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I used the Samsung Galaxy Buds Live headphones for over 20 hours of traveling and the noise cancellation was invaluable during flights

Written by Sarah Saril; edited by Steven Cohen

2021-09-03T16:38:00Z

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sarah holding her blue galaxy buds live with the case open

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The Samsung Galaxy Buds Live are known for their unique shape, but they bring solid performance too.
I brought my pair on flights with me, and the battery life and noise cancellation were invaluable.
Read more about why you can trust our tech team to provide the best product recommendations.

Samsung Galaxy Buds Live

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With one look, Samsung's Galaxy Buds Live already stand out from other wireless earbuds. They're glossy, available in multiple colors, and look like jellybeans. This unique appearance, plus a bundle discount I got from Samsung, was why I picked up a pair in the first place.

I brought my Galaxy Buds Live with me during a collective 20 hours of flying, and found them to be indispensable travel companions. These are the features that stood out the most during my trip.

The earbuds' Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) cut out irritating sounds that would have woken me up, like the plane's engine, idle chatter, and loud kids.

a pair of samsung galaxy buds in sarah's hand

Their bean-like shape keeps the earbuds securely nestled in your ear, without being as intrusive as in-ear models. If you have small ears like me, though, they can get uncomfortable after a few hours.

the samsung galaxy buds live in sarah's ear

My pair got pretty close to the advertised eight hours of continuous listening on a single charge, and a fully-juiced case was enough to last me the entire trip without charging again.

sarah holding her samsung galaxy buds case while plugged in with a usb-c cable

Mine's a little banged up, but the case is small and flat enough to fit in my pockets with ease.

sarah holding her samsung galaxy buds case

Should you buy the Samsung Galaxy Buds Live?

Whether or not you should buy the Galaxy Buds Live depends on what you prioritize as a user. The Buds Live are a premium option from Samsung's lineup, but they aren't the best choice for everyone.

The glossy finish and unique form factor set the Buds Live apart from the competition — they're made to be accessories. I also love that these don't push as far into your ear canal as some earbuds, and the fit doesn't compromise noise cancellation or security. However, buyers with smaller ears may find them to be uncomfortable as time passes.

The bottom line here is this: if you like how they look and want earbuds that really stand out, the Galaxy Buds Live are for you. They have solid performance and great Active Noise Cancellation that make them worth the price. But, if you want Galaxy Buds that are newer, a little cheaper, and more traditional in design, consider the Galaxy Buds 2.

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What are the best wireless earbuds?

If you're looking for more earbud recommendations, check out our guide to the best true wireless earbuds. After extensive research and testing, we found the Jabra Elite 85t to be the best combination of performance and price for most people.

Sarah Saril

As a Tech Deals and Streaming Reporter for Insider's Reviews team, Sarah covers the latest movie and series releases along with the best sales on products we recommend. Prior to joining Insider Inc., she was a Deals Writer at Wirecutter, a New York Times company. After graduating from California State University, Fullerton with a degree in Marketing, Sarah started out as a Freelance Deals Writer at Wirecutter; there she focused on newsletter creation, social media promotion, and syndication in addition to deals writing before stepping into a full-time role. Her accomplishments from this position, in addition to the countless deals she's written, include implementing multiple social media marketing campaigns and launching a Deals Facebook group for the company. Say hi (or send a picture of your pet) to Sarah at ssaril@businessinsider.com, or reach her on Twitter at @sarahhahr or on Instagram at @lord_ponty. Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here. Learn more about how we research deals.