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Echo Buds vs. Echo Buds 2: What’s New, and Which Is Better?

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Echo Buds vs. Echo Buds 2: What’s New, and Which Is Better?

The tech juggernaut Amazon initially entered the fully wireless earbud market with the Amazon Echo Buds. Recently, they have introduced the 2nd generation of in-ear headphones. With the Echo Bud 2 (2nd generation), there are some improvements made, like swapping noise reduction for noise cancellation.

You can’t ignore that Echo Buds are the originals, and they gave people an alternative because they were less expensive, especially compared to AirPods. But, with the entrance of Echo Buds 2 into the market, the debate between Echo Buds and Echo Buds 2 has begun.

Amazon invented a way to improve Echo Buds by making the Echo Buds 2 smaller by 21%. The noise cancellation technology the company adopted has improved audio performance. Altogether, it made the Echo Buds 2 easier to carry, and people can use them without hurting their ears. 

Wondering whether the Echo or Echo are better? We’ll look in-depth at these two wireless headphones and discuss their differences,  pros, and cons to help you buy the right one for your use case.

Echo Buds vs. Echo Buds 2: A Side-by-Side Comparison

EchoEcho
CategoryIn-ear-headphoneIn-ear-headphone
Waterproof?NoNo
DeveloperAmazonAmazon
Date release October 30th, 2019April 15th, 2021
Colors Black and whiteBlack and white
Battery Life5 hrs/20 hrs 4.5 hrs/20 hrs
ModelEcho Buds (1st Generation)Echo Buds (2nd Generation)

Echo Buds vs. Echo Buds 2: 4 Must-Know Facts

  • Both Echo Buds and Echo Buds 2 have a 5.7mm dynamic driver.
  • The Echo Buds 2 are smaller by 40% than the Echo Buds.
  • The Echo Buds and Echo Buds 2 are available in white and black colors.
  • The first-generation Echo Buds utilized Bose noise cancelation technology, but the second-gen no longer has this tech. Instead, they adapted their own noise cancellation system.

Echo Buds: Complete History

In October 2019, Amazon released Echo to the market. The move was simply to respond to Apple AirPods on the market. Amazon wanted to attract more customers, so they used Alexa and Bose to stand tall in the competition. So, they used Alexa interfaces and Bose noise reduction technology. 

Echo Buds had three microphones for phone conversation and Alexa responsiveness. They also had several sensors that responded to tap gestures. Echo Buds also had five hours listening period and a 20-hour recharge time, which are both impressive. 

The improvements have been made over time by introducing Echo, which come with a different design, among other features. 

Echo Buds vs. Echo Buds 2: What’s the Difference?

Echo Buds and Echo Buds 2 are both wireless earbuds made by Amazon. They are similar in many ways, but there are also some key differences. Let’s go over the major ones.

Noise Management

Echo boast excellent noise management features. That is because it has noise cancellation that helps you enjoy your music clearly and immersively.

The all-new Echo, which uses Amazon’s latest Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) technology, cancels twice as much noise as the Echo, making them perfect for use when traveling or when you need to enjoy your quiet moments. 

The inner and outer microphones are used to intelligently estimate the sound pressure in your eardrum, which is directly related to how you hear the sound around you, generate the inverse of that signal, and remove unwanted noise. This makes it easier for you to pay attention to your audio.

With Echo Buds, the noise is reduced, not canceled. The Echo Buds uses Bose technology. If you compare the two, you will notice that Echo Buds 2 have the best option when it comes to noise management. 

Battery Life

One of the key differences between Echo Buds and Echo Buds 2 is the battery life. Echo‘s battery life is 4.5 hours. Though the battery life is not bad, when compared to Echo Buds, it is a bit lower.  

Echo have a battery life of 5 hours, which can go up to 6.5 hours if you turn off the hands-free Alexa and other features. That means you don’t have to worry about running out of battery while using these earbuds. 

Sound Quality

The sound quality in Echo is great. Though Amazon could have improved the sound quality more, still, there is some balance between lows and highs. The sound is not that excellent, but you can’t compare it with the Echo

Echo Buds on a wooden surface
The Echo Buds 2 come with many improvements from the original Echo Buds, including in noise cancellation, great audio quality, and a small, lightweight design.

