The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless are an improved version of the older Samsung Galaxy Buds Truly Wireless. They look and feel identical and have the same sleek, compact design. Their out-of-the-box sound profile is very well-balanced, and their companion app is available for iOS as well as Android, unlike the older model's Android-only app. They have a much longer continuous battery life, with over 13 hours of playback time from a single charge, which is very impressive for a pair of truly wireless headphones. Unfortunately, their touch-sensitive controls can be a little finicky. Still, if you're looking for a versatile pair of truly wireless in-ears, these are a good choice.
Our Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ are good for neutral sound. Their out-of-the-box sound profile is extremely well-balanced and neutral-sounding, so they should suit different genres. Unfortunately, their passive soundstage is bad, meaning their sound seems to come from inside your head instead of the room around you, but this is normal for closed-back in-ear headphones.
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Well-balanced sound profile is well-suited for a wide variety of content and genres.
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Companion app with EQ presets.
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Alright microphone noise handling capability.
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Closed-off soundstage.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ are good headphones for commuting. While they don't block out the low rumble of plane or bus engines, they're quite comfortable, so you should be able to wear them during long trips without feeling any fatigue. Their 13.5-hour battery life is also quite impressive, so you shouldn't have to charge them during a long travel day.
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Impressive 13.5-hour battery life.
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Compact, lightweight construction.
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Sturdy build quality.
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Alright microphone noise handling capability.
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Hard-to-use control scheme.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ are great headphones for sports. They're quite comfortable and feel very stable in the ear, even during more strenuous workouts. They come with different sizes of stability fins and silicone tips to help you find a good, secure fit. They're also rated IPX2 for water resistance, though this isn't something we currently test for.
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Comfortable and stable design.
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Compact, lightweight construction.
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Sturdy build quality.
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Alright microphone noise handling capability.
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Hard-to-use control scheme.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ are satisfactory for office use. They're lightweight, comfortable, and have a battery life of roughly 13.5 hours, so you should be able to wear them all day without getting uncomfortable or needing to recharge them. They leak very little audio, and while they can't really block out sounds like passing buses or plane engines, they're very effective when it comes to blocking out background conversations and other higher-pitched noise.
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Impressive 13.5-hour battery life.
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Comfortable and stable design.
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Alright microphone noise handling capability.
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Only one additional charge from charging case.
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No multi-device pairing capability.
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High audio latency on PC.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ aren't recommended for wireless gaming. While you can connect them to a Bluetooth-enabled PC, the latency is likely to be too high for gaming. They also aren't compatible with Xbox One or PS4 consoles.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus are Bluetooth-only headphones that can't be used on a wired connection.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus are alright for making phone calls. The microphone has a mediocre recording quality, so your voice should sound understandable but may be muffled and lack detail. It does a decent job of isolating your voice from ambient noise, so it should be fairly audible even in loud environments. They aren't very good at blocking out rumbling sounds like engines, unfortunately, but do an excellent job with higher-pitched noise like background chatter.
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Alright microphone noise handling capability.
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Mediocre microphone recording quality.
- 7.9 Neutral Sound
- 7.7 Commute/Travel
- 8.4 Sports/Fitness
- 7.3 Office
- 6.1 Wireless Gaming
- 5.9 Wired Gaming
- 6.9 Phone Calls
- Updated Jun 12, 2023: We've updated our Controls text to make it clearer that the volume controls aren't available in their default setup.
- Updated Jun 29, 2021: Converted to Test Bench 1.5.
- Updated Mar 03, 2021: Updated review for accuracy and clarity.
- Updated Nov 10, 2020: Updated review for accuracy and clarity.
- Updated Aug 24, 2020: Validated our results.
- Updated Feb 27, 2020: Review published.
- Updated Feb 24, 2020: Early access published.
- Updated Feb 24, 2020: Our testers have started testing this product.
- Updated Feb 20, 2020: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
- Updated Feb 14, 2020: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
There are five color variants of the Samsung Galaxy Buds+: 'Black', 'White', 'Red', 'Cloud Blue', and 'Aura Blue'. We tested the 'White' variant but expect the other color variants to perform similarly overall.
If someone comes across a different version of the Samsung Galaxy Buds+, let us know in the discussions below so that we can update our review.
