I’m A Marathon Runner & These Headphones Help Me Stay In The Zone

Whether I'm engrossed in an audiobook or podcast, blasting my latest running playlist, catching up with friends on the phone, or taking a work call, I have headphones in more often than not. Still, I was struggling to find a pair I really loved—so I jumped at the chance to test out Samsung's Galaxy Buds2. 

I've had a few common qualms with other (mind you, more expensive) earbuds in the past. Some felt too big or uncomfortable in my ears; others would slide out during long, sweaty runs; and many simply didn't live up to the promised sound or microphone quality. One set even died in the middle of running a marathon on a full overnight charge. (It was a long run.)

When I first picked up the box, I was shocked by the weight of these earbuds. The set is just under 6 grams—about the weight of a pencil—and feel noticeably lighter than my AirPods (8 grams). 

What's more, the Galaxy Buds come equipped with three sets of flexible silicone tips (small, medium, and large) so you can find your perfect fit. In fact, the Galaxy Wearable app even has a feature that will tell you whether you chose the best size.

As often as I wear headphones, I truly hate the way most feel in my ears. The sleek design of the Samsung Galaxy Buds actually feels comfortable, even through hours of use.

Of course, earbuds can feel and look great, but if they don't sound great, then what's the point? Thankfully, I'm thoroughly impressed with the sound quality, too.

The Galaxy Buds have active noise cancellation (ANC) and ambient sound that works better than any pair I've tested in the past. I wore these on a long car ride with three children under five, and I honestly didn't hear a peep outside of the book I was listening to.

With the ANC turned on, the Galaxy Buds hold a charge for about five hours. If you're not using the noise cancellation, a full charge will last up to seven. This was music to my ears (pun intended), especially considering the battery issues I encountered with other models.

I'll admit I'm not the best when it comes to remembering to charge my earbuds; I've had more than a few occasions when I'm dressed and ready for a run only to find my AirPods out of juice. What's great about the Samsung Galaxy Buds is you can get a full hour of battery life from just five minutes in the charging case—so even when I'm forgetful, my morning routine isn't too thrown off.

Speaking of the charging case, I love how sleek and portable it is. The case holds an extra 15 hours of playing time, so I make sure to have it in my bag at all times.