Samsung might not be the first company that comes to your mind when thinking of audio equipment, but in recent years the company has expanded its line of headphones to deliver quality first – be on the side of the merchandise. Galaxy Buds Live stands out as the best Samsung earbuds you can buy right now, but if it’s not your cup of tea, there are plenty of other options. Let’s check it out!
Samsung Galaxy Buds live
As of now, the best Samsung earbuds you can buy in 2020 is the Galaxy Buds Live. These are the latest in-ear headphones from Samsung, and they also rank as the company’s most ambitious headphones.
We can’t discuss Buds Live without talking about this design, let’s get started. Galaxy Buds Live has an unmistakable bean shape, and while it may seem outrageous at first glance, the design is really stunning. The buds rest comfortably on the outside of its ears, and instead of making a deep seal inside, it provides a one-size-fits-all form factor. They are incredibly comfortable, surprisingly secure, and a great choice for people who find it difficult to wear more traditional earphones.
The sound quality surpasses the Buds Live thanks to the powerful 12mm drivers, the connection quality is very good, and you can get up to 29 hours of total battery life depending on how you use them. There is also active noise cancellation, although its performance is slightly weaker. It works well to block out low-frequency sounds (like a moving dishwasher), but it doesn’t come anywhere close to the ANC that Sony and Apple earbuds offer.
Samsung Galaxy Buds +
Galaxy Buds are the straightforward earphones you should get if you have the full desire that Samsung has to offer. However, if your budget is a bit tight or you don’t like the radical design, the Galaxy Buds + is a great choice.
The bean shape may disappear, but Bud + is still comfortable to wear. They feel good and offer great protection, and thanks to the negative seals they naturally create in your ear, you can get better passive sound insulation with Buds Live. The sound quality is good, as well as the microphone performance for phone calls, and the charging case will get you up to 11 hours of continuous music playback with a 22-hour battery life. Like Buds Live, Buds + also has USB-C and Qi wireless charging.
Even if money isn’t your item, it might be worth looking into Buds + anyway. While we’re very impressed with Buds Live Design, you can’t. If you try it and find it doesn’t fit your ears, Buds + offers a very similar experience (and saves you a few bucks in the process).
Samsung Galaxy Buds
If you like Samsung’s display with Galaxy Buds, but want to save more money, the original Galaxy Buds comes with the perfect pick. Although not technically impressive, you get much less money, around 80% of the experience
The design of the Galaxy Buds is mostly the same, the charging case has a matte rather than a glossy finish. We really love this design, as the matte plastic barely catches fingerprints while the Buds + charging case can quickly turn into a fingerprint magnet.
The sound quality is mostly the same, although it’s a little less impressive for people with trained ears. The biggest drawback is battery life, the Galaxy Buds offer only six hours of continuous use and a total battery pack of 13 hours when you factor in the charging case. It has a much shorter battery life than the Buds or Buds Live, and it’s definitely the way to go with the Galaxy Buds.
Even then, this one still gets a strong recommendation. Galaxy Buds are a lot cheaper than Buds +, so if money is a big factor for you, this could be a better buy.
Samsung Gear IconX
Fitness enthusiasts should look at nothing more than the gear symbol. Like the Galaxy Buds Live and Buds +, the IconX are true wireless earbuds.
The Gear IconX provides up to five hours of battery life on the phone when streaming audio and broadcasting. If you paired with an Android phone, you can download the Samsung Health app and Gear IconX will be able to track your workout speed, distance, and calories. It’s like a fitness tracker and earphones in one package!
The sound quality is solid, and it has an IPX2 water resistance rating to keep the buds safe from sweat and rain and fits well in the ear. Most people are better off with the new Buds Live or Buds +, but if you’re an avid runner, spotting a built-in workout is quite risky.
