With active noise cancellation and a more compact, comfortable design, the Galaxy Buds 2 are a clear upgrade on the Buds and Buds Plus

Lightweight and supremely comfortable; Useful Galaxy-specific features; Well-executed touch controls;

Mediocre battery life; Only IPX2 rated;

On Friday, preorders for Samsung's latest pair of completely wireless earbuds, the Galaxy Buds 2 , will start to arrive, and you'll be able to buy them in stores. The $150 earbuds have all of the same features you can find in Apple's high-end AirPods Pro but cost $100 less.

Solid battery life, Good sound, Affordable

ANC isn’t as strong as the AirPods Pro, No support for iPhone

Since introducing the Galaxy Buds back in 2019, Samsung has iterated on the formula with the Galaxy Buds Live and the Galaxy Buds Pro, but is now back with an official successor, the aptly named Galaxy Buds2. The biggest change here is the addition of active noise cancellation (ANC), and at $149.99, it's quite good for the price. The earphones also deliver a powerful, notably bass-forward sound signature with enough brightness to keep things balanced. The on-ear controls can be a little clunky and the earpieces themselves are a bit small and slippery, while a low IP rating means they aren't the best choice for sweaty exercise. For $129.99, Anker's Soundcore Liberty Air Pro 2 earphones remain our top pick for greater water resistance and slightly better ANC.Sleek But Slippery Available in black, lavender, olive, or white, the Galaxy Buds2 have a smooth exterior that looks sharp, but can feel slippery. They're also quite small, which when combined with the glossy finish, can make t...

Samsung's true wireless Galaxy Buds2 earphones improve upon the originals with the addition of active noise cancellation, but still carry the same low water-resistance rating.

Bass-forward sound signature with bright highs; Good noise cancellation for the price

Weak water-resistance rating; Touch controls are easy to misfire; Small, slippery earbuds can be hard to handle

Nice design and fit ; Effective noise cancellation/Ambient mode performance ; Good call quality ; Well-featured app;

Similarly priced rivals offer better sound ; Touch controls a little finicky ; Tailored more for Samsung Galaxy owners;

The $149 Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 is a solid sequel that upholds most of the series’ hallmarks, but ignores its biggest flaws. The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 offers plenty of functionality at an attainable price.

Lively, customizable sound, Satisfying ANC, Great comfort and fit, Extended functionality via Galaxy Wearable app, Two wireless charging methods

Middling battery life, Missing advanced features, Inferior call quality, Design feels less premium than predecessors

The snappy, seamless Android experience is a joy, but the extra perks offered by the Galaxy Buds 2 struggle to atone for disappointing sound quality

Pleasing bass weight, Lightweight design, Intuitive Android app

Harsh through the treble, Dynamically lacking

Offering ANC at an affordable price, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 look set to be a welcome addition to the Galaxy family

Samsung's Galaxy Buds Active, Galaxy Buds Plus, and Galaxy Buds Pro (left to right in black) above the Galaxy Buds 2. The Galaxy Buds 2 aren’t just a pretty face. They’re light and comfy, offer plenty of features, and pack good sound and stability in performance, all at a great price point.

Light and stylish design, Respectable ANC, Great features and performance

Minimal water resistance, Controls could be better

The new Galaxy Buds 2, which Samsung announced a week ago and has yet to fully release, are already discounted in all colors. Woot is hosting a sale on the new Buds 2 with a $25 discount. Since these are not yet released, the pairs you buy are indeed brand new, unlike some of the products that...

Earlier this year , Nothing launched the Ear (1) with a grand idea: earbuds as fashion accessories. Sure, the company talked a lot about the non-invasiveness of transparent design, but at the end of the day, the product’s launch on StockX betrayed a focus on the fashion forward.