These Samsung Galaxy Buds Are Now $68
The Samsung Galaxy Buds FE are currently on sale for $67.99 (down from $99.99) and do a good job of canceling out background noise thanks to active noise cancellation (ANC), especially at this price. They have a matte finish and touch controls that are very easy to use, although they can sometimes be too sensitive, leading to accidental clicks or misses. The controls allow you to adjust settings such as playback, noise cancellation, voice commands, volume and calls, although some gestures could be more flexible.
They have a variety of equalizer presets that are reportedly useful, but the lack of customization options may feel limiting if you like to fine-tune your sound. The translator and live translation feature are intriguing, but unless you’re using them with a Galaxy device, you won’t be able to connect to them, which limits their usefulness. On the other hand, there’s a handy Find My Headphones feature—ideal if you keep losing them. In terms of battery, the earbuds have a 45mAh capacity and the case has a 500mAh capacity, giving you around six hours of playback with noise cancellation enabled, plus another 21 hours from the case (according to Samsung – your mileage may vary). While the lack of wireless charging in 2024 is a bit disappointing, you can still get by with USB-C charging.
If you’re looking for headphones to wear during workouts or runs, the Galaxy Buds FE may 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’s lacking, especially if you’re not a Samsung user, as noted in this PCMag review . For a more versatile cross-platform option with better waterproofing and customizability, you might want to consider the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC, priced at $99.99.