Samsung Galaxy Buds True Wireless Earbud Headphones Review

Every bit the main competitor to Apple in the smartphone space, Samsung is very motivated to become toe to toe with their adversary in other categories, namely personal sound. The Samsung Milky way Buds 2 is the latest set of noise cancelling earbuds in Samsung'southward fairly confusing portfolio. This fourth dimension around, the visitor blends premium features similar active noise cancelling (ANC) with Bluetooth 5.2 at a reasonable price. While there's plenty to like about these earphones, the Galaxy Buds two may get lost between its siblings, the Galaxy Buds Pro and Milky way Buds Plus. Still, these mid-tier earphones must serve someone.

Time to break downward the Samsung Milky way Buds line to see how the Milky way Buds ii stacks up against the remainder. Who knows? This may be the perfect pair of buds for you lot.

Editor's note: this Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 review was updated on April 5, 2022, to address an update that adds Samsung 360 Sound to the Galaxy Buds 2.

• Samsung smartphone owners will be able to have full advantage of the Buds 2 and its software features.
• Listeners who need ANC should consider the Buds 2 since its ANC outperforms the Beats Studio Buds and pricier Apple AirPods Pro.
• Anyone who wants a solid set up of earbuds that price less than $200 USD will bask the car-pause function, direct Spotify access (Android only), and sound quality.

Who shouldn't go the Samsung Milky way Buds ii?

• Those with pregnant nickel, acrylate sensitivities or allergies will potentially exist exposed to the materials via the earbuds—however unlikely it is. Some users have reported discomfort and reactions to recent Samsung earphones with these materials. Reportedly, Samsung has been investigating the affair and assisting customers who report troubles to them directly. Even so, the earphones in question aren't the only ones with this exposure potential, and so if you're sensitive to these materials, please be mindful of your render policy no matter what you lot purchase.

What'due south it like to utilize Samsung Milky way Buds 2?

The Samsung Milky way Buds 2 fits right in with the rest of the family.

Those who already own a pair of Galaxy Buds will feel correct at home with the Galaxy Buds 2 from the hardware to the software. The Milky way Buds 2 has a playful, rounded pattern that shapes both the earbuds and USB-C example. Information technology's a shame that Samsung omits detachable fly tips from this model, which makes the fit less secure than with the cheaper Galaxy Buds Plus. Those who dare can use these as workout earbuds, as they merit an IPX2 water-resistant rating—just be sure not to jostle your head also much, doing so will just shake the earbuds loose.

Start here: What makes a good set up of in-ears?

Samsung ever packs its headsets with plenty of avant-garde engineering and sensors, and nosotros run into the same thing here. A proximity sensor enables automatic play/suspension when removing the buds, and information technology works very reliably. Playback doesn't resume when reinserting the earbuds; instead, you demand to tap either touch panel. As with older Samsung earphones, the touch controls are both intuitive and hypersensitive. The Galaxy Buds ii oft registers accidental taps when adjusting the earbuds, something that happens often and sends media into a syncopated frenzy of skips and pauses. You'd think later on a few generations of earbuds, Samsung would decrease the sensitivity but alas: your only culling is to turn off touch controls altogether.

The Graphite, White, Olive, and Lavander colorways all include a white instance with an interior that matches the earbuds.

Samsung didn't reinvent its charging case, as it has the same shape as the Galaxy Buds Pro and less popular Galaxy Buds Live. Information technology looks great and is piece of cake to open with i hand, cheers to the conspicuously defined lip that separates the hat from the base. A grippier texture would brand it even easier to use, just we can add together to the wish-list for the next-generation Milky way Buds. Internal magnets keep the hat closed, and they piece of work faithfully: anytime I drop the instance, the lid stays shut and prevents the earbuds from flying to the not-so-far corners of my living room.

Two LEDs sit on the case, 1 on the outside and one on the within. The outer LED communicates how much battery life is left in the case, while the inner LED indicates the earbuds' battery.

How do you command the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2?

Controlling the earphones isn't all that complicated, and you can find the rundown of common operations beneath. Be aware that you can change the function of the touch controls past opening the Galaxy Article of clothing app, and navigating to the "Touch controls" menu. You lot can modify the vox assistant controls, ANC controls, and music playback controls to a point.

Action	Either earbud
One tap	Play/pause
Two taps	Next rails; reply/end call
Concur	Previous track; custom option; decline call

Should y'all download the Galaxy Wearable app?

