EDIT/UPDATE: I cannot say this was a result of my own review, but I have raised my review rating by a star to account for this - it seems Amazon through a software update was able to add support for multipoint bluetooth connectivity. As my millennial friends would say, this is an absolute flex on Google, for they only months ago released their Pixel Buds Pro, with multipoint BT connectivity as a flagship feature, but leaving their a-series, gen 1 and gen 2 Pixel Buds users without the feature.
Coming from a technical background, I know this can be difficult for other bluetooth device manufacturers to do, most of the time they're using off-the-shelf BT adapters which they cannot update the firmware on themselves (they have to talk with whoever manufactured the bluetooth adapter), and in other cases, its impossible to update it without ripping it out of the device first.
Amazon is showing Google up by using their control over the hardware and software of the buds to add features never even dreamed of by the team who designed and released these buds (as evidenced by the lack of mention on the product page), and the fact that I received this in a free software update makes my day.
For those curious, my buds are on software version 603267242 and the case is on 602808458. You can enable multipoint by going to the settings page for your Echo Buds and using the "connected devices" section to put them in pairing mode. Using the normal pairing mode method (buds in case, lid open, pressing and holding button until blue light flashes), might not cause them to pair in multipoint mode.
ORIGINAL REVIEW: Having owned my current pair of Echo buds for nearly a year now, I feel I can give a sufficiently detailed review on them.
Case/Chassis:
The case itself has a nice sleek design with a slight indent on the side that the lid opens from, allowing you to easily pull the lid open. It's small enough to fit into my jeans pocket alongside my keys and wallet, without falling or sliding out. It can fit into the vestigial pocketwatch pocket, but only barely and peeks out to a degree. The hinge feels a little weak, as if a strong enough force applied to the lid could bend its connection out of snap it entirely, and it feels a touch loose, the main body of the case has a sort of raised section that fits into an indented section of the lid. This gives the lid strength when held closed by its magnets and redirects any forces applied to the lid into the main body of the case.
Sound Quality:
Better than my car speakers; with the listening modes such as ANC and passthrough turned off, the sound quality is actually rather pleasant. I have unpaired my phone from my 2019 car and use my Echo Buds exclusively in the car when driving, for music and calls since it sounds so much better. Mind, it is recommended that you use the in-app EQ to turn down mids and treble by one or two ticks to even out the sound profile, especially if you listen to bass-heavy music.
Fit:
Good enough, there are a few pressure points where the body of the earbuds press against my ears and to achieve the recommended fit I have to use tips that are slightly larger than preferred. I could improve comfort by under-sizing the tips and using the wings to keep them stable, but the wing design would worsen the pressure points between my earlobe and the main body, making that the pain-point. I love the color-matched mesh inside the tips, making it easy to tell which size each tip is, and if I am using asymmetric tips (because some people have asymmetric ears), it can help keep track of which bud goes in which ear. In short, I have a listening time of 1-3 hours before the pain gets to me and I have to give my ears a rest... This isn't too bad since the battery is supposed to last 4-5 hours (depending on ANC being enabled, and if I reduce the depth of discharge then it can improve battery lifespan (ex: discharging a battery from 100% to 75% twice is better than going from 100% to 50% once).
Battery:
Truly wireless earbuds have some of the smallest batteries found in electronics, and manufacturers will push them to the limit to hit lovely marketing figures. Google's new pixel buds pro advertise a listening time with ANC of 7 hours. After a year of use, I can confirm that my Echo Buds are still hitting at least 3-4 hours of listening time with ANC enabled. The case holds about 2 spare charges in it, and I find the combined 9-15 hours of listening to be more than enough for most purposes, especially considering I have to take breaks every 3 hours anyhow.
Charging:
This is the only failure of the Echo Buds. I like the use of a USB-C charging port, and the optional upgrade for a wireless charging case. After losing multiple phones to charging port failure, I resolve to only purchase devices with wireless charging from now on, and that resolution is why I held off on getting the first-generation Echo Buds. Since the case is more vertical than it's predecessor, that limits the size of the internal wireless charging coil, and resultingly, the buds have issues trying to charge on a charging pad with too large an internal coil. It will handshake, and initiate the charge, giving the user a pleasant blinking green light, and then fail minutes later - this is an issue I saw even with the official Anker charging pad. Worse yet, for some reason the buds seem to always be warm after wirelessly charging for any length of time longer than 5 minutes. I have deducted one star from my review as a result of this.
