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Echo Buds vs. Galaxy Buds: How Do They Compare?

Echo Buds vs. Galaxy Buds

Echo Buds vs. Galaxy Buds: How Do They Compare?

After the huge success of Apple’s AirPods, it seems that every major tech company wants a share of the wireless earbuds market. Amazon has responded with its Echo Buds and Samsung with its line of Galaxy Buds. Naturally, their earbuds are designed to integrate with their company’s tech ecosystem. The Echo Buds work seamlessly with Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant, which can control a growing number of home devices. The Galaxy Buds give you voice control over functions on your Galaxy smartphones, tablets, and watches. You could say the Echo Buds vs. Galaxy Buds competition is on.

But what if you’re not immersed in Amazon’s Alexa universe or have a Samsung device? Do the Echo Buds or Galaxy Buds stand alone as great earbuds or have inherent advantages over the others? Continue reading this article to find out.

Side-by-Side Comparison: Echo Buds vs. Galaxy Buds

infographic for Echo Buds vs Galaxy Buds
CategoryEcho BudsGalaxy Buds
DeveloperAmazonSamsung
First Release DateOctober 2019March 2019
Latest ReleaseEcho Buds (2nd generation)Galaxy Buds2 Pro (2nd gen.)
List Price$119.00 (wired charging case)
$139.00 (wireless charging case)
$229.99
Battery LifeUp to 5 hours (15 hours with charged case)Up to 8 hours (30 hours with charged case)
Active Noise CancellationYesYes
Compatible Voice AssistantsAlexa, Google Assistant, SiriBixby, Google Assistant, Siri
Customizable Fit4 sizes of ear tips and 2 sizes of wing tips3 sizes of ear tips
Colorsblack, whitewhite, graphite, bora purple
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

Key Differences: Echo Buds vs. Galaxy Buds

The Echo Buds and Galaxy Buds are quite similar in terms of quality, features, and design. Both earbud products have high-quality audio and advanced noise-cancellation features. However, Samsung has started to pull away with its Galaxy Buds2 Pro, released in August 2022. The Buds2 Pro now has almost double the battery life of the Echo Buds, but it also comes with a significantly higher price. Fortunately, Samsung has two lower-priced earbud models — the Buds2 and Buds Live — that are more price-competitive with Echo Buds.

There are some other differences between the Echo Buds and Galaxy Buds that are worth considering if you’re in the market for earbuds. Let’s take a look at those differences in terms of design, charging, and product lineup.

Design

The biggest design difference between the second-generation Echo Buds and Galaxy Buds2 Pro is the shape of the earpiece. The Echo Buds are close to circular in shape while the Buds2 Pro are more oval. 

Oval-shaped earpieces tend to fit more ears better, which may be why the Echo Buds have more customizable fit options than the Buds2 Pro. The Echo Buds come with 4 sizes of ear tips and 2 sizes of wing tips. The wing tips can be added to the earpiece to give it more of an oval shape. Some say the Echo Buds protrude from the ear more than the average earbud, which could be annoying if you’re wearing a hat or hoodie.

The Buds2 Pro comes with only 3 sizes of ear tips and no wing tips, but the wing tips probably are not necessary because the earpiece is already oval-shaped. Both brands have apps to help you find the ideal fit.

In terms of audio features, both the Echo Buds and Galaxy Buds2 Pro boast high-fidelity bass and treble for crystal-clear sound. They both have three built-in microphones in each earpiece, which enables them to quickly pick up voices and deliver clear phone calls. 

The Galaxy Buds, however, have the edge in audio features. They use Dolby Head Tracking and produce a richer “360 audio” stereo sound. You can also choose between three levels of AI-optimized noise cancellation – something the Echo Buds doesn’t have.  

Charging

Both the Echo Buds and Galaxy Buds have a “quick-charge” capability, but the Galaxy Buds are faster. The Echo Buds will give you 2 hours of listening time after 15 minutes in the charging case whereas the Galaxy Buds2 will give you 2 ½ hours after just 10 minutes in their charging case. You can also get 1 hour of listening time in just 3 minutes with the Galaxy Buds.  

