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Echo Buds with Active Noise Cancellation (2021 release, 2nd gen) | Wired charging case | Black
Sustainability features
This product has sustainability features recognized by trusted certifications.
Carbon emissions from the lifecycle of this product were reduced compared to similar products or previous models.
The Reducing CO2 label applies to products certified by the Carbon Trust, that are lowering their carbon emissions year after year for the full lifecycle of the product. The Carbon Trust was formed in 2001 and introduced the world’s first carbon label in 2007. It produces its certifications to global leading and independently verified standards. The Carbon Trust has a mission to accelerate the move to a sustainable, low carbon economy.
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Free returns are available for the shipping address you chose. You can return the item for any reason in new and unused condition: no shipping charges
Learn more about free returns.- Go to your orders and start the return
- Select the return method
- Ship it!
Purchase options and add-ons
- DYNAMIC AUDIO AND ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLATION (ANC) - Premium speakers deliver crisp, balanced sound. Sealed in-ear design and ANC limit background noise.
- CUSTOMIZE YOUR AUDIO - Audio Personalization helps tune audio for your unique hearing preferences to enhance your enjoyment of music and more.
- COMPACT AND COMFORTABLE - Echo Buds with Active Noise Cancellation are small, light, and IPX4 sweat-resistant, with a secure, customizable fit that's made to move with you.
- HANDS-FREE ENTERTAINMENT - Works with the Alexa app to stream music, play podcasts, and read Audible audiobooks—just ask. Use your voice to make calls, set reminders, add items to your shopping list, and more.
- SEAMLESS SWITCHING — Connect to two devices at the same time and automatically move between devices with multipoint pairing. Move from a video call on your laptop to music on your phone without skipping a beat.
- LONG-LASTING BATTERY - Get up to 5 hrs music playback per charge and up to 15 hrs with the charging case. A 15-min quick charge provides up to 2 hrs of music
- WORKS WITH OTHER ASSISTANTS - Compatible with iOS and Android, and supports access to Siri and Google Assistant
- DESIGNED TO PROTECT YOUR PRIVACY - Amazon is not in the business of selling your personal information to others. Built with multiple layers of privacy controls including the ability to mute the mics with the Alexa app.
We want you to know
Choosing the right ear tip size is important to experience the best sound quality and active noise cancellation performance. Find a comfortable and secure fit through the Fit Guide.
To activate your Echo Buds, you will need to complete registration in the Alexa app using a smartphone with Android 8.0+ or iOS 14+.
For tips related to battery health, visit the battery help page here.
*Wired is an Amazon affiliate and receives commissions for purchases made though links on its site.
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"Alexa, turn on the lights."
Control the lights with your voice.
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- Climate Pledge FriendlyProducts with trusted sustainability certification(s). Learn more
PRODUCT CERTIFICATION (1)
Reducing CO2 products reduce their carbon footprint year after year. Certified by the Carbon Trust.
Echo Buds with Active Noise CancellationSmall, light, and comfortable, Echo Buds with Active Noise Cancellation are designed to feel great and sound even better, no matter what you're listening to. Enjoy up to 5 hours of music playback on a single charge and get hands-free access to Alexa—no tapping required. |
Dynamic audio and active noise cancellationPremium speaker drivers deliver crisp, balanced sound. Active noise cancellation limits background noise while Passthrough Mode lets you hear what's going on around you. Just touch and hold either earbud for two seconds to toggle between the two features. |
Power up for
work or play
Long-lasting battery and the included charging
case let you go with the flow, no matter what
your day holds.
Hands-free
|
Customize your fit. Optimize
|
Take Alexa
|
Designed to protect your privacyBuilt with multiple layers of privacy protections and controls, including the ability to mute the mics with the Alexa app. You also have control over your voice recordings. You can view, hear, or delete them at any time. Learn more about Alexa privacy. |
Every day is an earth day
You don’t have to be an environmental scientist to make sustainable choices. We considered sustainability in the design of this Echo device. Here’s how:
Materials
21% post-consumer recycled plastics in case (black color only).
Earbuds, cable and adapter not included.
Clean Energy
Amazon is building new wind and solar farms to produce clean energy equivalent to the electricity used by this device.