Connectivity / Smarts:
The buds are actually fairly nice when it comes to connecting via bluetooth and integration with the Alexa app, Alexa is a pleasant enough assistant and it is nice to be able to turn on and off lights, heaters, AC units, etc as I'm driving away from or towards my home. I have found no issue with the bluetooth connectivity, even in densely crowded areas such as an airplane. Triggering an assistant via a voice command requires their wake-algorithm be running on the receiving device, and since Google and Apple are not going to give Amazon the algorithm required to trigger their assistants via a wake word, this means you're limited to Alexa for truly hands-free operation. That being said, you can setup the Alexa app to trigger your phone's native assistant by pressing and holding one of the buds for 2-3 seconds.
***THIS POINT IS MOOT, SEE ABOVE***
Despite this, there is room for improvement in regards to bluetooth... They need multi-point bluetooth to be really useful. Amazon should want me to be able to swap between my cell phone, and a Fire Tablet, or a Fire TV at will, and ideally even my PC or steamdeck when mine finally ships. Currently, the best option is to pair and unpair it with multiple devices at a time, which is annoying since to pair (without resetting), you must hold the lid open whilst pressing the button until the light flashes blue. This isn't enough to deduct a star, but Amazon should take it into consideration with the third-gen buds, or in the form of a software update if at all possible.
***THIS POINT IS MOOT, SEE ABOVE***
Touch controls:
At launch, the touch controls were laughably limited in scope, you could only customize what the long touch+hold did. After a few updates, the other touch patterns (single, double, triple) can be customized to an extent, and they're acceptable if barely. Unfortunately, they're capacitive sensors, so they can be triggered by anything touching the buds. The Alexa app also provided limited guidance on how best to trigger them, which caused some frustration at first. For those with these buds: you will want to gently but assertively (eg: the minimum amount of force needed for your finger pad to flatten against the surface) press your finger against it for about a half second per press/tap. Do not angrily tap it like you're hitting a key on your keyboard, it'll only miss the touch.
Microphones:
They work, but they're not the best. They do a good job of filtering out external noise, when talking to someone, but the quality isn't as good as a wired boom mic, or a wired in-line mic from a wired set of earbuds. Unfortunately, I don't think this is Amazon's fault as much as it is just the limitations of the bluetooth protocols and the location of the mics. Apple and their copycats with stems on their earbuds may get a better sound if only because there is a dumb-looking stem bringing the microphones closer to your mouth.
Passthrough/ANC:
I'll rate these together since they're basically inverses of eachother; ANC does a decent job of bringing down some of the perceived sound in your environment... it can make me forget my in-window AC or fan is running. It makes my car and airplane rides quieter, which is always pleasant. Passthrough, is sort of like a budget hearing aid: I can customize how powerful it is, and I set it to be more sensitive than my ears normally would be so I can use them to help hear people far away, or who are wearing a mask. It's a surprisingly useful tool to have. My only gripe is that there is a soft, but audible level of white noise than can be heard at all times if either mode is on. This disappears if you disable both listening modes, so I feel it is just a result of the processing the buds are doing, and they're getting confused.
Conclusion:
Honestly, unless multi-point bluetooth is something you need or want, get these. I'd say get them now, but since it's Amazon, they'll go on sale when prime day comes around in July, or whenever else they feel like having a sale. It ticks all the boxes I had for a pair of earbuds when purchasing them, and (with the exception of multi-point bluetooth), it still does after I have experienced them for a year.
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Climate Pledge FriendlyProducts with trusted sustainability certification(s). Learn moreProduct Certification (1)
Reducing CO2 products reduce their carbon footprint year after year. Certified by the Carbon Trust.
Climate Pledge FriendlyProducts with trusted sustainability certification(s). Learn moreProduct Certification (1)
Reducing CO2 products reduce their carbon footprint year after year. Certified by the Carbon Trust.
Power up for
work or play
Long-lasting battery and the included charging
case let you go with the flow, no matter what
your day holds.
Every day is an earth day
You don’t have to be an environmental scientist to make sustainable choices. We considered sustainability in the design of this Echo device. Here’s how:
Materials
21% post-consumer recycled plastics in case (black color only).
Earbuds, cable and adapter not included.
Clean Energy
Amazon is building new wind and solar farms to produce clean energy equivalent to the electricity used by this device.
Device Packaging
98% of this device’s packaging is made of wood fiber-based materials from responsibly managed forests or recycled sources.
Simple to set up and use
1. Open the Alexa app on your phone.
2. Open the case and wait for the blue
light. Tap the pop-up notification in
the app to finish setup.