Compared To Other Headphones
The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ are a decent improvement over 2019's Samsung Galaxy Buds Truly Wireless. They're almost identical but with much-improved battery life and an iOS-compatible companion app. However, they lack an ANC feature, unlike the Samsung Galaxy Buds Live and the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro.
Check out our recommendations for the best truly wireless earbuds, the best wireless earbuds, and the best noise cancelling earbuds and in-ears.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless are somewhat better in-ears than the Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Truly Wireless. While both in-ears are comfortable and well built, the Plus have an even more neutral default sound profile, which some users may prefer, a more stable in-ear fit, and their battery performance is significantly better. However, the Buds2 have active noise cancelling and can block out more ambient noise around you. They also have a 'Game Mode', advertised to lower audio latency on Samsung devices.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless and the Apple AirPods Pro Truly Wireless are both very decent pairs of truly wireless headphones. The Apple have slightly easier-to-use controls, a more premium-feeling case, much better isolation performances thanks to their ANC feature, and a slightly longer overall battery life, and they are easier to pair to Apple devices. On the other hand, the Samsung have a more accurate out-of-the-box sound profile, a significantly longer single-charge battery life, and a better app for both iOS and Android that offers EQ presets, and they are easier to pair with compatible Samsung devices.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless are better than the Sony WF-C500 Truly Wireless for most purposes. The Samsung have a much more comfortable, stable fit and a more neutral default sound profile that some may prefer. They also have lower latency with iOS and Android devices and a mic with a much better noise handling performance. On the other hand, the Sony have a much better passive noise isolation performance and easier-to-use controls.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless are better in-ears than the Beats Studio Buds True Wireless. While both headphones are comfortable, the Samsung headphones have a more neutral sound profile, which some users may prefer. Their integrated mic offers better overall performance, they have a longer continuous battery life, and you can customize their sound when using their companion app's EQ presets. They're also able to passively isolate you from more noise than the Beats with their ANC on.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless are better for most purposes than the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Truly Wireless. The Samsung have a much more comfortable fit, a longer continuous battery life, and a more neutral default sound profile, which some may prefer. Their app offers sound customization features, and they come with a more compact charging case. However, the Bose's ANC feature does a much better job blocking out ambient sound, especially bass-range noise like rumbling bus and plane engines. Their control scheme has more functions as well, including volume control.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless and the Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are both very decent truly wireless headphones that have different strengths. The Sony provide ANC and do a much better job at blocking out background noises, but they're heavier and not as comfortable as the Samsung. The Samsung feel much more stable in the ear and may be better to wear to the gym, though the Sony feel slightly more premium and well-built. While the Samsung's out-of-the-box sound profile is more well-balanced, the Sony have a full graphic EQ within its app to adjust their sound. Finally, though the Sony have a slightly longer battery overall within their case, the Samsung last almost double the length of time off a single charge, so don't need to be recharged as often.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless and the Sony WF-1000XM4 Truly Wireless have different strengths. The Samsung have a more neutral default sound profile, which some users may prefer, a more stable fit, and their integrated mic delivers a much better overall performance. However, the Sony are better built and have a significantly better noise isolation performance, thanks to their ANC. Their companion app also offers a graphic EQ to help you adjust their sound to your liking.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless are better headphones than the OnePlus Buds Truly Wireless. The Samsung are more comfortable and stable, and their sound profile is more neutral. Their companion app also offers EQ presets for sound customization. They have a better noise isolation performance, a longer continuous battery life, and they leak less sound.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless are better headphones than the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro Truly Wireless. The Buds+ have a more stable in-ear fit, a better-balanced sound profile, and longer-lasting continuous battery life with a standby mode to help conserve battery life when not in use. However, some users may prefer the Pro's ANC feature, which can help cut down some ambient noise around you.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless are a decent improvement over the previous generation Samsung Galaxy Buds Truly Wireless. Both truly wireless headphones are very small, lightweight, and comfortable, and they look identical. They both have an extremely well-balanced sound profile out-of-the-box, and access to five different EQ presets. The Buds+ have a much longer 13.5-hour battery life, which is quite impressive for a pair of truly wireless headphones, and you still get an additional full charge from the case. iPhone users can also access the customization options now, as Samsung has made a version of the companion app available for iOS devices, which is great.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds Live Truly Wireless are less well-rounded than the Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless. The Buds+ are more comfortable, provide a more consistent and neutral sound, have a superior integrated mic, and last almost twice as long on a single charge. Despite lacking an ANC system, they block out more ambient noise overall, though it should be noted that the Live are more effective at filtering out low-end ambient sound. The Live also have lower wireless latency and generate a more open and spacious listening experience.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless are better for most uses than the Apple AirPods (3rd generation) Truly Wireless, although you may prefer either if you're an iPhone user or like open-back headphones. The Samsung are more comfortable and stable, have a better overall mic performance, block out more noise, and last longer on a single charge. They also have a more neutral sound profile, which some may prefer. On the other hand, the Apple have a virtual surround sound feature with supported iOS devices, and they don't block out ambient sound, so you can hear what's going on around you.