Device Packaging
98% of this device’s packaging is made of wood fiber-based materials from responsibly managed forests or recycled sources.
Simple to set up and use
1. Open the Alexa app on your phone.
2. Open the case and wait for the blue
light. Tap the pop-up notification in
the app to finish setup.
3. Customize your fit with the
included ear tips and wing tips.
Compare headphones
Price | From: $119.99 | From: $49.99 | From: - | From: $79.99 | From: - | From: - |
Ratings | 3.9 out of 5 stars (22,089) | 4.0 out of 5 stars (7,790) | 4.7 out of 5 stars (300,566) | 4.7 out of 5 stars (614,826) | 4.2 out of 5 stars (36,468) | 4.6 out of 5 stars (83,884) |
Active noise cancellation | ||||||
Hands-free voice assistant | Alexa | Alexa | Siri | Siri | ||
Tap-to-access voice assistant | Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri | Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri | Siri | Siri | Google Assistant, Siri | Google Assistant, Siri, Bixby |
Battery life on full charge | Up to 5 hrs (6.5 hrs with ANC and Alexa wake word off) | Up to 5 hours (6 hours with Alexa wake word off) | Up to 4.5 hrs (5 hrs with ANC off) | Up to 5 hrs | Up to 5 hrs | Up to 11 hrs |
Total hours with charging case | Up to 15 hrs (19.5 hrs with ANC and Alexa wake word off) | Up to 20 hours | More than 24 hrs | More than 24 hrs | Up to 15 hrs | Up to 22 hrs |
Quick charge | Up to 2 hrs with 15-min charge | Up to 2 hours with 15-min charge | Up to 1 hr with 5-min charge | Up to 3 hrs with 15-min charge | Up to 2 hrs with 15-min charge | Up to 1 hr with 3-min charge |
IPX rating (water resistance of earbuds) | IPX4 | IPX2 | IPX4 | IPX4 | IPX2 | |
Customizable fit | 4 sizes of ear tips and 2 sizes of wing tips | 3 sizes of ear tips | 3 sizes of ear tips | 3 sizes of ear tips and wing tips |
Technical details
Echo Buds with Active Noise Cancellation
Size |
Earbud: 20.0 x 19.1 x 19.1 mm (without ear tip or wing tip) Case: 66.8 x 28.6 x 39.1 mm |
Weight |
Earbud: 5.7 g (without ear tip or wing tip) Case: 44.4 g (47.6 g for wireless charging case) Actual size and weight may vary by manufacturing process. |
Wifi or data connection |
Echo Buds use a wifi or mobile data connection and the Alexa app for connectivity and other features. Carrier charges may apply. Please consult your carrier for information on any fees and limitations that apply to your plan. Alexa voice control is supported on Android 8.0, iOS 14, and Fire OS 7 or greater. However, please note that the following smartphones are not compatible with Echo Buds for Alexa voice control. Additionally, Fire 7 (all generations), Fire HD 8 (9th gen or older), and Fire HD 10 (8th gen or older) are not compatible with Echo Buds. |
Bluetooth |
Bluetooth 5.0 Hands-Free Profile (HFP) support for calling, Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) support for audio streaming, Audio/Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP) for voice control of media sessions, Serial Port Profile for Bluetooth connectivity to Android phones and iPod Accessory Protocol for Bluetooth connectivity to iPhones. |
Processors |
Realtek RTL8763C Bluetooth System on Chip with integrated Audio Codec, NXP Digital Signal Processor |
Speakers |
5.7 mm dynamic driver |
Microphones |
3 per earbud: 2 external beamforming microphones + 1 internal microphone |
IPX rating (water resistance) |
IPX4 (earbuds only), tested to withstand water splashing. Learn more about our test. |
Sensors |
Accelerometer, proximity, touch, hall (case) |
Battery and power |
Up to 5 hours music playback on a single charge with ANC and Hands-Free Alexa. 15 hours total with the charging case. Up to 6.5 hours music playback on a single charge without ANC and Hands-Free Alexa. 19.5 hours total with the charging case. Up to 4 hours call time on a single charge. Up to 12 hours call time with the charging case. Up to 2 hours music playback time with 15-minute quick charge. Actual battery life will vary depending on device settings, features utilized, environment, manufacturing variability, and other factors. Testing was conducted by Amazon in a lab environment with preproduction Echo Buds and charging case and a prerelease version of the Alexa app on both iPhone and Android phones. Learn more about Amazon’s battery life testing here. Wireless charging case compatible with Qi-certified wireless charging pads. |
Accessibility features |
Audio Personalization helps tune audio for your unique hearing preferences. This feature is not intended to diagnose or treat any hearing conditions. The Alexa app and Alexa-enabled products include several features for customers with accessibility needs related to vision, hearing, mobility, and speech. Learn more about Alexa accessibility. |
Warranty and service |
1-year limited warranty and service included. Optional 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year extended warranties will be available for U.S. customers and sold separately. Use of Echo Buds is subject to these terms. |
Included in the box |
Echo Buds, charging case, 4 pairs of ear tips, 2 pairs of wing tips, USB-C cable, and Quick Start Guide. |
Privacy Features |
Wake word technology, streaming indicator, mute button in the Alexa app, the ability to view and delete your voice recordings, and more. Visit the Alexa Privacy Hub to explore how Alexa and Echo devices are designed to protect your privacy. |
Sustainability features
This product has sustainability features recognized by trusted certifications.
Carbon emissions from the lifecycle of this product were reduced compared to similar products or previous models.
The Reducing CO2 label applies to products certified by the Carbon Trust, that are lowering their carbon emissions year after year for the full lifecycle of the product. The Carbon Trust was formed in 2001 and introduced the world’s first carbon label in 2007. It produces its certifications to global leading and independently verified standards. The Carbon Trust has a mission to accelerate the move to a sustainable, low carbon economy.
Videos
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Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers are disappointed with connectivity and battery life of the digital device. They also have different opinions on fit, comfort, quality, value, performance, and sound quality.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers are mixed about the sound quality of the digital device. Some mention that the sound is decent enough, with a great improvement in noise abatement. They also appreciate the bass hit, mids were throaty, and highs were crisp without being too loud. However, some say that a slight electronic sound can be heard, and that the volume is too low.
"...These earbuds generally work well for calls. The audio I hear is good - perhaps slightly better than the audiobook/podcast audio I mentioned above...." Read more
"...Good noise cancellation, deep bass, high trebles and the best part of all: Alexa at the ready...." Read more
"...every once in a while when making a strong move there is a small distortion in the sound, it last less than a second but it is a slight imperfection...." Read more
"...I like the audio quality of the earbuds themselves. They have a decent amount of bass out of the box with details in the mids and highs...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the performance of the earbuds. Some mention that it works well for calls, Alexa works well, and the ANC seems to be effective. However, others say that it doesn't even work that well, does not work well with Amazon music, and that the wing-tips off works fantastic.
"...Not just that, it doesn't even work that well. I called out Alexa a few times and I had to repeat myself at least once or twice...." Read more
"...Passthrough audio: Works really well on these earbuds. The Echo buds have a feature that I love, you can use passthrough with only one ear bud in...." Read more
"...The problem is that maybe the ANC works too well, as I was yelling "ALEXA" and she just couldn't hear me most of the time...." Read more
"...These earbuds generally work well for calls. The audio I hear is good - perhaps slightly better than the audiobook/podcast audio I mentioned above...." Read more
Customers have mixed opinions about the quality of the earbuds. Some find the mics' quality impressive, while others say it's not very good. Some say the sound is lower quality, the ANC is subpar, and the lid feels cheap.
"...Conclusion:Overall I like these earbuds. They are the best earbuds I have tested for running, and I will keep using them for running and..." Read more
"...But these don't look good. They almost jut out of your ear in the weirdest way. Just... not slick." Read more
"...The presets are garbage.8/10 Apple: I cannot deny these are very good and capture everything well with a great soundstage for a bud...." Read more
"...Great craftsmanship, solid design and feel...and I'm very impressed with the sound...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the fit of the digital device. Some mention that the buds fit well and won't fall out of their ears, while others say that the fit is iffy, the buds are too large, and the case doesn't fit well with them on.