3. Customize your fit with the
included ear tips and wing tips.
Compare headphones
| Price | From: $119.99 | From: $219.99 | From: $165.00 | From: $99.00 | From: $129.00 | From: $158.89 |
| Ratings | (19,766) | (299,548) | (8,447) | (558,558) | (31,751) | (85,660) |
| Active noise cancellation |
|
|
|
|||
| Hands-free voice assistant | Alexa | Siri | Bixby | Siri | ||
| Tap-to-access voice assistant | Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri | Siri | Google Assistant, Siri, Bixby | Siri | Google Assistant, Siri | Google Assistant, Siri, Bixby |
| Battery life on full charge | Up to 5 hrs (6.5 hrs with ANC and Alexa wake word off) | Up to 4.5 hrs (5 hrs with ANC off) | Up to 4.5 hrs (8 hrs with ANC and Bixby Voice Wake-up off) | Up to 5 hrs | Up to 5 hrs | Up to 11 hrs |
| Total hours with charging case | Up to 15 hrs (19.5 hrs with ANC and Alexa wake word off) | More than 24 hrs | Up to 16 hrs (28 hours with ANC and Bixby Voice Wake-up off) | More than 24 hrs | Up to 15 hrs | Up to 22 hrs |
| Quick charge | Up to 2 hrs with 15-min charge | Up to 1 hr with 5-min charge | Up to 1 hr with 5-min charge | Up to 3 hrs with 15-min charge | Up to 2 hrs with 15-min charge | Up to 1 hr with 3-min charge |
| IPX rating (water resistance of earbuds) | IPX4 | IPX4 | IPX7 | IPX4 | IPX2 | |
| Customizable fit | 4 sizes of ear tips and 2 sizes of wing tips | 3 sizes of ear tips | 3 sizes of ear tips | 3 sizes of ear tips | 3 sizes of ear tips and wing tips |
Technical details
Echo Buds (2nd Gen)
|
Size |
Earbud: 20.0 x 19.1 x 19.1 mm (without ear tip or wing tip) Case: 66.8 x 28.6 x 39.1 mm |
|
Weight |
Earbud: 5.7 g (without ear tip or wing tip) Case: 44.4 g (47.6 g for wireless charging case) Actual size and weight may vary by manufacturing process. |
|
Wifi or data connection |
Echo Buds use a wifi or mobile data connection and the Alexa app for connectivity and other features. Carrier charges may apply. Please consult your carrier for information on any fees and limitations that apply to your plan. Alexa voice control is supported on Android 8.0, iOS 14, and Fire OS 7 or greater. However, please note that the following smartphones are not compatible with Echo Buds for Alexa voice control. Additionally, Fire 7 (all generations), Fire HD 8 (9th gen or older), and Fire HD 10 (8th gen or older) are not compatible with Echo Buds. |
|
Bluetooth |
Bluetooth 5.0 Hands-Free Profile (HFP) support for calling, Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) support for audio streaming, Audio/Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP) for voice control of media sessions, Serial Port Profile for Bluetooth connectivity to Android phones and iPod Accessory Protocol for Bluetooth connectivity to iPhones. |
|
Processors |
Realtek RTL8763C Bluetooth System on Chip with integrated Audio Codec, NXP Digital Signal Processor |
|
Speakers |
5.7 mm dynamic driver |
|
Microphones |
3 per earbud: 2 external beamforming microphones + 1 internal microphone |
|
IPX rating (water resistance) |
IPX4 (earbuds only), tested to withstand water splashing. Learn more about our test. |
|
Sensors |
Accelerometer, proximity, touch, hall (case) |
|
Battery and power |
Up to 5 hours music playback on a single charge with ANC and Hands-Free Alexa. 15 hours total with the charging case. Up to 6.5 hours music playback on a single charge without ANC and Hands-Free Alexa. 19.5 hours total with the charging case. Up to 4 hours call time on a single charge. Up to 12 hours call time with the charging case. Up to 2 hours music playback time with 15-minute quick charge. Actual battery life will vary depending on device settings, features utilized, environment, manufacturing variability, and other factors. Testing was conducted by Amazon in a lab environment with preproduction Echo Buds and charging case and a prerelease version of the Alexa app on both iPhone and Android phones. Learn more about Amazon’s battery life testing here. Wireless charging case compatible with Qi-certified wireless charging pads. |
|
Accessibility features |
Audio Personalization helps tune audio for your unique hearing preferences. This feature is not intended to diagnose or treat any hearing conditions. The Alexa app and Alexa-enabled products include several features for customers with accessibility needs related to vision, hearing, mobility, and speech. Learn more about Alexa accessibility. |
|
Warranty and service |
1-year limited warranty and service included. Optional 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year extended warranties will be available for U.S. customers and sold separately. Use of Echo Buds is subject to these terms. |
|
Included in the box |
Echo Buds, charging case, 4 pairs of ear tips, 2 pairs of wing tips, USB-C cable, and Quick Start Guide. |
|
Privacy Features |
Wake word technology, streaming indicator, mute button in the Alexa app, the ability to view and delete your voice recordings, and more. Visit the Alexa Privacy Hub to explore how Alexa and Echo devices are designed to protect your privacy. |
Climate Pledge Friendly
Products with trusted sustainability certification(s). Learn more
Product Certification (1)
Reducing CO2 products reduce their carbon footprint year after year. Certified by the Carbon Trust.