The Jabra Elite 7 Pro True Wireless are better than the Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless for most purposes. The Jabra have a much better noise isolation performance and a significantly better mic recording quality. Their app also has a graphic EQ for sound customization, while the Samsung’s only includes presets. The Samsung have a longer continuous battery life, a much more stable fit, and their mic has a better noise handling performance.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless are better truly wireless earbuds than the Apple AirPods (2nd generation) Truly Wireless for most people unless you have an iPhone and prefer something with a more open sound. The Samsung have a better-balanced sound profile and a longer battery life, and they isolate a lot more noise. Some people prefer how the Apple headphones let in ambient sounds, though, and how they seamlessly pair with Apple devices.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless are better in-ears than the Google Pixel Buds A-Series Truly Wireless. While both headphones are comfortable and well-built, the Samsung have a more neutral default sound profile, which some users may prefer, and their companion app offers EQ presets to help you adjust their sound to your liking. They can passively block out more ambient noise, have longer continuous battery life, and their mic delivers a significantly better noise handling performance. However, the Google earbuds' mic has a better recording quality.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless are better truly wireless headphones than the Google Pixel Buds 2020 Truly Wireless. The Samsung have a better-balanced sound profile, block a lot more background noise, and have a much longer battery life. On the other hand, the Google pair to Android devices almost instantly, and have a better control scheme that's very easy to use.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless are slightly better headphones than the Jabra Elite 3 True Wireless. While both headphones are comfortable and well built, the Samsung have a more neutral sound profile, which some users may prefer, and have longer continuous battery life. They also have a more stable in-ear fit. However, the Jabra have a better noise isolation performance, and they support aptX codec.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless are better for most uses than the Anker SoundCore Life P3 Truly Wireless. The Samsung are more stable, and they have a longer continuous battery life. Also, they have a more neutral sound profile out-of-the-box, which some users may prefer. However, the Anker have better noise isolation, so they're better-suited for your commute. Also, they come with a graphic EQ, so they're more customizable.
The JBL CLUB PRO+ TWS True Wireless and the Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless are both decently versatile in-ears, so depending on your listening habits, you may prefer one over the other. The JBL have better noise isolation and they leak less sound. You can also use their parametric EQ and presets to customize them to your liking, while the Samsung just comes with some EQ presets. However, the Samsung are more stable in your ear and they have longer continuous battery life.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless are better than the Samsung AKG Type-C. The Buds+ are wireless, and they have a more stable fit. Their sound profile is more neutral, they leak less noise, and they have more sound customization features. However, the wired AKG Type-C can be connected to devices with a USB-C port.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless and the Sony MH755 have different strengths, and you may prefer either one. The Samsung are truly wireless earbuds with a more comfortable and stable fit, their sound profile is more neutral, which some users may prefer, and they have a mic so they can take calls on the go. However, the Sony can block out more ambient noise, and thanks to their wired design, have virtually no latency.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless are better suited for mixed usage than the Sony WF-SP800N Truly Wireless. The Samsung are smaller but have an equally secure, comfortable fit, deliver a much more well-balanced listening experience out-the-box, and have a better-integrated mic. At over 13 hours, they’re also one of the few truly wireless headphones that have a longer continuous battery life than the Sony. However, the Sony retaliate with a more intuitive control scheme, less audio leakage, and a companion app with a graphic EQ to the Samsung Galaxy Wearable app’s simple audio presets.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless are better in-ears than the Beats Fit Pro True Wireless. The Samsung are more comfortable, have a much more neutral sound profile, which some users may prefer, and they have a significantly better battery performance. Their companion app also offers EQ presets to help you adjust their sound to your liking. However, the Beats have an H1 chip for seamless pairing with your Apple devices. They also have an ANC, which can help block out ambient noise around you.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless are better headphones than the Amazon Echo Buds True Wireless 2021 (2nd generation). The Samsung have much longer continuous battery life and a slightly better noise isolation performance, even though they don't have ANC. They also have a more neutral default sound profile, which some listeners may prefer. However, the Amazon work with a companion app with a graphic EQ, so you can customize their sound profile. Their integrated mic also has a significantly better recording quality.