Samsung Galaxy Buds FE R400
The newly redesigned wingtip design and multiple sizing options provide a secure, comfortable fit that stands out for all-day wear. Active noise cancellation and seamless Auto Switch connectivity across Galaxy devices offer core premium features at a budget-focused price point. These earbuds are best for Samsung users who prioritize a stable fit and basic ANC for commuting, but call quality is notably poor.
Snapshot
The 30-Second Version
The Galaxy Buds FE serve up shockingly good noise cancellation on a shoestring budget. Just pray your refurbished pair actually comes with the ear tips.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ANC performance is a standout at this price, easily one of the best on the market for budget buds. 87th
- Dead-simple connectivity with Samsung devices, just flip open the case. 73rd
- Durable enough to survive a rainstorm and a drop, according to multiple relieved owners. 66th
- Solid, enjoyable sound that doesn't try too hard and mostly succeeds.
Cons
- Battery life is a real letdown, one of the worst we've seen in the category.
- Refurbished units are a gamble, with missing ear tips being a common and frustrating complaint.
- The bulky design can stick out of your ears and might loosen up while you're eating.
- Fit is hit-or-miss for smaller ears, even with the different tip sizes included.
What owners think
The Word on the Street
How owner sentiment changed over time
ExclusiveBased on when customers actually wrote their reviews - so you can see whether early praise held up.
Based on 8 dated customer reviews, grouped by calendar quarter. Period analysis is in English.
The proof
Performance
The ANC is the real standout here. It sits in the 87th percentile of our database, which is genuinely impressive for a budget-focused pair of earbuds. It won't dethrone the class leaders, but it does a great job of hushing the drone of a commute or office chatter. The sound quality is solid and middle-of-the-pack, which is perfectly fine for podcasts and playlists. The biggest surprise, and not a good one, is the battery life. It's one of the worst we've seen, landing in the bottom 9th percentile. If you're a long-haul listener, you'll be reaching for the charging case often.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Design
| Form Factor | in-ear |
| Ear Tips | S, M, L |
Audio
| Impedance | 16 |
| Codecs | SAMSUNG Galaxy Buds Fan Edition(FE) SM-R400, Active Noise-Cancelling, Wireless Bluetooth v5.2 Earbuds, Android 8.0 and Up - (White) (Renewed) |
Noise Control
| ANC | Yes |
| Transparency | Yes |
Connectivity
| Wireless | Yes |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 |
Earbud Battery
| Charging | USB-C |
Case Battery
| Case Charging | USB-C |
Microphone
| Microphone | Yes |
Features
| Touch Controls | Yes |
vs Competition
The Galaxy Buds FE go head-to-head with the Sony WF-C700N. The Sony buds have a more comfortable, traditional fit and a more balanced sound, but the Samsung pair often comes in cheaper and has a more powerful, bass-forward profile. If you're not in the Samsung ecosystem, the Soundcore P31i is another strong budget contender that offers a more reliable fit for workouts, an area where the Buds FE completely fall apart with a dismal fitness score. For pure sound, the Nothing Ear (3) is the one to beat, but it costs significantly more.
| Spec | Samsung Galaxy Buds FE R400 | Technics EAH-AZ100 EAH-AZ100-K | Sony WF-1000XM6 | Bose QuietComfort Ultra 896637-0010 | Apple AirPods Pro 3 | Soundcore P31i |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | in-ear | in-ear | in-ear | in-ear | in-ear | in-ear |
| Driver Type | - | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic |
| Wireless | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Active Noise Cancellation | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 6.0 |
| Battery Life Hours | - | 8 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
| Case Battery Hours | - | 28 | 24 | 18 | 24 | 50 |
| Water Resistance | - | IPX4 | IPX4 | IPX4 | IP57 | IP55 |
| Multipoint | - | true | true | true | true | - |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Anc | Mic | Build | Sound | Battery | Comfort | User Sentiment | Connectivity | Social Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy Buds FE R400 | 86.6 | 44 | 35 | 31.1 | 8.5 | 29.8 | 31.7 | 65.6 | 73.1 |
| Technics EAH-AZ100 EAH-AZ100-K Compare | 97.4 | 97.5 | 81.4 | 99.1 | 82 | 73.8 | 92 | 99.2 | 81.4 |
| Sony WF-1000XM6 Compare | 97.4 | 99.8 | 81.4 | 89.2 | 79.2 | 73.8 | 79.9 | 99.2 | 81.4 |
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra 896637-0010 Compare | 97.4 | 91.9 | 81.4 | 97 | 48.7 | 94.7 | 92 | 98.1 | 90.3 |
| Apple AirPods Pro 3 Compare | 97.4 | 83.9 | 98.9 | 91.5 | 79.2 | 94.7 | 31.7 | 99.7 | 99.4 |
| Soundcore P31i Compare | 90.6 | 97.5 | 91.9 | 97.4 | 94.2 | 73.8 | 97.2 | 87.5 | 90.3 |
Price
Value & Pricing
This is where things get weird. The price spread across vendors is a wild $1,134, which makes zero sense for a product like this. Ignore the crazy high outliers. The real value is in the $55 to $80 range for a renewed pair. At that price, you're getting ANC and sound quality that punches way above its weight class. Just make sure you're buying from a seller with a solid return policy in case those ear tips are missing.
Read more
Overview
The Samsung Galaxy Buds FE are the budget buds that nail the basics and skip the fluff. You're getting surprisingly effective active noise cancellation and that familiar, easy Samsung pairing for way less cash than the flagship models. The one thing to know? If you're buying these renewed, open the box and check for the ear tips immediately. It's a recurring headache that's soured an otherwise fantastic value.
Common Questions
Q: Are these good for working out?
Honestly, no. They score terribly for fitness in our database. The bulky design can wiggle loose, and there's no official IP rating for sweat resistance, even if a few owners have gotten lucky in the rain. Grab a pair of Soundcore P31i buds for the gym instead.
Q: Do they work well with an iPhone?
They'll connect via Bluetooth just fine, but you'll lose a lot of the magic. The easy pairing, Samsung Wearable app, and firmware updates are all Android-only. If you're on an iPhone, you're better off with something like the Sony WF-C700N for a similar price and a better app experience.
Q: What's the catch with the renewed version?
The catch is you might not get the full package. The most common complaint by far is that renewed units arrive without the ear tips or wing tips, making them completely unusable out of the box. It's a great value if you get a complete set, but you should absolutely factor in the potential hassle of a return.
Who Should Skip This
If you need all-day battery life or a secure fit for the gym, these aren't it. The battery is one of the worst we've tracked, and the fitness score is abysmal. Go get the Soundcore P31i for workouts or the Sony WF-C700N for a more comfortable, longer-lasting daily driver.
Verdict
For a Samsung user on a strict budget, the Galaxy Buds FE are a no-brainer, provided you buy them from a reputable source. The ANC alone is worth the price of entry, and the sound is more than good enough for daily listening. The terrible battery life and the gamble on missing accessories with renewed units are the only real anchors holding them back. If you can live with those trade-offs, you'll be very happy.