The Reducing CO2 label applies to products certified by the Carbon Trust, that are lowering their carbon emissions year after year for the full lifecycle of the product. The Carbon Trust was formed in 2001 and introduced the world’s first carbon label in 2007. It produces its certifications to global leading and independently verified standards. The Carbon Trust has a mission to accelerate the move to a sustainable, low carbon economy.
Solid high value ANC buds compared to the competition.*Update* *Update re: Privacy Concerns*
Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2021
Back in 2019, I didn’t buy the first gen Amazon Echo Buds as they just, frankly, didn’t offer a particularly compelling package to me other than the price tag. For $129, Amazon was offering you ear buds that sounded okay, had some “sound reduction tech”, charged via micro-USB (no wireless option), had just average waterproofing, and just average 5 plus hour battery life for buds with no ANC. Fast forward to 2021 and Amazon is back with the Gen 2 Echo Buds. To me, the package Amazon is offering is far more compelling. At the current price of $99 you are getting the same type of battery life, a smaller / lighter bud, true Active Noise Cancelling (ANC), upgraded USBC / available wireless charging ($119.99), a slightly upgraded chipset, and more. With these upgrades, I really wanted to try these to see how they were and how well they are integrated into the world of Alexa. Here are my initial thoughts after spending some time with them:*Update on Privacy* I want to squeeze this in here early in the review as there is a lot of negativity surrounding location and microphone permissions and general privacy with these. This just isn't really an issue. Simply accept the privacy requests to set up your buds and then go back to change them in your settings. I don't get all that caught up in Amazon and Google listening to me honestly. If you find my conversations compelling, you have bigger issues. However, if given the choice, I would prefer they didn't. So far, I have seen no change in performance. The one that surprises me is that Alexa pulls up with voice commands just like it is supposed to. I figured Alexa needed access to the mic to pull that off but it doesn't. Listen, if you are an Amazon Alexa / Google Home / Siri user, you have to know that these devices are inherently invasive. Privacy is a good point to consider when you are buying any of these devices. That said, these are no more prying than any other device. Just make sure to tweak your settings after the initial install. Now, back to the review!-Sound Quality: I have been using the new $400 Bowers and Wilkins PI7 buds heading into receiving these which is probably the wrong thing to be listening to heading into a review of a $100 set of buds. I have to say, however, that I am pleasantly surprised by what Amazon has done here. You get solid lows, decent present mids, and pretty darn crisp highs. It all sounds darn good to me. There isn’t a lot of separation in the music. It is a bit flat when comparing them to more expensive buds. There is an EQ in the app that allows you to tweak the sound a bit as well which I am glad to see. Amazon includes the AAC codec here but does not support AptX. Apple owners should be happy but no advanced codec support is here for Android which may help explain the more flat sound I am hearing on my S21 Ultra. Also, when watching video there is no noticeable latency. The screen matches up to what you are hearing. This is often an issue at lower price points. I was really expecting lackluster sound here and I just am not getting it. Is it really five star sound? No but, at $100, it is punching well above its price tag. Well done!-Active Noise Cancellation: This is Amazon’s first go with ANC in house (the first Gen used Bose Active Noise Reduction tech) and it is pretty darn good. Not close to the class leading Bose QuietComfort Buds but really good. Closing in with what buds from Jabra, Apple, and Samsung give you. There are a lot of complaints here about "barely present" ANC. My recommendation is to really play with the tips. Probably do not install the wings. You need to get a fairly tight seal into your ear in order to have any kind of ANC with a bud. Make sure the tip is small enough to be comfortable and then give these a slight twist up to torque them in a bit. Again, I am certainly not getting world class ANC here but I didn't expect that at this price and what I am getting is good at isolating me from my surroundings. I need to play around a bit more here but, so far, call me reasonably impressed. The Ambient Pass through that Amazon is providing here is also good and adjustable in the app.