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Amazon Echo Buds 2023 Review

A good option if you love a bargain and Amazon's Alexa compatibility
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Amazon Echo Buds 2023 Review
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Price:  $50 List
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Manufacturer:   Amazon
By Graham Faulknor, Genaveve Bradshaw, and Clark Tate  ⋅  Sep 28, 2024
51
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#23 of 25
  • Sound Quality - 40% 5.0
  • User Experience - 20% 6.2
  • Noise Cancellation - 15% 2.3
  • Battery life - 15% 5.7
  • Call Quality - 10% 6.7

Our Verdict

The Amazon Echo Buds 2023 are far from the best among the top-ranked earbuds we bought to test side-by-side. But they're our top recommendation if you're shopping on a tight budget. They offer a straightforward user experience via Amazon's Alexa and a reasonably pleasant sound profile at rock-bottom prices. Their unique, semi-in-ear design leaves them resting in your ear rather than tucking snugly inside, making them a good option for anyone who wants a soundtrack to life while remaining plugged into their surroundings. They do sacrifice the immersive nature of active noise cancelling technology though. It's also harder to hear your favorite songs over ambient noise, and their baselines lack power. Still, we enjoy their warm, clean mid-tones, which work well with songs like “Heartbreak Swing” by Sumbuck and “Say So” by Doja Cat, though they lack the punch to showcase harder-hitting bass segments in most modern pop and hip-hop. If your busy life demands constant attention, you want air to flow freely into your ears, and you want to rock out on a budget, the Echo Buds 2023 could be your best bet.
REASONS TO BUY
Alexa compatible
In-app EQ adjustment
More affordable
REASONS TO AVOID
Mid-tier sound quality
Lacks bass and active-noise cancelation
Less stable fit
Poor noise isolation

Compare to Similar Products

 
Awards Best Buy Award
Best Wireless Earbuds on a Tight Budget
Editors' Choice Award
Best Wired Earbud
 Best Buy Award
Best Budget Wireless Earbuds
 
Price $50 List
$24.99 at Amazon
$18.00 List
$17.97 at Amazon
$22 List
$23.99 at Amazon
$150 List
$98.35 at Amazon
$19.00 List
$19.00 at Amazon
Overall Score Sort Icon
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Bottom Line If you don't need noise cancelation or top-notch audio, these are a good dealForgoing flash for a great fit and impressive sound at a great price, these wired earbuds are hard to argue withTrades wireless ease for great sound, comfort, and a pleasantly low priceThese buds offer an impressive soundstage and sturdy construction — if they fitThese have an ancient earbud design with a new connector
Rating Categories Amazon Echo Buds UliX Rider - 3.5mm Linsoul KZ ZSN Pro X Jaybird Vista 2 Apple EarPods - USB-C
Sound Quality (40%)
5.0
8.1
7.3
7.8
6.3
User Experience (20%)
6.2
5.6
4.0
6.4
3.2
Noise Cancellation (15%)
2.3
2.5
5.3
3.6
2.3
Battery life (15%)
5.7
10.0
10.0
6.0
10.0
Call Quality (10%)
6.7
8.8
9.0
7.6
8.4
Specs Amazon Echo Buds UliX Rider - 3.5mm Linsoul KZ ZSN Pro X Jaybird Vista 2 Apple EarPods - USB-C
Active Noise Cancelling No No No Yes No
Earbud Location Tracking Yes No No Yes No
Measured Battery Life 5.9 hr N/A N/A 6.3 hr N/A
Waterproofing IPX2 N/A N/A IP68 IP54
Measured Weight 0.18 oz 0.62 oz 1.06 oz 0.24 oz 0.42 oz
Quick Charging 15 mins = 2 hrs N/A N/A 5 mins = 1 hr N/A
Charges Per Case 3 N/A N/A 2 N/A
Wired Charging Port USB-C 3.5mm jack 3.5mm jack USB-C USB-C
Wireless Charging Option No No No Yes No
Claimed Battery Life 5 hrs N/A N/A 8 hrs N/A
Charging Carrying Case Yes N/A N/A Yes N/A
Transparency Mode No No No Yes No
Multipoint No No No No No
In-ear Detection Yes No No Yes No
Multiple Ear Tips Yes Yes Yes Yes No

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Echo Buds 2023 don't whisk you to another world like many of our favorite earbuds. They bring music into yours, balancing in your ears without isolating them from surrounding traffic sounds, conversations, or public transit information. The quality of the music suffers, particularly in the bass frequencies, but your situational awareness does not. They're also very reasonably priced and easy to operate with the help of Amazon's Alexa.

