Samsung Level U Wireless Headphones review

Samsung Level U
(Image: © Android Central)

These past few weeks we've been testing the waters with Samsung's Level line-up, jamming with the Level On headphones and bringing Bluetooth to our more dated gadgets with the Level Link wireless adapter. Now we've had a chance to spend some quality time with the new Level U Wireless Headphones during long gaming sessions, occasional phone calls and even utilizing S Voice in between.

The around-the-neck style of the Samsung Level U headphones is nothing new in terms of design, but it's matched with a series of unique perks that make it the music machine that it is. Flexible urethane joints make adjustments quick without having to worry about easily breaking either of the arms. Along each arm is an O-ring that slides up and down to increase or reduce tension on the wired ear buds, depending on how much slack suits your comfort level. The smooth, glossy finish of the neck rest looks great, and although it doesn't have any sort of cushioning, the headphones are so lightweight you hardly even notice they're on majority of the time.

On the top of the neck rest is a microUSB port for charging the Level U headphones that has a port plug for keeping out sweat, dirt and other debris during use. Underneath is a simple power switch that's a bit hard to toggle without a fingernail getting it done. Both corded ear buds reach approximately 10-inches from where they're wired into the plastic — plenty of length for anyone's comfort level. The body of the ear buds are magnetic, providing a tangle-free way to keep things tidy while sitting inactive around your neck or for storage purposes. There are 2 microphones built-in, one on the underside of the neck rest and the other at the tip of the right arm. Using both microphones, the Level U provides excellent noise reduction as well as echo cancellation for hands-free calls.

Along the right arm of the headset is where you'll find your buttons for controlling volume, play/pausing tunes, pairing, and skipping tracks. While there are only 3 buttons, each has 2 purposes. Holding the volume-up button goes to the previous track, and volume-down skips to the next. The larger play/pause button kicks the headphones into pairing mode by holding for 3 seconds. This design is certainly intuitive enough and doesn't take long getting used to, but having some extra options on the opposite arm would have been nice — especially since there's no function whatsoever on that side.

Included with the Level U headphones are 2 pairs of regular ear gels in different sizes that fit around the 12mm speakers, and a set of Samsung's active ear gels that feature stabilizing wings (great for workouts and/or steady movement). My ears spit out ear buds no matter what size they are, so these active ear gels were perfect for me, even though they're not the most comfortable after a couple hours.

Samsung Level U Wireless Headphones

The Samsung Level U headphones are compatible with their free native Level App (opens in new tab), which packs a variety of audio adjustments to customize your music experience — both basic and advanced options. For a closer look at the features of the Level App check out our Samsung Level On Wireless Headphones review. As you might expect, there's also S Voice compatibility, making voice commands easier than ever.

From a full charge you can expect around 11 hours of talk time, 10 hours of music playback, or 21 days of standby time. A 30-inch microUSB cable is also included for all your charging needs. Keep in mind, the Level U headphones can also be used with non-Bluetooth devices if paired with Samsung's Level Link Wireless Adapter.

Final thoughts

There aren't many quality headphones I can use with earbuds, but the Samsung Level U Wireless Headphones stand up to the challenge and definitely deliver. Great sound quality, plenty of audio customizations with the Level App, and acceptable battery life. You can grab a pair in black sapphire or white right now for $59.95 at ShopAndroid.

$59.95 at ShopAndroid (opens in new tab)