The Echo Buds have two options for charging cases: a wireless charging case and a wired version. The wired version comes with a USB-C charging cable. The wireless charging case is convenient if you already have a wireless charger, but you’ll have to pay an extra $20 for the wireless version. The Buds2 Pro, Buds2, and Buds Live earbuds all come with a USB-C charging cable and wireless charging capability without an extra cost.

Product Lineups

The Echo Buds were designed to be compatible with the Amazon universe of products, but especially the Alexa voice assistant that is available on a growing number of Amazon and non-Amazon products. For instance, you can pair the Echo Buds with Amazon’s Fire TV Stick to control your TV or the Fire TV Cube to control a greater range of home electronics, including sound systems. 

Of course, the Echo Buds work with Amazon’s Echo and the smaller Echo Dots, the orbs that can turn your home into a smart home. Pair the Echo Buds with an Echo to control Alexa-compatible devices like lights, thermostats, electronic locks, and smart plugs when you’re home – and when you’re not. For example, while wearing your Echo Buds, you can tell Alexa to turn on your home’s lights and turn up the heat before you get home.

Other Amazon products that work with Echo Buds include the Echo Studio speaker, Echo Show smart displays, Fire tablets, Kindle readers, and the Echo Auto, which is installed in your car.

The Galaxy Buds are optimized to work with Samsung’s newer models of Galaxy S smartphones, Galaxy Tab and Note tablets, Galaxy smartwatches, and the Galaxy Chromebook 2-in-1 laptop. They also pair well with Android devices, but some customers report their connection to Apple devices can be glitchy.

Best for Android
SAMSUNG Galaxy Buds 2 Pro True Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds
$174.99
  • Features noise cancelation technology (active)
  • Rated IPX7
  • Designed for a perfect fit
  • Allows you to personalize your sound experience
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
03/10/2024 06:41 pm GMT

The Evolution of Echo Buds

Amazon introduced its first generation of Echo Buds only on October 30, 2019, as an addition to its Echo line of home electronics. Seeing the immense popularity of Apple’s AirPods, Amazon wanted a competing set of earbuds that would work seamlessly with its growing lineup of electronic products.

To remain competitive, Amazon released its second generation of Echo Buds a short time later on May 13, 2021. With a major redesign, the new version is 20% smaller, 2 grams lighter, and has better audio quality than the first generation. Amazon also added true active noise cancellation and a tiny vent to relieve pressure inside the ear. As of this writing, there’s been no public announcement of when Amazon might release a third generation of Echo Buds.

The Evolution of Galaxy Buds

The Galaxy Buds began under Samsung’s “Gear” brand in July 2016. The earbuds were introduced as “Samsung Gear IconX.” The first generation of these earbuds got an upgrade in October 2017 with the release of “Samsung Gear IconX 2018.” The second generation greatly expanded the earbuds’ battery life from 1.6 hours to 5 hours.

In February 2019, Samsung rebranded its Gear line of smartwatches, fitness bands, and earbuds under the Galaxy brand name – probably to create a more synchronous customer experience with its popular Galaxy devices. Samsung launched the first Galaxy Buds on March 19, 2019.

Samsung soon replaced its original Galaxy Buds with the Galaxy Buds Plus on February 14, 2020. The Buds Plus featured improved sound and microphone quality and much longer battery life.

The Galaxy Buds Live quickly followed the Buds Plus on August 5, 2020. This second line of Buds was the first Samsung earbuds to have active noise cancellation (ANC), but critics said the ANC was ineffective. The Live earbuds also featured a redesigned “bean” shape that was becoming more popular.

On January 14, 2021, Samsung introduced the Galaxy Buds Pro to its growing earbuds lineup. The Buds Pro had improved sound quality and ANC but was criticized for a shortened battery life of 5 hours when the ANC was activated.

Samsung announced the Galaxy Buds2 on August 11, 2021, as the successor to the Buds Plus, which was then discontinued. The Buds2, priced lower than the Buds Pro, was intended to be a budget-friendly option for Galaxy earbuds.