Performance Comparison


amazon echo buds 2023 - we use our brüel and kjær head and torso simulator (hats) audio...
We use our Brüel and Kjær Head and Torso Simulator (HATS) audio testing device, which we've named Darwin, and SoundCheck software to record each earbud and crunch the data to produce a frequency response curve for us to compare to our House Curve. Keep reading to learn how we combine this data with opinions from our expert panel to bring you comprehensive results.
Credit: Abriah Wofford


Sound Quality


There is something decidedly different in how sound is expressed through these buds,” says audio expert Gena Bradshaw. While listening to the test mix that includes everything from pop bops to hip hop, heavy rock, and crooning country, we found that the Amazon Echo Buds 2023 offers decent clarity but lacks warmth and punch in the bass line.


That missing power in the lower frequencies leans too heavily on the mid-range and high treble notes. The mid tones feel fleshed out, but the treble notes can lack clarity. When combined with lackluster bass, the sound can feel flat, muddy, and a bit lifeless. As a result, we docked points in both the bass section and the overall sound quality score.

Expert Panel Sound Quality Ratings
ProductBassMid-RangeTreble
Best8.79.08.7
Average6.66.96.5
Amazon Echo Buds 20235.05.54.0
Worst2.03.53.0

We noticed the lack of strong bass frequencies in songs like “Cuff It” by Beyonce, “Woah” by Lil Baby, “Lungs” by Townes Van Zandt, and “Snatched” by Big Boss Vette. And the drum line in “Itty Bitty Piggy” by Nicki Minaj sounds a little messy.

We appreciate the warmer, cleaner feel of the mid-tones in songs like “Heartbreak Swing” by Sumbuck, “Say So” by Doja Cat, and “Hurricane Season” by Trombone Shorty. Still, while they have good clarity, they feel a bit thin and gutless at the lower end.

Overall, the sound mix feels basic. It's inoffensive, pleasant-even at times, but leaves your favorite songs feeling watered down. We found this true for “Motivation” by Normani, “Rich Men North of Richmond” by Oliver Anthony, and “Hard Drugs” (Live) by Susto.

amazon echo buds 2023 - the design does not include an ear tip. this free-floating design...
The design does not include an ear tip. This free-floating design seems to struggle when translating sounds and vibrations in the lower frequencies.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Vocals can also sound a smidge distorted at times. They feel obscured, like wearing your glasses with grime on the lens. Take the 1977 soft-rock hit “Blue Bayou” for example. Linda Ronstadt's soaring vocals in the first chorus sound so piercing at mark 0:45 that we had to adjust the volume between the chorus and the verses.

At times, though, the unique sound profile works in your favor. When we listen to “I'll Show You How” by Cinnamon Soulettes (a musical mystery from 1975), it sounds authentic. The Echo buds pick up sibilance from the vocalist and translate the staticky crackle of a record player.

Since these earbuds lack active noise cancelling and only offer mid-tier noise isolation (which we'll explore in detail below), it's easy to lose details in your music at lower volumes. If you crank them to compensate, you'll lose some clarity, with more frequent vocal distortions. Even at the highest volumes, they feel underpowered.

The unique design of the Echo Buds creates a more direct soundstage and emphasizes mid-tones while lacking punch in the bassline.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Soundstage


The mission of an earbuds soundstage is to create the most in-person experience possible for the listener. Since live music and floor-standing speakers are usually in front of you, we're used to hearing music come from that direction, with some sound refracting from the surrounding stadium or walls.

Earbuds tend to produce a more internalized listening experience due to their small, in-ear design. A truly expansive listening experience is rare in an earbud, and it may not be that important to you, unless you're a gamer or audiophile. If so, the Echo Buds may not be your top choice.

Soundstage Ratings
ProductSoundstage Rating
Best10.0
Average7.2
Amazon Echo Buds 20234.0
Worst4.0
The Echo Buds have an airy feel that makes for a less full and robust soundstage than we'd like.

Their semi-in-ear design doesn't seal the ear as snuggly as many earbuds in the test, and they don't provide the cleanest soundstage. There's a reasonable separation between individual instruments, especially in the mid-frequencies, but it's hard to place instruments in space around you. We don't notice any distortion muddling the mix.

The sound is more forward and direct than we prefer and can border on bracing, particularly with mellow songs that are light on bass tones, to begin with, like “Spin” by Sumbuck. The soundstage works reasonably well for easy-listening jazz but offers less consistent results with modern pop, rock, EDM, or hip hop.