If y'all have an Android phone, y'all should get the Samsung Galaxy Wearable app, and iPhone owners, well, yous tin endeavour only there's no Galaxy Buds 2 support on iOS. That's right, more and more companies are reading from Apple'southward playbook and creating their own walled gardens, which really just hurts the consumer.

Yous can take control of the earbuds from the Wear app.

Those who can access the Buds 2's software features will be able to toggle betwixt ANC and ambient audio manner, the latter of which transmits groundwork racket through the earbuds to keep you enlightened of the environment. Kudos to Samsung for rolling out a pleasant ecology passthrough that doesn't sound too robotic. Still, for those who discover this characteristic to sound as well constructed, you can decrease the intensity from the app.

Acquire more: Headphones are collecting also much personal data

Like the Sony WF-1000XM4 and other true wireless earbuds, Samsung'south app includes an ear tip fit exam to confirm that you've selected the advisable ear tips. Not only does this ensure a comfortable fit, merely information technology also improves audio quality by blocking out the most amount of groundwork dissonance. The right fit is key to agile noise cancelling earphones and this test gives yous immediate feedback.

Poke around the app and you'll detect other features like an array of EQ presets (normal, bass boost, soft, dynamic, articulate, treble boost), which covers most listeners' needs. However, Samsung refrains from handing off the reigns entirely: yous can't make a custom EQ. A small segment of Galaxy Buds ii owners will rejoice knowing that they tin can admission Bixby with just a vox control. The rest of us tin can create a custom control to access an alternative assistant similar Google or Siri.

You get three pairs of silicone ear tips, and this pick is serviceable but doesn't cater to a wide variety of ear shapes.

You can also enable seamless earbud connection (fast switching) in the app, and this works across operating systems. I can quickly switch back and forth betwixt an iPhone and Samsung phone by selecting the "Galaxy Buds 2" from the list of Bluetooth peripherals, without the demand to disconnect from the electric current handset.

The Galaxy Labs tab is dwelling house to "gaming mode" which reduces acoustic lag. Gaming mode isn't only for mobile gamers though, it'southward also a nice characteristic for anyone who streams a lot of videos from their phone.

Samsung consistently and reliably releases firmware updates for its headsets, which extends the life of your purchase. For example, version R177XXU0AVC8 of the Galaxy Buds ii firmware adds 360 Audio to the headset's repertoire. Even if you don't intendance for any of the aforementioned features, the Wearable app is a worthwhile download, just exist sure to read the terms and weather condition.

What Bluetooth codecs does the Samsung Milky way Buds 2 support?

Samsung added 360 Sound to the Galaxy Buds 2, which is compatible with video content.

Like the rest of Samsung's earphones, the Galaxy Buds ii supports a few Bluetooth codecs: SBC, AAC, and the Samsung Scalable Codec. The proprietary codec works similarly to aptX Adaptive, constantly balancing connection and sound qualities and dynamically adjusting the scrap rate from 88-512kbps. This makes the Galaxy Buds 2 an fantabulous choice for Samsung smartphone owners and leaves non-Samsung owners holding the brusk cease of the stick since AAC is inconsistent across Android hardware. iPhone owners will do good fully from AAC support though.

The earbuds utilize Bluetooth five.ii, which leaves an opportunity for LE Sound back up and the LC3 codec. Connection stability is good whether inside or outside, and with either an iPhone or Samsung smartphone.

How long does the battery terminal on the Samsung Milky way Buds 2?

The Milky way Buds 2 supports Wireless PowerShare like all the Galaxy Buds that came before information technology.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 have an official battery life of 5 hours with dissonance cancelling on, and the charging instance provides an extra fifteen hours of on-the-go playtime. A 5-minute quick accuse leaves the earbuds with 60 minutes of battery, so forgetful gym-goers volition always have music to underscore their workouts.

Learn more than: How tin can you make your wireless earbuds concluding longer?

You have a few means to top upwards the boxy case, with the flashiest option existence Wireless Powershare. To do this, enable PowerShare on your Samsung device, and place the example on top of it. That'southward all you demand to get charging. Alternatively, you can plop it onto a Qi charging mat or go the wired route with the supplied USB-C cablevision.

Is the Galaxy Buds ii noise cancelling any good?

This is quite skillful for a pair of dissonance cancelling earbuds, especially given the toll.

