The Best Galaxy Buds you can buy - five hand-picked models
Samsung's Galaxy Buds line of true-wireless Bluetooth earbuds consists of some of the best wireless earphone tech that you can get. And is that any wonder? The Galaxy S24 line instantly joined the ranks of the best phones too.
From extra-features on its ecosystem to innovations like Galaxy AI, Samsung clearly knows its stuff. I'll be honest with you for a moment: I was extremely skeptical that wireless earbuds could ever provide me with the soundscape that I'm looking for. And I collect vinyl: I'm pretty annoying when it comes to sound quality.
But do you know what? You don't need to be an audiophile or to even have a Samsung phone in order to enjoy a pair of Galaxy Buds. Samsung has made sure that the series contains different models, suitable for different types of users.
If you're looking to get a new pair of wireless Bluetooth earbuds in 2024, then checking out the Galaxy Buds line is simply a no-brainer. Here's why:
Best Samsung Galaxy Buds at a glance:
- Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro — best Galaxy Buds overall
- Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 — best bang for your buck
- Samsung Galaxy Buds Live — most comfortable Galaxy Buds
- Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus — best runner-up
- Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro — best one-generation back
- Frequently Asked Questions
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
Best Samsung earbuds overall
PhoneArena Rating: 8.5/10
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro - Image credit - PhoneArena
Samsung’s Unpacked 2022 event is already ancient history and we got a new pair of buds from the Korean chaebol - the Galaxy Buds Pro 2. The real successor to the previous "Pro" model of the company comes with a lot of bells and whistles. There's a new custom Coaxial 2-way (Tweeter + Woofer) Speaker taking care of the soundstage.
The model also supports 24bit Hi-Fi audio, 360 Audio with Direct Multi-Channel for your audiophile pleasure. These earbuds are of course truly wireless and they have an active noise canceling tech onboard with 3 microphones on each bud - 2 outer + 1 inner.
The Galaxy Buds 2 Pro also supports Voice Detect, various smart assistants, the model comes with Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity and multipoint connection support with auto switching, and the battery life is also quite decent - up to 5 hours for the buds (with ANC on, 8 hours with ANC off), and another 18 hours with the charging case (up to 29 with ANC off).
Last but not least, these earbuds are IPX7 rated, so you can take them to the gym no problem. There are three colors available - Graphite, White, Bora Purple. These are without a doubt, the best Samsung Galaxy Buds you can get right now.
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2
Best bang for your buck
PhoneArena Rating: 9/10
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 - Image credit - PhoneArena
The long-awaited successor to the original Galaxy Buds true wireless earbuds arrived last year, and it's a great bang for your bucks. The Galaxy Buds 2 is refinement at its best, and Samsung has actually managed to make these earbuds better and cheaper at the same time.
"For their price of $150, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 look and sound fantastic. If you're after true wireless earbuds with great ANC, and about as portable as Apple's AirPods, the Buds 2 are easy to recommend."
The Galaxy Buds 2 earbuds come with all the bells and whistles you would expect - the active noise canceling is great - on par with benchmark setters like the Sony WF-1000XM4, the design is gorgeous and the fit is tight yet comfortable. There are touch controls, great battery life, and last but not least - the sound quality is excellent.
Samsung Galaxy Buds Live
Most comfortable Galaxy Buds
PhoneArena Rating: 8.5/10
Samsung Galaxy Buds Live - Image credit - PhoneArena
There are no compromises made when it comes to sound quality, either. During our review, we were very impressed with the sound quality of the Galaxy Buds Live. Here’s an excerpt from the review: “The Buds Live produce rich and clear sound with perhaps the nicest, cleanest bass I've heard in truly wireless earbuds so far. Of course, bass lovers have the option of further setting the equalizer to "Bass boost" for a stronger emphasis on the low end.”
These are also feature-packed and if you decide to pull the trigger on a pair, you’ll get Active Noise Cancelation, touch gestures, a decent battery life, and also wireless charging. And to top it all off, the Galaxy Buds Live are not that expensive. The bottom line is that the Buds Live are the best Galaxy Buds when it comes to comfort and fit.
Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus
Best runner-up
PhoneArena Rating: 9/10
Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus - Image credit - PhoneArena
The original Galaxy Buds model was really a stepping stone for Samsung in the audio market segment. The model carried out a transformation from the Gear Icon X and can be treated as a first-generation device. This means that as such, the original Buds were a little rough around the edges. That’s where the Galaxy Buds Plus model comes in.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus look a lot like the original Galaxy Buds, but meaningful improvements in key areas make them a much better product overall.
The battery life has been extended to 11 hours on a single charge, placing these among the earbuds with the best battery life you can buy even in 2024. The sound quality has also been improved compared to the original model. Touch controls are present but don't expect an IPX rating (although these are sweat-resistant) or Active Noise Cancelation.
Still, the Galaxy Buds Plus are great earbuds for the money, definitely worth checking out.
Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro
Best one-generation back
PhoneArena Rating: 8.4/10
Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro - Image credit - PhoneArena
Even though the Buds 2 Pro is the latest model, its direct predecessor - the Galaxy Buds Pro - is your best choice if you want to stay loyal to the brand and at the same time get a great audio product at a reasonable price.
These babies feature a strong battery life, plenty of convenience features, clear sound, and a traditional design. What’s even better is the price - while the Galaxy Buds Pro launched at around $199, nowadays you can find a pair for nearly half the price.
These babies feature a strong battery life, plenty of convenience features, clear sound, and a traditional design. What’s even better is the price - while the Galaxy Buds Pro launched at around $199, nowadays you can find a pair for nearly half the price.
The Galaxy Buds Pro earbuds are a great pick if you value sound quality, and they perform amazing no matter what kind of music you listen to - from modern hip-hop beats to classical Cello concerts, the Buds Pro don’t disappoint. The Active Noise Cancelation is also top-notch, and there are other bells and whistles such as touch navigation, IPX7 water resistance, QI wireless charging, and more.
Which galaxy buds are right for me
The choice depends on your needs. The best Samsung earbuds for you might be different from the best Galaxy Buds for somebody else. If you want the best of the best, go for the latest Pro model. If style is important, choose the Live model. For budget-conscious consumers, there are other options available.
If you want both style and performance, consider getting the previous flagship model. Other factors such as noise cancellation, battery life, smart assistant support, touch controls, and IP rating are also important to consider, especially for sports enthusiasts. Most of these models have these features.
How we pick the best galaxy buds
We try to take into consideration all possible factors that can influence your buying choice. Then we combine that with our extensive knowledge on the matter and hundreds of hours of testing and reviewing units from various brands.
Rest assure that we've gone an extra mile, so you don't have to. And the best part is we don't get paid to write our reviews, we can be completely objective (as best as we can), and give you just the facts.
Now you should have a solid idea on which Galaxy Buds are for you, at least in 2024. And until the Galaxy Buds 3 get released, you are very likely to find your perfect fit with one of the buds above.
Check out these guides too:
FCC OKs Cingular\'s purchase of AT&T Wireless
Things that are NOT allowed: