Google’s Pixel Buds series has always been a great companion to its Pixel smartphones. The company is missing just one pair of over-ear headphones that offer similar options to what Apple offers iPhone users. Of course, Google started later than its rivals, but like its Silicon Valley rival, the company designed its earbuds to work best with its devices. To get the best features, you need both Google’s smartphone and earbuds. That’s not likely to change anytime soon.
Like Apple, Google has also upgraded its Pro series earbuds to version 2.0. The first model will be released in 2022, and will be the first to feature active noise cancellation (ANC) on the Pixel Buds. The first set of Pixel Buds Pro has yet to reach its full potential, as it lacked notable features such as spatial audio at launch.$229), Google is primed and shipping new flagship earbuds that are the first to feature its powerful Tensor chip, offering hands-free connectivity to Gemini AI. There’s a new design, better battery life, and updated acoustic features, but the company is once again charging more for all the new features than it did in the previous version.
Google has once again introduced the best of its lineup, the Pixel Buds, and while the earbuds aren’t perfect, the improved fit and sound quality alone make them worth the upgrade.
- Small and comfortable design
- Punchy bass, rich mids and crisp highs
- Slightly longer battery life than previous model
- The price has risen again
- Spatial audio limited to video apps
- Smaller touch panels require greater precision
design
The first thing that struck me about the Pixel Buds Pro 2 is how small they are. A 27 percent size reduction doesn’t seem like a huge drop, but it certainly is here. This model is smaller than its predecessor, and Google has also shaved 1.5 grams off the overall weight. The result is a much smaller earbud that fits more comfortably and securely in your ear.
Google has redesigned the overall shape here too. To reduce the overall size, the IP54-rated Pixel Buds Pro 2 are now more compact, rather than elongated like the previous model. Like many audio companies, Google says it analyzed millions of ear scans to arrive at this new shape. Additionally, the company conducted “real-world wear tests” to ensure the earbuds wouldn’t fall out easily.
To keep the earbuds in place, Google has included a “twist-to-adjust stabilizer” on the back. Everyone’s ears are different, and mine don’t feel like this adds any extra security. As far as I can tell, “twisting to lock” them in place as Google recommends doesn’t fit snugly into the curve of your ear. But once I found the ear tip size that worked best for me, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 stayed firmly in place, so getting a secure fit wasn’t an issue. Plus, the small footprint made them comfortable to wear for long periods of time, which hasn’t always been the case with Google’s earbuds.
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 have powerful onboard controls, but the smaller earbuds require some tapping coordination. Because the earbuds aren’t as big, the touch panel is smaller, which means you have to be more precise with your fingers, which took some time to master. If there’s one advantage to larger earbuds, it’s that you don’t have to be as precise with your control inputs to get them recognized.
Gemini AI and Tensor Power
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 are Google’s first earbuds with the Tensor chip. Apple has always mentioned the audio processor in its AirPods by name, but this is the first time I can remember Google doing something similar. The company says that the Tensor A1 enables ultra-low latency audio processing, including multi-path signal processing. Google says it created a “highway lane” for music so it doesn’t get bogged down in the processing required for ANC. The efficiency of the chip has allowed it to (slightly) extend battery life despite the smaller overall size of the earbuds.
Google is promoting the Pixel Buds Pro 2 as the first earbuds to work with Gemini AI. But since Gemini replaced Google Assistant in the Pixel 9, this is like saying the Pixel Buds are made for Assistant. Obviously, all Pixel Buds share that functionality, so you have to look behind the marketing jargon. It’s true that the Pixel Buds Pro 2 work with Gemini for hands-free assistance with more complex tasks than the Assistant, and Gemini Live is there for more conversational interactions. Of course, you don’t need earbuds to use these; you can use the Pixel 9 on its own.
Tensor and Gemini aren’t the only noteworthy features of the Pixel Buds Pro 2. You also get conversation detection, hearing health tracking, multipoint Bluetooth, and the ability to customize long press options (though there are only two options). You can also automatically switch between devices linked to your Google account, though that’s not as convenient if you prefer a Pixel phone and a MacBook Pro. Within the Pixel Buds app, which can also be accessed from the Bluetooth settings menu, you can check the battery level and have ANC controls if you need to change them from your phone.
Pixel Buds Pro 2 sound quality
The overall sound quality of the original Pixel Buds Pro was an improvement over the Pixel Buds (2020) and A-series, which lacked bass. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 has enough bass for songs, but it’s consistent and not too strong. Google says it has redesigned the entire audio system to overhaul the acoustics and drivers for maximum efficiency. The goal was to deliver the audio signal to your ears as cleanly as possible, for accurate, immersive sound without further adjustments.
