Samsung Galaxy Buds2: Good ANC for the Price

Since introducing the Galaxy Buds in 2019, Samsung has iterated on the formula with the Galaxy Buds Live and the Galaxy Buds Pro. The company now has an official successor, the aptly named Galaxy Buds2. The biggest change here is the addition of active noise cancellation (ANC), and it’s quite good for the price ($149.99). The earphones also deliver a powerful, notably bass-forward sound with enough brightness to keep things balanced.

- TIM GIDEON

Samsung Galaxy Buds2

PROS

Bass-forward sound signature with bright highs. Good noise cancellation for the price.

CONS

Weak water-resistance rating. Touch controls are easy to misfire. Small, slippery earbuds can be hard to handle.

BOTTOM

LINE Samsung’s true wireless Galaxy Buds2 earphones improve upon the originals with the addition of active noise cancellation, but still carry the same low water-resistance rating.

The on-ear controls can be a little clunky, and the earpieces are a bit small and slippery, while a low IP rating means they aren’t the best choice for sweaty exercise. Anker’s Soundcore Liberty Air Pro 2 earphones ($129.99) remain our top pick for greater water resistance and slightly better ANC.

SLEEK BUT SLIPPERY

Available in black, lavender, olive, or white, the Galaxy Buds2 have a smooth exterior that looks sharp but can feel slippery. They’re also small, which combined with the glossy finish can make them slightly difficult to handle. Although Samsung advertises the size as a selling point, we actually would prefer that the earpieces were a little larger so we could get a better hold on them.

That said, once these earbuds are in your ear and given a slight twist, the fit is quite secure; three pairs of silicone eartips are included to help you find the right size. Internally, dynamic drivers tuned by AKG deliver the audio. The earphones connect via Bluetooth 5.2 and support AAC and SBC codecs, as well as Samsung’s proprietary Scalable codec.