Google Pixel Buds Pro 2: A Comprehensive Review of the Latest Premium Earbuds

Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro vs Google Pixel Buds Pro 2: which pro earbuds come out of top?

Smaller size might be an awkward fitPrice tag is close to superior options Samsung and Google have both put out new top-end earbuds with a Pro suffix, packing improved audio fidelity and suped-up active noise cancellation. But with a price point so similar and Pro naming, it's tough for an onlooker to tell which pair is better and which is worth skipping. It's not just down to the aesthetics, with both buds being dramatically different to their previous incarnations at face value, but it's also a matter of sound quality, user experience, ear feeling and the extra features that users get from one or the other - along with software incompatibilities for some features. So without any further ado, let's put the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro head-to-head with the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2. Which pair is more pro? Before we get lost in the details, let's go over the specs. Kicking our comparison off with pricing, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro sells for $249/£219/AU$399. Meanwhile, the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 goes for $229/£219/AU$379. Accurate as it may be for us to say the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro is more expensive than the Pixel Buds Pro 2 in most markets, the prices are so similar that it puts these products in direct competition. If you're an audiophile and depending on where you live, you probably wouldn't mind paying a little bit extra to get the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro. Though obviously, we'll give credit where it's due - the Pixel Buds Pro 2 are cheaper in most places. The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro made headlines in July for its Apple-like design changes, while Google has opted to stick with a classic circular shape for its Pixel Buds Pro 2 -- though they are a bit smaller than previous models. These design differences make the earbuds look quite different from each other. Starting with the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, the earphones have adopted a stem design akin to AirPods, with small bars shooting downward from the bud when placed in your ears. These bars are quite handy - they include buttons for adjusting playback and can be used to easily remove the buds from your ears. Samsung's also gone a bit sci-fi with the Buds 3 Pro, putting small 'blade' lights down the sides of the buds (more on what these lights do in the features section). The charging case is also quite distinctive, with a transparent lid allowing you to look right in and see your buds. You can buy the Buds 3 Pro in white or silver. Meanwhile, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 are much smaller. These buds don't have as much overhang outside of the ear due to not having a stem, with the buds sitting quite firmly on the edge of your outer ear canal. Touch controls are located on the circular periphery of the bud. To be extra certain that the buds sit firmly in your ear, Google has added a 'stabilizer' - a black plastic fin - that can be twisted to ensure the bud won't fall out (this feature is intended for exercise). The case hasn't been changed from the first generation Pixel Buds Pro, retaining the cute egg shape with internal changes to accommodate for the smaller buds' size. You can buy the Buds Pro 2 in porcelain, hazel, wintergreen and peony (pink). Both the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro and the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 represent the height of sound quality that both companies are bringing to their hardware, but in trying them out, you will likely notice a difference. The sound profile of the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro is set up as 'V-shaped', with the bass and treble boosted for elevated depth, while the mids are a bit more stepped back. Sound is quite loud and dynamic, with a lot of customization offered to the user through an app if they want to adjust the levels. The Pixel Buds Pro also has great sound, but in comparison to the Buds 3 Pro it's a bit flatter. The bass, treble and mids feel a little more woolly, though if this is a problem, the user can customize the sound profile in an app. Obviously, we can't talk about a pair of pro earbuds without mentioning the flashy features that make them so great (it isn't just sound). Kicking things off with the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, these earbuds genuinely have one of my favorite features ever. When paired with a compatible Samsung Galaxy smartphone, the earbuds can translate the words of up to eight different languages. The blade lights down the sides of the earbud stems are also quite handy, and can be activated with both buds out of your ears to give you an indication of battery life. Additionally, the earbuds have active noise cancellation, a transparency mode and an IP57 rating. The Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 also have a great feature worthy of note - the twist-to-adjust stabilizer. This is a small plastic fin that, when you twist the earbuds, makes them sit much more firmly in your ears, making them a great choice if you don't want your buds to fall out during exercise. The buds also have support for hands-free Google Gemini, Google's new AI, allowing you to have organic and seamless conversations with the chatbot by saying, 'Hey Google, let's talk live'. The Pixel earbuds also include