"...The Echo Buds 2 fit really well and I do not have any problems with fit, but they do sit outside of the ear, which is not bad it is just not as..." Read more
"...The Amazon Alexa android app is very large, nearly 300MB, has used over 500MB of memory, and has far more functionality than is needed to manage..." Read more
"...They also include the most ear and wingtips to cater to almost every ear type. They are the best overall package and at half the price, win-win." Read more
"...These will work with any Qi charger but the Anker pad is small, has an indendation for the Buds 2 case, and there are status lights for the earbuds..." Read more
Customers are mixed about the value of the headphones. Some mention that they are a great value for the price, with decent sound and decent noise cancelling. Others say that they're not worth the money and can't do well what they've been designed to do.
"...to compare because the Echobuds 2 were on sale and it was an amazing price...." Read more
"...Unfortunately, the low end on these is a bit lacking. While the bass is present, there isn't much power behind it...." Read more
"...They are the best overall package and at half the price, win-win." Read more
"...better even when exercising and outdoor activities, the have decent sound for the price...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the comfort of the digital device. Some mention that they are comfortable, with a premium feel. However, others say that it can be uncomfortable, with less comfortable ear tips and wings. Ear tapping aggravates any discomfort, and the headphones do hurt after about 2 hours.
"...The earbuds are not the most comfortable I have used, but it is more important to me to keep the device in my ear...." Read more
"...the galaxy bud pro2 but the fit for the Echo buds 2 is great, they feel great and come with wings...." Read more
"...Clear and concise.7/10 Huawei: Gets there but a few notes start to hurt your ears, too much...." Read more
"...The earbuds are comfortable, and I've been able to wear them for hours on end without issues...." Read more
Customers are dissatisfied with the battery life of the digital device. They mention that the battery isn't optimal, it can be better, and it's empty. Some say that the case is bad and the app is a battery killer.
"...It's annoying to get to the menu for the Echo Buds, and the battery check only worked half of the time...." Read more
"...My only real complaint is battery life...." Read more
"...Battery life is long enough that I do not notice. I can listen to music & talk on the phone for hours and the earbuds still have over 50% battery...." Read more
"...The case only holds two full charges, which isn't a lot, so I always charge the case after an extended session of use...." Read more
Customers find the connectivity of the headphones to be fiddly and difficult to establish. They also mention that the buds lose connection when skipping multiple tracks and that the instructions do not match the model. Some customers also report that the Bluetooth connection is inconsistent and that they cannot keep both ear's Bluetooth connected as they had hoped.
"...This entry is a waste for most users. It duplicates the bluetooth OS notification, and selecting it does nothing...." Read more
"...Fifth issue: Alexa integration. The app and how it integrates with the bud is awful, like these were just an afterthought in the app, even though..." Read more
"...The Echo Buds do not seamlessly switch between devices...." Read more
"...That's it. The rest works fine: They connect properly and quickly with the Alexa app. Battery life is fine...." Read more
Reviews with images
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Pros:
• Sound: They sound amazing, in comparison with the GBpro they sound just as good and that is high praise. I prefer the bass profile on the Echo buds pro 2
• Wireless charging: This should be the standard I will not buy earbuds without wireless charging
• Passthrough audio: Works really well on these earbuds. The Echo buds have a feature that I love, you can use passthrough with only one ear bud in. I play picklball and listen to music at the same time, the passthrough with one earbud is a great feature
• ANC: The ANC on this device is not as good as the galaxy bud pro but it is really good
• Fit: I prefer the in ear feel of the galaxy bud pro2 but the fit for the Echo buds 2 is great, they feel great and come with wings. I live the fit test which helped me choose my ear tips. I ran a 5k this week with them on and had no issues did not have to adjust and did not have any issues with wind noise. I have noticed that you may want to turn off the ANC and passthrouh when running, because having them on might cause you to hear more of your stride (hope that make sense) I am not a heavy runner but when I had the pass through on I noticed it a little more. BTW I have had these buds for 4 weeks and I wear them a lot, I have never had ear fatigue wearing them
• Alexa built in: What can I say this works well I like how I can turn the volume up and down. One of the things that I did not realize before I got these is the Alexa integration works for all of my enabled devices. I use this all the time, and somehow Alexa knows which device I am talking to.