When we compare the relative volume of each frequency coming through the Echo Buds (shown above as a frequency response curve) to our GearLab House Curve the differences reinforce our listening experience. The bass levels are far lower in the Echo Buds than in our idealized curve, and the mid-tones are louder than most listeners prefer. The treble section is closer to the House Curve but also misses the mark in places.

amazon echo buds 2023 - the semi-in-ear design makes it easier to hear your surroundings...
The semi-in-ear design makes it easier to hear your surroundings, but the sound quality of your music does suffer as a result.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

User Experience


Amazon notes that the Echo Buds have a “semi-in-ear” design. Instead of using an ear tip that seals your ear canal and secures the speakers, they're made to rest in your ear without blocking it. They feel more akin to tiny speakers sitting on our ears than true earbuds. The design lets you hear the world around you, but all that ambient noise distracts from your music.


Comfort


The Echo Buds 2023 have a unique design that we don't find as comfortable as other options. Out of over a dozen testers, no one wanted to wear them for an hour or more at a time. Most wanted a break after 30 minutes. Though they stayed put through our rigorous fitness tests, they don't feel as secure as we'd like them to. With only two cover options to adjust their size, there's not much you can do to improve the fit. Amazon's Alexa app makes them easy to use, though, and we appreciate the thoughtful case design. Opposing magnets ensure that both earbuds slide into their proper slots every time.
A semi-in-ear design means that these large earbuds do not seal your ear canal with customizable ear tips like many other options in the review. Instead, they rest in your ear and feel less secure than others as a result.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

These earbuds are relatively large. They feel jarring and uncomfortable for our testers with smaller ears, especially at first. The rigid plastic can feel painful on the outer ears at times. Though these buds work better for larger ears, and most testers were able to get used to the harsher feel with time, the lack of adjustability is an issue. There are only two size options, while many of our favorite options have far more customizable fits.

amazon echo buds 2023 - two silicone cover size options give you a bit of control over how...
Two silicone cover size options give you a bit of control over how well your Echo Buds fit, but not much.
Credit: Abriah Wofford


Stability


Despite a less than stellar fit and feel, the Echo Buds remain relatively secure in-ear. They keep up with us on workouts ranging from long runs to intense gym sessions. They even held on during our handstand test. What they can't handle is headbanging. A few good head tosses sends them flying.

Earbuds and Ear Infections — According to the Harley Street Ear, Nose, and Throat Clinic, earbuds can increase the risk of ear infections by trapping warm, moist air inside. Since these earbuds don't seal your ear canal, they could be a good choice if your ears are sensitive, or if you're prone to swimmers' ear.


amazon echo buds 2023 - the amazon echo buds are middle of the pack when it comes to the...
The Amazon Echo Buds are middle of the pack when it comes to the reliability of their connection. They're not outstanding, but that shouldn't deter you from purchasing them if you like them.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Customization


Instead of creating a separate application, Amazon requires you to download the Alexa App to pair and control these earbuds, which work with iOS or Android operating systems. If you're already living in the Amazon ecosystem, controlling these earbuds feels especially seamless. Simply press and hold the button on the case for three seconds to enter pairing mode and use the Bluetooth settings on your device to connect.

The Alexa App is easy to use and offers basic controls for the Echo Buds.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

As you can see in the video above, the Alexa App will help you find your earbuds if you misplace them and lets you easily adjust the relative volumes of the earbuds' bass, mid, and treble frequencies.

EQ Settings — It's important to note that, throughout our tests, we left the earbuds in their manufacturer's settings. It's possible that you could find a better sound profile for your tastes with these adjustments.

You can also access some controls through the earbuds themselves using Alexa on-the-go voice commands or by setting up tap controls via the Alexa App. You'll be able to answer and end phone calls, control your music, and mute the microphone with your voice or by tapping the earbuds.

Tap controls let you to swiftly manage your music, answer calls, and mute your microphone.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Connectivity


To evaluate connectivity, we scour all the 1-star reviews on Amazon, checking for any that mention connectivity issues. We didn't experience connectivity issues when testing these buds with both Android and iPhones, but other users have.

Reported Connectivity Issues
ProductPercent Cited
Worst3.83
Amazon Echo Buds 20231.42
Average1.3
Best0.1
This chart shows the relative frequency of connectivity issues reported by Amazon users. We gathered and analyzed the info for this chart on July 23, 2024

The Amazon Echo Buds fell just below average for the group, with 1.42% of 1-star reviews citing connectivity issues. This isn't horrible, but it's not the best we found either.

To pair the Echo Buds with your device, download the Alexa App for iOS or Android, hold the button on the case for three seconds to enter pairing mode, and go to your Bluetooth settings to add the device.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Noise Cancellation


The Echo Buds 2023 don't actively cancel ambient noise by neutralizing unwanted sound waves. About half of the earbuds in the review do. All of the earbuds provide some level of passive noise isolation by physically blocking surrounding sound waves. Since these earbuds don't seal your ear canal, they are limited in that capacity as well. As a result, they earn one of the lowest noise cancellation scores.