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless are more versatile in-ears than the MOONDROP KATO. While both headphones are comfortable, the Samsung have a more neutral sound profile, which some users may prefer, and their companion app offers EQ presets to help you customize their sound to your liking. They can also passively block out more ambient noise. They also have a mic so you can take calls on the go. However, the MOONDROP are better-built wired in-ear monitors with a swappable nozzle design.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless are better headphones than the Ultimate Ears FITS Truly Wireless. The Samsung have a more neutral sound profile out-of-the-box and a more consistent audio delivery across different users. They isolate against more background noise, and they have longer continuous battery life. However, the Ultimate Ears are more comfortable thanks to their moldable ear tips, and they come with a graphic EQ for more sound customization.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless are better than the Sennheiser CX True Wireless. The Samsung have a comfier and more stable fit, come with a smaller charging case, have a better-balanced out-of-the-box sound profile, and deliver better overall mic performance. They also last more than twice as long on a single charge, though this can vary in the real world, and it's worth noting that they case only supplies roughly one extra charge. Meanwhile, instead of the Samsung's in-app audio presets, the Sennheiser's companion app grants you access to a graphic EQ. The Sennheiser also feel better-built and leak slightly less audio.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless are marginally better truly wireless in-ears than the Amazon Echo Buds True Wireless 2019 (1st generation). The Samsung are more comfortable, have a more accurate and balanced out-of-the-box sound profile, a better microphone, and a much longer single-charge battery life. On the other hand, the Amazon isolate background sound much better thanks to their active noise reduction (ANR) feature and have a better app that includes a graphic EQ to customize your sound profile.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless are better in-ears than the OnePlus Buds Pro Truly Wireless. While both headphones are comfortable and well-built, the Samsung have a more neutral default sound profile, a significantly better battery performance, and their companion app offers a few EQ presets to help you adjust their sound to your liking. However, the OnePlus have a somewhat better noise isolation performance. They also have a 'Pro Gaming Mode', which is advertised to lower latency when paired with compatible OnePlus phones.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless and the Jabra Elite 75t Truly Wireless are similarly performing and decent options. They're both quite comfortable, but the Samsung feel a bit more stable in the ear, have a more accurate and balanced sound profile out-of-the-box, and a much longer battery life off a single charge. On the other hand, the Jabra have much better controls with physical, clicky buttons, as well as support for multi-device pairing, and a much better app that gives you access to a full graphic EQ to customize their sound profile. They also have an active noise cancelling feature.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless are much better truly wireless earbuds than the TOZO T6 Truly Wireless. The Samsung have a more comfortable in-ear design and feel better built. They also have a more neutral, detailed sound profile and their battery lasts much longer on a single charge. The TOZO's controls are easier-to-use, but the Samsung still provide better value overall.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless are slightly better in-ears for most uses than the Jabra Elite 85t Truly Wireless. While both headphones are comfortable, the Samsung have a more stable fit, a more neutral default sound profile, which some user may prefer, and a better battery performance. On the other hand, the Jabra are better-built, have an ANC that's able to block out more background noise, and their companion app offers a graphic EQ in addition to presets to help you adjust their sound.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless are better truly wireless earbuds for mixed usage than the Bose SoundSport Free Truly Wireless, which are designed for sport. While both headphones have a very well-balanced, neutral sound profile, the Samsung have a longer battery life, isolate more noise, and are customizable with their companion app. On the other hand, the Bose have stability fins to help them stay in place, and outdoor runners in particular will appreciate how they provide better ambient awareness.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless are better truly wireless headphones than the JBL Reflect Flow True Wireless. The Samsung are more comfortable, have an incredibly neutral sound profile, and have a better performing integrated microphone. They also have a longer continuous battery life, even though they offer only one additional charge in their case when compared to the JBL's two additional charges, and have a companion app that has EQ presets. The JBL, on the other hand, also have a very neutral sound profile, they feel slightly better built, and isolate a bit more background noise than the Samsung.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless are better headphones than the Skullcandy Indy Fuel Truly Wireless. The Samsung have a far more balanced sound profile, last more than four times as long on a single charge, offer a more comfortable, secure fit, and have a far more useful companion app, not to mention a better-integrated mic. Conversely, the Skullcandy offer lower latency on mobile devices, block out more ambient noise, and have a more comprehensive control scheme.