It’s arduous to recall a shopper electronics class that matured fairly as rapidly because the absolutely wi-fi earbuds. Things went from a handful of plucky startups to just about each {hardware} producer over the course of a 12 months or two. When Amazon entered the class, it did so in an already arguably overcrowded subject.
The first query you must reply while you’re late to the celebration is what you’re bringing to the desk. Ultimately, the unique Echo Buds didn’t have a very compelling reply to the query in a world the place you possibly can decide up a pair of Ankers for $40. There have been a smattering of different points, as effectively, that finally resulted in a reasonably lukewarm write-up from me.

Just a little over a 12 months later, the Buds are again. And to its credit score, Amazon has each addressed a few of the issues with the unique and supplied a reasonably stable improve over the unique fashions. What’s extra, the corporate added some options that different corporations have saved for Pro fashions, whereas protecting the worth at an affordable $129.
I’ve been utilizing the Echo Buds as my go-to headphones for a number of days now and might say, total, I’ve loved the expertise. The product inhabits a sort of center floor — I might nonetheless advocate various different merchandise within the “Price Is No Object” class, and the Buds should not low cost sufficient to qualify for the low finish.
Image Credits: Brian Heater
The new Echo Buds occupy an analogous worth level as Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus — and in various methods examine favorably. Most notable is the inclusion of energetic noise canceling, which has so far largely been the area of extra premium fashions. Amazon’s newest don’t supply the very best ANC — nor actually the very best of something — however they do kind a well-rounded providing for the worth level.
As Amazon has skilled with Alexa, the corporate’s at an obstacle when competing straight with the likes of Apple, Google and Samsung, which might construct gadgets that tie straight into their handsets. Amazon’s makes an attempt at creating its personal handsets have so far failed, so the corporate has been compelled to search out one other method to differentiate itself.
That has largely meant Alexa — and admittedly, on the finish of the day, the Echo Buds are actually one other approach for the corporate to serve up its good assistant. Built-in Alexa is generally a promoting level in case you’re already invested in that ecosystem. I are inclined to desire Assistant — particularly given all the different Google software program choices it integrates with, however for a lot of intents and functions, the private assistants are sometimes interchangeable.
Image Credits: Brian Heater
The new Buds are a good bit smaller than their predecessors — however they’re not small precisely. They’re nonetheless a bit on the cumbersome facet, and whereas they stayed put when utilizing them indoors, I discovered they got here free a couple of occasions on a five-mile stroll I did over the weekend. In that case, you’ll most likely wish to go for the silicone cowl, which sports activities small wings to higher preserve them in place. Probably the best choice as effectively, in case you’re planning to train with them in.
A bizarre design oversight right here, nevertheless: I discovered the charging case doesn’t shut all the way in which when the covers are on. The case doesn’t absolutely snap shut, and I realized the arduous approach final night time that charging is usually a bit tough (actually, I simply received a “battery below 10%” warning in the best ear, whereas the left if at the moment within the excessive 90s. If you do find yourself utilizing the wings, it’s finest to tug them off after your exercise — they’re additionally a bit on the comfortable facet for an excessive amount of prolonged use.

As Matt lately famous, the case is strongly…impressed by Apple. The variations are extra pronounced when the 2 are subsequent to 1 one other, however the similarity is fairly simple:
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The case is longer and slightly cheaper to the contact. Though the completely different form does have the added bonus of having the ability to sit upright. For this cause, the charging port (USB-C) is on the rear of the case, relatively than the underside. There’s additionally a wi-fi charging case possibility, although that’s going to run you an added $20 — however most likely value it in case you’ve received a Qi charger helpful. There’s an Amazon arrow brand on the case (the corporate can’t assist itself with the branding), but it surely’s delicate and situated on the underside. You’ll additionally discover a mild arrow on one of many earbuds.
The pair Amazon despatched are “glacier white,” which is actually extra of a lightweight grey. Again, it’s that rather more pronounced when in comparison with the AirPods. Perhaps it’s a delicate method to additional distinguish the design from Apple’s? Who is aware of.
Pairing is pretty simple. It’s not fairly like utilizing AirPods on an iPhone or Galaxy Buds on a Samsung, but it surely’s a few fast faucets within the Alexa app. The firm made the app the point of interest of the Echo Buds for good cause. It serves as floor zero for all the pieces you do on your whole Alexa-enabled gadgets. At a sure level, nevertheless, it could be time to contemplate breaking the app up a bit. It’s a little bit of a double-edged sword — no one wants extra apps, however the factor is extraordinarily noisy at this level.
Image Credits: Brian Heater
The upshot is that when the Buds are opened and paired, it surfaces the gadgets to the entrance. Tapping in allows you to toggle between ANC and Pass Through modes (to my annoyance, I discovered that it will typically default to the mode I wasn’t utilizing after I put the Buds on for the primary time shortly), flip the mic on and off and begin Workout mode, which is opt-in. For individuals searching for extra constant exercise monitoring, an always-on wearable like a band or watch is a better option.
The sound is a pleasant improve over the earlier fashions. As with noise canceling, you will get higher audio on costlier programs, however for the place this sits on the worth spectrum, you’re getting stable sound for music, podcasting or calls. By default, it leans too closely on bass for my preferences, however a couple of faucets will take you to some equalizer sliders, the place you possibly can futz round with that.
The Bluetooth connection is fairly stable. I discovered I used to be capable of stroll round my condominium whereas leaving the iPhone in a single place — a take a look at failed by various the earbuds I’ve examined. I did, nevertheless, encounter some sync points on occasion between the left and proper bud after I was strolling outdoors for lengthy distances, creating an echoing impact. They may ship a pointy little bit of suggestions when held subsequent to 1 one other, owing to the truth that they don’t all the time immediately change off when pulled out of the ear.
Image Credits: Brian Heater
The said battery is as much as 5 hours on the Buds (6.5 with ANC off), and 15 whole hours with the case. Compare that to the listed 4.5 and 5 hours on the AirPods and AirPods Pro and 24 hours with case. I actually discovered I used to be capable of get by a full day of use by dipping into the case a couple of times.
The new Echo Buds current on improve over their predecessors on nearly each degree, making for a stable pair of mid-price earbuds. They don’t actually deal with the “why” that their predecessor did not. For Amazon, it’s about getting Alexa on extra merchandise. For shoppers, the reply isn’t fairly really easy.