noise cancellation (improved with Google's Silent Seal 2.0 tech) and a transparency mode for having conversations without removing the buds. These earphones have an IP54 rating. The case also has a handy built-in speaker: if you've got the case paired on Find My Device, you can activate the speaker to make finding it a little easier (my advice is to check between the couch cushions first). Wrapping things up with battery life, both buds have impressive longevity, but the Pixel Buds Pro 2 comes out on top. The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro can last for up to six hours with noise cancellation switched on, or up to 26 hours with the charging case factored in. If you have noise cancellation disabled, you'll get up to seven hours of playback, or up to 30 hours with the case battery included. Battery life can be extended by having the blade lights turned off. With noise cancellation enabled, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 can last for eight hours on its own, or up to 30 hours with the case battery factored in. Disabling noise cancellation will yield up to 12 hours of use, or 48 hours with the case factored in. While both pro earbuds certainly represent the best of what each company has to offer on the audio front, it's clear that there are advantages and disadvantages to both. If sound quality is most important to you, then it's hard to look past the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro. If you prefer a stem-based design, the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are also the obvious pick, though you may also want to consider reading our Apple AirPods Pro 2 review. Pairing your earphones with a Samsung phone will also give you access to the cool live translation feature, ideal for if you're headed to another country on holiday. If you want a pair of earphones that can lock in your ears more snuggly, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 might be the pick, with the stabilizer fin making it harder for the buds to fall out when on a run. These earbuds also have an advantage when it comes to the battery and are cheaper in some parts of the world. Plus, with greater color variety on offer and a handy speaker built into the case, makes them easier to find. We're inclined to recommend the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro over the Pixel Buds Pro 2 for their better sound quality and more refined design, even if they look a lot like Apple's AirPods. With such similar prices, Samsung's offer feels more 'Pro'.

Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 Review: A Worthy Upgrade With One Caveat

How you feel about Google's new Pixel Buds Pro 2 will largely depend on how well they fit your ears. That's the case for most in-ear noise-canceling buds, of course, but with the Pixel Buds Pro 2, if you don't get a tight seal from the included ear tips, there's a massive dip in both sound quality and noise-canceling performance. However, if you do get a tight seal, these buds deliver excellent sound, strong noise-muffling capabilities and a robust feature set, particularly for Android and Google Pixel phone users. Not only are the Pixel Buds Pro 2 smaller than their predecessor but Google's equipped them with its new Tensor A1 chip, which offers more processing power and enables its new "hands-free, eyes-free" Gemini virtual AI assistant. One thing Google didn't improve, though, is the price. Available in four color options to match the colors of the new Pixel 9 models, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 list for $229 or $29 more than the original Pixel Buds Pro. That's a trend in the true-wireless earbuds market as various companies' flagship buds, like Samsung's new Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, have gone up in price by $20 to $50 as they move to the next generation. Read more: Best wireless earbuds of 2024 I'll get to the changes on the inside in a minute, but the biggest difference between these buds and the original Pixel Buds Pro is their design. The originals fit my ears well, but they didn't quite work for a certain percentage of people, and Google has made them 27% smaller and 24% lighter, which you notice right away. They also have a built-in fin, which Google calls a "twist-to-adjust stabilizer." That fin helps lock the buds in your ears, and I was able to get a secure fit when I tried them on and shook my head around. Also, the buds don't stick out of your ears much, which is nice. But, for better or worse, they still look a little like you've jammed Mentos candies in your ears. I ran into a problem with the ear tips, though. I liked the smaller size of the buds, but it did really change the fit for my ears. With the original Pixel Buds, the largest size of Google's ear tips created a tight seal. But that was not the case with the Pixel Buds Pro 2 -- the same large ear tips didn't fit quite snugly in my ears, failing to completely block off my ear canal. That led to underwhelming sound and noise-canceling experience and a search for a new set of tips that would get me a tight seal. Luckily, I have the luxury of having a lot of ear tips on hand because of all the earbuds I review. Sometimes, the shape of the ear tip is a factor in getting a tight seal. The ones that come with the Pixel Buds Pro 2 are slightly conical (wider, more rounded tips tend to work better for me). I have no doubt that one of the included sizes of ear tips will fit most people just fine. But there will be some folks like me who require a different, most likely larger ear tip to get a tight seal. Once I found such an ear tip, the difference was night