Samsung Galaxy Buds Galaxy Buds2 True Wireless Earbud Review

The Galaxy Buds2 have elite, 95th-percentile noise cancellation and microphone quality, making them fantastic for calls and commuting. However, their sound quality is mediocre (40th percentile) and battery life is poor (27th percentile). At $150, they're a niche pick for communication, not music.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds2 are a study in extremes. Their ANC and microphone performance sit in the 95th percentile, which is genuinely top-tier. That means they're fantastic for blocking out the world and being heard clearly on calls. But then you look at the sound quality, which lands in the 40th percentile, and the battery life at the 27th, and you realize there's a significant trade-off happening here. For $150, you're getting a feature set laser-focused on communication and noise control, not on being an audiophile's first pick. They're best for commuters and fitness, scoring in the low 60s there, but they're a weak recommendation for pure music listening, where they only hit a 42.4 out of 100.

Let's talk about where these buds shine. That 95th percentile ANC is no joke. It's one of the best noise-canceling systems you can get in a true wireless form factor, period. Pair that with a microphone setup that also hits the 95th percentile, and you've got a killer combo for calls and drowning out a noisy commute. Comfort is solid, too, at the 79th percentile, thanks to a design that's 10% smaller and lighter than the Buds+. Now, the flip side. The sound quality percentile (40th) tells a clear story: the audio is fine for podcasts and casual listening, but it's not competitive with other buds at this price that prioritize sonic detail. The battery is the real letdown, though. At 7.5 hours per bud (20.5 with the case), it's in the 27th percentile. You'll be charging the case more often than you'd like.

At $150, the value proposition is all about your priorities. If your main needs are top-shelf noise cancellation and a stellar microphone for calls and meetings, the Buds2 deliver features usually found in more expensive buds. However, if you care more about immersive sound or all-day battery, that $150 gets you a lot more from competitors like the CMF Buds Pro 2 or the JBL Tune Buds 2. You're paying a premium for Samsung's ANC and mic tech, and accepting compromises elsewhere.

Stacked up, the choices are clear. The Sony WF-1000XM5 will crush the Buds2 in sound quality and likely match its ANC, but at a much higher price. The CMF Buds Pro 2 offers similar ANC performance and better sound for around the same $150, but its mic and build might not be as polished. The JBL Tune Buds 2 are a budget-friendly alternative with good sound and solid ANC, though they likely fall short of the Buds2's 95th-percentile mic clarity. The Buds2 carve a niche: if call quality and noise blocking are your non-negotiables, they're a strong contender. For anything else, look at the competition.

Skip the Galaxy Buds2 if your primary goal is listening to music. With a sound quality score in the 40th percentile and a 'music' use case rating of just 42.4/100, they are objectively outperformed by many cheaper buds for pure audio enjoyment. Also, avoid them if you need all-day battery. The 27th percentile battery life means you'll be hunting for a charger frequently, and there are plenty of competitors that last several hours longer on a single charge.

We recommend the Samsung Galaxy Buds2 with a big, data-backed caveat. They are an excellent choice for commuters, remote workers, and anyone who lives on calls and needs peace and quiet. That 95th percentile ANC and mic performance is real and incredibly effective. But we can't recommend them if you're a music lover or need buds to last through a long workday without a charge. The sound and battery scores are just too low for a $150 product in 2024. Buy them for their strengths, and know exactly what you're getting into.