• Case: I first though that I would not like the case because of its profile but I have gotten use to it, it is bigger than the GBpro but it is not very big and does not cause a problem in my pockets. I use the wings and once they got caught in the door because they did not seat correctly but I do not think that is a big deal.
Cons:
• The only problem with Alexa is I noticed that if I ask her to pause the music and then un pause she might not get that correct. I have to start the play list over or reshuffle
• Fit: The fit for these ear buds are not a real con and this is being really nitpicky, but the fit for the galaxy buds pro is a little better the ear bud fits inside of your ear and it is super snug and feels very natural. The Echo Buds 2 fit really well and I do not have any problems with fit, but they do sit outside of the ear, which is not bad it is just not as cool as being inside of the ear. The positive thing about the profile of the EB2 is it is much easier to use the tap functions. I have noticed that the taps are more accurate on these ear buds.
• I often play pickleball with one bud in and every once in a while when making a strong move there is a small distortion in the sound, it last less than a second but it is a slight imperfection. the last time I played it maybe happened twice, so not a huge concern.
• 3D audio: why no 3d audio? Not a big deal but it would have been cool feature to have
• Regular mode: small issue but I wish you could turn on normal mode (no ANC or Pass through) without having to use the app. This is a very small issue and 98% of the time I use ANC or passthrough (and I assume most people do also) so maybe that is why they do not add it
Earbuds stay in ear during running even with heavy sweat
Very good sound quality, especially for earbuds
Tap controls work well (except in rain)
App works well for device setup and settings management
Cons:
Not reliable to use in rain
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) inconsistent
Poor sound isolation in the device itself
300MB app that can use over 500MB of memory, may slow down some phones
Potential privacy issues (app wants access to lots of data)
Neutral (pro/con depends on your perspective):
Many extra features in app that may be useful to some people
Alexa Hands-Free support
FYI: I am using the Echo earbuds on a Samsung Galaxy S9 Android phone.
General impression:
My primary use for earbuds is to listen to a wide range of content while exercising, and especially when running. Every earbud I have tried previously - wired or wireless - tends to fall out of my right ear when I get sweaty. No combination of inserts and eartips has solved this issue for me.
Fortunately, the Echo earbuds are a strong improvement. I have exercised a half-dozen times using these earbuds. The earbuds stayed firmly in my ear even when sweating heavily thanks to the eartip design along with the helpful setup & testing walkthrough. The earbuds are not the most comfortable I have used, but it is more important to me to keep the device in my ear. An earbud did fall out once when running in moderate rain – I will discuss problems with rain below.
Audio quality for music is very good with excellent frequency range for earbuds. I listen to rock, pop, and classical music and am happy with the music quality. I am especially happy with the range of voices I can hear in classical music. I have not adjusted the equalizer in the app.
Audio quality for audiobooks/podcasts is good, but not great. Spoken audio is not as clear and crisp as I would like. I have not adjusted the equalizer in the app, but I do not expect them to help because almost all spoken audio will be controlled by a single equalizer slider. Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) can help when it works well, but is inconsistent as described below.
Battery life is long enough that I do not notice. I can listen to music & talk on the phone for hours and the earbuds still have over 50% battery. I could use these 4-5 hours a day and make it through a work week. However, I have all advanced features disabled, so this is best-case battery life.
Using Echo earbuds for phone calls and work meetings:
These earbuds generally work well for calls. The audio I hear is good - perhaps slightly better than the audiobook/podcast audio I mentioned above. The other people on the phone call can hear me well. There are a couple of caveats:
1. The beamforming microphones are not exceptional - the people on the phone call can hear some of the noises around me.
2. If you have passthrough enabled, the other person on the call will hear all of the passthrough content.
A couple times I have had issues where it sounds like I drop out of the call briefly, or where the audio is clearly delayed. I have not verified that the issues are caused by the Echo earbuds, but it happened in locations where I have not had problems with other bluetooth devices.
