The Echo Buds have given Apple’s AirPods a run for their money as some of the best true wireless earbuds on the market. Amazon’s proprietary earbuds cost a mere $130, which, given their top-tier features and resounding performance, represents an unbeatable value. With an ergonomic, comfortable fit, outstanding noise reduction, and hands-free access to Alexa, the Echo Buds provide an outstanding user experience.
The Echo Buds are Amazon’s answer to the likeminded AirPods and Galaxy Buds, both of which continue to bring true wireless earbuds to the mainstream market. There’s no need for wires because the speaker, microphone, battery, sensors, and Bluetooth chip are embedded inside each individual earbud. They come with a charging case, too, which charges the earbuds and acts as a protective casing when they’re not in use. A single charge lasts about five hours, and the case itself charges via Micro USB.
What can the Echo Buds do?
You can use Echo Buds to stream music, podcasts, live TV, and more. They sync with your phone, meaning you can answer calls when they come in or use Alexa to make calls without using your hands. The triple-mic array lets you talk to Amazon’s virtual assistant without needing to tap on an earbud so you can change the song, add events to your calendar, update your grocery list, and more by just saying, “Alexa,” followed by the command.
Image used with permission by copyright holder
The Echo Buds are also built with an active noise reduction system designed by Bose, which effectively drowns out external noise when you want to solely listen to your music. However, you can also use them on “pass-through mode,” which lets you control precisely how much ambient sound the buds allow through. You can control this feature via the Alexa app on your device.
The Echo Buds are also IPX4 water-resistant, making them more suitable for all-weather wear or workout use than some other, more delicate true wireless earbuds.
Connecting a pair of Echo Buds is similar to setting up any Alexa-enabled device. First, make sure your Alexa app is open. When you first open the Echo Buds case, you should see a prompt on your device within the Alexa app. A new section in the app will appear specifically for the Echo Buds, through which you can enable or disable noise reduction and the microphone. Here, you can also choose a device to pair the Buds with.
How do I use the Echo Buds?
Once you’ve connected your Echo Buds, using them is extremely intuitive. Unlike other true wireless earbuds, you don’t need to press anything to access the voice controls. Just say “Alexa” and a command like “turn the volume up,” “next song,” or “call Mom” to carry out the action in question.
To access more nuanced or specific features — if you want adjust the noise reduction, for example — open your Alexa app and view the Echo Buds listing.
Best wireless earbuds for 2024: Sony, Bose, Soundcore, and more
It’s no secret that phones and wireless earbuds have become essential items in our everyday lives. Thanks to technological advancements, wireless earbuds have become more popular than ever. They offer a range of benefits, such as high-quality sound, dust and water resistance for the most rigorous of workouts, and the ability to connect to multiple devices. Whether commuting to work, working out at the gym, or simply relaxing at home, wireless earbuds make it possible to enjoy your favorite music or podcasts without disturbing others.
But picking through the jungle of wireless earbuds available has gotten increasingly difficult as the breadth of brands continues to grow and tech-heavy features like active noise cancellation (ANC), transparency mode, hi-res audio capabilities, and more challenge what it is we need and want in our earbuds, as well as what we can and are willing to pay for them.
Skullcandy’s latest wireless buds charge from your phone
Skullcandy's new EcoBuds wireless earbuds take a novel approach to sustainability. Instead of using a rechargeable battery inside a charging case, the $40 EcoBuds come with a charging base with a short, built-in USB-C connector that's designed to draw power from the USB-C port on most smartphones, including the iPhone 15. The new earbuds are available starting March 5 at various retailers and skullcandy.com.
Skullcandy says that by eliminating the charging case battery and by building the buds from 65% certified recycled plastics, the EcoBuds achieve a 50% lower carbon footprint than comparable wireless earbuds.
The best Bluetooth speakers for 2024: Marshall, Soundcore, JBL, and more
Bluetooth speakers have become such commonplace audio devices that it'd be odd not to see one (or several) speakers at parties, poolside, at the beach, or even strapped to the front of a mountain bike.
They've come a long way over the years. Modern Bluetooth speakers sound better than ever, are reliable, portable, and are a must-have for music lovers who want to have their music with them no matter where they are. There's seemingly no end to the variety on the market for every need and use. From compact waterproof outdoor speakers to those with multiroom features for whole-home listening to audiophile speakers with high-quality Bluetooth codecs (such as aptX or aptX HD), you can find what you're looking for.
