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Motorola has quietly made an aggressive play in India’s crowded budget true wireless stereo (TWS) segment with the launch of the Moto Buds 2. Priced at Rs. 2,999—lower than their predecessor—the earbuds arrive at a time when competition from brands like OnePlus and Oppo has intensified. While wired earphones have recently made a nostalgic comeback on social media, wireless earbuds continue to dominate the market thanks to their convenience and portability.
With active noise cancellation (ANC), Hi-Res codec support, Bluetooth 6.0 and long battery life, the Moto Buds 2 promise premium features at an affordable price. But do they deliver a complete package, or have the lower price and design changes come with compromises?
Moto Buds 2 Design: Compact, Comfortable And Pocket-Friendly
The Moto Buds 2 feature a completely redesigned charging case compared to last year’s model. Motorola has replaced the flat charging case with a pebble-shaped design that feels more compact and easier to carry. One of the standout elements is the smoked translucent lid, allowing users to partially view the earbuds while maintaining a stylish appearance. The matte finish on the lid also adds a premium touch.
However, the rest of the charging case tells a different story. Constructed from glossy plastic, the body feels less premium than expected from a well-known brand. The glossy finish also makes the case slippery, reducing grip and making it prone to fingerprints.
Despite these shortcomings, the compact form factor is one of the biggest positives. Weighing just 42 grams, the case fits comfortably into pockets without adding noticeable bulk. The hinge operates smoothly, allowing one-handed opening and closing, although the review unit exhibited slight sideways flex in the lid.
Motorola has positioned the pairing button and LED indicator at the bottom of the charging case beside the USB Type-C port. While functional, the placement isn’t particularly user-friendly. The pairing button sits flush with the surface, making it difficult to locate and press, while checking the LED status requires flipping the case over. The Motorola branding on the front can even be mistaken for a button.
Moto Buds 2 Offer Excellent Wearing Comfort
The earbuds themselves receive subtle refinements over the previous generation. Motorola has rounded the stems, moving away from the flatter design of the original Moto Buds.
The in-ear fit is highly comfortable, making them suitable for extended listening sessions. Multiple silicone ear tips are included inside the box, allowing users to find a snug fit. The earbuds remain securely in place even during movement and are lightweight enough to be worn for hours without causing discomfort.
The Moto Buds 2 are available in Pantone Carbon, Pantone Grey Mist and Pantone Violet Ice colour options. Regardless of the variant, the lower half of the charging case remains glossy white.
Sound Quality: Bass Lovers Will Feel Right At Home
Motorola has equipped the Moto Buds 2 with 11mm dynamic drivers. While several competitors now offer larger 12mm drivers, Motorola compensates with extensive codec support, including AAC, SBC, LDAC and LHDC 5.0 for higher-resolution audio.
The sound signature is heavily bass-oriented. Straight out of the box, the low-end response is extremely prominent, making the earbuds ideal for listeners who enjoy deep, booming bass.
Initially tested with an iPhone and Windows laptop—without access to Motorola’s companion app—the bass often overwhelmed other frequencies. After installing the Moto Buds app and adjusting the equaliser settings, the sound became significantly more balanced, although bass still remained dominant.
For Indian users who typically prefer bass-heavy audio tuning, this is unlikely to be a drawback.
At maximum Bass Boost settings, the Moto Buds 2 produce an intense low-frequency response. However, prolonged listening at these levels may become fatiguing. The review found that listening at around 50 percent volume with moderate bass settings offered the best balance between bass impact and vocal clarity.
Instrument Separation Impresses Across Genres
One area where the Moto Buds 2 perform surprisingly well is instrument separation.
Whether listening to orchestral compositions or modern music, individual instruments remain distinguishable rather than blending into one another.
The earbuds were tested across a wide range of music, including:
- “One More Chance” – The Notorious B.I.G.
- “Purple Rain” – Prince
- “Sprint” – Navaan Sandhu
- “Unshaken” – D’Angelo
- “Human Nature” – Michael Jackson
The earbuds handled different genres comfortably, although higher-pitched sounds occasionally became slightly shrill at louder volumes.
Excellent For Movies And OTT Streaming
The Moto Buds 2 perform particularly well while watching films and web series.
Dialogue remains crisp and clear, while sound effects are reproduced effectively, making them a good companion for binge-watching content.
ANC Performance Exceeds Expectations
One of the biggest highlights is Motorola’s Dynamic Active Noise Cancellation, rated at up to 55dB.
The ANC effectively suppresses environmental noise, making commuting and office use more enjoyable. Transparency Mode also performs well, allowing surrounding sounds to pass through naturally when required.
Switching between ANC and Transparency Mode is fast and seamless using either gesture controls or the Moto Buds app.
Touch Controls Remain The Weakest Link
Unfortunately, the touch controls are among the biggest disappointments.
Gesture recognition often feels inconsistent and unreliable. Even simple actions like pausing music frequently require repeated taps before registering.
In comparison, the wear-detection sensors perform flawlessly. Simply removing an earbud pauses playback instantly, making this a far more dependable way to control audio.
Outstanding Battery Life
Battery life is one of the strongest selling points of the Moto Buds 2.
With listening sessions conducted at roughly 50 percent volume while keeping ANC and Hi-Res audio enabled, the earbuds comfortably lasted around four days before requiring a recharge.
Charging is also impressively quick.
The only omission is that Motorola no longer includes a USB Type-C charging cable inside the retail box, although any standard USB-C cable can be used.
Moto Buds 2 Verdict
Motorola has clearly designed the Moto Buds 2 with bass enthusiasts in mind. The earbuds combine powerful low-end performance, impressive ANC, excellent battery life and comfortable ergonomics into an affordable Rs. 2,999 package.
However, they are not without flaws. The glossy charging case feels less premium than expected, touch controls remain frustratingly inconsistent, and iPhone users face an additional limitation because the Moto Buds app is currently unavailable on iOS, preventing access to advanced sound customisation.
For Android users who prioritise bass, battery life and noise cancellation without spending a premium, the Moto Buds 2 offer solid value. Buyers seeking a more balanced sound signature, however, may find better alternatives in the OnePlus Nord Buds 4 or OnePlus Nord Buds 4 Pro, both of which deliver comparable battery life with a more neutral audio profile.