Update: 02/24/2020: Our original unit of the Samsung Galaxy Buds unfortunately broke, so we ordered and re-tested a replacement unit. There are a few differences in sound and isolation, but we cannot confirm whether they're due to actual changes in the new unit's performance, or simply a result of slight variations in the fit and seal when re-testing. Note however that while our unit gave us significant connection issues and audio cuts while testing, we had no such problems with our new unit on the latest firmware.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds are well-rounded, truly wireless headphones. They're comfortable, feel well-built, and are very portable. Their balanced, neutral sound profile makes them suitable for a wide variety of music genres, and their battery lasts a fair while too. They isolate a decent amount of ambient noise, and they barely leak, making them suitable for use at the office and while commuting. Unfortunately, their default control scheme is limited and can't be changed if you don't have an Android device. On the upside, they have remarkably low latency when watching YouTube videos on both iOS and Android.
Our Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Buds are decent for mixed usage. They have a versatile sound profile that lends itself well to all different kinds of music. Their in-ear design isolates a decent amount of ambient noise, which is good for commuting and use at the office. The buds are small and fit securely too, which makes them great for sports. While they have very low latency while watching YouTube videos on a smartphone, they aren't suitable for gaming.
- Decent audio reproduction.
- Comfortable and durable design.
- Long single charge battery life for truly wireless headphones.
- Very high latency.
- Connection stability issues.
- In-ear fit might not be comfortable for everyone.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds are very good for neutral listening thanks to their remarkably well-balanced sound profile. Bass is deep and punchy without overpowering vocals, and instruments while treble is clear and bright without sounding harsh or sharp. You should be able to enjoy a wide range of music genres with these earbuds.
Good for commuting. While they don’t do a great job against low-frequency noises like engine rumbles, they are very comfortable and easy to carry around. Their battery life is also suitable for longer rides and flights, which is nice for truly wireless headphones.
Great for sports. Their small bud design fits nicely into the ears and shouldn’t pop out during physical activities. They don’t trap heat inside the ears so you shouldn’t sweat more than usual when wearing them, which is great. However, they might have a similar clogging problem to the Samsung Gear IconX, which we will monitor as we continue to use them. However, they don't have internal storage like the previous model, which was useful for those wanting to work out without having your phone on you.
Decent for the office. The Samsung Galaxy Buds do a good job at isolating against ambient chatter and high-frequency noises like A/C systems. They are also comfortable, but the in-ear fit might not be the most ideal for a long workday. On the upside, they barely leak, so you’ll be able to mask more ambient noise by raising your volume without disturbing surrounding colleagues. However, while their battery life is longer than most truly wireless headphones we’ve reviewed so far, it might still not be enough for a full workday and might need daily charging, especially if you plan on using them during your commute to work.
Poor for gaming. Their latency is way too high for gaming and if you’re playing online games, their microphone is mediocre. They won’t be as customizable as gaming headphones we’ve reviewed so far, and we don’t consider the in-ear fit to be very comfortable for long gaming sessions.
Changelog
- Updated Feb 21, 2020: Converted to Test Bench 1.4.
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.1.
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.
- Updated Apr 26, 2019: We've updated the controls score to reflect the latest update.
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Popular Headphones Comparisons
The Samsung Galaxy Buds are decent truly wireless headphones that set themselves apart thanks to their wireless Qi charging case and their versatility for everyday casual use. However, they have very high latency, and we had a few connection stability issues with our unit. We suggest taking a look at our recommendations for the best truly wireless earbuds, the best wireless earbuds, and the best noise cancelling earbuds and in-ears.
The Jabra Elite 75t Truly Wireless are slightly better headphones than the Samsung Galaxy Buds. The Jabra have a longer overall battery life, a better app, feel better built, and support multi-device pairing. Their active noise cancelling feature also offers a good overall performance. That said, the Samsung feel more stable in the ear and have a better case. Their sound profile is also better-balanced out of the box, which some listeners may prefer.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds and the Samsung Gear IconX Truly Wireless are very similar headphones. They perform almost the same way and have practically the same audio reproduction. The Gear IconX have 4GB internal storage, which is very useful to load music on them and work out without your phone. On the other hand, the newer Galaxy Buds now support wireless Qi charging and have a noticeably better microphone. They also have a longer battery life, but latency is worse on the Galaxy Buds than the Gear IconX.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds are slightly better headphones than the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro. While both are well-built and comfortable, the original Buds are more stable and have a more neutral default sound profile, which some users may prefer, and their battery performance is better. However, the Pro can block out more background noise, thanks to their ANC system.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ are a decent improvement over the previous generation Samsung Galaxy Buds. 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.
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