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When Amazon released their second-generation earbuds in 2021, it almost seemed too good to be true. They were smaller, lighter and more comfortable than the company’s first go at wireless earbuds, for a fraction of the cost of competitors like Bose and Apple. Now, these same Echo Buds are back in an all-new package for 2023 with a ton of features packed into an aggressively low price of just $49.99.
Released this past spring, the revamped Echo Buds make few sacrifices for its competitive price. They boast impressive audio technology, easy pairing with Alexa and up to 20 hours of battery life with the included charging case. A quick 15-minute charge gets you two hours of playtime.
What we like: while some earbuds disconnect every time you take a call or switch to another device, the Echo Buds’ “Multipoint Pairing” feature lets you easily switch between two connected devices (I.e. from your phone to your laptop and vice-versa).
While it would be hard to argue that these Amazon earbuds outperform buds from Apple or Jabra, who have had years to perfect their tech, it certainly gets the job done when it comes to taking calls or listening to music.
There are some areas where the Echo Buds soar, however. They offer some of the best audio in the earbuds market for their price point, with particularly strong bass. And according to reviewers, the new 12mm drivers offer impressive sound clarity.
What’s perhaps most impressive about the Echo Buds is that they don’t let up on any of the bells and whistles that are usually relegated to upper-tier models. Hands-free Alexa allows you to make voice commands for practically any directive, such as changing audio, or pausing and skipping music tracks. Plus, they come packed with everything you need to ensure a snug fit. Included in the box are two sizes of silicone tips for optimal comfort, enhanced by a new vented design to cut down on air pressure.
If you’re in the market for new earbuds, you don’t want to miss this deal. Choose from a chic all-white colorway (a great Apple AirPods dupe) or a jet-black colorway, both available at the $49.99 sale price.
Prefer the original Amazon Echo Buds? The site still has the second-generation Echo Buds with noise-cancelling technology and more than 21,000 reviews on sale for $119.99 here.
