The Amazon Echo Buds True Wireless 2023 (3rd generation) are budget-friendly buds with a different design from previous versions. Unlike the Amazon Echo Buds True Wireless 2021 (2nd generation), they don't have noise cancelling (ANC). Their fit is also quite dependent on the shape of your ears. However, unlike somewhat similar buds like the Apple AirPods (2nd generation) Truly Wireless, they come with a few differently-sized silicone covers for the buds to help with the fit. They offer a graphic EQ to adjust the sound, multi-device pairing, and some customization for the mic and controls. Unfortunately, we experienced repeated issues getting the buds to enter pairing mode.
Our Verdict
The Amazon Echo Buds 2023 are adequate for neutral sound. Their bass response is underemphasized, so your mixes miss the thump and rumble of low-bass. However, some over-emphasis in the high-bass range lends audio some punch, and voices and instruments sound clear. However, these elements lack articulation and detail, making sibilants dull. On the plus side, their soundstage sounds more open than many closed-back earbuds, and the app includes a graphic EQ that you can use to tweak the sound.
- Good build quality.
- In-app graphic EQ.
- Sound lacks bass.
- Somewhat short 4.5-hour continuous battery life.
The Amazon Echo Buds 2023 are mediocre for commuting. They don't have ANC and don't passively isolate you from much noise, so they aren't ideal if you want to listen to your music peacefully on the bus. However, they have a comfortable fit for most people and a very small, portable design. While their roughly 4.5 hours of continuous battery life isn't enough for long trips, the case holds three additional charges for extra power when you're on the go.
- Good build quality.
- Case holds 3 extra charges.
- Somewhat short 4.5-hour continuous battery life.
- Bad noise isolation.
The Amazon Echo Buds 2023 are very good for sports and fitness. If you can get a good fit, they feel comfortable and won't slip out of place during workouts. They feel sturdy enough to survive a few bumps and drops without breaking. Their portable, wireless design makes them easy to toss in a bag and means they won't snag on anything while you're moving around. They barely block out ambient sound, which you might like for outdoor workouts when you want to stay aware of your surroundings. However, their fit depends on the shape of your ears, and they won't be stable for everyone.
- Good build quality.
- Small and portable.
- Somewhat short 4.5-hour continuous battery life.
The Amazon Echo Buds 2023 are passable for office use. They support multi-device pairing, which is nice if you need to answer your phone and participate in video calls throughout the day. The mic makes your voice sound clear and quite natural. Their battery life is a little short, but their case holds three additional charges for top-ups. However, they're best for quiet workspaces because they hardly block out noise. The mic also struggles to separate your voice from the background sound, so people talking nearby might make it hard to hear you over the phone.
- Good build quality.
- Support multi-device pairing.
- Case holds 3 extra charges.
- Somewhat short 4.5-hour continuous battery life.
- Bad noise isolation.
The Amazon Echo Buds 2023 aren't suitable for wireless gaming. As Bluetooth-only earbuds, they can't connect with PlayStation or Xbox consoles. They work with Bluetooth-enabled PCs but have high latency, so your game audio and video will be out of sync. However, they have low latency with iOS and Android devices, so you can use them for mobile gaming without experiencing audio lag.
The Amazon Echo Buds 2023 don't support a wired connection, so you can't use them for wired gaming.
The Amazon Echo Buds 2023 are mediocre for phone calls. Like many Bluetooth earbuds, their mic doesn't have the best performance. Your voice is clear and understandable over the phone, but it won't have a lot of body. It also struggles to separate your voice from the background sound; loud sounds like traffic on a busy street can drown you out. They have a weak noise isolation performance, so you might have trouble hearing a call that you take in a busy office or subway station.
- Good build quality.
- Support multi-device pairing.
- Somewhat short 4.5-hour continuous battery life.
- Bad noise isolation.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The Amazon Echo Buds 2023 come in 'Black' or 'Glacier White'. Both variants come with a white case. We tested them in 'Black', but our results are valid for the Glacier White version as well. You can see the label for the unit we tested here.
If you come across another variant, let us know in the forums and we'll update our review.
Popular Headphones Comparisons
The Amazon Echo Buds 2023 are a departure from the previous Echo Buds. Compared to the Amazon Echo Buds True Wireless 2021 (2nd generation), their fit is more dependent on the shape of your ear. They also lack an ANC feature and block out very little noise passively. Their stem design and bass-light sound profile make them similar to Apple products like the Apple AirPods (2nd generation) Truly Wireless and Apple AirPods (3rd generation) Truly Wireless. Their app includes a graphic EQ and other customization options like button remapping, which is rare for budget-friendly buds. However, for the same price, you can find earbuds that offer a more balanced sound, longer battery life, and better noise isolation, like the JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless.
For more options, check out the best earbuds under $50, the best earbuds and in-ears, and the best earbuds for small ears.
For most uses, the Amazon Echo Buds (1st generation) are better than the Amazon Echo Buds (3rd generation). They have an ANC feature with excellent performance and a more neutral, versatile sound profile. The 3rd generation buds are more comfortable for most, especially if you don't like a deep in-ear fit. They don't block out noise but support multi-device pairing and have much lower latency with iOS and Android devices.
The Amazon Echo Buds (2nd generation) are better than the Amazon Echo Buds (3rd generation) for most uses. The Gen 2 buds block out more noise and have a better mic performance. Their fit is more stable, which is nice for workouts. You might prefer the Gen 3 if you don't like a deep in-ear fit or want earbuds that let you hear your surroundings. The Gen 3 version also offers low latency with iOS and Android devices, which helps avoid audio lag while watching videos.
The Nothing Ear (1) are better than the Amazon Echo Buds (3rd generation) for most purposes. Both earbuds' fit depends on the shape of your ears, but the Nothing are more comfortable if you can get a good fit. Neither option reproduces a lot of low-bass, but the Nothing's sound has more thump and rumble in the bass range. They're also rated IP54 for dust and water resistance, while the Amazon are only rated IPX2 for water resistance. However, the Amazon buds support multi-device pairing.
The JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless are better than the Amazon Echo Buds (3rd generation). The JBL offer more robust sound customization options and a longer continuous battery life. Their mic also has a better performance. However, for most people, the Amazon buds are more comfortable. They also support multi-device pairing.
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