Samsung S81

The Samsung S81 packs a crazy 40-hour case battery, solid Bluetooth 5.4, and IPX7 waterproofing into a budget package. Sound is fun and bassy, but comfort and ANC are just average. It's a great beater pair for the gym or travel if you don't need premium noise cancelling.

That 14.2mm dynamic driver delivers a sound profile that's bass-forward and energetic, landing it in the 67th percentile for sound in our database, which is totally respectable for the price. The ANC performance is a standout on the spec sheet, ranking in the 83rd percentile, but in practice it's more of a background hiss reducer than a silence bubble. Connectivity is where this thing really shines, hitting the 89th percentile thanks to rock-solid Bluetooth 5.4 and a multipoint connection that actually works smoothly. The mic quality is above average for calls in quiet rooms, but the battery life on the buds themselves is a weak 4 hours, even if the case's 40-hour total is a beast.

Stacked against the heavy hitters like the Sony WF-1000XM6 or Bose QuietComfort Ultra, the S81 gets left in the dust on sound refinement, ANC effectiveness, and comfort. Those are in a different universe. A more realistic fight is with something like the Soundcore P31i. The Soundcore likely offers a more polished app experience and better overall fit, while the S81 counters with that IPX7 rating and a slightly more bombastic bass response. Against the Technics EAH-AZ100, there's no contest in call quality or musical detail, but the S81's case battery life is a genuine trump card for travelers who forget to charge.

Since we don't have a firm price, we're judging this against the sea of budget earbuds on Amazon. For what you're likely paying, the feature list is aggressive. A 40-hour case, multipoint, and IPX7 at this level is a solid deal. You're trading away premium build and all-day comfort, but if you just need a beater pair for the gym or a backup set that won't die on a long trip, the value proposition is strong. Just don't expect a hidden gem that punches way above its weight in sound or ANC.

The Samsung S81 earbuds are a budget-friendly pair that tries to pack in a lot of features for the price. You get a massive 40-hour case battery, Bluetooth 5.4 with multipoint, and an IPX7 waterproof rating, which is honestly more than we expect at this end of the market. The 14.2mm drivers push out a sound that's solid for podcasts and playlists, but don't expect it to compete with pricier sets on detail.

But there are clear corners cut to hit this price. The fit is a common pain point, with the hard plastic getting uncomfortable after a couple of hours. And while the spec sheet screams "ANC", the actual noise cancellation is just okay, doing more to hush low hums than the chaotic noise of a commute. It's a classic case of a feature-stuffed product that delivers where it counts on paper, but stumbles a bit on the daily-use basics.

If you need earbuds for all-day wear at a desk or on long flights, look elsewhere. The comfort just isn't there for extended sessions, and the ANC won't silence a chatty neighbor or a plane engine the way a Sony or Bose set will. Audiophiles should also steer clear, as the sound, while fun, lacks the detail and soundstage of pricier competitors.

The Samsung S81 is for the practical buyer who wants a feature-packed backup pair or a cheap, waterproof option for workouts. You're getting a massive case battery, a fun sound, and a connection that just works. If you can live with the mediocre comfort and just-okay ANC, it's a solid pickup for the price.