) are the lead criteria for your purchase. The biggest gaps in its favor are spatial audio.
Pick the Ear (3) if your top frustration with your current device is running out of charge before the day ends — endurance is the lead spec here. Its strongest claims are battery — with case, battery — buds, driver size, among others.
Both ship with comparable active noise cancellation, multipoint, so those specs don't separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: the Ear (3) is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.
Why Sony - LinkBuds Fit wins
- ▲Has Spatial audio.
Why Nothing - Ear (3) wins
- ▲Battery — with case — 90.48% more. 40 h vs 21 h.
- ▲Battery — buds — 54.55% more. 8.5 h vs 5.5 h.
- ▲Driver size — 30.95% more. 11 mm vs 8.4 mm.
- ▲Water resistance: IP54 (vs IPX4).
- ▲Weight per bud — 0.30 g less. 4.6 vs 4.9.
Spec comparison
Design
| Spec | Sony - LinkBuds Fit | Nothing - Ear (3) |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | in-ear | in-ear |
| Weight per bud | 4.9 g | 4.6 glead |
| Water resistanceⓘ | IPX4 | IP54lead |
Audio
| Spec | Sony - LinkBuds Fit | Nothing - Ear (3) |
|---|---|---|
| Driver sizeⓘ | 8.4 mm | 11 mmlead |
| Active noise cancellationⓘ | true | true |
| Transparency mode | true | true |
| Spatial audioⓘ | truelead | false |
Battery
| Spec | Sony - LinkBuds Fit | Nothing - Ear (3) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery — buds | 5.5 h | 8.5 hlead |
| Battery — with case | 21 h | 40 hlead |
| Wireless case chargingⓘ | true | true |
Connectivity
| Spec | Sony - LinkBuds Fit | Nothing - Ear (3) |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetoothⓘ | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Codecs | LDAC,AAC,SBC | LDAC,LHDC 5.0,AAC,SBC |
| Multipointⓘ | true | true |
| In-ear detection | true | true |
Frequently asked
Which has longer battery, LinkBuds Fit or Ear (3)?+
Ear (3) lasts 8.5h per charge vs 5.5h.
Do LinkBuds Fit or Ear (3) support multipoint?+
Both support multipoint pairing.
Which has ANC, LinkBuds Fit or Ear (3)?+
Both have active noise cancellation.
Spec-level deep dives
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