Amazon Echo Buds 2 (2nd Gen) Review: Best Budget ANC Earbuds?

Reviewing the Amazon Echo Buds 2: Your Best Budget TWS Earbud Option with ANC. The Amazon Echo Buds 2 Gen 2 true wireless earbuds from Amazon, have made quite an impact in the market since their released in 2022. With active noise cancellation (ANC), a more compact design, and full Alexa voice support, Amazon Echo buds 2 earbuds offer an impressive audio experience at an affordable price point.

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Design

The Echo Buds 2 earbuds are noticeably more compact, making them comfortable to wear for extended periods. The absence of any protruding stems, unlike some other competitors, gives them a sleek and stylish look. The package includes four sizes of rubbery tips, ensuring a secure fit for different ear shapes. Additionally, Amazon provides wing tips in various sizes to enhance the stability of the earbuds during active use. Personally, I found the fit to be excellent even without the wing tips, and they remained securely in place, even during jogging sessions. The Echo Buds 2 are also IPX4-rated, making them resistant to moisture and sweat.

Connectivity

Connecting the 2 gen Amazon Echo Buds to your smartphone is a seamless experience. Simply download the Alexa app, follow the setup process, and pair the earbuds in a matter of minutes. The Bluetooth range is impressive, providing a stable connection even when your smartphone is located several rooms away. The Alexa app offers extensive control over various settings, including audio output and the ANC feature.

Touch Controls

The touch controls on the Echo Buds 2 are intuitive and easy to use. With support for single, double, and triple taps on either bud, as well as long presses, controlling your music or managing calls is a breeze. While the default actions might not suit everyone’s preferences, the Alexa app allows you to customize each action according to your liking. Additionally, the earbuds feature an auto-pause function, where removing either bud automatically pauses the playback, a convenient feature for quick conversations or interruptions.

ANC (Active Noise Cancellation)

ANC has become a common feature in true wireless earbuds, and the Echo Buds 2 deliver it with excellence. The ANC feature is fully adjustable within the Alexa app, allowing you to personalize your noise cancellation preferences. Even with the inclusion of vents in the buds for relieving air pressure, the ANC performs remarkably well. I found that it effectively blocked out external sounds, even in busy environments, such as city streets. The audio quality remained clear, without any noticeable wind distortion. Moreover, a long press on either bud can quickly switch ANC to pass-through mode, allowing ambient sounds to pass through, enhancing situational awareness.

Audio Quality

Despite their small size and 5.7mm audio drivers, the Amazon Echo Buds 2 deliver impressive sound quality. The audio output is offering a neutral sound signature without any overpowering emphasis on bass or treble. If you prefer a more bass-heavy experience, the Alexa app provides a basic equalizer tool to tweak the output. It’s worth noting that if you are an avid audiophile seeking meticulous audio detail, you may need to explore higher-priced options. Nevertheless, for the price point, the Echo Buds 2 deliver a satisfying soundscape for various music genres.

Alexa and Voice Control

One of the standout features of the Amazon Echo Buds 2 is the full integration of Alexa voice assistant support. With just the wake word, you can effortlessly interact with Alexa to control your smart home devices, play music, and much more. The built-in mic do an excellent job of capturing voice accurately, even in noisy environments. Additionally, the earbuds offer support for the Google Assistant, though it requires using the touch controls to activate it.

Battery Life

The Echo Buds 2 offer approximately five hours of continuous use on a single charge, which aligns with Amazon’s official specifications. This estimation considers ANC being used at its maximum level, along with active Alexa voice controls. The battery life might not be the most impressive among true wireless earbuds, it is still adequate for most daily usage scenarios. The charging case, however, provides only a couple of additional charges, so it’s important to keep it sufficiently charged. The case can be replenished using a USB Type-C cable, and there’s an option to purchase a wireless charging-compatible case separately.

Final Thought

To conclude, the Amazon Echo Buds 2 offer excellent value for their price, making them one of the best budget true wireless earbud options available. The design is compact and comfortable, and the absence of stems adds to their aesthetic appeal. Connectivity is seamless, and the touch controls are intuitive. ANC performs admirably, effectively blocking out external noise. The audio quality is well-balanced for a wide range of music. With full Alexa voice assistant support, controlling your smart devices is effortless. While the battery life may not be the longest, it still meets the requirements of most users’ daily activities. If you’re in the market for budget-friendly ANC earbuds, the Amazon Echo Buds 2 are definitely worth considering.

FAQs

89%

89%

Best Budget ANC Earbuds?

• Design

  10
• Connectivity

  8.5
• Touch Controls

  9
• Active Noise Cancellation

  8.5
• Audio Quality

  9
• Alexa and Voice Control

  9
• Battery Life

  8.5
• User Ratings (0 Votes)
  0