Brent Zaniewski
30 Comments
  • I like these. I do. But the level app leaves me wanting and is not very "advanced". I also own the gear circle and the gear manager app makes it shine with a ton more options. I wish the gear circle had noise cancelling.....it would by far be the better choice. Posted via the Android Central App
  • Very bad output voice quality on Gear Circle. Surrounding noise goes through but your voice is almost undetectable, especially in noisy environments....and I paid like 90 euros for it. Not worth it. I will say that for other purposes like music listening is a very good choice but not enough..
  • I will stick with my plantronics backbeat 2 go headset to the end.
    Lightweight, 4-5 hours batteries, a nice pouch/charging station.
    Why having something touching your neck when you can have just 2 speakers and a cord?
  • Yeah, I was excited to use these for exercise, but then I saw you'd have a horseshoe bouncing around on your neck. No thanks.
  • The horse shoe isn't that intrusive. ...at all. Besides, it gives you 2 to 3 days of use with a full charge. Besides that, when you get a call or text, it vibrates without interrupting your music or phone call. Posted via the Android Central App
  • can i receive a call using the headphones?
  • lol omg all ppl bitching the G4 and loving the galaxy S6.. but this thing look so like the LG one lol
  • Not even close. I have the tone+ as well. Posted via the Android Central App
  • Do you know how many devices you can connect to? I love my Motorola buds but they only connect to one device at a time, I have to turn off Bluetooth for it to pair to another device instead of always unpairing/repairing. Posted via the Android Central App
  • 2 Posted via the Android Central App
  • How do these compare to the LG Tone Pro 750/760s?
  • I have the tone+ and these make LG look and sound like a bad dream. Posted via the Android Central App
  • This and the Samsung circle, which one is better? Posted via the Android Central App
  • Depends on your needs. Running and listening, the circle. Hands down. The circle has a neck band (3 sizes) to keep it in place and the sound is better and louder due to the circle app having an EQ and other settings. For driving, the level. It has active noise cancelling. Still sound good and are loud. There's not much to the level app except calling and notification features. Posted via the Android Central App
  • Thanks, I saw best buy Has the black circle for 69$ and I think I will buy that Posted via the Android Central App
  • Connection-wise the gear circle is the best because it can connect to any device hassle free. It did connect to my Nokia Lumia 1020 and Samsung Gear S. Downside of gear circle is expensive. This Level U can't even connect to newer Samsung devices like Samsung Gear S2 3G and Samsung Tab S. And just recently it is unable to connect to my Samsung Galaxy Note 5.
  • The LG HBS 760 is much better designed and also appears to have better call quality that this thing and so I'm sticking with that. I tried the gear circle and it failed woefully in pretty much every way that matters. If you want the overall best around the neck Bluetooth headset, go for LG HBS headsets. I've tested so many others and they all fall short.
  • "Appears to have"? Really? Have you used the Level? Besides, I have the LG Tone Plus and it fails miserably. From the vibration rattle like it's falling apart to the magnets being totally useless to people saying "I can't hear you!"..... The GC is better out of the 3 for me, but I like the Level for it's noise cancelling.
  • Lg tone Posted via the Android Central App
  • Does anyone know where I can find these in store? Posted via the Android Central App
  • i couldn't find it in any stores so I just bought it from Verizon 2 day shipping for free.
  • I'm intrested with samsung u level blutooth earphones round shape set but where is it available in Nepal ? It is available or not ! plz too inform.
  • My friend has already purchased and he is using it with Lenovo K3 Note. The sound and the battery backup is flawless.
    I tried using it with my Oneplus One. It did not support. I tried pairing it directly with bluetooth and then even the level app, but was unable to find it :(
    I'm really found of the product but can any one help me pair it with a Oneplus one device???
    I did pair other bluetooth headphones and they paired up successfully.
  • I am using Samsung Level U a couple of hour daily but after purchased of two weeks, it is hearing very low sound in the right side one. Before it was quite good sounds equally both sides. What's wrong with it?
  • Headphone quality good. Problem is won't stay in ear with any movement. Tried all 3 ear pieces. Don't recommend for active person
  • Hi folks. I bought a Samsung Level U headphone for a month now. At first it works perfectly but in a few weeks later I experienced a disconnection or voice disruption when I put my smartphone (Note 5) in my pocket. And recently I've experienced worst thing in it because it doesn't connect to my phone for the past 2 days. The power is still good, blinking blue and I can still hear a start up sound when power On. I checked in Samsung Level app and it couldn't find a Samsung level device. Also, I've check my smartphone and I'd say my phone is working fine because it can recognise or connect my smart watch (SGearS2) and JBL EB50BT headset. So, is there a workaround to get this headphone back to normal as I like it a lot. P.S. I never had this experience before with my Gear Circle headphone for a long time until I lost it during my travels. Please help folks. Your advises is extremely important and I highly appreciated it.
  • I concur- the exact same thing has happened to me on several occasions- it appears to go on mute but it's not. I end up rebooting my phone. I am in process of reverting back to my older Roadster hands free device- to eliminate phone issue hopefully. You'd think with a Samsung phone paired with a Samsung bluetooth headset it would be flawless. Not the case. O/w I do like the Level U device so I'm hoping to get it resolved.
  • I always tried to but never connects to my phone. This is my worst experience of any Samsung device ever.
  • The same happened to me. I have an S6 edge and I am upset. The Level U fails from time to time whe having a call. They remain connected but communication with the other person is lost. However on the phone (disconnectin the level u headphones) then I can talk. There is a failure in the bluethooth connection. I have used Motorola and never happened. Now, the vendor will not recognize warranty. I wasted my money!!
  • i wuld like to off vibration in my samsung level u headset
    can anyone hlep me plzzz