-Form Factor / Controls: Tap and controls are precise and accurate. They are a touch sensitive so I often register taps when adjusting or removing the buds but I find that to be typical in this space. Further, the Echo Buds are super light and small in the ear. A real pleasure to wear. I have read about some fit issues and, frankly, I just don't get it. I guess ear fit is pretty subjective but, when compared to my other ANC buds from Bose, M&D, B&W, Jabra, and Samsung, these are easily the most comfortable. There are a number of tips and wings that come in the box. I would really try to go without the wings as much as I like them. The buds don't fit in the case as well with them on which has caused me to need to fiddle with them a bit when returning them to the case. Also, I find that, while the wings make the buds fit more tightly in your ear, they actually break the seal you need to get effective ANC in your ear canal. These buds are so light I think that most folks, with the right tips installed, should be able to get by without the wings. The IPX4 rating is a little on the light side but should handle most workouts which is good because, given the lightweight comfortable fit, you will want to use these in the gym. The battery gives roughly 5 hours on bud and there is another 2 in the case. This is about average for ANC capable buds. You can use either bud independently and they auto-pause your content when a bud is removed. All the high end features you really need without the price tag!-The Case: So many companies either ignore case design or decide that is a good place to save money. To me, the case can almost make or break a set of ear buds as the case is what we interact with all day even more than the buds themselves. In maybe a first for me, I think Amazon split the gap with this case. They did not ignore the importance of the case but I think they did use it as a place to save money. It is a good size and weight but the plastic feels light and inexpensive to me. The hinge is unsatisfying in the way it closes. I like a lid to snap shut like the Apple cases or the case from Master and Dynamic. This just doesn't have that. There are reasonably strong magnets that keep the buds secured and charging properly. Further, I love the three LED lights that show the battery on both buds and the case. Great addition! The case is not a strong point on the Echo Buds but it is not a glaring weakness.-The App / Alexa: So, candidly, I am still learning to use Alexa as an assistant and the App you use to control these is the Alexa App. As mentioned, you can control the strength of the ambient pass through and get an EQ that allows you to customize your sound. You can control your music and keep your buds updated. Of course, you have all of the Alexa stuff in there as well for all of the other settings, options, and devices. I wish Amazon made a stand alone Echo Buds app that was less convoluted, but I get the decision. Overall, the set up works.There is a lot more to unpack with these so I will continue to edit and add to this review as I go. I own a lot of ear buds and, while these aren’t as good all around as many of them, none of them offer such a tremendous value proposition. If you are in the Alexa Assistant world, these are a must own if you need some buds. If you want a solid set of buds at a very reasonable price, Amazon has created a very compelling package here. I want to be clear here that I am rating these a five star based on a value curve. These aren't truly five star buds. It is just that Amazon has managed to give you an awful lot for your hard earned money. You get good sound, decent ANC, really comfortable buds, ambient pass through, auto-pause, single bud usage, Alexa Voice on-board, USBC / available wireless charging, and more. If you need audiophile sound or complete world disrupting ANC, these aren't it. Amazon has just managed to create a good all around package and do so at a price far more reasonable than most. Great job to the design team at Amazon! More to come!*Update* Worked in the yard all day today including lawn mowing. With music playing rather loudly, the ANC completely blocked the noise of the mower. I could hear it in between songs but it was clearly muffled sounding. The ANC here is good especially for a first effort. Also, range on these is very good. I left my phone on my back porch and took the yard waste to the street. Easily 80-90 feet. Only when I got to the very end of my drive did the buds start cutting out but they never disconnected. Solid!*Update* Finally got good codec information. AAC is here making these a solid less expensive Airpod Pro alternative. No AptX so us Android folks lose out. Still having a good experience with these. More to come.
Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2021
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Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on May 23, 2022
Color: BlackStyle: Wireless Charging CaseConfiguration: Echo BudsVerified Purchase
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on May 13, 2021
*Update on Privacy* I want to squeeze this in here early in the review as there is a lot of negativity surrounding location and microphone permissions and general privacy with these. This just isn't really an issue. Simply accept the privacy requests to set up your buds and then go back to change them in your settings. I don't get all that caught up in Amazon and Google listening to me honestly. If you find my conversations compelling, you have bigger issues. However, if given the choice, I would prefer they didn't. So far, I have seen no change in performance. The one that surprises me is that Alexa pulls up with voice commands just like it is supposed to. I figured Alexa needed access to the mic to pull that off but it doesn't. Listen, if you are an Amazon Alexa / Google Home / Siri user, you have to know that these devices are inherently invasive. Privacy is a good point to consider when you are buying any of these devices. That said, these are no more prying than any other device. Just make sure to tweak your settings after the initial install. Now, back to the review!
-Sound Quality: I have been using the new $400 Bowers and Wilkins PI7 buds heading into receiving these which is probably the wrong thing to be listening to heading into a review of a $100 set of buds. I have to say, however, that I am pleasantly surprised by what Amazon has done here. You get solid lows, decent present mids, and pretty darn crisp highs. It all sounds darn good to me. There isn’t a lot of separation in the music. It is a bit flat when comparing them to more expensive buds. There is an EQ in the app that allows you to tweak the sound a bit as well which I am glad to see. Amazon includes the AAC codec here but does not support AptX. Apple owners should be happy but no advanced codec support is here for Android which may help explain the more flat sound I am hearing on my S21 Ultra. Also, when watching video there is no noticeable latency. The screen matches up to what you are hearing. This is often an issue at lower price points. I was really expecting lackluster sound here and I just am not getting it. Is it really five star sound? No but, at $100, it is punching well above its price tag. Well done!
-Active Noise Cancellation: This is Amazon’s first go with ANC in house (the first Gen used Bose Active Noise Reduction tech) and it is pretty darn good. Not close to the class leading Bose QuietComfort Buds but really good. Closing in with what buds from Jabra, Apple, and Samsung give you. There are a lot of complaints here about "barely present" ANC. My recommendation is to really play with the tips. Probably do not install the wings. You need to get a fairly tight seal into your ear in order to have any kind of ANC with a bud. Make sure the tip is small enough to be comfortable and then give these a slight twist up to torque them in a bit. Again, I am certainly not getting world class ANC here but I didn't expect that at this price and what I am getting is good at isolating me from my surroundings. I need to play around a bit more here but, so far, call me reasonably impressed. The Ambient Pass through that Amazon is providing here is also good and adjustable in the app.
-Form Factor / Controls: Tap and controls are precise and accurate. They are a touch sensitive so I often register taps when adjusting or removing the buds but I find that to be typical in this space. Further, the Echo Buds are super light and small in the ear. A real pleasure to wear. I have read about some fit issues and, frankly, I just don't get it. I guess ear fit is pretty subjective but, when compared to my other ANC buds from Bose, M&D, B&W, Jabra, and Samsung, these are easily the most comfortable. There are a number of tips and wings that come in the box. I would really try to go without the wings as much as I like them. The buds don't fit in the case as well with them on which has caused me to need to fiddle with them a bit when returning them to the case. Also, I find that, while the wings make the buds fit more tightly in your ear, they actually break the seal you need to get effective ANC in your ear canal. These buds are so light I think that most folks, with the right tips installed, should be able to get by without the wings. The IPX4 rating is a little on the light side but should handle most workouts which is good because, given the lightweight comfortable fit, you will want to use these in the gym. The battery gives roughly 5 hours on bud and there is another 2 in the case. This is about average for ANC capable buds. You can use either bud independently and they auto-pause your content when a bud is removed. All the high end features you really need without the price tag!
-The Case: So many companies either ignore case design or decide that is a good place to save money. To me, the case can almost make or break a set of ear buds as the case is what we interact with all day even more than the buds themselves. In maybe a first for me, I think Amazon split the gap with this case. They did not ignore the importance of the case but I think they did use it as a place to save money. It is a good size and weight but the plastic feels light and inexpensive to me. The hinge is unsatisfying in the way it closes. I like a lid to snap shut like the Apple cases or the case from Master and Dynamic. This just doesn't have that. There are reasonably strong magnets that keep the buds secured and charging properly. Further, I love the three LED lights that show the battery on both buds and the case. Great addition! The case is not a strong point on the Echo Buds but it is not a glaring weakness.
-The App / Alexa: So, candidly, I am still learning to use Alexa as an assistant and the App you use to control these is the Alexa App. As mentioned, you can control the strength of the ambient pass through and get an EQ that allows you to customize your sound. You can control your music and keep your buds updated. Of course, you have all of the Alexa stuff in there as well for all of the other settings, options, and devices. I wish Amazon made a stand alone Echo Buds app that was less convoluted, but I get the decision. Overall, the set up works.
