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The Samsung Galaxy Buds FE are on sale right now for $67.99 (down from $99.99) and do a pretty good job at cutting down background noise with their active noise cancellation (ANC), especially for this price. They come with a matte finish and touch controls that are super easy to use, although they can sometimes be a bit too sensitive, leading to accidental taps or skips. The controls let you customize stuff like playback, ANC, voice commands, volume, and calls—though some gestures could be more flexible.
They have many EQ presets that are reportedly useful, but with no option for custom tweaking, it might feel limiting if you love fine-tuning your audio. The interpreter and live translation feature is intriguing, but unless you’re using them with a Galaxy device, you won’t be able to tap into it, limiting its utility. On the plus side, there’s a handy Find My Earbuds feature—perfect if you’re always misplacing them. Battery-wise, the buds pack 45mAh, and the case holds 500mAh, giving you about six hours of playtime with ANC on, plus another 21 hours from the case (according to Samsung—your mileage may vary). While the lack of wireless charging is a bit disappointing in 2024, you can still make do with USB-C cable charging.
If you’re looking for earbuds to wear during workouts or runs, the Galaxy Buds FE might not be the best choice due to their low IPX2 rating, which makes them more suitable for dry, everyday use. And, while their companion app provides some functionality, it falls short, especially if you’re not a Samsung user, as noted in this PCMag review. For a more versatile, cross-platform option with better water resistance and customization, you might want to consider the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC, priced at $99.99.