The Galaxy Buds ii has better noise cancelling and passive isolation performance than the Galaxy Buds Pro. Samsung's ANC quiets low-frequency sounds and makes them one-quarter as loud as they'd sound without the earbuds in at all. You'll notice a departure when toggling racket counterfoil on and off, but this is completely dependent on your ability to get a good fit with the included silicone ear tips.

Read most: The all-time racket cancelling truthful wireless earphones

Although about listeners will find something comfortable from i of the three ear tip provisions, not anybody will. This, over again, is where information technology would be prissy to have wing tips that proceed the earbuds stable. I don't experience consistently practiced ANC equally the nautical chart depicts, because I'grand unable to get the earbuds to stay in place. Run across, a strong physical seal betwixt the ear tips and your ear canal is required in order to cake out the most amount of dissonance and let the ANC shine. For better or worse, anybody'due south ear shapes are different and you may accept better luck in this department than I.

How does the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 audio?

The Milky way Buds 2 (cyan) frequency response closely follows the SoundGuys consumer bend (pink).

When you buy the Milky way Buds 2, you're investing in a pleasing frequency response that reproduces a diverseness of music genres well. Yous'll notice the relatively boosted sub-bass notes, and appreciate how the mids remain clearly audible—unless it'due south a particularly busy song total of bassy instruments. Most listeners will like the greater sense of clarity from strings, modest woodwind instruments, and ameliorate intelligibility to spoken communication sounds.

In Zac Greer'southward song Melatonin, I find some that the during background guitar strums are difficult to hear over the low-pitched electric guitar strikes during the chorus. Similarly, some rasp from Greer's vox is lost during the chorus too. Still, you'll only notice this if you're listening critically and trying to find fault with the response. When out and about, the Galaxy Buds 2 audio is great.

Can you apply the Milky way Buds ii for phone calls?

The microphone works decently but doesn't handle air current noise well.

Yous can definitely apply the Galaxy Buds 2 for phone calls, but keep your expectations realistic: this can't compare to an external boom mic. Samsung's triple-microphone organisation reads as impressive, just as y'all can tell from the demos beneath that it's not great. Don't be too off-put by the microphone quality, though, because this is adequately like shooting fish in a barrel to fix with a firmware update, something nosotros've seen Shure practice with its AONIC headset.

Samsung Galaxy Buds ii microphone demo (Platonic):

Samsung Milky way Buds 2 microphone demo (Wind):

How does the microphone audio to you?

1320 votes

Every bit of February 25, 2022, nearly 74% of respondents accept rated the mic samples as somewhere betwixt "okay" and "good," which is slightly above boilerplate for true wireless earbuds.

Should you lot buy the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2?

This prepare of noise cancelling earbuds is a good option for those who don't care for the ability to submerge the earbuds.

The Galaxy Buds 2 is a good buy for listeners who want reasonably priced earphones with solid sound quality and fast charging. Although a greater rating than IPX2 would exist dainty, the Galaxy Buds Plus has held up over the years without issue. I sincerely hope Samsung fixes the sensitivity of its earphones' touch panels, but that won't be solved by switching to another pair of Milky way Buds. Ultimately, the Samsung Galaxy Buds ii doesn't break new basis merely it does perform well and has solid dissonance cancelling for the toll.

Even so, if you don't intendance for noise cancellation, the Milky way Buds Plus is a true treasure that compares favorably to the Google Pixel Buds A-Series with its sub-$100 cost, splendid battery life, secure fit, and like feature set up. Alternatively, if you desire a more attractive earbud design with a few more software features and much better microphone quality, salve $20 and get the Buds Pro instead.

Samsung Galaxy Buds 2

All prices listed in USD unless otherwise specified. Prices may change over fourth dimension, and vary past region. Unfortunately, we cannot list Amazon prices on the site, as they vary profoundly by currency.

Samsung Galaxy Buds guide: What'due south the difference between the Plus, Alive, Buds 2, and Buds Pro?

If you want to be certain you're making the right determination before you commit to the Galaxy Buds 2, let's exercise a brief rundown on the Samsung Milky way Buds line of earbuds. Get-go, the similarities: all models take impact controls, an IP rating (IPX2 to IPX7), back up for the SBC, AAC, and Samsung Scalable codecs, and all include a USB-C case with wireless charging and Wireless PowerShare functionalities.