There is a lot more to unpack with these so I will continue to edit and add to this review as I go. I own a lot of ear buds and, while these aren’t as good all around as many of them, none of them offer such a tremendous value proposition. If you are in the Alexa Assistant world, these are a must own if you need some buds. If you want a solid set of buds at a very reasonable price, Amazon has created a very compelling package here. I want to be clear here that I am rating these a five star based on a value curve. These aren't truly five star buds. It is just that Amazon has managed to give you an awful lot for your hard earned money. You get good sound, decent ANC, really comfortable buds, ambient pass through, auto-pause, single bud usage, Alexa Voice on-board, USBC / available wireless charging, and more. If you need audiophile sound or complete world disrupting ANC, these aren't it. Amazon has just managed to create a good all around package and do so at a price far more reasonable than most. Great job to the design team at Amazon! More to come!
*Update* Worked in the yard all day today including lawn mowing. With music playing rather loudly, the ANC completely blocked the noise of the mower. I could hear it in between songs but it was clearly muffled sounding. The ANC here is good especially for a first effort. Also, range on these is very good. I left my phone on my back porch and took the yard waste to the street. Easily 80-90 feet. Only when I got to the very end of my drive did the buds start cutting out but they never disconnected. Solid!
*Update* Finally got good codec information. AAC is here making these a solid less expensive Airpod Pro alternative. No AptX so us Android folks lose out. Still having a good experience with these. More to come.
Color: BlackStyle: Wired Charging CaseConfiguration: Echo BudsVerified Purchase
Solid high value ANC buds compared to the competition.*Update* *Update re: Privacy Concerns*
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on May 13, 2021
Back in 2019, I didn’t buy the first gen Amazon Echo Buds as they just, frankly, didn’t offer a particularly compelling package to me other than the price tag. For $129, Amazon was offering you ear buds that sounded okay, had some “sound reduction tech”, charged via micro-USB (no wireless option), had just average waterproofing, and just average 5 plus hour battery life for buds with no ANC. Fast forward to 2021 and Amazon is back with the Gen 2 Echo Buds. To me, the package Amazon is offering is far more compelling. At the current price of $99 you are getting the same type of battery life, a smaller / lighter bud, true Active Noise Cancelling (ANC), upgraded USBC / available wireless charging ($119.99), a slightly upgraded chipset, and more. With these upgrades, I really wanted to try these to see how they were and how well they are integrated into the world of Alexa. Here are my initial thoughts after spending some time with them:Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on May 13, 2021
*Update on Privacy* I want to squeeze this in here early in the review as there is a lot of negativity surrounding location and microphone permissions and general privacy with these. This just isn't really an issue. Simply accept the privacy requests to set up your buds and then go back to change them in your settings. I don't get all that caught up in Amazon and Google listening to me honestly. If you find my conversations compelling, you have bigger issues. However, if given the choice, I would prefer they didn't. So far, I have seen no change in performance. The one that surprises me is that Alexa pulls up with voice commands just like it is supposed to. I figured Alexa needed access to the mic to pull that off but it doesn't. Listen, if you are an Amazon Alexa / Google Home / Siri user, you have to know that these devices are inherently invasive. Privacy is a good point to consider when you are buying any of these devices. That said, these are no more prying than any other device. Just make sure to tweak your settings after the initial install. Now, back to the review!
-Sound Quality: I have been using the new $400 Bowers and Wilkins PI7 buds heading into receiving these which is probably the wrong thing to be listening to heading into a review of a $100 set of buds. I have to say, however, that I am pleasantly surprised by what Amazon has done here. You get solid lows, decent present mids, and pretty darn crisp highs. It all sounds darn good to me. There isn’t a lot of separation in the music. It is a bit flat when comparing them to more expensive buds. There is an EQ in the app that allows you to tweak the sound a bit as well which I am glad to see. Amazon includes the AAC codec here but does not support AptX. Apple owners should be happy but no advanced codec support is here for Android which may help explain the more flat sound I am hearing on my S21 Ultra. Also, when watching video there is no noticeable latency. The screen matches up to what you are hearing. This is often an issue at lower price points. I was really expecting lackluster sound here and I just am not getting it. Is it really five star sound? No but, at $100, it is punching well above its price tag. Well done!