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless are better overall headphones than the Sony WF-XB700 Truly Wireless. The Samsung are more comfortable and have a more stable fit, and they also have longer battery life. Out-of-the-box, their sound profile is more neutral and better-balanced, though some listeners may prefer the bass-heavy sound of the Sony. Thanks to their companion app and EQ presets, the Samsung offer more customization options. The Sony's controls are less intuitive but include volume control, which the Samsung lack. The Sony are also better at passively isolating background noise, and leak less audio.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless are better truly wireless in-ears than the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless. The Samsung are more comfortable, feel more stable, have a much better-balanced sound profile, have a much longer single-charge battery life, and a better microphone. On the other hand, the Sennheiser's app gives you a graphic EQ as opposed to only presets, and have much better physical controls.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless are better headphones than the EarFun Air Pro 2 True Wireless 2021. The Samsung are more comfortable, have a more stable in-ear fit, and their sound profile is more neutral, which some users may prefer. They also have a significantly better battery performance, and their companion app offers a few EQ presets to help you adjust their sound to your liking. However, the EarFun can block out more ambient noise around you.
The Anker SoundCore Liberty Air 2 Truly Wireless and the Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless are both versatile, well-rounded truly wireless earbuds. The Samsung have a much more neutral sound out-of-the-box, which makes them more versatile for a wider range of genres by default. The Anker have a more excited sound profile, and their companion app provides a lot of sound customization options, including a graphic EQ. The Samsung have a more comfortable, compact earbud design, however, and a significantly better battery performance.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless are slightly better truly wireless headphones than the Jabra Elite Active 65t Truly Wireless. The Samsung are more comfortable, have an incredibly neutral sound profile, and they have longer continuous battery life. However, the Jabra are still fairly balanced, they can passively isolate more noise, and they have a wider range of controls. Their companion app offers a graphic EQ on top of presets, giving you more range to tweak their sound to your liking and they can also be paired with up to two devices at a time.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless and the Astro A40 TR Headset + MixAmp Pro 2017 are two headphones with very different uses. The Astro are over-ear, wired headphones designed for gamers. They're more comfortable and can be worn for long gaming sessions. They also have a MixAmp with sound controls that you can adjust on-the-fly, and their boom microphone captures voices clearly. However, they're not as versatile as the Samsung, which are suited for most uses other than gaming. Overall, the Samsung have a truly wireless design that makes it easier to take along with you when compared to over-ears. The Samsung isolate more noise and have a very balanced and neutral sound profile.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless are better overall performing earbuds than the Jabra Elite 65t Truly Wireless. The Samsung are more comfortable, have a better-balanced sound profile out-of-the-box, and offer a longer continuous battery life than the Jabra. However, the Jabra have one more charge in their carrying case than the Samsung, an auto-off feature, and they can be paired with up to two devices at the same time.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless are better than the Sony LinkBuds Truly Wireless for most purposes. The Samsung are much more comfortable, well-built, and stable. They have a much more neutral, versatile sound profile and a longer continuous battery life. They can also passively isolate you from some ambient sound. However, the Sony are designed to let you hear ambient sound. Their app also offers more robust sound customization features, and they support virtual surround sound.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless are better truly wireless in-ears than the Anker SoundCore Liberty Air 2 Truly Wireless. The Samsung are more comfortable, have better controls, a much better-balanced and accurate sound profile, a better microphone, and a significantly longer single-charge battery life. On the other hand, the Anker have a better app that includes a graphic EQ and have a slightly longer overall battery life, including the charging case.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless are better headphones than the Cambridge Audio Melomania 1+ True Wireless. The Samsung are more comfortable, have a more neutral default sound profile, which some users may prefer, and their integrated mic offers a better overall performance. They also have a significantly better battery performance. However, the Cambridge Audio have a graphic EQ to help you adjust their sound and they have a better noise isolation performance.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless are better for most uses than the EarFun Air Pro Truly Wireless. The Samsung have a more stable fit and a longer continuous battery life. They have a less bass-heavy, more neutral sound profile, which some users may prefer. On the other hand, the EarFun have an ANC feature, so they're more suitable for reducing the sound of bus and plane engines when you're commuting or traveling.