Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 FE True Wireless Review

Buy these only if you're locked into the Samsung ecosystem and live for device switching. For everyone else, the average sound and poor mic make them hard to recommend. You're paying for features, not fidelity.

The Galaxy Buds 3 FE are a classic case of a tech company trying to do everything, and ending up just okay at most of it. The one thing you need to know is that these are feature-packed earbuds for the Samsung ecosystem, but if you care about pure sound or call quality, you're looking in the wrong place. They're great at connecting to your Galaxy devices and blocking out noise, but the actual audio performance lands in the bottom half of our database, which is a real letdown for a $150 pair.

What surprised us was the disconnect between the specs and the scores. Samsung talks a big game about 'powerful sound' with an 11mm driver, but our data puts sound quality in the 43rd percentile. That means more than half the earbuds we track sound better. The ANC, however, is legit—scoring in the 89th percentile. So you'll hear less of the outside world, you just might not love what you're hearing instead.

At $150, it's a tough sell. You're paying a 'Samsung tax' for the seamless switching and AI features. If those are must-haves for you, then maybe. But if you just want great-sounding earbuds with good ANC, this price point has better options that focus on the fundamentals.

This is where it gets interesting. The Sony WF-1000XM5 are the kings of sound and ANC, but they cost more. The real competition is the Nothing Ear (a). For significantly less money, you get better sound quality and a more fun, engaging listen, though you lose the Samsung-specific features and the ANC isn't quite as strong. The Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC is another one to look at—it often goes on sale for under $100 and challenges the Buds 3 FE on both ANC and sound. You buy the Samsung for the ecosystem, you buy the others for the music.

If you're an audiophile or just someone who wants the best sound for your money, skip these. Go get the Nothing Ear (a) instead. Also, if you take a lot of calls on the go, avoid these—the mic performance is a known weak spot.

We can only recommend the Galaxy Buds 3 FE to a very specific person: a Samsung die-hard who owns a Galaxy phone, tablet, and maybe a Galaxy Book, and who values effortless device switching above all else. For everyone else, the mediocre sound and call quality are deal-breakers at this price. Look at the Nothing Ear (a) for better audio or save up for the Sonys if ANC is your top priority.