Upon release, "Easy on Me" received very positive reviews from music critics. Neil McCormick of The Daily Telegraph called the song a "bold comeback single", contrasting its simple piano arrangement with the sleek power ballad production of "Hello". He said Adele possesses a heartfelt voice, one "that digs deepest into the soul of the world." Evening Standard writer Jochan Embley lauded "Easy on Me" for its plaintive piano, elegant vocals, and "lilting" melodies. He said the song is a testament to Adele's resistance to pop music trends, avoiding "bombastic hyperpop or anodyne reggaeton" and staying true to her style. Nevertheless, Embley felt the song "doesn't quite match the mascara-streaked sorrow of 'Someone like You' (2011), or the soaring emotional heights of 'Hello'. But it is just about as powerful."