Design

Echo Buds 2 are smaller than Echo. It has a difference of 21%, which makes it more appealing because it is lighter. They also have short nozzles making them comfortable for the ears.

You may adjust the fit to what is most comfortable for you using the four ear tip sizes and two wing tip sizes. Setting the Echo Ear Tip Fit Test will validate if you have a suitable seal so they feel lovely and sound even better.

Pros and Cons of Echo Buds

Pros of Echo BudsCons of Echo Buds 
The fit is excellent. Even with sweat and movement, you can use it comfortably.Weak lows and highs make it hard to control the volume
Has solid sound quality.Has fewer controls
Effective noise reduction optionDoesn’t use a wireless charger. 
Battery life is around five hours which is excellent, especially if you are not near a charging systemExpensive, especially when compared with Echo Buds 2Has hands-free Alexa support

Echo Buds 2 

Pros of Echo Buds 2Cons of Echo Buds 2
Noise cancellationBattery life is average and not as good as Echo Bud’s
Available in white or blackANC used for noise cancellation is not the best
Has excellent call qualityDoesn’t provide bass or clear highs
The audio quality is solid and balancedOnly has a 5W dedicated Anker wireless charging pad
Pricing is reasonable and lower than Echo Buds

Echo Buds vs. Echo Buds 2: Which One is Worth it?

Echo Buds (1st Gen) – Wireless earbuds with immersive sound, active noise reduction, and Alexa
  • Immersive sound – Premium speaker drivers deliver crisp, dynamic audio. Bose Active Noise Reduction Technology and sealed in-ear design limits background noise.
  • Hands-free with Alexa – Echo Buds work with the Alexa app to stream music, play Audible audiobooks, make calls, or get directions—just ask.
  • Access other assistants – Supports access to Siri or Google Assistant from a supported device—just press and hold your earbud.
  • Long-lasting battery – Get up to 5 hrs music playback per charge, up to 2 hrs with a 15-min quick charge, and up to 20 hrs with the charging case.
  • Customizable fit for better sound – 3 sizes of ear tips help form a comfortable in-ear seal for immersive listening.
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As of July 20, 2023, Echo Buds (1st gen) are currently unavailable on Amazon. Please check back later.

Best Budget Alternative
Echo Buds (2nd Gen) True Wireless Earbuds
$119.99


  • Up to 5 hours of playback and 15 hours with the charging case.
  • Active noise cancellation with pass-through.
  • IPX4 sweat-resistant with a customizable fit through a variety of ear tips.
  • Use Alexa to listen to Podcasts, make calls, and perform other tasks hands-free.


We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
03/10/2024 12:32 pm GMT

Considering the difference, pros, and cons, you will notice Echo have all the qualities of good earbuds. Some notable improvements on the Echo Buds 2 are that they are smaller and lighter than their predecessor, meaning you can carry them around easily.

Additionally, they have a wireless charging option because their case has been redesigned. Plus, you can’t ignore the noise cancellation option which enables you to listen to your music with minimal distraction. However, they have a low battery life because it has been reduced. That’s a complete turn-off, especially when considering other beautiful features.

Ultimately, whichever one is best depends on your preferences. If you don’t mind noise cancellations, you can pick Echo. If you want superior sound quality, you should choose Echo

All things considered, our choice is the Echo because the improvements made make it more powerful and user-friendly. For the price, you get amazing features and specs.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are Echo Buds 2 waterproof?

No, they are not waterproof. They have an IPX4 rating which makes them splash-resistant and not waterproof. When using them, it is advisable to avoid submerging them in water because that destroys them.

 

 

 

 

 

Can you pair the Echo Buds 2 to many devices?

Yes, you can pair them with multiple devices. However, you can only connect Echo Buds with one device at a time. Note that they are compatible with Android and Apple devices. They can also work with Google Assistant and Siri.

How can you adjust Echo Buds' volume?

The Buds don’t have any volume controls, but you may ask Alexa to change the volume for you. 

 

Can you adjust the volume on Echo Buds 2?

Yes, the Alexa app lets you program the long-hold touch control for Access Siri and Google Assistant, volume control keys, and microphones on mute.

 

 

 

 

Can Echo Buds read messages?

Not really. However, whenever there is a message, you get an alert.

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