I’m not sure if the audio is a quantum leap over the Pixel Buds Pro, but there is a noticeable improvement. The bass performance is thumping, as Deftones’ alternative metal tracks and Kaytranada’s electronic hip-hop beats demand. You don’t get as much bass nuance as you do with the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4, which is my current pick for best sound quality. But with enough features, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 offers a noticeable improvement in audio quality over Google’s more affordable earbud model, especially when you consider the crisp highs and ample mids on display here. Justice’s Hyper DramaFor example, it envelopes you in gritty, textured riffs and powerful beats.
If you feel the need for audio tweaking, Google offers a full 5-band EQ in the Pixel Buds settings. There are five presets, but none of them sound great — in fact, I think they all make the sound worse — and there’s also the ability to tweak the volume balance if you need one ear to be louder than the other.
Unlike the Pixel Buds Pro, this model ships with Spatial Audio enabled out of the box, but with some big caveats. First, immersive sound requires a Pixel 6 or later and doesn’t work with A-series devices. Additionally, Spatial Audio is not supported on the Pixel 6. Only available Compatible video apps require head tracking to be turned on; music doesn’t; and when it comes to Netflix, the streaming service requires head tracking to be turned on. Google should have made things clearer here, but instead they’ve created confusion. It’s a solid addition if it works when you need it, but there certainly will be times when it doesn’t.
ANC Performance
As for the ANC setup on the Pixel Buds Pro 2, Google claims that it can cancel twice as much noise thanks to its so-called Silent Seal 2.0 system. The company explains that it achieves this by blocking a wider variety of sounds than the previous model, including higher-frequency noise. It’s true that the Pixel Buds Pro 2 perform better on low- to mid-range noise, blocking things like the constant rumble of the car (in the passenger seat, of course) or the noise of a loud fan.
Where the Pixel Buds Pro 2 still struggle is with human voices. To be fair, many earbuds and headphones have a hard time blocking out loud neighbors, and unless you’re listening to music or a podcast, you can hear nearby conversations, albeit moderately muffled.
Call Quality
When it comes to calls, Google is again employing AI to improve sound quality, which applies to both the person on the other end of the call: the company says that the Clear Calling feature has been improved to further reduce background noise on your end and nearby noise when you pair the Pixel Buds Pro 2 with a compatible Pixel smartphone.
The earbuds themselves do a good job of blocking out background noise. Even when you’re recording a voice memo or doing other activities that don’t involve Clear Calling, the AI-powered system reduces noise to a barely audible level. What’s more, Clear Calling works not only for phone calls, but also with apps like Google Meet and some third-party software (over Wi-Fi). While I don’t expect the Pixel Buds Pro 2 to produce crystal clear audio, I do applaud their strong ability to block out background noise (with the help of my Pixel phone).
Pixel Buds Pro 2 battery life
Google promises up to eight hours of battery life on a single charge with ANC enabled on the Pixel Buds Pro 2. With the case and earbuds, that’s up to 30 hours with noise cancellation. I didn’t have ANC on the whole time I was testing, but I also used Transparency mode during calls and when I needed to hear my kids or the doorbell. With the volume set to about 50-75 percent, I got just over eight hours of use, depending on whether I was streaming from my Pixel 9 or MacBook Pro.
The IPX4-rated Pixel Buds Pro 2 case is another option, as it supports both wired and wireless charging, plus 15 minutes in the case will power the earbuds enough to last up to three hours.
Competitors
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 are the best-sounding and most comfortable option in Google’s earbuds lineup. If you’re interested in all the integrations for Pixel smartphone owners, this is the best choice. If you’re okay without all of that, you’ll find better sound quality and more advanced features elsewhere. Sony’s WF-1000XM5 is my current top pick thanks to the fit, audio performance, ANC quality, and other tools the company offers. You get auto-pause of Speak-to-Chat for short conversations and DSEE Extreme upscaling, which recovers details that are usually lost in Bluetooth compression. There’s also the ability to automate sound settings based on activity and location.
If you’re looking for pure sound performance, Sennheiser’s Momentum True Wireless 4 is your best bet. While these earphones lack the robust feature set that Sony has amassed, in my opinion, the audio quality is the best. The company also recently added Auracast support and a “Find My Headphones” feature similar to Google’s “Find My Device.”
summary
Like the 2022 Pixel Buds Pro, the second version of Google’s pricey earbuds is the best the company has to offer. They’re more expensive than their predecessors, but they’re also more powerful, more comfortable, and longer-lasting. There are some confusing caveats with the spatial audio, and the onboard controls can take some time to get used to, but Pixel Buzz Pro 2 They’re better where it really matters, but the same truth remains as it was two years ago: These are earbuds made for Pixel smartphone enthusiasts, so if you’re not one of them, you can find better audio performance and enhancements elsewhere.
