Amazon announces second-generation Echo Buds

Amazon has announced its second-generation Echo Buds, which see signifcant improvements to the design, comfort and noise cancellation. The new model will go on sale for $119.99 with a standard USB-C case, but a new wireless charging option is available for $139.99. They’re temporarily discounted to $99.99 and $119.99 respectively.

The external design of the new Buds is smaller and has a shortened nozzle for increased comfort within the ear. Amazon has also redesigned the four sizes of included tips to be more oval-shaped, and now includes two sizes of wing tips in the box. It says this design is 20% smaller than before and are “designed to be comfortable enough for all-day wear.”

Echo Buds now use Amazon’s own Active Noise Cancellation technology and cancel “twice as much noise” as the previous model. The first-generation used the ANC technology from Bose. It will also offer passthrough mode for hearing ambient noise while the earbuds are in your ear and improved sound quality.

Amazon says the new Echo Buds are IPX4 water and sweat resistant and come in a new White colour. The microphones, for talking to people in calls or summoning Alexa, which is emphasised again with the second-generation, can capture lower-frequencies than before.

Hands-free Alexa support allows you to make calls, send messages and ask questions to the voice assistant, plus control smart home devices, play music through Amazon Music, Spotify, Apple Music and other services and more. A new VIP Filter feature, coming “later this year”, lets you tune the notifications you receive.

Pre-order the second-generation Echo Buds from Amazon today. They’ll be available to buy on 13th May.

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Ben Ward

Senior Editor, discussing everything Apple and supporting other writers and members of Apple TLD's team of volunteers.

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