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless are better headphones than the Cowin Apex Elite Truly Wireless. The Samsung are better-built, more stable, and have a more neutral sound profile out-of-the-box. Thanks to their companion app, you can even customize their sound using EQ presets. Their continuous battery life is longer, and they can passively isolate against more background noises than the Cowin can with their ANC feature turned on.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless re slightly better for casual use than the EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid Truly Wireless. The Samsung have a more stable fit, a more comprehensive control scheme, a very well-balanced sound profile, and significantly longer 13-hour-plus battery life. Conversely, the EPOS are better-built, offer a somewhat better mic performance, and leak less audio. Their companion software also features a graphic EQ.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless are better for most purposes than the Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro Truly Wireless. The Samsung have a more stable fit and a more neutral sound profile, which some listeners may prefer. Their mic has a significantly better recording quality, and their continuous battery life is much longer. The Anker have an ANC feature that blocks out an impressive amount of ambient sound. They also work with companion software that gives you access to a graphic EQ and presets, while the Samsung's software has presets but no EQ.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless are better headphones than the Creative Outlier Air V2 True Wireless. The Samsung have a more stable fit and a longer continuous battery life. Also, their default sound profile is more neutral than the Creative's v-shaped sound. However, the Creative come with a full graphic EQ for sound customization, and they have better noise isolation.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless are better headphones than the Beats Solo Pro Wireless. The Samsung are in-ears that have a more comfortable and stable fit. They have a more neutral sound out of the box, which some users may prefer, EQ presets so that you can adjust their sound to your liking, and better battery performance. However, the Beats are better-built and have an ANC system that can isolate you from a greater amount of background noise.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless are better overall headphones than the Boltune BT-BH024 Truly Wireless. The Samsung have a longer battery life, and a more comfortable, more stable in-ear fit. They also have a better-balanced sound profile out-of-the-box, and unlike the Boltune, you can adjust the sound profile using the EQ presets on the dedicated companion app. That being said, both pairs of in-ears lack an ANC feature, and the Boltune do a better job passively isolating background noise.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless are better truly wireless headphones for mixed usage than the Anker Soundcore Life Dot 2 Truly Wireless. The Samsung offer a more comfortable, stable fit, a better-balanced sound profile with EQ presets in their companion app, as well as a longer battery life off of a single charge. Conversely, the Anker block out more ambient noise and have a case that yields almost four times the battery life as that of the Samsung.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless are better all-around truly wireless headphones than the Skullcandy Push Ultra Truly Wireless. The Samsung last nearly twice as long on a single charge, are comfier and more stable in the ear, deliver a better-balanced and more consistent listening experience, and have a somewhat useful companion app. That said, the Skullcandy have a more intuitive physical control scheme and a higher IP67 rating for dust and water resistance.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless are a better option than the Mpow M30 Truly Wireless. The Samsung have a very accurate and well-balanced sound profile, on top of being customizable via EQ presets in their app. They also have a noticeably better battery performance with over 13 hours of continuous playback, against the Mpow's mere 4 hours. On the other hand, the Mpow have a better noise isolation performance and are noticeably cheaper, but other than that, the Samsung are simply better.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless are better in-ears than the JBL LIVE 300TWS Truly Wireless. The Samsung have a more balanced profile, a longer battery life, and a nice case that supports wireless charging. On the other hand, the JBL's app offers slightly more customization options, including a parametric EQ as opposed to only EQ presets with the Samsung. Their mic also has a better recording quality, although the Samsung's has a better noise handing performance.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless are much better truly wireless headphones than the Microsoft Surface Earbuds Truly Wireless. The Samsung are more comfortable, feel much more stable in the ear, and have a much better-balanced and more accurate default sound profile. Their excellent 13.3-hour battery last more than twice as long, and they block a lot more background noise. On the other hand, the Microsoft don't enter the ear canal as deeply, which some people may prefer. Their companion app also gives you access to a graphic EQ, while the Samsung app only gives you EQ presets.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless and the Jabra Elite Active 75t Truly Wireless are both decent truly wireless earbuds each with their strengths and weaknesses. The Samsung have a much more neutral sound profile out-of-the-box, and they have a significantly longer continuous battery life. The Jabra, however, have more sound customization options in their app, easier-to-use physical controls, and support multi-device pairing.
