Amazon’s early Prime Day deals are officially heating up, and one of the best surprises is the Echo Buds (2nd Gen) dropping to just $44.99. That’s a ridiculous 68% discount of their original $139.99 price, and after spending some time with them, I’m here to tell you: these little guys are way better than I expected. 

At this price, they’re not just a budget pick—they're a serious option for anyone who wants active noise cancellation, hands-free Alexa, and a surprisingly polished listening experience.

Let’s be real: sub-$50 earbuds with ANC usually sound like they were fished out of a bargain bin. But these aren’t your no-name $29 earbuds from the corner of the internet. These are Amazon-built, backed by real tech, and loaded with features that usually cost double or triple the price, even more if you’re buying from Apple, Sony, or Bose.

The Echo Buds (2nd Gen) have been out for a while, so reviews are in, firmware updates have rolled out, and the performance is well-documented. For me, the combination of Alexa integration, customizable sound, and reliable ANC made them a no-brainer at this price. But what really surprised me is just how much attention Amazon paid to comfort and day-to-day usability.

Here’s what you actually get:

• Active Noise Cancellation (ANC): Is it as good as Bose or Sony’s high-end offerings? No. But it’s way better than you'd expect at this price. It blocks out most low-level background noise, making it perfect for office chatter, commuting, or even just tuning out your loud fridge. And there’s a Passthrough Mode that quickly lets outside noise in when you need it—ideal for coffee runs or airport announcements.
• Alexa, On the Go: If you already use Alexa at home, these are a dream. Just say “Alexa” and you can control music, get news, check your calendar, or even order more dog food. It’s all hands-free and works even when your phone is in your pocket. Of course, if you’re not an Alexa user, you can still use other voice assistants (Siri, Google Assistant) by tapping the earbud.
• Surprisingly Good Fit: The Echo Buds come with multiple ear tip sizes and optional wing tips for a secure fit. There's also an Ear Tip Fit Test in the Alexa app to help you find the right seal. They’re lightweight, discreet, and have an IPX4 rating, which means they’re sweat-resistant—great for workouts or walking in light rain.
• Customizable Sound: You can tweak the sound through the Alexa app with a 5-band EQ, which is not common in this price range. There’s even an audio personalization test that adjusts the EQ based on your hearing profile. I found the default sound signature to be clean and balanced, especially good for podcasts and acoustic music.
• Compact Case, USB-C Charging: The case is small enough to fit in a pocket and charges via USB-C. There's also a wireless charging option if you grab the version that supports it (usually a few bucks more, though it doesn’t seem to be discounted quite as steeply). Battery life is about 5 hours per charge, with a total of 15 hours using the case.

Downsides? Sure, but nothing deal-breaking, and these aren’t miracle earbuds:

• The bass is a little tame. If you're a fan of thumping, chest-rattling lows, you might want to look elsewhere.
• Battery life could be better. 5 hours isn’t terrible, but it’s below some of the newer options on the market.
• You need the Alexa app to get the full experience. If you're not part of the Amazon ecosystem, some features will go unused.
• No multi-device pairing, which is becoming standard on newer models.

Still, for under $50, I think most of these trade-offs are easy to live with.

So, should you grab it? I’d say yes, and do it quickly. Deals like this don’t stick around, especially during the lead-up to Prime Day. This is the lowest price ever for the Echo Buds (2nd Gen), and there’s no guarantee they’ll go this low again even during Prime Day itself.

So if you’ve been curious about wireless earbuds with ANC, or just want a solid backup pair for your bag, this is a rare moment where a $44.99 purchase feels like a smart, useful splurge.

If you're even slightly tempted, I’d say go for it. The Echo Buds (2nd Gen) aren’t perfect, but at $44.99, they don’t need to be. They’re a shockingly good value, and they punch way above their price tag, especially when it comes to features and comfort.