The best headphones for Samsung devotees

Samsung makes some of the best Android-powered devices around, and the Galaxy Buds 2 are pretty much the best you can get for Samsung (well, come on, the clue’s in the title), so these hi-tech buds are really a no-brainer.

Pairing is easy thanks to Google Fast Pair (which connects with all Bluetooth devices in the vicinity) and the rest of the experience is just as simple. Other useful bonuses include an automatic pause when you take out both earbuds. 

The sound quality is solid, with multiple EQ levels to consider, though not quite as refined as some other options. Active noise cancellation, however, keeps you fully immersed in your tunes. The buds are packed with three microphones, which means your calls are always crystal clear.

Everything’s operated by easy-to-use touchpad controls on the exterior of the actual buds. Overall, they’re as close as you’ll get to Apple AirPods for Android.

Check out our full review of the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones.

Who it's for:

If you want good ANC, but especially value clear and well-rounded sound, these are your headphones. Whether you really like to blast your music, or just want to hear the lows, highs, and mids of a song, the WH-1000XM5s are the headphones on our list most likely to deliver.

During July's Prime Day, these headphones dropped $100 in price. For Prime Big Deal Days, we're expecting to see at least the same discount.

Why we picked this:

Sony's flagship noise-cancelling headphones produce a balanced sound that let your music shine, while giving you enough ANC to block ambient noise.

Here's what Mashable Deputy Reviews Editor Miller Kern had to say about listening to Brandi Carlile’s “Right on Time” on the XM5 headphones: "The vocals and instruments all got to shine, and the headphones made it feel like I was there in the studio. These are probably the best-sounding headphones I’ve ever tried." That audio quality, combined with their comfort and effective noise cancelling are what earned them a Mashable Choice Award. And if you're intimidated by messing around with an equalizer, the app presets along with the "Find Your Equalizer" feature make it easy to find the sound settings that hit just right.

Their portability factor could be a little better — the ear cups don't fold in — but chances are, you'll want to be listening to them most of the time, anyway. When you are on the go, the microphone is another standout feature. Kern relayed that even on a walk home in New York City, she could hear who she was calling perfectly, and be heard herself without any background noise getting in the way. As an added bonus, they have a battery life that beats the Bose QC Ultras by a good six hours, offering some of the best battery we've seen from premium over-ear headphones.

Yes, we know that the Beats brand is technically Apple. But don’t count out the Beats Studio Buds + — they’re also made to be totally compatible with Android-powered devices, which includes Samsung.

First off, you surely know Beats’ rep by now. They’re streetwise, stylish, and sound fantastic, particularly in the bass department. But there’s a lot more packed into these little buds: they have a class-leading battery life (a whopping 36 hours when you factor in the charging case), plus ANC with the option of transparency mode and immersive, spatial audio technology.

As for syncing with Android, they have Google Fast Pair which enables immediate one-touch pairing, plus voice assistant and “Find My Device”. They can also sync with your Google account.

There are Apple-leaning features that you might not be able to enjoy — such as a free six months of Apple Music. You can add Apple Music on your Samsung devices, though we’re guessing most Apple Music users have Apple devices too. If that’s not a problem, there aren’t many better buds around right now.

Everyone knows that when you're working with a tighter budget, you need to make sacrifices. Features, battery, noise cancellation, Bluetooth, and more. With the 1MORE Triple Driver earbuds, there’s one sacrifice you won’t need to make — sound quality. Indeed, these are seriously impressive for the price.

1MORE actually specialises in acoustic design so you know you can rely on the audio quality. The sound is refined thanks to the use of two balanced armatures and a separate dynamic driver. And while the wired design isn’t everyone’s preference, remember that most serious audiophiles opt for wired sound. It’s actually better quality than Bluetooth — and without the dropouts.

Plus, the 1MORE Triple Driver earbuds are very comfortable. They come with a selection of tips and have a 45-degree angle design that slips easily in the ear canal. 1MORE likes to boast that you can even wear these sleeping.

Just make sure you have a Samsung phone with a headphone jack. Newer models such as the Galaxy S23 Plus don't have one. But even in that instance, you can buy an adaptor that links the old-school jack to the USB-C.

Looking for headphones or earbuds for Samsung devices? Then why not look at headphones or earbuds made by Samsung? It just makes sense. The Samsung EO-IC100 by AKG aren’t the only Samsung-made pair on the list, but they are the cheapest — and by a long way.

The big sell of the Samsung EO-IC100 by AKG is that they have a USB-C connection. That means they’re perfect for the newer Samsung phones that don’t come equipped with the classic headphone jack.

But that’s not the only reason to buy these earphones. They aren’t only made by Samsung. The technology is tuned by popular audio brand AKG, with two-way speakers and left-right signals that put them way above usual aux quality. They sound far, far better than you’d imagine for under £15.

You can take calls thanks to a mic built into the wired remote, but that’s about it for features. If you need ANC — which, let’s be honest, no one expects at this price — you’ll have to look elsewhere.

Bose is one of the most trusted names in audio engineering. The company has developed some of the most innovative and premium audio experiences at a hefty price tag. The Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 are no exception. You can expect big, bassy sound and — as the name suggests — next-level noise cancellation. In fact, these headphones have an impressive 11 levels of ANC. That’s everything you need to stay immersed and shut out distractions.

For Samsung users, there are other reasons to go for the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700. Firstly, they have Google Fast Pair, allowing to swiftly connect with Android devices. It works by using Bluetooth Low Energy and Android’s location services to detect nearby Bluetooth devices automatically. These will also connect to Samsung’s own voice assistant Bixby (though they’re also compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant if that’s more your thing).

What really sets these apart from other options is brilliant calls and voice pick-up, thanks to a unique microphone system that isolates your voice and cuts out any background noise. So whether you’re talking to Bixby or making hands-free calls, you’ll be heard loud and clear.