Onto the differences:

Samsung discontinued the original Galaxy Buds when it announced the Buds two. You tin can learn all about this in our full review, and if you lot can find them: you'll enjoy the Bluetooth 5.0 firmware, IPX2 build, and 6 hours of battery life.

(Click the image to aggrandize.)

Samsung's Galaxy Buds Plus is the most comfy pair of earbuds you'll wear, or at least that's what many of the user reviews say. This is a bully value every bit it has the same IPX2 rating every bit the Buds two, a nearly 12-hour bombardment life, and fly tips that stabilize the earbuds. We take a consummate comparison of the Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus vs the Galaxy Buds 2.

Do you lot like the idea of beans in your ears merely don't want to deal with the mess, consider the Samsung Galaxy Buds Live. These earbuds don't seal to the ear and rely on an ergonomic bean shape to stay in place, along with very small ear stays. This is Samsung's only open up-blazon fit earbuds, and hopefully its last. Nosotros give props to Samsung for braving something new here as the open earbuds also take noise cancelling. It actually works a niggling bit, only at that bespeak, but become any of these other headsets instead.

The Milky way Buds Live is, however, good for the Android phone owner who wants to be aware of their surroundings at all times. The fit is more secure in my ears than the AirPods, which isn't saying much, and this model introduced the jewelry box-inspired case.

(Click the image to expand.)

Samsung's flagship headset shows that the company learned from the foibles of the Milky way Buds Alive, and returned to a sealed design. The Galaxy Buds Pro earbuds accept a pretty standard shape and seal to the ear, blocking out quite a bit of background noise. You get an IPX7 rating and they're the first earbuds to support 360 Audio (uniform with Netflix, Hulu, Disney Plus, and Apple Idiot box Plus.). Bombardment life is okay at iv hours, 48 minutes and iPhone owners don't get any app back up with this headset either.

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What should you get instead of the Galaxy Buds two?

Aside from Samsung'south litany of true wireless earphones, there are plenty of suitable alternatives depending on your needs. If you want a pair of smart earbuds with even ameliorate ANC, consider the Amazon Repeat Buds (2d Gen). Amazon decks its earphones out with a more robust IPX4 rating and direct vox access to Alexa instead of Bixby. Yous besides get an ear tip fit exam, and the experience is identical on Android and iOS.

We as well like the Jabra Aristocracy iv Active as it just costs $119 USD and has an IP57 rating forth with Bluetooth 5.two and back up for the SBC and aptX codecs. If you have an Android device, y'all can enjoy consistent high-quality streaming to your device, though iPhone owners may have to pony up a fleck more for the Elite 7 Active and its AAC support.

The Ear 1 is a great pair of earphones for daily use.

Other Bone-doubter options include the JBL Reflect Flow Pro and the Nothing Ear ane, which retail for $179 and $99 USD respectively. Both earbuds feature agile noise cancelling, and the JBL buds merit an IP68 rating, making them a great pair of workout earphones. On the other hand, Nothing'southward buds have a standard IPX4 rating and superior fast charging speeds. Like the Repeat Buds, the Ear 1 supports automated ear detection for motorcar play/resume.

If you ain an iPhone, just save upwards for the AirPods Pro. The AirPods Pro noise cancelling isn't as good as the Buds 2, just at least you get to have advantage of software features like spatial audio and automatic device switching across iOS devices (under the same iCloud account). You likewise go an ear tip fit test through the iOS Settings app and the earbuds warrant an IPX4 rating. The AirPods Pro is quite a bit pricier than whatever of Samsung's offerings at $199 USD, simply it oftentimes goes on sale for even less.

Oftentimes asked questions near the Samsung Galaxy Buds two

Yeah, the Milky way Buds 2 has a very good ambient sound way that passes sound through the earbuds in a adequately pleasant manner. Some headsets, peculiarly before truthful wireless models, over-process the audio and make information technology sound almost robotic, that's not the example with the Buds 2.

The Galaxy Buds 2 earbuds practice stick out from the ear a tiny bit, only it isn't comical by whatever ways. For reference, the Panasonic RZ-S500W sticks out quite a bit more than the Buds 2, and Panasonic's is still a meaty pair of earbuds.

Now, if you really desire a pair of wireless earbuds that rests flush against your ear and even somewhat "beneath" it, cheque out the Beyerdynamic Blue BYRD (second generation), or the Soul BYRD if yous want a wired option.

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Source: https://www.soundguys.com/samsung-galaxy-buds-2-60669/

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