and day. Not only did I get a tight seal, but the earbuds fit my ears even more securely; they really felt locked in, and I had no trouble running with them. The buds have an IP54 rating, which means they're splashproof and dust-resistant. Their case -- it's the same size as the original Pixel Buds Pro's case -- is also splashproof and has an IPX4 rating. The one design change to the case is the addition of a little speaker next to the USB-C charging port (more on that in a minute). I didn't note this in my review of the original Pixel Buds Pro, but my one gripe about the case is that it picks up stains from objects in your pocket. While you can wipe those stains off with an alcohol wipe without a problem, it can initially be a little concerning when your pristine white case gets marked up. If you want to avoid any of these issues, you can buy a case for your Pixel Buds Pro's case, of course. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 have the same capacitive touch controls with swipe volume controls as the original Pixel Buds Pro, so there are no changes there. I found them responsive and easy to use. Google says the buds, equipped with Bluetooth 5.4, have better sound and noise cancellation, along with improved voice-calling performance and noise reduction during calls. I did notice a significant upgrade in sound quality and noise-canceling performance, and the upgrades in voice-calling performance are more nuanced. Google's new Tensor A1 chip and updated algorithms make a lot of the performance upgrades possible. However, there's also a hardware upgrade that's seemingly a big factor in the sound quality improvements. While these have 11mm drivers like the originals, Google says there's an upgraded acoustic architecture with a new high-frequency chamber for smoother treble. The added detail is what jumped out at me. Compared to the original Pixel Buds Pro, there's more depth and richness to the sound with better overall definition and extension. The earbuds sound more accurate (natural) and the sound doesn't get stuck inside your head, which is another way of saying they have an amply wide soundstage. I listened to a wide variety of music tracks, and came away feeling the sound measures up well to what you get with most of the top earbuds out there, including the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, which have their own driver and processor upgrades. The Pixel Buds Pro 2's bass is powerful without sounding boomy, there's good stereo separation (you can distinctly hear each instrument in more complicated tracks) and a nice clarity to the treble. I didn't experience any listening fatigue either. Spatial audio with head tracking returns, too, but note that it only works with the Pixel Tablet and the latest Pixel phones, starting with the Pixel 6 -- and not Pixel A-Series phones. For Android users who want to tweak the sound, you get some preset EQ settings along with a full customizable EQ options to adjust the sound profile a bit. I mainly kept the EQ at the default setting because it sounded fine to me. You get three microphones in each earbud with some mesh covering that helps cut down on wind noise. Google says the Pixel Buds Pro 2's upgraded adaptive noise canceling is twice what it was and covers a wider range of frequencies than that of the original Pixel Buds Pro. Again, how tight a seal you get will dramatically impact noise-canceling performance. But when I got a tight seal, I was impressed with the noise-canceling performance. Riding the New York City subway and walking the streets of New York, I thought the noise-canceling worked as well as the AirPods Pro 2's noise canceling. It really cut down on a lot of unwanted noise and not only lower-frequency noise but some in the midrange (people's voices) and higher-frequencies, which are harder to suppress. I also thought the transparency mode, which lets ambient sound into the buds, sounded quite natural with virtually no audible hiss. It seemed very good. I thought the voice-calling performance of the original Pixel Buds Pro was pretty good and the voice-calling performance of the Pixel Buds Pro 2 is a little better, though maybe not quite as good as what you get with Samsung's Galaxy Buds 3 Pro. In my test calls in the noisy streets of New York, the buds generally did a good job eliminating background noise while picking up my voice well (Google markets the buds' voice-calling prowess as "Clear Calling"). Callers said my voice sounded slightly clearer with the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, and they said they heard a touch less background noise. Performance does seem to improve a bit when using a Pixel phone and Clear Calling is activated in the settings. "When a Pixel user with a Pixel 7 or later makes a phone call, the incoming audio (from the other person) is denoised and enhanced by Clear Calling on the phone," Google says. "If the same user is also using Pixel Buds Pro 2, then the outgoing audio (Pixel user's speech) is also denoised and enhanced by algorithms on the buds. This means that, when used together, you get a fully denoised and speech-enhanced audio experience." Stem-style earbuds like the AirPods Pro 2 and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, which allow the buds' microphones to be aimed and positioned a little closer to your mouth, tend to deliver slightly better voice-calling performance. As Google tinkers with its algorithms, I suspect the Pixel Buds Pro 2's voice-calling performance may improve slightly. For now it seems quite good, though not best-in-class. As you should expect from earbuds in this price range, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 have ear-detection sensors, which means your music will pause when you take the buds out of your ears and resume playback when you put them back in. There's multipoint Bluetooth pairing and automatic switching between Android devices on your Google account. Also, the buds support the new Find My Device network and have a little speaker on the bottom of their charging case next to the USB-C port that emits a ringtone to help you find the case if it's hiding somewhere. Like the previous model, the case has wireless charging, and the rated battery life for these buds is quite good -- Google says you can get up to 12 hours with noise canceling off at moderate levels and up to 8 hours with noise canceling on. A key feature worth mentioning is Conversation Detect (you have to activate it in the settings), which Google says uses AI to tell when you start speaking and will pause the audio and switch the buds to transparency mode so you can have a conversation. Your music and noise canceling will then kick back on when the conversation ends. Sony was the first to have this feature, and Apple's AirPods Pro 2 and Samsung's Galaxy Buds Pro 2 and 3 also have a variation of it. Like their predecessor, these have hands-free Google Assistant, which you can access by saying "Hey, Google" or "OK, Google" without touching your buds. The buds can also be used to access its new Gemini Live AI feature by saying "Let's talk" after saying the assistant wake command. I'm still testing this feature, and so far, it's been a little inconsistent, but it gives the Google Assistant experience a more conversational, interactive feel and allows you to get advanced search results read back to you through the buds. Once again, Google has stuck with AAC and SBC has the two audio codecs supported. Some folks were disappointed that the original Pixel Buds Pro didn't support LDAC or AptX. Honestly, the lack of additional codec support shouldn't be a dealbreaker. It's hard to tell the difference between AAC and AptX (or LDAC) even if you have a music streaming service like Qobuz or Tidal that offers high-resolution audio. It's a little disappointing that the Pixel Buds Pro 2 cost $29 more than than their predecessor, but, as I said, we're seeing that same price inflation with other recent flagship earbuds like Sony's WF-1000XM5 and Samsung's Galaxy Buds 3 Pro. Apple has priced its AirPods Pro at $249 for a while, though the AirPods Pro 2 do sell for closer to $180 at Amazon. I appreciate the smaller design, an upgrade that should address the fit issues many folks with smaller ears had with the original Buds Pro's design. However, these more compact buds might not fit some ears as well as the originals. In my case, I was able to resolve my fit issue with different ear tips. But I wouldn't fault buyers for returning the buds if they fail to get a perfect fit and don't want to go to the trouble of searching for a more suitable pair of ear tips for their ears. It's a shame more earbuds manufacturers don't include a wider range of ear tips with their buds (I'm still waiting for Apple to include a pair of XL tips with the AirPods Pro 2). If you can get a tight seal, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 are excellent earbuds. Apple users are better off with the AirPods Pro 2, and Samsung Galaxy device owners should probably opt for the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro. But despite their higher price, they're certainly worth strong consideration from Pixel device users and Android users in general, particularly when they're discounted.

Pixel Buds Pro 2 review: Tiny earbuds with big sound and a direct line to Gemini

Google's Pixel Buds series has always been a worthy companion for its Pixel phones. The company only lacks a set of over-ear headphones to offer similar options to what Apple provides for iPhone users. Of course, Google got a later start than its rival, but like its Silicon Valley counterpart, the company has designed its earbuds to work best with its own devices. You'll need both a phone and earbuds from Google to get the best features. That's unlikely to change anytime soon. Like Apple, Google is now on version 2.0 of its Pro-series earbuds. The first model debuted in 2022, and delivered active noise cancellation (ANC) for the first time on a set of Pixel Buds. There were notable features missing at launch, like spatial audio, so the inaugural set of Pixel Buds Pro weren't yet at their full potential. With the Pixel Buds Pro 2 ($229), Google has its ducks in a row, shipping its new flagship earbuds with a powerful Tensor chip for the first time and providing a hands-free conduit to Gemini AI. There's a new design, longer battery life and updated acoustics, but once again, the company is asking you to pay more than the previous version for all of the new features. The first thing that struck me about the Pixel Buds Pro 2 is how small they are. While a 27 percent size reduction doesn't sound like a huge drop, it certainly is here. This model is tiny compared to the previous one, and Google shaved 1.5 grams off of the overall weight as well. The result is a much smaller earbud that sits more comfortably and securely in your ear. Google redesigned the overall shape here, too. To help trim down the overall size, the IP54-rated Pixel Buds Pro 2 are now more compact rather than elongated like their predecessors. Like many audio companies, Google says it analyzed millions of ear scans to arrive at this new shape. Additionally, the company conducted "real-life wear tests" to make sure the earbuds wouldn't fall out easily. To keep the buds in