If you want a compact pair with adjustable ambient awareness and straightforward everyday listening for remote work, choose Samsung Galaxy Buds SM-R170; if you need active noise cancellation, longer stated playback and stronger splash protection, choose TOZO NC2. For most people choosing specifically between these two, I’d lean TOZO NC2 when focus is the priority and Samsung when hearing nearby activity matters more.
Samsung Galaxy Buds SM-R170 vs TOZO NC2 at a Glance
The Samsung Galaxy Buds SM-R170 are a sensible fit for someone who wants conventional true wireless earbuds with a way to let some surroundings back in. Ambient Aware is designed to make nearby sounds easier to notice, with a quick mode intended for moments such as hearing traffic, announcements, or a coworker calling out. For remote work, that can be more practical than shutting out the room entirely when you still need to respond to someone nearby.
Samsung lists up to six hours of battery life from the earbuds, with an additional seven hours available through the case. The buds are tuned by AKG, with the product information describing an emphasis on bass and a broader range of sound. Three adjustable ear-tip and wingtip sizes are included, giving buyers options to refine how the in-ear buds sit. Splash resistance is also listed for sweat, spills, and splashes.
I’d consider these if you value ambient awareness, want a stated total of up to 13 hours including the case, and prefer having several tip and wingtip options to work with. I’d skip them if active noise cancellation or a long single-charge listening session is central to your decision: neither is listed as a feature here, and the six-hour earbud figure is below TOZO’s stated per-charge figure. The available details also don’t specify touch controls, so don’t choose this model on that assumption.
The TOZO NC2 is the more feature-heavy choice for a noisy desk, shared room, or commute. Its hybrid active noise cancellation uses outward- and inward-facing microphones, while the ear caps are described as helping keep sound out. Transparency mode works in the other direction, letting outside sound through so you can hear announcements or interact without removing the earbuds. That combination makes it easier to switch between focusing and staying aware, though the listed features don’t establish how well it will handle every particular room or voice.
Battery figures are a major point of difference: TOZO states more than 10 hours of playback from one charge and up to 42 hours total with the charging case. It also lists in-ear detection, which pauses playback when the earbuds are removed, plus touch control. Bluetooth 5.3, wireless charging, and USB-A to USB-C charging are specified. The earbuds are rated IPX6 for water resistance against sweat and raindrops.
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-23 · 11 min read · Independent comparison
I’d choose the NC2 if you want active noise cancellation, in-ear detection, or a longer stated listening window before returning the buds to the case. Its six included ear-tip sizes, from XS through XXL, also offer a broad range of fit options. I’d look elsewhere if your priority is a neckband design: these are in-ear wireless earbuds, not neckband headphones. And if you need to hear nearby coworkers by default, remember that noise cancellation is intended to reduce surrounding sound; transparency mode is the listed way to let more of it in.
• Best for active noise cancellation → TOZO NC2. It explicitly lists hybrid ANC; Samsung’s listed approach is Ambient Aware, which helps bring surrounding sound into the listening experience rather than canceling it.
• Best for hearing the room → Samsung Galaxy Buds SM-R170. Ambient Aware is built around adjusting how much surrounding noise you hear, including nearby coworkers and announcements.
• Best stated playback per charge → TOZO NC2. TOZO specifies more than 10 hours from a single charge, compared with up to six hours for Samsung.
• Best stated total playback with the case → TOZO NC2. Its stated total is up to 42 hours, while Samsung lists up to six hours from the buds plus seven from the case.
• Best for a broad included tip range → TOZO NC2. It includes six pairs of ear tips. Samsung includes three adjustable ear-tip and wingtip sizes, which may appeal if you want both kinds of fit component.
• Best for wireless charging options → TOZO NC2. Its sheet lists a wireless charging case as well as USB-A to USB-C charging. Samsung’s case is described as a wireless charger, and the product information notes a 15-minute wireless recharge for up to 1.7 additional hours of playback.
• Best for stronger listed water resistance → TOZO NC2. It specifies IPX6 protection against sweat and raindrops; Samsung is described as splash resistant, including for sweat and spills.
• Best for awareness during remote work → Samsung Galaxy Buds SM-R170. If you want to hear a colleague without switching away from listening, Ambient Aware is the more directly relevant feature. For a distraction-heavy space where blocking noise matters more, choose TOZO.
I’d buy the TOZO NC2 for remote work if my main goal were reducing background noise: it adds active noise cancellation, transparency mode, in-ear detection, touch control, and the longer stated battery figures.
I’d choose the Samsung Galaxy Buds SM-R170 instead when keeping tabs on coworkers and other nearby sounds matters more than blocking them.
That’s the deciding line for me: focus-first points to TOZO; awareness-first points to Samsung.
The listed feature is Ambient Aware, which lets surrounding sound come through so you can notice things around you. Active noise cancellation is listed for the TOZO NC2, not the Samsung model in this comparison.
TOZO states more than 10 hours of playback from a single charge. Samsung lists up to six hours from the earbuds, plus up to seven additional hours from the case.
