Best match
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2
$229vs $249Save $20 (8%)
Why it's a good swap Strong noise cancelling, wireless charging and a small, comfortable fit.
You give up: Missing the Samsung-only extras on Galaxy phones.
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Prices checked October 2026Not tested in handNo paid rankingsHow we pick
You give up: Missing the Samsung-only extras on Galaxy phones.
Short answer: The closest cheaper alternative to the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro is the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2, about $229 instead of $249 (save 8%). What you give up: Missing the Samsung-only extras on Galaxy phones. The cheapest is the Nothing Ear (3a) at about $99. Prices checked October 2026.
Why it's a good swap Strong noise cancelling, wireless charging and a small, comfortable fit.
You give up: Missing the Samsung-only extras on Galaxy phones.
Why it's a good swap SoundGuys measured about 81% noise reduction and found LDAC and two-device multipoint that work on Android, iPhone and Windows.
You give up: SoundGuys found the stock sound too bassy until you adjust the EQ, and there are no Samsung-only Galaxy extras.
Why it's a good swap Noise cancelling and a tunable app EQ for about half the price.
You give up: Cancelling is a step below, and no Samsung phone extras.
Why it's a good swap Noise cancelling and full sound in a comfortable stemmed fit.
You give up: Weaker noise cancelling and fewer premium features.
Why it's a good swap Same Galaxy AI features and strong noise cancelling on Samsung phones.
You give up: Older model, and reviewers say the Buds4 Pro sound a bit better.
Typical US prices, checked October 2026. Not live prices; check the listing before you buy.
Looking for a cheaper alternative to the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro? It usually sells for about $249. Here are 5 cheaper swaps from $99: the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 is the closest match from another brand, the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro is a cheaper option from Samsung and the Nothing Ear (3a) is the cheapest at about $99. Each one says what you give up for the lower price.
Samsung's Galaxy Buds4 Pro cost $249 at Samsung. On a Galaxy phone, last year's Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro are the closest cheaper pick, and RTINGS found few performance differences between the two. The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 FE ($150) is the cheapest Samsung option here, and the Soundcore Liberty 5 is the lowest-cost pick here.
The Buds4 Pro are worth it mainly if you own a recent Samsung Galaxy phone. Reviewers praise the sound and noise cancelling, but the 24-bit/96kHz audio only works over Samsung's own codec on Galaxy devices, and several other features are limited to Samsung devices.
If you use an iPhone or a non-Samsung Android phone, you pay for features you can't use, so the Pixel Buds Pro 2 or Soundcore Liberty 5 make more sense. Samsung owners who want the Galaxy extras for less can step down to the Buds3 Pro, and the EarFun Air Pro 4 suits commuters on a tight budget.
Compared on their own pages: Pixel Buds Pro 2 alternatives
| Option | Type | Typical price | You save | What you give up | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro | The original | $249 | – | – | View ↗ |
| Nothing Ear (3a) | Budget pick | $99 | $150 (60%) | SoundGuys found the stock sound too bassy until you adjust the EQ, and there are no Samsung-only Galaxy extras. | View ↗ |
| Soundcore Liberty 5 | Close match | $130 | $119 (48%) | Cancelling is a step below, and no Samsung phone extras. | View ↗ |
| Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 FE | Same brand, cheaper | $150 | $99 (40%) | Weaker noise cancelling and fewer premium features. | View ↗ |
| Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro | Same brand, cheaper | $160 | $89 (36%) | Older model, and reviewers say the Buds4 Pro sound a bit better. | View ↗ |
| Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 | Close match | $229 | $20 (8%) | Missing the Samsung-only extras on Galaxy phones. | View ↗ |
Typical US prices from retailer listings and price trackers, checked October 2026. They are not live Amazon prices and may have changed, so check the listing before you buy.
The Nothing Ear (3a), at about $99 (60% less). SoundGuys measured about 81% noise reduction and found LDAC and two-device multipoint that work on Android, iPhone and Windows. The catch: SoundGuys found the stock sound too bassy until you adjust the EQ, and there are no Samsung-only Galaxy extras.
The Google Pixel Buds Pro 2, at about $229 (8% less). Strong noise cancelling, wireless charging and a small, comfortable fit. The catch: Missing the Samsung-only extras on Galaxy phones.
Yes. The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro, at about $160 (36% less). Same Galaxy AI features and strong noise cancelling on Samsung phones. The catch: Older model, and reviewers say the Buds4 Pro sound a bit better.
For Samsung phone owners, the Galaxy Buds3 Pro ($160) keep the Galaxy AI features and strong noise cancelling; on other phones, the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 ($229) are a close match.
The Soundcore Liberty 5 ($130) offer noise cancelling and an app EQ, and Google's Pixel Buds Pro 2 work well on any Android phone.
Yes, as regular Bluetooth earbuds. Samsung says connecting them as Bluetooth audio works on any OS, but the Galaxy Wearable app is not supported on iOS, and advanced settings need an Android 12 or later phone. Samsung lists its 24-bit/96kHz UHQ audio only on recent Galaxy phones and tablets, and 360 Audio only on Galaxy devices and some Samsung TVs.
RTINGS calls the Buds4 Pro an incremental improvement: the redesign improves the fit, case and build, but performance is much the same. Samsung lists Bluetooth 6.1 (up from 5.4) and head gestures as new, with the same IP57 rating and the same 6-hour (26 with the case) battery rating with ANC on. RTINGS says the Buds4 Pro are the better pick if you find them at a similar price.
The Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 ($229) are the closest match: Google's own earbuds, with strong noise cancelling and wireless charging. For much less, the Nothing Ear (3a) ($99) support LDAC and two-device multipoint, per SoundGuys.
Usually not. Gizmodo found they skip LDAC and aptX in favor of Samsung's own codec, and called that lock-in a drawback for anyone without a Galaxy phone. Without one, the Soundcore Liberty 5 ($130) or Nothing Ear (3a) ($99) give you noise cancelling and an app EQ for about half the price or less.
Good for the price: in SoundGuys' lab tests, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 FE ($150) cut outside noise by about 86% on average, which SoundGuys called among the best it has tested for a non-flagship model. The Nothing Ear (3a) ($99) measured about 81%, though SoundGuys found its in-ear sensor can make the noise cancelling drop out.
Each swap links to amazon.com. Prices are typical US prices checked October 2026 and change often, so check the listing before you buy.
Compared on their own pages: Pixel Buds Pro 2 alternatives
Every swap is a product sold in the US that does the main job of the original. Close match is another brand with similar features, Same brand, cheaper is an older, smaller or renewed model from the same maker, and Budget pick is the cheapest thing that still does the job. On each page, Closest match is the close match nearest the original in price, and Lowest price is the cheapest swap. We compare published specs, retailer listings and reviews; we don't test products ourselves.
A cheaper product is cheaper for a reason. Each swap says what you give up, like weaker noise cancelling, a smaller screen or a shorter warranty, so you can decide if the savings are worth it.
Prices are typical US prices from retailer listings and price trackers, last checked October 2026. They are not live Amazon prices, which change often. When a price couldn't be confirmed, the page says “Check price on Amazon” instead of showing a number.
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