Amazon is now selling its wireless in-ear earphones Echo Buds with active noise cancellation in Germany. Really cheap to start with.
Amazon is now bringing its Bluetooth in-ear headphones to Germany and Austria – and they are very cheap to start with. The Amazon Echo Buds offer the usual functions of high-quality in-ear headphones. You can listen to music and make phone calls with them without being too bothered by surrounding noise. This is made possible by active noise reduction (ANC).
Pre-order the Amazon Echo Buds here now
functions and operation
Ideally, you operate the buds by voice command to Alexa. Voice assistants from other platforms, such as Apple’s Siri and Google Assistant, also support the Amazon Echo Buds. In the associated app, select the preferred assistant. For example, you can use voice commands to access playlists and podcasts, make calls, create to-do lists, and find misplaced earbuds with the command “Alexa, where are my Echo Buds?”.
You can also control some functions with a tap of your finger on one of the two earphones. An example: To activate active noise cancellation, touch one of the two earbuds for two seconds. With a touch again, the ambient mode can be activated and you can hear what is happening around you. When Ambient Mode is on, the level of ambient noise can be adjusted through the Echo Buds settings in the Alexa app.
Amazon emphasizes the wearing comfort of its buds, which should also be suitable for long periods of wear. In addition, four pairs of ear pads and two pairs of ear hooks of different sizes are included. So everyone should be able to find the most comfortable fit for themselves.
variants
Amazon sells the Echo Buds in black or white. The buds come with a case that also allows for wireless charging as an option. You have to buy the required charging pad separately.
Echo Buds are IPX4 rated to withstand splashes of water, sweat, or light rain. But they must not fall into a puddle. You can read details about the degrees of protection here: IP67 & IP68: What does that mean for your device?
battery and charge
Users can enjoy up to five hours of music playback on a single charge when Active Noise Cancellation and hands-free access to Alexa are turned on, according to Amazon. The charging case allows two additional charges for a total of up to 15 hours of music playback. If you’re in a hurry, you can play music for up to two hours with a 15-minute quick charge.
You can query the battery status via Alexa: “Alexa, what is the battery status?”. When the Echo Buds are in the charging case, the LED lights in front of each earbud also indicate the corresponding battery level.
The Echo Buds can be charged via USB-C or, if desired, via Qi-certified wireless charging pads such as the “Made for Amazon”
Anker Power Wave charging pad for Echo Buds
charge. But you have to buy this separately.
price
Amazon Echo Buds with USB-C charging option are available at launch at an introductory price starting at €79.99. The Echo Buds with wireless charging option cost 99.99 euros at the start.
The later retail price for Echo Buds with USB-C charging option is 119.99 euros. You have to pay 139.99 euros for the model with wireless charging option.
assessment
All in all, the Amazon Echo Buds offer the typical functions and operating concepts that are also known from the Apple Airpod Pro (view at Amazon). However, the Amazon Echo Buds cost less than the Airpods. However, the Samsung Buds are available even cheaper (see Amazon) – Ultimately, however, the price should not decide, but the personal wearing and listening experience.