If you want to reduce background noise, the TOZO NC2 is the more direct fit because it lists hybrid active noise cancellation. If you need to stay aware of coworkers or other nearby sounds, Samsung’s Ambient Aware feature is more aligned with that need.
Are these neckband headphones, and which has touch controls?
Neither is a neckband model; both are in-ear wireless earbuds. TOZO lists touch control, while touch controls are not specified for the Samsung Galaxy Buds SM-R170 in the product details here.
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Samsung Galaxy Buds SM-R170 vs TOZO NC2 at a Glance
• Samsung Galaxy Buds SM-R170: Ambient Aware, three adjustable ear-tip and wingtip sizes, and up to six hours of playback from the earbuds; its listed features do not include active noise cancellation.
• TOZO NC2: Hybrid active noise cancellation, transparency mode, in-ear detection, and more than 10 hours of stated playback per charge; its noise-reducing focus may be less suitable when you need to hear the room.
• Samsung suits people who want adjustable awareness of nearby sounds.
• TOZO suits people who want active noise cancellation, touch controls, and longer stated battery life.
Samsung lists up to six hours of playback from the earbuds, plus an additional seven hours from the case. The sound is tuned by AKG, with the product information describing substantial bass and a wider range of sound. Three adjustable ear-tip and wingtip sizes are included, offering options to refine the fit. The buds are described as splash resistant for sweat, spills, and splashes.
I’d choose Samsung if awareness and the included fit options matter more to you than blocking ambient noise. I’d skip it if active noise cancellation or a longer single-charge listening session is essential: active noise cancellation isn’t listed, and the stated earbud playback is shorter than TOZO’s. The available details don’t specify touch control, either.
The TOZO NC2 is aimed at listeners who want the choice to reduce surrounding noise or let it back in. Its hybrid active noise cancellation uses microphones facing outward and inward, while transparency mode allows outside sound through for announcements and conversation. That makes the two listening modes relevant to a shared workspace or commute, but the specifications don’t promise a particular result in every setting.
TOZO states more than 10 hours of playback from a single charge and up to 42 hours total with the case. Other listed features include in-ear detection, which pauses playback when the earbuds are removed, and touch control. The charging case supports wireless charging and USB-A to USB-C charging. The earbuds are rated IPX6 for protection against sweat and raindrops.
I’d pick the NC2 if active noise cancellation, touch controls, or longer stated playback are priorities. It also comes with six pairs of ear tips, ranging from XS through XXL. I’d skip it if you specifically want a neckband: the NC2 is an in-ear wireless earbud design. And if hearing people nearby is your default priority, note that noise cancellation is intended to reduce surrounding sound; transparency mode is the listed option for letting more sound through.
• Best for active noise cancellation → TOZO NC2. Hybrid ANC is listed for TOZO; Samsung lists Ambient Aware instead.
• Best for hearing what’s happening nearby → Samsung Galaxy Buds SM-R170. Ambient Aware is designed to let you notice surrounding sounds, including coworkers and announcements.
• Best stated playback per charge → TOZO NC2. TOZO specifies more than 10 hours; Samsung lists up to six hours from the earbuds.
• Best stated total playback with the case → TOZO NC2. Its stated total is up to 42 hours, compared with Samsung’s up to six hours from the buds and seven additional hours from the case.
• Best for a range of included ear-tip sizes → TOZO NC2. It includes six pairs of tips. Samsung includes three adjustable ear-tip and wingtip sizes.
• Best for charging options → TOZO NC2. It lists wireless charging and USB-A to USB-C charging. Samsung’s case is described as a wireless charger, and a 15-minute wireless recharge is listed as providing up to 1.7 additional hours of playback.
• Best for stronger listed water protection → TOZO NC2. It specifies IPX6 protection against sweat and raindrops; Samsung is described as splash resistant.
• Best for staying aware during remote work → Samsung Galaxy Buds SM-R170. Choose it if hearing a nearby colleague matters more than shutting out background noise. For a distracting space where reducing noise is the priority, TOZO is the more direct fit.
I’d buy the TOZO NC2 for remote work if I wanted active noise cancellation, longer stated playback, and touch control.
I’d choose the Samsung Galaxy Buds SM-R170 if hearing coworkers and other nearby sounds mattered more than reducing noise.
For me, that’s the deciding factor: TOZO for focus, Samsung for awareness.
Samsung lists Ambient Aware, which lets surrounding sound through so you can stay more aware of your environment. Active noise cancellation is listed for TOZO NC2, not for Samsung in this comparison.
TOZO states more than 10 hours of playback from a single charge. Samsung lists up to six hours from the earbuds, with up to seven additional hours from the case.
TOZO NC2 is the more direct choice if you want active noise cancellation. Samsung’s Ambient Aware feature is better aligned with a need to hear coworkers or other nearby sounds.
Neither is a neckband model; both are in-ear wireless earbuds. TOZO lists touch control, while touch control is not specified for Samsung Galaxy Buds SM-R170.
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