place, Google opted for a "twist-to-adjust stabilizer" on the back. Everyone's ears are different, and on mine, I don't feel like this adds any extra security. As far as I can tell, it doesn't tuck into the curves of my ears when I "twist to lock in" as Google suggests. But, once I found the best ear tip size for me, a secure fit wasn't an issue as the Pixel Buds Pro 2 stayed in place just fine. What's more, the tiny footprint kept things comfy for long wear sessions, which hasn't always been the case for Google's earbuds. There's still a robust suite of onboard controls on the Pixel Buds Pro 2, but the smaller-sized earbuds will require some adjustments to your taps. Since the buds aren't as big, the touch panel offers less real estate. This means you'll need to be more precise with your fingers, which took some time for me to master. If there's an upside to larger earbuds, it's that you don't have to be as accurate with your control inputs to get them to register. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 are Google's first earbuds with a Tensor chip. Apple has always been keen to discuss the audio processor inside AirPods by name, but this is the first time I can remember Google doing the same. Thanks to the Tensor A1, the company says it can provide ultra-low latency audio processing, including multi-path signal handling. Google says it created a "highway lane" for music so that it's unbothered by the processing required for ANC. The chip's efficiency also allowed the company to increase battery life (slightly) despite the overall reduction in earbud size. Google is hyping the Pixel Buds Pro 2 as the first earbuds to work with Gemini AI. But, since Gemini has replaced Google Assistant on the Pixel 9, that's a bit like saying they're built for Assistant. Clearly, all Pixel Buds share that ability, so you'll want to look past the marketing-speak. It's true that the Pixel Buds Pro 2 work with Gemini for hands-free help with more complex tasks than Assistant and Gemini Live is here for more conversational interactions. Of course, you don't need the earbuds to use any of this, as you can just use a Pixel 9 on its own. Tensor and Gemini aren't the only notable features on the Pixel Buds Pro 2. You'll also get Conversation Detection, Hearing Wellness tracking, multipoint Bluetooth and the ability to customize the long press option (only two choices there though). You can also automatically switch between devices linked to your Google account, which won't be tremendously convenient if you prefer Pixel phones and MacBook Pros. Inside the Pixel Buds app, which is also accessible from the Bluetooth settings menu, you'll see battery levels and get ANC controls if you need to change those from your phone. Overall sound quality on the original Pixel Buds Pro was an improvement over the Pixel Buds (2020) and the A-Series, both of which lacked sufficient low-end tone. There's plenty of bass on the Pixel Buds Pro 2 when a song demands it, but it's not constant or overbearing. Google says it redesigned the entire audio system to overhaul the acoustics and drivers for maximum efficiency. Its goal was to pass the audio signal to your ear as cleanly as possible so you get accurate, immersive sound without having to make further adjustments. I'm not sure the audio is a huge leap over the Pixel Buds Pro, but there is a noticeable improvement. That bass performance thumps when a Deftones alt-metal track or Kaytranada's electronic hip-hop beats demand it. There's not as much nuance to the low-end tone as on the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4, which are my current pick for best overall sound quality. There's enough to get the job done though, so the Pixel Buds Pro 2 remains a significant sonic improvement over Google's more affordable earbud models, especially when you factor in the crisp highs and adequate mid-range on display here. The synth-heavy tracks on Justice's Hyperdrama, for example, envelope you with gritty, textured riffs and driving beats. If you do feel the need to make audio adjustments, Google offers a full 5-band EQ in the Pixel Buds settings. There are also five presets, but none of those sound great. In fact, I think they all make things worse. There's also the ability to tweak the volume balance, if you need the volume to be louder in one ear than the other. Unlike the Pixel Buds Pro, this model is shipping with Spatial Audio ready to be put to work. However, there are some big caveats here. First, the immersive sound requires a Pixel 6 and up, and it doesn't work with A-Series devices. What's more, Spatial Audio is only available on compatible video apps. You won't be able to use it for music. And when it comes to Netflix, the streaming service requires that you also turn on head tracking. Google should've made things straightforward here, but instead, it's a mess. It's a solid addition if it works when you want it, but there will certainly be times when that's not the case. For the ANC setup on the Pixel Buds Pro 2, Google says it cancels twice as much noise thanks to its so-called Silent Seal 2.0 system. The company explains that it does this by blocking a wider variety of sounds than it did on the previous model, including higher frequency distractions. It's true that the Pixel Buds Pro 2 perform well with low-to-mid-range noise, blocking the constant roar of a car interior (passenger seat, obviously), loud fans and more. Where the Pixel Buds Pro 2 still struggle is with things like human voices. To be fair, lots of earbuds and headphones stumble trying to block out a noisy neighbor. Unless you've got music or a podcast going, you'll be able