When you think of wireless earbuds, Apple AirPods easily come to mind. Apple wasn’t the first to create the technology, but they revolutionized the concept with the sleek, minimalist design of the original AirPods in 2016. Since then, other brands have emerged as competitors, including Amazon‘s Echo Buds.
As the creator of the popular Alexa voice assistant, Amazon aimed to integrate that smart assistant technology into audio devices consumers could take on the go. The result is an intriguing Apple alternative worth comparing in-depth to the leading AirPods Pro earbuds.
Brief History of the Echo Buds and AirPods Pro
The first-generation Echo Buds were released on October 30, 2019, the same day as the initial AirPods Pro. Key features included built-in Alexa access, Bose active noise reduction technology, and 5 hours of battery life from the buds plus 15 extra hours from the charging case.
In April 2021, Amazon unveiled the 2nd generation Echo Buds, with an updated design more similar to the AirPods case. They dropped Bose noise cancellation in favor of Amazon‘s own tech. Battery life decreased slightly to 4.5 hour buds and 20 hours with charging case.
The original AirPods Pro also debuted October 2019 with proprietary features like Transparency Mode, Spatial Audio, and Adaptive EQ. They offered 5 hours playback on a charge. The 2nd generation brought improved noise canceling, personalized Spatial Audio, longer battery at 6 hours buds/30 hours case, and a new H2 chip.
Comparing Key Specs: Echo Buds vs AirPods Pro
| Feature | Echo Buds (2nd Gen) | AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Life | 4.5 hrs buds/20 hrs case | 6 hrs buds/30 hrs case |
| Colors | Black, White | White |
| Wireless Charging Case | Yes | Yes |
| Noise Cancellation | Active with Own Tech | Industry-Leading ANC |
| Audio Passthrough | Yes | Transparency Mode |
| Onboard Voice Assistant | Alexa | Siri |
| Price | $120 | $249 |
Where They Differ: Design, Features & Compatibility
Despite dropping Bose noise reduction, the Echo Buds still offer very capable active noise cancellation for blocking ambient sounds. However, most critics agree that Apple‘s industry-leading noise canceling algorithms do a better job eliminating distractions.
The Echo Buds fit more snugly and securely thanks to their design with no protruding stem. Their smaller size and inclusion of extra stabilizing fins and tips create a tighter in-ear seal for better sound isolation and fit. Meanwhile, the one-size-fits-all AirPods Pro may not suit all ears equally.
Of course, AirPods Pro shine when it comes to Apple ecosystem integration and features designed specially for iPhone, iPad, Mac, etc. Hands-free "Hey Siri" support, customized Spatial Audio, and Automatic Switching for syncing between devices are just a few examples. Android users will have limited functionality.
Finally, at $120 the Echo Buds are far more budget-friendly. Especially for Alexa device owners without Apple products, they offer substantial savings over the $249 AirPods Pro. Their lower price does come with some caveats like shorter battery life, however.
The Verdict: Who Do the Echo Buds Beat?
The Echo Buds offer better overall value compared to mid-range models like the Samsung Galaxy Buds Live or Buds 2. They also outperform Google‘s Pixel Buds A-Series in areas like noise reduction and voice assistant access. However, the exceptional combination of sound quality, noise canceling, comfort and Apple-exclusive perks makes the AirPods Pro tough to beat, unless cross-platform functionality is a must.
Within the Amazon ecosystem, the Echo Buds are a strong pick for Alexa device owners. Their portable access to Amazon‘s assistant makes them more practical than the 4th gen Echo Buds for Alexa interactions on the go. For iPhone users willing to pay more, though, AirPods Pro simply can‘t be matched.