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Test Results
These headphones look identical to the older Samsung Galaxy Buds Truly Wireless, with a far more conventional in-ear design than the newer Samsung Galaxy Buds Live Truly Wireless. They're quite small and don't protrude out of the ears. The earbuds have a glossy plastic finish and look quite premium. Some color variants, including the as-tested 'White' version, have an iridescent finish on their touch-sensitive surface.
These in-ears are quite comfortable. They shouldn't put pressure on your inner ear and don't enter your ear canal too deeply. They're also very lightweight, so you should be able to wear them for extended periods without experiencing any discomfort. If you want an even more comfortable pair of in-ears with tips that you can mold to fit the shape of your ear, check out the Ultimate Ears FITS Truly Wireless.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus have an easy-to-use control scheme that provides some audio feedback when in use. Their touch-sensitive surface means that you don't have to push the earbuds further into your ear when you use it, which is nice, but unfortunately, this design makes it easy to register a command accidentally. It's also difficult to use the controls while wearing gloves. In addition, the buds don't have volume control by default; you have to add them via the companion app. On the upside, you can customize the long press to register different controls, including triggering volume adjustment, which is great. You can also set the edge of the earbuds' touch sensor to adjust your volume up/down with a double-tap.
Like most truly wireless earbuds, the Samsung Galaxy Buds+ are very small and can easily be tossed into pockets or a bag. Even their charging case is on the smaller side and should fit into most pockets.
The charging case for these headphones is great. Its hinge stays open at any angle, which feels secure. It feels quite premium and is made from solid and high-grade plastic. It also supports Qi-enabled wireless charging, which is nice.
These in-ears feel quite well-made overall. Both the case and the earbuds themselves are made from dense plastic and feel like they should easily withstand a few accidental drops or bumps. They're rated IPX2 for basic water resistance, which is lower than the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro Truly Wireless' IPX7 rating. However, we don't currently test for this.
These headphones feel very stable in the ear. They come with three different sizes of tips and stability fins to help get a good fit, and they should stay in place, even during more strenuous workouts.
- Samsung Galaxy Buds+ headphones
- Charging case
- 3x tip options
- 3x fin sleeve options
- USB-C to USB-A charging cable
- Manuals
The Samsung Galaxy Buds+' out-of-the-box sound profile is well-balanced. Its bass response delivers adequate thump and rumble, while vocals and lead instruments are present and clear. Sibilants are also detailed without being overly piercing or harsh. If that's not to your liking, their companion app features six different EQ presets to better suit your preferences.
Like most in-ear headphones, the frequency response consistency is outstanding. Once you achieve a proper fit using the included tips, you should experience consistent bass and treble delivery every time you use them.
These headphones have incredible bass accuracy. Their bass range is very neutral, so the thump, punch, and boom of your music is present but not overwhelming. Fans of EDM and hip-hop who want a more bass-heavy, boomy sound can use the 'Bass Boost' EQ preset in the companion app, although we don't test it currently.
These headphones have fantastic mid-range accuracy. Vocals and instruments should sound present and clear. There's a small dip in the mid-mid range, which nudges vocals and instruments back slightly, but it shouldn't be noticeable for most people.