That said, they do mute some surrounding sounds, particularly those in higher frequency ranges, like dishes crashing together in a cafe. You can listen for yourself below to hear the slight reduction. However, passive noise isolation can only do so much, so plenty of that chaotic cafe background still lingers in.

In this video, you can hear our state of the art head and torso simulator Darwin test the earbuds' ability to physically block ambient sounds. The first half of the audio was recorded without the earbuds in place. The second half clearly shows that the earbuds gently mute surrounding sounds even though they do not use active noise cancelation technology.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

According to Amazon, the minimal noise isolation of the Echo Buds is by design. They are meant to let you enjoy your music and respond to the world around you. We found that they do this, maybe a little too well. It can be hard to hear your music at lower volumes, and you'll likely lose details of your favorite songs or podcasts.


The graph above can shed light on this letdown, which you can see doesn't provide much protection from low or even mid-range frequencies. Again, your music won't sound its best at any volume through these earbuds. It's especially challenging for these earbuds to translate vibrant bass vibrations without a firm connection to your ear.

Battery Life


A longer battery life means that you can make it through your day without your music cutting out mid-run or at the beginning of a long commute home. To test it, we played a continuous stream of music at 75% volume until the batteries died.


The Echo Buds impressed by lasting a full 55 minutes longer than Amazon's claim of 5 hours, offering nearly 6 hours of runtime. That means that the Echo Buds battery life is a little better than average when compared to its competitors. It's likely to get you through your day as long as you don't rock them constantly.

amazon echo buds 2023 - the case includes opposing magnets to ensure you dock the earbuds...
The case includes opposing magnets to ensure you dock the earbuds correctly every time. A fully charged case can repower your earbuds up to three times.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

If you have the case powered up, it should give you three full charges on the go. That's 15 hours and 45 minutes before you need an outlet. These earbuds don't have a wireless charging option so you will have to wait for the time it takes to power them back up, though. A quick charge will give you 2 extra hours of blissful entertainment after just 15 minutes in the case.

amazon echo buds 2023 - the sleek case includes a bluetooth pairing button and a charging...
The sleek case includes a Bluetooth pairing button and a charging port.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Call Quality


When you're on the go, crossing a street, catching a train, or walking against the wind, you'll want to know if you can take a call and be confident that your voice will be heard. So we tested how well their microphones pick up your speaking voice in quiet rooms and noisy environments during a phone call. To do so, we gave our head simulator several recordings to emit out of a speaker. It recorded the script that came through the earbuds.


They struggled in our subway cacophony stress test though. With loud noises in the background, some of the words on the call cut out.

Loud noise in a subway simulation makes the voice of the male tester rapidly cut in and out. We're able to make out the woman's voice more clearly, but it still sounds processed.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

The Echo Buds were more clear in the office. They performed better with our male tester's voice recording than the female voice, which sounded muffled at times. Overall, they did well in this test.

Our testers were much easier to understand in an office setting, and both voices are clear, though the woman's voice still sounds a bit processed.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

In ideal conditions, these sound decent, but the female's voice again isn't perfectly registered.

You can hear some taps obscuring our tester's voices during the microphone test. They are more pronounced with the female voice.

Should You Buy the Amazon Echo Buds 2023?


If you need a reasonable set of earbuds and want to spend as little as possible to get the job done, these are our top recommendation. This is especially true if you already use Amazon's Alexa App. In which case, these earbuds will slide right into your current operating systems. They're also a good option if you don't like the feeling of in-ear tips and prefer to let your ears breathe. If you're particular about audio quality though, you may struggle to enjoy them. The listless base and temperamental treble will alter the feel of your favorite songs.

amazon echo buds 2023 - these earbuds are an especially good choice if you already use...
These earbuds are an especially good choice if you already use Amazon's Alexa App often.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

What Other Earbuds Should You Consider?


The only other earbuds we've tested in the same price range have wires. So, if you're looking for wireless alternatives to the Echo Buds, you'll need to be prepared to spend more. If you don't mind wires, the Linsoul KZ ZSN Pro X and UliX Rider are very reasonably priced, offer higher sound quality, better call quality, and have no batteries to worry about. You can't adjust or equalize the sound levels though. If you can afford to spend more, the wireless Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro earn great scores across the board and can often be found on sale for a bargain. They are powerful, with a well-balanced and expansive sound. Their active noise cancelling is far from the best in the test, but it's much better than nothing.

amazon echo buds 2023 - the echo buds are a good option for those that value their budget...
The Echo Buds are a good option for those that value their budget more than the highest quality audio experience.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Graham Faulknor, Genaveve Bradshaw, and Clark Tate