Amazon Echo Buds (2nd Gen) Review

Our team of experts designed a series of objective tests meant to comparatively score Bluetooth Earbuds based on six distinct metrics. We tested the Amazon Echo Buds (2nd Gen) for sound quality, comfort, athletic performance, battery life, portability, and ease of use. These earbuds' consistently high performance across the metrics at its low price point prompted us to applaud them as a top value option. Further, these 2nd Gen Earbuds outscored their predecessor (the Echo Buds) in terms of portability and ease of use.

Performance Comparison

Sound Quality

As mentioned, the Amazon Echo Buds (2nd Gen) scored exceptionally well during our sound quality tests. Audio is a very nuanced phenomenon, so we broke down our sound quality tests to measure four core sub-metrics. Those are: clarity, fullness, bass, and microphone quality (call quality.)

The most impressive aspect of the Echo Buds (2nd Gen)'s sound quality is their bass. The second-generation model lives up to the standard set by the original Echo Buds. The quality and impressiveness of the bass on these buds are rare in the earbud world (even rarer in the wireless earbud world), and it is extremely fun to blast pump-up tunes throughout a workout with the 2nd Gens.

These buds score mid-to-high range in terms of both clarity and fullness. The bottom line is that despite offering a reliably reasonably clear sound and a reliably moderately full sound, the earbuds can be a little fuzzy sometimes just as they can sound sort of distant sometimes. These earbuds also made reasonably good quality calls scoring mid-to-high from the testers on the receiver end to the testers on the earbud user's end. The Amazon Echo Buds (2nd Gen) deliver—they offer good quality sound when listening to podcasts, excellent bass when listening to music, and reliable, hands-free phone calls.

Active Noise Reduction

These earbuds feature ANR (Active Noise Reduction), passthrough sound, or the ability to disable both. ANR is synonymous with active noise cancellation in the audio world. While the ANR only has one level, the passthrough has a range of one to five. We enjoyed the Sidetone feature which allows you to adjust how much of your own voice you hear on phone calls. Additionally, there is a "find my buds" feature that allows you to track the location of your buds so long as Bluetooth is turned on and in range of your phone.

Comfort

Even the most technically impressive earbuds tend to go unused when it hurts to keep them in your ears. The somewhat bulky appearing Amazon Echo Buds (2nd Gen) fit surprisingly snuggly in the ears. These buds have an extremely customizable fit. They come with four uniquely sized earpieces and two distinct earfin sizes, so you can mix and match them to fit securely in your ears. Our testers were able to consistently get these buds to fit so securely that the physicality of the buds aided the Ambient Noise Control feature in pretty thorough noise cancellation.

This consistent customizable secure fit comes at a cost, however, as one of our testers who have very sensitive ears could only wear the Echo Buds for about thirty minutes at a time. Other testers who were regular earbud users found them fairly comfortable but forewarned that this can be an issue for you if you have sensitive ears.

Athletic Performance

Like their First Generation predecessor, the Echo Buds (2nd Gen) do a fair-to-good good at providing comfort and security during physical activity and exercise. The earfins do a pretty good job at keeping the earbuds in place. However, especially during intense exercise and sports, these buds could wiggle out of place.

While the earfins are consistently good at doing what it says on the tin, they do tend to get a bit uncomfortable after long periods of athletic activity. These buds carry an industry typical IPX4 water resistance rating, meaning that while they aren't waterproof and shouldn't be submerged, the Amazon Echo Buds (2nd Gen) are sweat resistant. While these buds might not be very top of the class in terms of Athletic Performance, they routinely offer satisfactory performance at the gym, and at their notably light price point, this very well may be an acceptable trade-off.

Battery Life

The specs on the Echo Buds (2nd Gen) list six hours of continuous play. With ANC turned off, we ran these buds continuously for five hours before they died. This puts these buds in the middle of the class in terms of this metric. If continuous battery life is something you prioritize in earbuds, other models may be more up your alley. That said, we appreciate that the charging case provides multiple charges for your earbuds without having to physically plug them into an outlet.

Portability

Portability is where the Echo Buds (2nd Gen) really shine. These buds are incredibly lightweight at only 0.47 ounces. This is a delightful surprise for these sort of large beetle-shell-esque true wireless earbuds. Like most products in this true wireless category, the Echo Buds come with a hard charging case that, at just slightly larger than an AirPods carrying case, is convenient to stick just about anywhere. The 2nd Gens are a super convenient option for wherever you may need to bring earbuds.

Ease of Use

The Amazon Echo Buds (2nd Gen) have an interface that utilizes touch sensors. They work well and are easy to find. However, these touch sensors don't give any tactile or audio feedback when they recognize a tap. These buds also require you to set up Amazon Alexa to use, which can be pretty annoying if you aren't keen on the idea of Alexa.

While the touch sensors don't utilize any sort of feedback mechanism, they are reliable and accurate. However, they are extremely sensitive and are quite easy to brush or bump on accident. These earbuds are reasonably easy to use and sport numerous useful features, but they could quickly become annoying to somebody who gets easily frustrated by technological inconveniences.

Value

The Echo Buds (2nd Gen) represent one of the best values in true wireless earbuds on the market today. Competing earbuds of comparable quality and features often cost double, if not more, than these buds' price tag. These earbuds are an excellent choice for anyone who is new to true wireless buds, looking for the best quality tech at the lowest price, or appreciates consistent reliable audio tech in general.

Conclusion