Amazon Echo Buds with Active Noise Cancellation (newest model), Wireless earbuds with active noise cancellation and Alexa, Wireless charging case, Glacier White

Better sounding than I had imagined
I own a lot of Google products, including my Pixel phone, but my house is 100% Alexa. A couple weeks ago I was wanting some new ear buds and was 99% sure I was going to buy the Pixel Buds, mostly for the translation since I travel so much. Since they came out, the reviews have been very mixed. I was thinking about just holding off to see what the new generation would develop into as it should be very promising. I come to Amazon to see if I can find something to hold me over and I find the Alexa Buds. Since I’m knee deep in that eco system anyway, I figure I would give them a try.I’m glad I did! Right out of the box they instantly paired with my phone and my desktop. At home I have (3) Echo Dot, (2) 5″ Show and an 8″ Show which I use to play music on. The Alexa buds were just as easy to shuffle my Amazon Music playlists, take notes, add to my shopping lists and everything else you would expect from your Alexa device.Loading up my music was quick and easy and the sound quality so much better than I had imagined. The bass hit, mids were throaty and highs were crisp without being piercing. I was also incredibly impressed with the noise cancellation. Long pressing a bud turns it on and off and you can set the amount of pass thru in the mobile app. It comes factory preset in the middle but when I turned it all the way down shocked me. My music was still clear but my surroundings were amplified. I could hear the sound of my fridge and the buzz from my computer in detail. My hearing is not the best and I’m not going to say these work as hearing aids, but…what was once muddy white noise became apparent. Turning it all the way was good as well. Perfect for busy public transportation and such where you need to drown out your surroundings but not dull your senses.The weight and feel of them are also very nice. Once you get them in, they stay put and are not noticeable but also don’t feel like they are going to fall out either. They have a rubberized texture feel to them giving them a premium feel. Tap controls on the buds are easy and precise.The charging case also comes in the rubberized texture for that premium feel and isn’t bulky or heavy. Plus, the charging port is on the back, is sturdy and looks great sitting on the desk. Dropping your buds in to recharge couldn’t be any easier with a magnetic snap. The lid also has a magnetic snap to it so you don’t have to worry about it coming open or your buds falling out into your purse or backpack.I really have no complaints so far. Pricing is inline with most other high quality sets and $50.00 cheaper than the Pixel Buds. For me, I won’t be purchasing the Pixel Buds as planned either. The biggest reason is the fact I use Amazon Music and Google doesn’t make it easy to use voice controls, especially starting the app and playing music. “OK Google shuffle my rock playlist” opens the app but plays some random stuff or displays a playlist without playing anything. Alexa knows what I want every time.

Great for sale price, but not as good as airpods
It’s important to note I got these on sale for $40. With that in mind I absolutely love them. I returned by AirPods Pro 2 for these because the price was so much better. They are great sound quality and have wonderful noise cancellation. On the downside I do not enjoy the case size or functionality, the pods are hard to put it and if the case drops they are bound to fly out and slide across the ground. Compared to AirPods connecting Instantly to iPhone, these take a few seconds or longer to connect. When you put them in the case they sometimes make a loud sharp noise. But that’s nothing major. The quality is super good and the box is so professional. I think they are mildly uncomfortable in my small ears but not too bad. And they do stay in place once in. They are amazing for the price I paid but I do miss some features from my AirPods.