These headphones have excellent treble accuracy. Vocals and lead instruments should sound bright and detailed without being harsh. However, a small dip in the mid-treble range means sibilants, like cymbals or S and T sounds in speech, are somewhat dulled.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus have excellent peaks and dips performance. Their entire frequency response is well-balanced, and while there are a few bumps in the treble range, they're minor, so vocals and lead instruments sound detailed while sibilants are bright.
The stereo imaging performance is outstanding. Their weighted group delay falls entirely beneath the audibility threshold, resulting in a tight bass and a transparent treble reproduction. Additionally, our unit's L/R drivers are exceptionally matched in regards to amplitude, frequency, and phase response. This means that objects and instruments, like voices and footsteps, are accurately localized in the stereo image, resulting in a more immersive listening experience. However, these results are only valid for our unit, and yours may perform differently.
These headphones have a bad passive soundstage, like most in-ears. This is because in-ears bypass any sort of interaction with the outer ear, which means they can't create an out-of-head listening experience. Also, because of their closed-back enclosure, sound is perceived as coming from the inside of your head rather than all around you.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus' weighted harmonic distortion performance is decent. Some slight distortion is present throughout the treble range at both normal and high volumes, but the rest of the frequency range falls within good limits, resulting in mostly clean and pure audio reproduction.
These are the settings used to test these headphones. Our results are only valid when listening using these settings.
The noise isolation performance is acceptable. While they do a great job at blocking out background chatter and the higher-frequency sounds of an AC unit, they block out very little bass-range sounds. This means that they won't help much with reducing the low rumble of bus or plane engines. For truly wireless in-ears with better passive noise isolation, see the Sony WF-XB700 Truly Wireless.
Like most closed-back in-ears, the Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus leak very little audio. You should be able to listen to your music at pretty high volumes without worrying about disrupting people nearby, even in moderately quiet environments.
Like with most Bluetooth headphones, the microphone's recording quality is mediocre. Your voice should be decently clear and understandable but lacking in detail.
The noise handling of this microphone is alright. Even in moderately noisy environments, the person on the other end of the line should be able to hear you somewhat clearly.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds+' battery performance is very good, and a big improvement over the older Samsung Galaxy Buds Truly Wireless. They supply over 13 hours of continuous playback time, which is especially impressive for a pair of truly wireless in-ears and comfortably outlasts the advertised figure of 11 hours. Their continuous battery life also exceeds their successor, the Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Truly Wireless. Unfortunately, their case only holds one additional charge, though their overall battery life is still excellent. They also advertise an additional hour of playback from three minutes of charging, but we don't test for this. Note that battery performance can vary according to use, and your real-life experience may vary.
These headphones have decent app support, with dedicated companion apps for both Android and iOS. On Android devices, you can connect with the Galaxy Wearable app, and on iOS, there's an app called Samsung Galaxy Buds+. The apps give you access to five different EQ presets, plus a few other useful features, including control mapping for the long hold of the button on each earbud. You can also change your 'Ambient Sound' settings, which affects how much external noise from your surroundings is played into your ears. There's a program called 'Samsung Galaxy Buds Manager' for Windows or macOS devices, but it doesn't offer the same features and seems to be just for accessing updates.
Update 04/13/2022: These headphones were updated to Test Bench 1.5 and their latency values have changed. Our previous Test Bench 1.4 measurements reported 'Android Latency' at 134 ms. However, our new test bench uses an average of three measurements instead of one, resulting in 33 ms of latency on Android devices. As a result, we have updated our text to better reflect test bench 1.5 measurements.
These in-ears have fair Bluetooth connectivity. They support Bluetooth 5.0 but not multi-device or NFC pairing. However, if you use a compatible Samsung phone, you get a pop-up on your phone asking if you want to connect the headphones as soon as you open their charging case, which makes pairing seamless. Unfortunately, their latency on PCs is very high, and you may notice that your audio and visuals fall out of sync if you're streaming video. Their latency on iOS and Android devices is significantly lower, so you shouldn't encounter lip-sync issues when using these devices. It's worth noting that some apps seem to compensate for latency, though, so your real-world experience may vary.
These headphones can't be used wired. They come with a USB-C to USB-A cable to charge the case.
These truly wireless earbuds only support Bluetooth, so they're not compatible with the Xbox One.
The charging case for these headphones should give you an additional charge, but like most truly wireless headphones, it doesn't have any inputs aside from a USB-C port for charging.