Do you plan to buy Microsoft's Surface Earbuds? (poll)

Surface Earbuds Case

Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central)

This week, Microsoft launched Surface Earbuds in 24 markets, and will begin shipping next week. You can order them now, and are available in Glacier White. Surface Earbuds join the Surface Headphones as Microsoft's second pair of wireless headphones. The question is, which is better, and will you be buying the Earbuds over the Headphones?

In-ear or over-ear?

Microsoft has had the Surface Headphones for some time, but I find them to be overkill sometimes. I don't enjoy wearing over-ear headphones at the gym or on a hot summers day. For that, I prefer in-ear headphones, which I also think are more popular and are preferred by most thanks to their small size, lower price, and ease of use. I own a pair of Surface Headphones, but I rarely go outside with them, as I feel like they're too big.

Surface Earbuds, on the other hand, are going to be my go-to headphones for going out and about, because they're much more discrete and easier to carry around. Surface Headphones make sense for long-haul travel, but if you're just going out to the park for the day, or to and from work, the earbud form factor is much more preferred. I've been using the Samsung Galaxy Buds+, and I really like them.

I think Surface Earbuds are going to be a real contender in the wireless earbuds space. Surface Headphones compete alongside the likes of Bose, Beats, and Sony over-ear headphones. Surface Earbuds compete alongside AirPods, Pixel Buds, Galaxy Buds, and the many other wireless buds accessories on the market today.

Can Microsoft gain traction in an already crowded wireless audio accessory market, especially considering it doesn't have any mobile platform? The productivity angle is interesting, but will that scare "normal" consumers away who are just looking for a pair of headphones for music? In the meantime, will you be buying the wireless Surface Earbuds? Partake in our poll and let us know exactly what you think in the comments.

Zac Bowden
Senior Editor

Zac Bowden is a Senior Editor at Windows Central. Bringing you exclusive coverage into the world of Windows on PCs, tablets, phones, and more. Also an avid collector of rare Microsoft prototype devices! Keep in touch on Twitter and Threads