Samsung Galaxy Buds Buds 3

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 are open-type true wireless earbuds that prioritize situational awareness and call quality over immersive sound and noise cancellation. They're a great fit for Samsung users who hate the feeling of in-ear tips, but the weak ANC, mediocre battery life, and slippery design make them a tough sell for anyone wanting to block out the world. Shop for a deep discount on a renewed pair to make the value work.

Let's get into the numbers. In our database, the Buds 3's connectivity is a standout, landing in the 97th percentile. Pairing is instant with a Samsung phone, and the multipoint connection for switching between your phone and PC is smooth. The mic performance is also well above average at the 79th percentile, and in practice, calls sound clear. The Super Wideband mics do a good job of pulling your voice out of a noisy environment, even if the AI voice reconstruction is a Samsung-exclusive perk.

Sound quality sits in a solid spot at the 73rd percentile. With the SSC HiFi codec on a Galaxy device, you get detailed, crisp audio with a decent soundstage. But that open design means bass response takes a noticeable hit compared to earbuds that create a proper seal. The ANC ranks higher at the 88th percentile, which sounds impressive until you realize it's measuring the processing power, not the real-world result. Because there's no physical seal, the ANC can only do so much. It takes the edge off low-frequency hums like an AC unit, but higher-pitched noise and chatter still leak right in. Battery life is the real weak spot here, landing in the 23rd percentile. You're looking at around 6 hours with ANC on, which is mediocre at best, though the case gives you a couple of extra charges.

The Galaxy Buds 3's biggest competitor is arguably the standard Apple AirPods Pro, but they're solving different problems. The AirPods Pro use silicone tips and have class-leading ANC and a more balanced sound profile. If you want to block out the world, the AirPods Pro are the clear winner. The Buds 3 are for people who specifically don't want that plugged-up feeling. Against the Sony WF-1000XM5, it's not even close for sound quality and noise cancellation. Sony's earbuds are in a different league for immersion, but they also seal your ear canal completely.

Where the Buds 3 get interesting is against something like the EarFun Air Pro 4+. The EarFun offers a more traditional fit with decent ANC and solid sound for a lot less money. The Samsung pulls ahead on call quality, connectivity polish, and those AI features if you have a Galaxy phone. The JBL Live Beam 3 is another alternative with a similar stem design but a closed fit, offering better noise isolation. If you're a Samsung user who takes a ton of calls and hates the feeling of in-ear tips, the Buds 3 carve out a niche. For everyone else, there are better all-arounders.

Value is a tricky thing with the Buds 3 because the pricing is a complete mess. We're seeing a wild spread from $60 for a renewed unit all the way up to $1,698 for some international versions. At the low end, if you can snag a clean renewed pair for under $80, they're a steal for calls and casual listening, especially if you're deep in the Samsung ecosystem. But at anything close to full retail, you're in a tough spot. The open design means they don't compete directly with noise-isolating champs like the Sony WF-1000XM5 or even the AirPods Pro. You're paying for the unique open-fit experience and Samsung's AI features, so make sure that's actually what you want before spending anywhere near triple digits. The best deal we're seeing is on Amazon for renewed US versions.

Samsung's Galaxy Buds 3 are a bit of a departure, and honestly, a bit of a head-scratcher. They ditch the traditional silicone ear tips for an open-type design, which means they just sort of rest in your ear instead of sealing it off. If you've been searching for true wireless earbuds that let you stay completely aware of your surroundings, this design choice is either the main reason to buy them or the dealbreaker. They pack in some serious tech like Bluetooth 5.4, Active Noise Cancellation, and Samsung's Hi-Res SSC and UHQ audio codecs for 24bit/96KHz streaming, but that open fit fundamentally changes how all of it performs.

At their core, these are lifestyle earbuds aimed at Samsung Galaxy phone users. The feature set leans hard into Galaxy AI tricks like real-time language translation and voice optimization during calls. But here's the catch: those headline AI features are locked to Samsung devices, and the open design means the ANC is fighting a losing battle against the outside world. The price is all over the place too, with listings ranging from $60 for renewed units to over $1,600 for some international versions, so you really need to shop carefully.

For calls and casual listening where you need to hear what's happening around you, the Buds 3 make a lot of sense. They're light, the mic quality is solid, and the connectivity is top-tier. But for anyone wanting to block out a noisy commute or get the most immersive sound, that open design creates some real compromises we need to talk about.

Skip the Galaxy Buds 3 if you want to actually block out noise during your commute or focus on deep, bass-heavy music. The open design simply can't compete with sealed earbuds like the Sony WF-1000XM5 or the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro for immersion. If you plan to use these for fitness, the slippery build and loose fit will drive you crazy. Anyone not using a Samsung Galaxy phone should also look elsewhere, since you're paying for AI features you can't even access. For a better all-around experience at a similar price, grab the EarFun Air Pro 4+ or a renewed pair of AirPods Pro.

The Galaxy Buds 3 are a niche product that Samsung is marketing as a mainstream one, and that's where the confusion starts. If you know you want an open-type earbud because you hate the pressure of silicone tips or you absolutely need to hear your surroundings at all times, these are one of the best options out there. Call quality is genuinely great, and the integration with Galaxy phones is seamless.

But for most people, the compromises are too big to ignore. The ANC is more of a suggestion than a feature, the bass is thin, and the battery life is behind the curve. The slippery design is also a common complaint from owners, with several reporting they fall out too easily. Unless you're getting a killer deal on a renewed pair and you're a die-hard Samsung fan who lives on phone calls, you should probably look at the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro for a more traditional, better-sounding experience, or the Sony WF-1000XM5 if you want best-in-class noise cancellation.