Using Echo earbuds in the rain:
I was caught in moderate rain during one of my runs with the Echo earbuds. This caused two problems:
1. The right earbud fell out once
2. The water triggered the "tap" actions
I went into the app and disabled all of the "tap" actions to work around the 2nd issue.
Amazon Alexa and Setup:
The Amazon Alexa android app is very large, nearly 300MB, has used over 500MB of memory, and has far more functionality than is needed to manage earbud settings. I generally view this as a negative. There are some interesting features that may take the place of other apps you use and provide niche benefits when with the Echo earbuds. However, most of them seem to be designed to provide more of your personal data to Amazon. I have dismissed/disabled all of those extra features.
As other reviewers have mentioned, you must enable location sharing when you activate the Echo earbuds. Fortunately, I was able to revoke that permission after earbud activation and have seen no negative impact on functionality. I have also disabled Alexa Hands-Free and have not seen any evidence that the device is listening for verbal commands.
I like how the app walked through device pairing, device setup, and testing for fit except for location sharing being required. For me, the eartips are a pain to pull onto each earbud. It took me a minute or two per eartip per earbud, and I chose the wrong eartip initially. The tight fit is probably good in the long-term but is annoying in the short-term.
The app used a lot of battery power during the initial setup. Power usage has been negligble since then.
There is an Amazon Alexa notification bar item whenever the Echo earbuds are connected. This entry is a waste for most users. It duplicates the bluetooth OS notification, and selecting it does nothing. It would be useful if selecting it took you to the earbuds setting screen. Amazon probably includes this notification item to prevent the OS from auto-closing the app in the background, which may be needed for some of the app features. However, I don't use those features, so I would prefer not to have the notification bar clutter.
Another frustration is the app takes about five seconds to recognize that the Echo earbuds are connected before the earbud settings become accessible within the app. This happens every time the app is opened, even if the app was opened ten seconds earlier and the earbuds were connected the entire time. The notification bar item telling me the earbuds are connected is present - why are the earbud settings not immediately available in the app?
I like how Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Passthrough are managed in the settings. Unfortunately, I do not get much value from either one.
- Passthrough works quite well, but these earbuds do not provide enough sound isolation to need passthrough at the listening volumes that I use. There is so much sound leakage through the earbuds that I can hear what is happening around me while running outdoors without using passthrough. On occasion, passthrough also adds noise on the higher settings.
- ANC is inconsistent. In some situations it works well - that is, I hear less background noise and I don't notice it. In other situations I can "hear" the ANC, including shifts in the compensation, and it seems like the devices are applying maximum ANC even when it is not needed. Hopefully a software update can improve the consistency of ANC. As a workaround, an option to manually control the amount of ANC would help.
Conclusion:
Overall I like these earbuds. They are the best earbuds I have tested for running, and I will keep using them for running and exercising except when I am in rain. I am hopeful that future updates will make Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) more consistent and enjoyable.
Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2021
Earbuds stay in ear during running even with heavy sweat
Very good sound quality, especially for earbuds
Tap controls work well (except in rain)
App works well for device setup and settings management
Cons:
Not reliable to use in rain
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) inconsistent
Poor sound isolation in the device itself
300MB app that can use over 500MB of memory, may slow down some phones
Potential privacy issues (app wants access to lots of data)
Neutral (pro/con depends on your perspective):
Many extra features in app that may be useful to some people
Alexa Hands-Free support
FYI: I am using the Echo earbuds on a Samsung Galaxy S9 Android phone.
General impression:
My primary use for earbuds is to listen to a wide range of content while exercising, and especially when running. Every earbud I have tried previously - wired or wireless - tends to fall out of my right ear when I get sweaty. No combination of inserts and eartips has solved this issue for me.
Fortunately, the Echo earbuds are a strong improvement. I have exercised a half-dozen times using these earbuds. The earbuds stayed firmly in my ear even when sweating heavily thanks to the eartip design along with the helpful setup & testing walkthrough. The earbuds are not the most comfortable I have used, but it is more important to me to keep the device in my ear. An earbud did fall out once when running in moderate rain – I will discuss problems with rain below.
Audio quality for music is very good with excellent frequency range for earbuds. I listen to rock, pop, and classical music and am happy with the music quality. I am especially happy with the range of voices I can hear in classical music. I have not adjusted the equalizer in the app.
