The Earbuds That Cost More Than My First iPod
“The AirPods Pro 2 are the best wireless earbuds I've ever used. They're also $230 and I'll need to replace them in 2 years when the battery dies. The Galaxy Buds FE have ANC for $60. When I inevitably lose or degrade a pair, I'd rather lose $60.”
Apple AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C)
89,432 reviews
Pros
- +Active noise cancellation is genuinely magical
- +Transparency mode — hear the world without removing them
- +Adaptive Audio adjusts to your environment
- +Spatial Audio for movies and music
- +Seamless Apple ecosystem integration
Cons
- -$230 for things you will absolutely lose
- -Battery degrades after 18-24 months
- -The ear tips are a proprietary size because of course they are
- -You'll become that person who can't hear anyone talking to them
Samsung Galaxy Buds FE
15,876 reviews
Pros
- +Active noise cancellation — yes, at this price
- +Ambient sound mode (same concept as Transparency)
- +IPX2 water resistance
- +6 hours battery, 21 with case
- +Works with iPhone AND Android
- +Sixty dollars. The AirPods are 3.8 of these.
Cons
- -No Apple ecosystem magic (no auto-switching between devices)
- -ANC isn't as strong as AirPods Pro
- -No spatial audio
- -Touch controls are less intuitive
The Story
I'm an Apple guy. iPhone, MacBook, iPad, Apple Watch. The AirPods Pro 2 were an inevitability. They walked into my life like a $230 tax on being in the ecosystem.
And they're incredible. I won't pretend otherwise. The noise cancellation on the Miami Beach bus? Chef's kiss. The Transparency mode when I need to hear my barista? Perfect. The auto-switching between my phone and laptop? Seamless. If money were no object, these are the obvious choice.
But money is an object. And here's my problem with $230 earbuds: I have lost four pairs of wireless earbuds in my life. Four. One pair went through the washing machine. One pair fell out of my pocket on a kite beach. One pair was stolen by my toddler and has not been seen since. One pair just... vanished. Like they entered a wormhole.
Losing $60 earbuds stings. Losing $230 earbuds is a genuine financial event that requires a moment of silence. And AirPods batteries degrade after about 2 years — the $230 becomes a recurring expense.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds FE are $60 and have active noise cancellation. Is the ANC as good? No. Is the ecosystem integration as smooth? No. But they cancel noise, play music, handle calls, and cost less than a nice dinner. When I lose them — and I will lose them — I'll order another pair without my eye twitching.
The Lesson
If you lose things (and you do), buy earbuds you can afford to lose. $60 ANC earbuds exist. Your ears can't tell the difference between $60 noise cancellation and $230 noise cancellation when a bus is driving by.
Affiliate Disclosure: Links on this page go to Amazon and include an affiliate tag. If you buy something, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This is an honest comparison of products I've actually used. Product details, prices, ratings, and review counts are approximate and may be outdated. This page was created with AI assistance. Not professional product advice — just one guy's experience.
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Glen's Musings — AI, investing, and building things. Occasional. Free.
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