Amazon Echo Buds (2nd Gen) are smaller and more powerful than before

Amazon announced the Echo Buds (2nd Gen) with Amazon’s very own active noise-cancelling (ANC). This technology is an upgrade from the first-generation Echo Buds, which rely solely on Bose active noise-reduction technology. Bose’s technology is effective, but proficient ANC is bound to outperform it. Amazon continues its sealed design with the new Echo Buds, making sure to differentiate its earphones from the Apple AirPods.

The Amazon Echo Buds (2nd Gen) are 20% smaller than the first iteration, so more users should be able to find a comfortable fit than before. Even with the decrease in size, the noise-cancelling Echo Buds boast a five-hour battery life with 10 hours of reserve power from the case. The case can fast charge the earbuds: 15 minutes in the case yields 120 minutes of playback. Listeners can easily access Alexa with just their voice, as long as they download the Alexa app.

Amazon Echo Buds (2nd Gen): What’s in store?

Athletes can appreciate the Echo Buds too because the earbuds feature an IPX4 rating and can resist splashes, sweat, and rain. Amazon integrated pressure-relief vents into each earpiece to minimize any uncomfortable suction-like sensation.

Just as before, each earbud houses a dynamic driver with a consumer-friendly frequency response (amplified bass and treble notes). This is a similar sound profile to the original Echo Buds, though hopefully, Amazon tempered the bass response a bit.

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This time around, Amazon created its own active noise-cancelling technology, which it promises will cancel out twice as much background noise as the first-generation Echo Buds. It uses inward and outward-facing microphones to combat distracting sounds in real-time.

These new Echo Buds appear to be a promising headset for anyone knee-deep in the world of Alexa smart home products. Later this year, Amazon will release its VIP Filter to the Echo Buds. This lets you select what phone notifications you wish to hear while filtering out unwanted pings and dings.

The Amazon Echo Buds (2nd Gen) come in Black or Glacier White, and are available for pre-order today with a promotional price of $99.99 for the standard USB-C case bundle (this will later increase to $119.99). The wireless charging case bundle costs $119.99 and will increase to $139.99. The company will begin shipping out the Echo Buds in May, at least in the US. Qualifying customers will receive six months of Amazon Music Unlimited and Audible Plus for free.