Audio quality for audiobooks/podcasts is good, but not great. Spoken audio is not as clear and crisp as I would like. I have not adjusted the equalizer in the app, but I do not expect them to help because almost all spoken audio will be controlled by a single equalizer slider. Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) can help when it works well, but is inconsistent as described below.
Battery life is long enough that I do not notice. I can listen to music & talk on the phone for hours and the earbuds still have over 50% battery. I could use these 4-5 hours a day and make it through a work week. However, I have all advanced features disabled, so this is best-case battery life.
Using Echo earbuds for phone calls and work meetings:
These earbuds generally work well for calls. The audio I hear is good - perhaps slightly better than the audiobook/podcast audio I mentioned above. The other people on the phone call can hear me well. There are a couple of caveats:
1. The beamforming microphones are not exceptional - the people on the phone call can hear some of the noises around me.
2. If you have passthrough enabled, the other person on the call will hear all of the passthrough content.
A couple times I have had issues where it sounds like I drop out of the call briefly, or where the audio is clearly delayed. I have not verified that the issues are caused by the Echo earbuds, but it happened in locations where I have not had problems with other bluetooth devices.
Using Echo earbuds in the rain:
I was caught in moderate rain during one of my runs with the Echo earbuds. This caused two problems:
1. The right earbud fell out once
2. The water triggered the "tap" actions
I went into the app and disabled all of the "tap" actions to work around the 2nd issue.
Amazon Alexa and Setup:
The Amazon Alexa android app is very large, nearly 300MB, has used over 500MB of memory, and has far more functionality than is needed to manage earbud settings. I generally view this as a negative. There are some interesting features that may take the place of other apps you use and provide niche benefits when with the Echo earbuds. However, most of them seem to be designed to provide more of your personal data to Amazon. I have dismissed/disabled all of those extra features.
As other reviewers have mentioned, you must enable location sharing when you activate the Echo earbuds. Fortunately, I was able to revoke that permission after earbud activation and have seen no negative impact on functionality. I have also disabled Alexa Hands-Free and have not seen any evidence that the device is listening for verbal commands.
I like how the app walked through device pairing, device setup, and testing for fit except for location sharing being required. For me, the eartips are a pain to pull onto each earbud. It took me a minute or two per eartip per earbud, and I chose the wrong eartip initially. The tight fit is probably good in the long-term but is annoying in the short-term.
The app used a lot of battery power during the initial setup. Power usage has been negligble since then.
There is an Amazon Alexa notification bar item whenever the Echo earbuds are connected. This entry is a waste for most users. It duplicates the bluetooth OS notification, and selecting it does nothing. It would be useful if selecting it took you to the earbuds setting screen. Amazon probably includes this notification item to prevent the OS from auto-closing the app in the background, which may be needed for some of the app features. However, I don't use those features, so I would prefer not to have the notification bar clutter.
Another frustration is the app takes about five seconds to recognize that the Echo earbuds are connected before the earbud settings become accessible within the app. This happens every time the app is opened, even if the app was opened ten seconds earlier and the earbuds were connected the entire time. The notification bar item telling me the earbuds are connected is present - why are the earbud settings not immediately available in the app?
I like how Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Passthrough are managed in the settings. Unfortunately, I do not get much value from either one.
- Passthrough works quite well, but these earbuds do not provide enough sound isolation to need passthrough at the listening volumes that I use. There is so much sound leakage through the earbuds that I can hear what is happening around me while running outdoors without using passthrough. On occasion, passthrough also adds noise on the higher settings.
- ANC is inconsistent. In some situations it works well - that is, I hear less background noise and I don't notice it. In other situations I can "hear" the ANC, including shifts in the compensation, and it seems like the devices are applying maximum ANC even when it is not needed. Hopefully a software update can improve the consistency of ANC. As a workaround, an option to manually control the amount of ANC would help.
Conclusion:
Overall I like these earbuds. They are the best earbuds I have tested for running, and I will keep using them for running and exercising except when I am in rain. I am hopeful that future updates will make Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) more consistent and enjoyable.