Amazon Echo Buds 2nd Gen True Wireless ANC Earbuds Reviewed

The Amazon Echo Buds 2nd Gen are true wireless earbuds with active noise cancellation and hands-free Alexa built in. They list at around $100 but frequently drop to $50-$80 on sale. The wired charging case variant carries model number B085VM9ZDD; there's also a wireless charging case version (B08HR5SXPS) for a few dollars more. At full price they compete against mid-range earbuds from Sony and Jabra. On sale, they're a strong buy for anyone already in the Amazon ecosystem. I've reviewed earbuds across the $50-200 range and the Echo Buds stand out for the Alexa integration at this price point.

I've used a pair for daily commutes and work-from-home sessions. The ANC is genuine rather than decorative - it meaningfully reduces background noise on a bus or in a noisy office. In-ear detection worked every single time I tested it: audio paused the moment I pulled one bud out.

Active Noise Cancellation: Does It Actually Work?

The Echo Buds 2nd Gen use active noise cancellation that reduces continuous background sounds like HVAC hum, bus engines, and open-office chatter. It's not class-leading - Sony's WF-1000XM4 at nearly three times the price does a noticeably better job. But for $100, or $60 on sale, the ANC here is far better than nothing and better than many competitors at this price point.

There's also a passthrough mode that lets ambient sound in while keeping the buds in your ears. This is useful when someone speaks to you without wanting to pull the buds out. The transition between ANC on, ANC off, and passthrough is done through a touch control or an Alexa voice command - both work reliably.

The ear tip fit test in the Alexa app is worth running before you judge the ANC. A poor seal from the wrong tip size accounts for most complaints about weak noise cancellation in this product. The box includes five tip sizes. Get the fit right first.

Battery Life With and Without ANC

Battery life breaks down clearly:

• ANC on: 5 hours per charge from the buds, 15 hours total with the case
• ANC off: approximately 6 hours per charge, over 19 hours total with the case
• Case charging: USB-C for the wired case (B085VM9ZDD), Qi wireless for the wireless case (B08HR5SXPS)

Five hours with ANC on is average for this price segment. It covers a full work morning or a round-trip flight under three hours. The case top-up is fast enough that 15 minutes in the case typically adds about 1.5 hours of playback. I did not experience a situation where I ran out of battery mid-day with normal use.

The buds charge in the case via magnetic contact points. They snap in securely. I never had a bud charge poorly due to misalignment, which is a common complaint with some competing true wireless cases.

Echo Dot for smart home control

Alexa Integration and Voice Assistant Support

The Echo Buds 2nd Gen have a built-in microphone array for hands-free Alexa access. Say "Alexa" and you get full voice assistant functionality: music control, smart home commands, calls, reminders, and shopping list additions. This works without touching your phone at all.

On Android, Alexa runs hands-free. On iPhone, you can activate Alexa by saying "Alexa" while the Alexa app is running in the background. You can also use Siri or Google Assistant by double-tapping a bud, which passes the activation through to your phone's default assistant. The buds don't lock you into Alexa-only use, which is a sensible design choice.

Call quality from the microphones is clear in quiet environments. In moderately noisy environments like a busy street, callers sometimes noticed wind interference. For a commute call in moderate conditions, it's acceptable. Don't expect studio-quality call audio from any earbud at this price.

In-Ear Detection and Touch Controls

In-ear detection is handled by an infrared sensor in each bud. When you remove a bud from your ear, audio pauses automatically. Put it back in and audio resumes. This worked without fail in my testing - no false triggers while the buds were in, no missed detections when I removed one.

Touch controls are on the outer face of each bud:

• Single tap: play/pause
• Double tap: next track or activate assistant (configurable in Alexa app)
• Triple tap: previous track
• Press and hold: switch between ANC on, passthrough, and ANC off

The touch surface is reasonably accurate. I occasionally triggered an accidental tap when adjusting fit, but it wasn't frequent enough to be annoying.

IPX4 Water Resistance and Build Quality

IPX4 water resistance means the Echo Buds 2nd Gen can handle sweat and light rain. You can wear them for a run or a gym session without worry. They're not waterproof for swimming or submersion. Rinse them under running water and you'll likely damage them. For the intended use - exercise and everyday carry - IPX4 is the right level.

The build feels solid without being heavy. Each bud weighs about 5.7 grams. The case is compact enough to fit in a jeans pocket. Compared to the first-generation Echo Buds, which were notably larger and had a reputation for fitting poorly, the second generation is a real improvement in comfort for most ear shapes.

Sound Quality at This Price

Sound quality is good rather than exceptional. The low end is present and punchy without being muddy. Mids are clear enough for podcasts and voice calls. Highs are slightly recessed, which gives the overall tuning a warm character. It's a consumer-friendly signature that works well for pop, hip-hop, and ambient music. Classical and jazz listeners who want detail in the upper register will find the tuning a bit dark.

Amazon's Adaptive EQ adjusts the sound based on the ear tip seal the fit test detects. With a proper seal, the low end improves noticeably. This isn't a gimmick - there's a real difference between a poor seal and a good one with these buds.

At $100 retail, the Echo Buds 2nd Gen are a solid all-around option for Amazon ecosystem users. At $60 on sale, they're a very good buy. ANC works, battery is adequate, Alexa integration is seamless for daily tasks, and IPX4 keeps sweat from being a concern. The main reason to look elsewhere is if you need best-in-class ANC or if you're primarily an iPhone user who wants native Siri integration without any workarounds.