Why I Want the New Amazon Echo Buds GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO News > Smart & Connected Life
Why I Want the New Amazon Echo Buds
Active noise canceling and Alexa at an attractive price
By Sascha Brodsky Sascha Brodsky Senior Tech Reporter Macalester College Columbia University Sascha Brodsky is a freelance journalist based in New York City. His writing has appeared in The Atlantic, the Guardian, the Los Angeles Times and many other publications. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on April 19, 2021 02:32PM EDT Fact checked by Rich Scherr Fact checked by Rich Scherr University of Maryland Baltimore County Rich Scherr is a seasoned technology and financial journalist who spent nearly two decades as the editor of Potomac and Bay Area Tech Wire. lifewire's fact checking process Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Smart & Connected Life Mobile Phones Internet & Security Computers & Tablets Smart Life Home Theater & Entertainment Software & Apps Social Media Streaming Gaming Key Takeaways
The new Amazon Echo Buds cost half the price of Apple’s AirPods Pro and offer many of the same features.I love the AirPods Pro, but have a hard time justifying the cost, given that they have a limited lifespan due to a non-replaceable battery.The new Echo Buds should have improved sound quality and noise-cancelling over Amazon’s previous model. Amazon Like it or not, Amazon has become an integral part of my life, so I can’t wait to try out the new Echo Buds, despite being an Apple fan. My house is infested with Amazon Echo smart speakers, and packages from Jeff Bezos arrive more often than I’d care to admit. As much as I love Apple’s design, Alexa is the friend I call on more often than not, and provides easy access to many of Amazon’s features. The new Echo Buds seem to have many of the same features as Apple’s AirPods Pro, including active noise cancellation, similar battery life, and water resistance. And they're less than a hundred bucks. Better Value Than the AirPods Pro
I love my AirPods Pro, but their hefty price tag makes me wince every time I handle the fragile specks of plastic. And they're non-replaceable battery means I’ll eventually have to replace the AirPods Pro entirely because the battery life will dwindle. As such, the new Echo Buds, creatively called the All-new Echo Buds (2nd Gen), are a tempting value proposition. The list price is $119.99, but they’re on sale at the moment for $99.99. That compares to a list price of $249.00 for the AirPods Pro, which is Apple’s top-of-the-line earbud at the moment. The new Echo Buds should sound better than the last version, which were panned for mediocre sound. Amazon claims to have rejiggered the drivers for increased fidelity in bass and treble. They also could be more comfortable to wear due to a 20% reduction in size. Of course, the Echo Buds are designed to hook you into the Amazon ecosystem, so they automatically respond to Alexa as a voice assistant. For those who aren’t quite prepared to fully plunge into the Amazon experience, however, the Echo Buds do support Siri and Google Assistant. The new Echo Buds seem to have many of the same features as Apple’s AirPods Pro. For users who run in the rain or drop their earbuds in coffee cups, the all-new Amazon Echo Buds also will have an IPX4 water-resistance rating, matching the AirPods Pro. One area where the AirPods Pro have the Echo Buds beat is charging. The AirPods come with a wireless charging case, while you’ll have to pay an extra $20 for that option with the Echo Buds. Both models have a claimed battery life of around five hours. Earbud Options Galore
If neither the Echo Buds nor the AirPods Pro float your boat, there are plenty of choices if you’re looking for earbuds with active noise cancelling. Take, for example, the $279 Bose QuietComfort Earbuds, which have received rave reviews for excellent noise cancelling and sound quality. The Bose model is rated at six hours of battery life, beating out both the AirPods Pro and the Echo Buds. However, they're on the bulky side. There’s also the $300 Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2, which up the battery ante with a claimed seven hours of battery life. As you’d expect at this price point, the Sennheiser buds also have been praised for both sound quality and noise-cancelling ability. You might also want to consider Anker’s Soundcore Liberty Air Pro 2, which compete directly with the Echo Buds on price at $130. The Soundcore buds have solid noise-cancelling ability, and also come in a variety of colors for the fashion-conscious. While Amazon’s device designs tend to be on the bland side, you can’t beat their reputation for quality and value. I’m a big fan of the company’s Kindle e-readers and Echo smart speakers for these very reasons. The new Echo Buds have the potential to be a terrific replacement for the AirPods Pro. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire New Apple AirPods 3 and Pro 2: Price, Release Date, Specs, and News Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro Review: Pro Android Headphones The 8 Best Wireless Earbuds of 2022 Apple AirPods 3 Review: An Audible Evolution Apple AirPods Pro Review: Excellent for Apple Fans The 9 Best Amazon Devices, Tested by Experts The 10 Best Earbuds of 2022 OnePlus Buds Z Review: Bangin’ Budget Buds Apple AirPods Pro vs. Samsung Galaxy Buds Live: Which Noise-Cancelling Wireless Earbuds To Get? How Do AirPods Pro Work? Samsung Galaxy Buds Live Review: The Only Earbuds You Should Have in Your Pocket Sennheiser CX 400BT Review: Simple Earbuds With Impressive Sound Quality Samsung Galaxy Buds Review: True Wireless Earbuds for Android Users Expert Tested: The 8 Best Workout Headphones in 2022 Master & Dynamic MW07 Plus Review: Beautiful High-End True Wireless Earbuds Motorola Tech3 Headphones Review: 3-in-1 Earbuds Unlike Anything Else Around Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies