- Table of Contents
- Intro
- Updates
- Comparison
- Best Headphones
- Conclusion
- Discussions
We've currently tested 10 Samsung headphones. They're a huge brand that also makes stylish and feature-packed headphones for casual everyday use. They used to have a larger lineup with more variety to choose from, but now the best Samsung headphones are their truly wireless earbuds.
Updates
- 03/05/2021 Samsung Galaxy Buds Live Truly Wireless updated
- 03/03/2021 Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless updated
- 02/05/2021 Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro Truly Wireless reviewed
- 12/03/2020 Samsung AKG Type-C reviewed
- 04/02/2019 Samsung Galaxy Buds Truly Wireless reviewed
Best Samsung Headphones
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Best Samsung Earbuds
Type In-earEnclosure Closed-BackWireless Truly WirelessNoise Cancelling NoMic YesTransducer DynamicThe best Samsung earbuds that we've tested are the Samsung Galaxy Buds+. These sleek, premium-looking in-ears are an upgraded version of the 2019 Samsung Galaxy Buds Truly Wireless. They're well-built and comfortable, and they even come with a portable charging case to help get you through long days on the go. Their sound profile is very well-balanced and neutral, so they're suitable for listening to different types of audio content. There are a few EQ presets available in the Galaxy Wearable companion app for customization. The headphones don't leak much noise, either, so you can crank up the volume on your favorite tunes without bothering the people around you.
Unfortunately, they don't come with an active noise cancellation feature, and they only do an okay job blocking out background noises. You may still be able to hear bus and plane engines or background voices, so they may not be the best choice to wear during your commute or while working in a noisy office. Also, their control scheme can be a bit difficult to use, especially if you're wearing gloves. However, they offer decently versatile performance and a very balanced sound profile that can please many different listeners.
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Best Noise Cancelling Samsung Headphones
Type In-earEnclosure Closed-BackWireless Truly WirelessNoise Cancelling YesMic YesTransducer DynamicThe best Samsung headphones for noise cancellation that we've tested are the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro. These truly wireless in-ears come with an ANC feature that offers good noise isolation, so you aren't distracted by the sounds of people talking around you or the hum of nearby AC units. Using the Samsung Wearable app, you can set the ANC level to either 'High' or 'Low' depending on your preferences. These comfortable, well-built headphones have a slightly excited, V-shaped sound profile that delivers a thumpy bass while making vocals bright and sparkling. There are even a few EQ presets in the app to help you customize the sound.
Unfortunately, they still struggle to block out bass-heavy background noises like bus and plane engines, even with their ANC feature set to High. They don't support multi-device pairing, which is inconvenient for those who like to switch audio sources. Also, they only last for a little over four hours off of a single charge, which may not last through long days on the go. Fortunately, their portable charging case offers around 2.5 extra charges to help you power up again.
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Best Budget Samsung Headphones
Type In-earEnclosure Closed-BackWireless NoNoise Cancelling NoMic YesTransducer DynamicThe Samsung AKG Type-C are the best budget Samsung earbuds that we've tested. These wired headphones have a non-detachable USB-C connector; this lets you connect them to devices like newer smartphones with a USB-C port. Although they have a simple design, they're well-built and come with three sets of differently-sized ear tips to help you get the best fit. They also have a lightweight and comfortable fit, so you can wear them for long listening sessions without experiencing too much fatigue. Fans of EDM and hip-hop can appreciate their slightly bass-heavy sound profile, which adds a bit of extra boom to your audio. However, it shouldn't be too overwhelming, and their sound is still well-suited for lots of audio content.
Unfortunately, like many other headphones at this price point, they lack sound customization features like an EQ or presets. Since they don't have stability fins, they can also fall out of your ears during moderate physical activity. They have a mediocre noise isolation performance and struggle to block out bass-heavy noise like the rumble of bus or plane engines. However, they do a much better job of cutting down office chatter, which can be handy if you're wearing them at the office.
Compared to other brands
- Lots of active features. Samsung makes headphones with lots of active features like Bluetooth support, active noise cancelling, power-saving modes, and customization options that you can access via different companion apps.
- Decently well-balanced, customizable sound. Samsung's headphones reproduce audio fairly accurately, and you can usually customize their sound profile a bit with one of their companion apps.
- Stylish designs. Samsung has a lot of sleek-looking headphones that are comfortable to wear. Their designs often include features like touch-sensitive control schemes to reduce the number of visible buttons. In addition to offering subdued color schemes like black or white, they can also come in eye-catching colors like cloud blue or red.
- Plasticky build quality. Although headphones from Samsung look good, they tend to have slightly flimsy build quality. They feel less durable than similarly-designed headphones in their price range.
- Poor variety. Samsung doesn't have a lot of variety in their models. They often release Pro or Plus versions of their original lineup with more features, but they don't offer many headphone types for different listeners.
- Limited OS compatibility. While all their headphones should work with all Bluetooth-enabled mobile devices, their companion apps aren't all universal. Some only work on Android, while others only provide benefits when used with Samsung devices.
Samsung makes sleek-looking headphones that tend to sound well-balanced. For the price, their headphones have lots of active features for added versatility. However, since acquiring Harman in 2017, most of their audio products are now branded by AKG. While they still make truly wireless earbuds under the Samsung name, there are fewer models.
Recent Updates
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Jun 11, 2021: Checked the text for accuracy and product availability. There hasn't been a change in our recommendations.
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Apr 08, 2021: Added the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro Truly Wireless as 'Best Noise Cancelling'.
Conclusion
Samsung is a big brand that makes stylish, versatile audio products. While there isn't much to choose from when looking for the best Samsung earbuds, their truly wireless models perform quite well overall. They're not only stylish, but they sound well-balanced and have good battery performance. Unfortunately, they're not built as sturdily as similar models from other brands, and their companion app could offer even more customization options.
Check our recommendations for the best wireless earbuds for Android.