-Active Noise Cancellation: This is Amazon’s first go with ANC in house (the first Gen used Bose Active Noise Reduction tech) and it is pretty darn good. Not close to the class leading Bose QuietComfort Buds but really good. Closing in with what buds from Jabra, Apple, and Samsung give you. There are a lot of complaints here about "barely present" ANC. My recommendation is to really play with the tips. Probably do not install the wings. You need to get a fairly tight seal into your ear in order to have any kind of ANC with a bud. Make sure the tip is small enough to be comfortable and then give these a slight twist up to torque them in a bit. Again, I am certainly not getting world class ANC here but I didn't expect that at this price and what I am getting is good at isolating me from my surroundings. I need to play around a bit more here but, so far, call me reasonably impressed. The Ambient Pass through that Amazon is providing here is also good and adjustable in the app.
-Form Factor / Controls: Tap and controls are precise and accurate. They are a touch sensitive so I often register taps when adjusting or removing the buds but I find that to be typical in this space. Further, the Echo Buds are super light and small in the ear. A real pleasure to wear. I have read about some fit issues and, frankly, I just don't get it. I guess ear fit is pretty subjective but, when compared to my other ANC buds from Bose, M&D, B&W, Jabra, and Samsung, these are easily the most comfortable. There are a number of tips and wings that come in the box. I would really try to go without the wings as much as I like them. The buds don't fit in the case as well with them on which has caused me to need to fiddle with them a bit when returning them to the case. Also, I find that, while the wings make the buds fit more tightly in your ear, they actually break the seal you need to get effective ANC in your ear canal. These buds are so light I think that most folks, with the right tips installed, should be able to get by without the wings. The IPX4 rating is a little on the light side but should handle most workouts which is good because, given the lightweight comfortable fit, you will want to use these in the gym. The battery gives roughly 5 hours on bud and there is another 2 in the case. This is about average for ANC capable buds. You can use either bud independently and they auto-pause your content when a bud is removed. All the high end features you really need without the price tag!
-The Case: So many companies either ignore case design or decide that is a good place to save money. To me, the case can almost make or break a set of ear buds as the case is what we interact with all day even more than the buds themselves. In maybe a first for me, I think Amazon split the gap with this case. They did not ignore the importance of the case but I think they did use it as a place to save money. It is a good size and weight but the plastic feels light and inexpensive to me. The hinge is unsatisfying in the way it closes. I like a lid to snap shut like the Apple cases or the case from Master and Dynamic. This just doesn't have that. There are reasonably strong magnets that keep the buds secured and charging properly. Further, I love the three LED lights that show the battery on both buds and the case. Great addition! The case is not a strong point on the Echo Buds but it is not a glaring weakness.
-The App / Alexa: So, candidly, I am still learning to use Alexa as an assistant and the App you use to control these is the Alexa App. As mentioned, you can control the strength of the ambient pass through and get an EQ that allows you to customize your sound. You can control your music and keep your buds updated. Of course, you have all of the Alexa stuff in there as well for all of the other settings, options, and devices. I wish Amazon made a stand alone Echo Buds app that was less convoluted, but I get the decision. Overall, the set up works.
There is a lot more to unpack with these so I will continue to edit and add to this review as I go. I own a lot of ear buds and, while these aren’t as good all around as many of them, none of them offer such a tremendous value proposition. If you are in the Alexa Assistant world, these are a must own if you need some buds. If you want a solid set of buds at a very reasonable price, Amazon has created a very compelling package here. I want to be clear here that I am rating these a five star based on a value curve. These aren't truly five star buds. It is just that Amazon has managed to give you an awful lot for your hard earned money. You get good sound, decent ANC, really comfortable buds, ambient pass through, auto-pause, single bud usage, Alexa Voice on-board, USBC / available wireless charging, and more. If you need audiophile sound or complete world disrupting ANC, these aren't it. Amazon has just managed to create a good all around package and do so at a price far more reasonable than most. Great job to the design team at Amazon! More to come!
*Update* Worked in the yard all day today including lawn mowing. With music playing rather loudly, the ANC completely blocked the noise of the mower. I could hear it in between songs but it was clearly muffled sounding. The ANC here is good especially for a first effort. Also, range on these is very good. I left my phone on my back porch and took the yard waste to the street. Easily 80-90 feet. Only when I got to the very end of my drive did the buds start cutting out but they never disconnected. Solid!
*Update* Finally got good codec information. AAC is here making these a solid less expensive Airpod Pro alternative. No AptX so us Android folks lose out. Still having a good experience with these. More to come.
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