The Galaxy Buds 2 and the Apple AirPods 3 are two great wireless audio options, but which is better? Here are our thoughts on both ‚buds, and which we prefer.
If you’re in the market for a set of top-notch earbuds, one thing you’ll notice right away is just how many pairs there are to choose from. With name brands a-plenty, it’s tough to decide where to even start, but take it from us — you can’t beat premium. When it comes to industry-lauded, flagship performance, nothing says “premium” like a pair of buds from Apple or Samsung. Both brands have a gleaming track record of producing some of the leading in-ear audio products, offering features like powerful noise cancellation, customizable haptics, and dirt/water protection for the toughest commutes. Thus, the question remains: Do you invest in Apple’s AirPods 3 or Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 2? Let’s put both buds side by side to help you decide which set is best for you. For those looking for more wireless earbud options, check out our roundup of the best true wireless earbuds you can buy right now. Apple’s original AirPods and AirPods 2 buds were never quite hailed for comfort. More specifically, a lack of silicone eartips made for a slightly loose-fitting feel for some ears, and no official IP resistance kept certain buyers at bay. With the third generation of AirPods, or AirPods 3 as they’re being referred to, Apple upped the ante in several of these categories. For one, the new bud design goes for a more bulbous and smooth shape. This, combined with the shorter tail-fins, helps the AirPods hug the skin of the outer ear. There’s also an official IPX4 designation, which checks that box now. Overall, the AirPods 3 look sleeker, fit nicely, and are better protected than the AirPods 2 — although the AirPods Pro still offer a tighter ear-grab for workouts. Samsung, on the other hand, offers a smaller, more ergonomic in-ear design with its Galaxy Buds 2. The headphones come with small, medium, and large eartips, fit snugly inside your ears, and even come with silicone earfins to ensure they don’t fall out during strenuous exercise. In our full hands-on review, the Galaxy Buds 2 stayed put for long periods of time without any kind of discomfort or sweating, even staying secure during a long snooze. While Apple certainly made some strides in improving the design and comfort of the AirPods 3 over older generations, the Galaxy Buds 2 are better looking, more comfortable, and snug in all the right ways. Winner: Galaxy Buds 2 Both Apple and Samsung wireless buds use fairly seamless tap-based controls for a number of functions, including play/pause, call answering, and digital assistants. In Apple’s case, the AirPods 3 have done away with tapping control gestures, relegating commands to the force sensors located on each bud stem — an improvement borrowed from the AirPods Pro. Touch commands are as follows: A single sensor-tap for play/pause, a double-tap to skip forward, and a triple-tap to skip back. To adjust volume and to initiate assistant commands (like calling a certain iPhone contact), say “Hey Siri,” followed by the command you’d like carried out. If you use touch commands often, though, you may find yourself dislodging whatever seal the AirPods 3 have with your ears. As stated, they fit better than older gens, but not as tightly as the AirPods Pro. Silicone eartips could have been the cure-all. Out of the box, the Galaxy Buds 2 offer a bit more in terms of control, but a stemless design means you’ll be tapping the outside of the buds that are in your ears.
