How to connect your Echo Buds to your phone

By Nick Perry Published May 5, 2022

Did you get a pair of Echo Buds? Congratulations! Amazon’s first earbuds offering represent some of the top true wireless earbuds on the market and offer great value for a host of high-end features. Now, it’s time to set them up.

Connecting a pair of Echo Buds is similar to setting up any Alexa-enabled device. First, make sure you’ve downloaded and launched the Alexa app on your smartphone. 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, which will allow you to enable or disable noise reduction as well as the microphone. This is also where you’ll choose a device to pair your Echo Buds with.

Further reading

If you’re still having trouble connecting your earbuds, try following the steps below:

Step 1: Enable Bluetooth on your mobile device via the Settings app.

Step 2: Open the Alexa app on your device.

Step 3: Open the lid of the charging case and hold the button on the underside of the lid for three seconds to enter pairing mode. A blue light should flash to indicate it is working.

Step 4: Place the Echo Buds in your ears.

Step 5: Navigate to the Alexa app, go to the settings menu, and select Add Device.

Step 6: Select Amazon Echo, followed by Echo Buds. Keep in mind that you may have to approve the pairing request on your phone. If so, you’ll automatically see the prompt to do so on your display.

Step 7: Follow the on-screen instructions to complete pairing. You’ll hear a tone when it starts working.

The Echo Buds may only be paired to one device at a time, so if they don’t seem to be working properly, it is possible that you have accidentally paired them to another device. If you suspect that may be the case, try turning the Bluetooth off on your other mobile devices and re-attempt to connect the Echo Buds with your desired device again.

Topics

Nick Perry is a freelance writer who bounced from Hollywood to Silicon Beach to pajama pants. His work has been featured on…

Audio / Video

How we test headphones and earbuds

Side view of man wearing Sony WH-1000XM5 wireless headphones.

Our evaluation of headphone and earbuds begins the moment the product lands on our desk. We take note of the product’s packaging and presentation before diving into the unboxing.
Out of the box

Nicely packaged products can have an effect on your overall experience. But we're a lot less concerned with beauty and design than we are with a box's impact on the planet. Even a $1,000 set of headphones can be packaged responsibly -- with fully recyclable materials -- without compromising the protection offered. In 2023, most companies do a good job of this, but we'll definitely single out the ones that are still relying on heaps of plastic and foam.

Audio / Video

How we test AV receivers

The McIntosh MHT300 Home Theater Receiver.

Nothing beats the sound of an excellent audio/video receiver. When done right, they can bring power, depth, dynamics, and spaciousness to movies, sports, TV shows, and music. And whether you're looking for a stereo receiver or integrated amplifier to drive your favorite turntable or digital music streaming services, or going full-bore AV receiver for that Dolby Atmos surround sound home theater experience, all the bells and whistles that get crammed into a single box of awesomeness need to be tested for sound, setup, functionality, and ease of use, among other traits.

This is, generally speaking, how we test an AV receiver.

Audio / Video

Amazon’s new $50 Echo Buds take aim at Apple’s AirPods

Amazon's new Echo Buds for 2023.

Amazon is back with a new set of Echo Buds. Though they bear the same name as the first- and second-gen Echo Buds, these new Echo Buds offer an entirely different, semi-in-ear, stem-based design that has more in common with Apple's second-gen AirPods than it does with Amazon's previous designs. The latest Echo Buds are also surprisingly affordable at just $50.

While the decision to keep the name the same may be confusing, the decision to create a set of wireless earbuds with a semi-in-ear shape makes a lot of sense. Fully in-ear buds like the second-gen Echo Buds, the AirPods Pro, and Sony's WF-1000XM4, provide distinct advantages for sound quality and they also set the stage for active noise canceling (ANC). However, lots of people find these earbuds uncomfortable to wear. The silicone tips increase the sensation of having an object wedged in your ear, and some folks complain of a sucking feeling, especially when ANC is turned on.