The latest addition to the Galaxy Buds product line is the Galaxy Buds2 Pro, which was released on August 26, 2022. At the same time, the Buds Pro earbuds were discontinued. Samsung added 24-bit Hi-Fi audio support and 360-degree enhanced audio to the Buds2 Pro, but these features added to the price as well. The Buds2 Pro is $30 more than the Buds Pro, making it Samsung’s premium earbuds product. The Buds Live and Buds2 continue to round out the rest of the Galaxy Buds lineup.

Summary Comparison: Echo Buds vs. Galaxy Buds

For this summary, we’ll compare key features of the second-generation Echo Buds and the Galaxy Buds2 Pro, which are their respective company’s top-of-the-line earbuds.

  • Price: This is probably the biggest difference you’ll notice between the Echo Buds and the Buds2 Pro. The Buds2 Pro is considerably more expensive, with a list price of $229, while the Echo Buds start at $119. You do have to pay $20 more if you want wireless charging capability with the Echo Buds. With the Buds2 Pro, the feature is included.
  • Battery Life: With the Buds2 Pro’s higher price, you do get a considerably longer battery life with 8 hours between charges. The charging case, when not plugged in, offers an incredible 30 hours of additional charge before it’s drained. The Echo Buds’ battery life is quite a bit less with 5 hours between charges and 15 hours from the charging case.
  • Audio Quality: Although the second generation of Echo Buds has significantly improved audio quality over the first generation, it’s still not as good as the Buds2Pro. It has a rich 360-degree stereo sound and 24-bit Hi-Fi support that produces incredibly crisp and robust sounds over all audio ranges.
  • Active Noise Cancellation: Both earbuds have ANC, but the Buds2 Pro ANC is more effective because Samsung has been building ANC into its earbuds for a longer time. You can also choose between three levels of noise cancellation with the Buds2 Pro.
  • Fit: Both are reasonably comfortable to wear and have at least three sizes of ear tips to help you find the perfect fit. You might have more issues with the circular shape of the Echo Buds and how it protrudes slightly from the ear, however.
  • Charging time: Both have “quick charge” capabilities, but the Buds2 Pro has the edge in that they can give you 2 ½ hours of listening time with just a 10-minute charge. The Echo Buds will give you 2 hours with 15 minutes of charging time.

Echo Buds vs. Galaxy Buds: Which One Should You Choose?

In terms of overall quality, the Galaxy Buds2 Pro is clearly superior. It has a significantly longer battery life, better audio quality, more effective active noise cancellation, and a quicker charging time than the Echo Buds. You do pay a lot more for that quality, however. Buds2 Pro earbuds can cost $100 more than the Echo Buds.

If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option that is of good quality, the Echo Buds is a good choice. For the price, you’re getting a quality earbud that produces rich sound and has active noise cancellation. It also has a good battery life and charging time. If price is your main concern, and you can live without some bells and whistles, the Echo Buds will deliver good sound for you.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do Echo Buds and Galaxy Buds work with Apple iPhones?

Yes, both earbuds are compatible with iPhones and other Apple products, although you might occasionally experience connectivity problems. In addition, both earbuds are compatible with Apple’s Siri voice assistant.

Are Echo Buds compatible with Galaxy devices?

Yes, Echo Buds work with all Android and bluetooth-enabled devices.

Can I command Alexa with my Galaxy Buds?

Yes, once you’ve paired your Galaxy Buds with an Amazon Echo or Echo Dot, you can control your Alexa voice assistant. You can also command the Google Assistant and Bixby voice assistant with connected Android devices.

How long has Samsung been making earbuds?

Since 2016, when it first introduced its Gear IconX earbuds. Samsung’s Gear line of products, including earbuds, was rebranded as “Galaxy” in 2019.

How long will my Echo Buds last on one charge?

Echo Buds usually last about 5 hours when active noise cancellation is on. The charging case can recharge the earbuds 3 times before it needs to be recharged.

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