We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-08 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
If you want all-day battery life, a secure in-ear fit and a pair of noise cancelling earbuds that just keep going through long workdays and gaming sessions on your Xbox, choose Raycon Pro Earbuds; if you need the newest Bluetooth standard, deeper water protection and AI-tuned call clarity that leans hard into the Samsung ecosystem, choose Samsung Galaxy Buds 4.
Both are true wireless in-ear noise cancelling earbuds, and both are built for the same basic job: shut out the room and put a clean bubble of sound around your head. The differences show up in battery, fit philosophy, water rating and how much of the smart stuff actually works on your phone. Here's how I'd split them for someone shopping earbuds for Xbox sessions, commutes and calls.
• Raycon Pro Earbuds — biggest strength: up to 40 hours of total playtime plus a 10-minute quick charge that gives roughly 3 hours back, and six microphones feeding a hybrid ANC system.
• Raycon Pro Earbuds — biggest trade-off: IPX5 water resistance is sweat- and splash-resistant, not swim-proof, and there's no app-level control method listed beyond touch.
• Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 — biggest strength: Bluetooth 6.1, a planar magnetic driver, IPX7 water resistance and Super Wideband microphones with AI-based noise reduction.
• Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 — biggest trade-off: an international model without a local warranty, Android/Samsung-leaning features, and 8 hours per charge with a 1.5-hour charge time.
• Who Raycon Pro Earbuds are for: buyers who want marathon battery, a memory-foam in-ear seal and dual-device switching without fuss.
• Who Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 are for: Android and Samsung owners who want the newest connectivity, better water protection and AI call handling.
The Raycon Pro Earbuds are built around stamina and fit. Up to 40 hours of total playtime with the case is the headline number, and it's backed by a genuinely useful detail: 10 minutes on the charger returns about 3 hours of playback. That matters more than it sounds. If you're the kind of person who grabs earbuds on the way out the door and realizes they're dead, a quick top-up is the difference between a silent commute and a normal one. Average battery life per charge is listed at 10 hours, so a full workday of music, calls and podcasts fits inside one charge without touching the case.
Who should buy them: commuters, remote workers, gym-goers and anyone who wants a lightweight in-ear bud with a memory-foam-and-gel tip that seals properly and stays put. The IPX5 rating covers sweat and splashes, which is enough for running, lifting and outdoor walks in light weather. If you also game on an Xbox, they're a reasonable everyday pair for chat and audio between sessions — just note that no earbud in this comparison connects natively to an Xbox console without a separate transmitter, so plan on using them with a phone, tablet or PC alongside your setup.
Who should skip them: if you need a formal IPX7 immersion rating, if you want app-based EQ and voice control, or if long, heavy rain exposure is part of your routine.
Samsung Galaxy Buds 4: Who It's For
The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro is the more technically ambitious pair. Bluetooth 6.1 is the newest version in this comparison, and the driver is a planar magnetic design rather than a conventional dynamic driver. Planar magnetic drivers are known for fast, detailed reproduction and tight control, which is a different flavor of sound from a dynamic driver — more precision, less thump-by-default. The frequency range is the same 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz on both, so the difference is in character, not coverage.
Water resistance is the clearest win: IPX7 means the Buds 4 can handle immersion, not just splashes. If you sweat heavily, train outdoors in bad weather or regularly get caught in rain, that's a real advantage over IPX5. Call handling is the other standout. Super Wideband microphones plus AI-based noise reduction filter surrounding noise and reconstruct voice data that would otherwise be lost, which is exactly the problem with calls from busy streets and open offices.
Then there's the caveat that matters most. This is an international model without a domestic warranty. It works, and it's covered by the return policy, but you don't get local warranty service. It's also optimized for Android and especially Samsung Galaxy devices — ANC customization and 360 Audio are exclusive to Galaxy Android phones, and iOS users get Bluetooth audio but lose those extras. Controls run through touch plus app and voice. Battery is 8 hours per charge with a 1.5-hour charge time, and the charging case is included.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for battery life → Raycon Pro Earbuds. Up to 40 hours total, 10 hours per charge, plus a 10-minute quick charge for about 3 hours.
• Best for fast top-ups → Raycon Pro Earbuds. 10 minutes to usable versus 1.5 hours for a full charge on the Buds 4.
• Best for water and sweat → Samsung Galaxy Buds 4. IPX7 immersion protection beats IPX5 splash resistance.
• Best for call clarity in noisy places → Samsung Galaxy Buds 4. Super Wideband mics with AI noise reduction, backed by 25.75 ohm impedance and a planar magnetic driver.
• Best for microphone count → Raycon Pro Earbuds. Six microphones feeding hybrid ANC.
• Best for the newest wireless standard → Samsung Galaxy Buds 4. Bluetooth 6.1 versus 5.3.
• Best for Samsung and Android owners → Samsung Galaxy Buds 4. ANC customization and 360 Audio are exclusive to Galaxy Android devices.
• Best for warranty peace of mind → Raycon Pro Earbuds. A one-year warranty is listed, while the Buds 4 is an international model without a local warranty.
• Best for dual-device juggling → Raycon Pro Earbuds. Connect to two devices at once and switch instantly.
In my opinion, the Raycon Pro Earbuds are the safer buy for most people, and that's the pair I'd pick. Up to 40 hours of playtime, a 10-minute charge that restores about 3 hours, a memory-foam in-ear seal, six microphones and a listed one-year warranty add up to a pair you can lean on daily — including as a low-latency companion for Xbox chat and audio when you're paired to a phone or PC. I'd only steer you to the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 if you're on a Samsung or Android phone, want IPX7 water protection and Bluetooth 6.1, and you're comfortable with an international model that carries no local warranty.
FAQ
what are the best in ear noise cancelling earbuds
what are the best over the ear noise cancelling earbuds
That phrasing usually means over-ear headphones rather than earbuds, and neither product here is over-ear — both are in-ear designs. If you specifically want an in-ear fit with strong noise cancelling, the Raycon Pro Earbuds and the Galaxy Buds 4 are the two options compared on this page.
Practically, yes. ANC customization and 360 Audio are exclusive to Galaxy Android devices. They still work over Bluetooth with iOS and other Android phones, but you lose those advanced features, and this is an international model without a local warranty.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 has the edge on paper with IPX7 water resistance, which covers immersion rather than just splashes. The Raycon Pro Earbuds are IPX5, which handles sweat, light rain and daily movement — fine for most gym and running use, but not rated for being submerged.
I don't quote prices here because they change often — check the current price on Amazon using the button on this page. On specs alone, the Raycon Pro Earbuds offer more battery and a listed warranty, while the Galaxy Buds 4 offer newer Bluetooth, IPX7 protection and AI call features.
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