to hear nearby conversations, albeit moderately muffled. For calls, Google once again employs AI to make things sound better. And that applies to both ends of the call. The company says its Clear Calling feature has been improved, further reducing background noise on your end and any would-be distractions near the person you're talking to when the Pixel Buds Pro 2 are paired with a compatible Pixel phone. The earbuds do a good job of blocking background noise on their own. Even when you record a voice note or do some other activity that doesn't use Clear Calling, the AI-powered system reduces the roar to where you can barely hear it. What's more, Clear Calling doesn't just apply to phone calls, it works with apps like Google Meet and some third-party software (over Wi-Fi). And while I don't think the Pixel Buds Pro 2 will make you sound pristine, the heavy lifting they do (with the aid of a Pixel phone) to keep you clear of background commotion is commendable. Google promises up to eight hours of battery life on a charge with ANC enabled on the Pixel Buds Pro 2. When you factor in the case and the buds, you're looking at up to 30 hours of noise-canceling use. During my tests, I didn't keep ANC on the entire time, but I also used transparency mode during calls and times I needed to listen out for my kids or the doorbell. I got just over eight hours with the volume at around 50-75 percent, which varied depending whether I was streaming from my Pixel 9 or MacBook Pro. The IPX4-rated Pixel Buds Pro 2 case supports both wired and wireless charging, so you've got an alternate option there. What's more, a 15-minute rest in the case will give the earbuds enough juice to last for up to three hours. Pixel Buds Pro 2 are the best-sounding and most comfortable option in Google's earbud lineup. This makes them the best choice if you're into all of the integrations for Pixel phone owners. If you can live without all of that stuff, 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'll get Speak-to-Chat automatic pausing for short convos and DSEE Extreme upscaling to recover detail that's typically lost to Bluetooth compression. There's also the ability to automate sound settings based on activity or location. If pure sound performance is what you're after, Sennheiser's Momentum True Wireless 4 is the best bet. These earbuds don't have the robust feature set that Sony has amassed, but the audio quality is the best in my opinion. The company also recently added Auracast support and a Find Headphones feature that's akin to Google's Find My Device. Like the Pixel Buds Pro were in 2022, the second version of Google's pricier earbuds are the best the company has to offer. They're more expensive than their predecessor, but they're also more powerful, more comfortable and last longer. There are some confusing caveats with Spatial Audio and the onboard controls may take some getting used to, but the Pixel Buds Pro 2 are an improvement in the places where it really matters. The same truth remains as it did two years ago though: these are earbuds built for Pixel phone die-hards, so if you're not one of those, you can find better audio performance and expanded features elsewhere.

Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 review: tiny, terrific earbuds | Digital Trends

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us? Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 MSRP $229.00 Score Details "With a smaller shape, improved ANC, and much better sound quality, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 are a big upgrade." Pros Incredibly light and comfy Stellar noise canceling Great sound quality Fun Google Gemini integration Cons No hi-res codecs Limited spatial audio Google's Pixel Buds Pro 2 earbuds are smaller, lighter, and have better battery life than their predecessors. They're also powered by a new brain: the Tensor A1 chip. While those are praiseworthy improvements, the second-gen Pros are also $29 more expensive, narrowing the price gap that made the first-gen Pros so attractive. For most folks, the biggest difference between the Pixel Buds Pro and the Buds Pro 2 will be their size, weight, and shape. Google says the new buds are 27% smaller and 24% lighter, and there's no question about it -- they feel tiny. Almost disconcertingly so. Perhaps it's because after a decade of reviewing these devices, I'm used to cramming objects the size of unshelled almonds into my ears. The Buds Pro 2 are so small and light, that they just didn't feel securely seated. And yet, they were -- a fact that my Google Pixel 7 Pro confirmed through its built-in fit test. Now that I'm used to them, I think they're the most comfortable closed-style earbuds I've ever worn. By the way, we classify earbuds as "closed" when they use silicone tips to seal your ear canal, e.g., the AirPods Pro. We say "semi-open" when they don't use silicone, like the AirPods line, and "open-ear" when they don't sit directly in front of the ear canal, like the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds. The default medium eartips worked just fine for me, but thankfully, Google includes three other sizes (XS, S, L) to improve the chances you'll get a good fit too. That's a small but important difference: the Pixel Buds Pro only came with two extra sizes. What you don't get are different sizes of stability wings. Like the Pixel Buds 2 and A-Series, the small, crescent-shaped silicone protrusion is built into the buds and isn't replaceable. And as with the Pixel Buds Pro, there's no USB-C charging cable in the box. You likely have lots of these already. But if you don't, the Buds Pro 2's case has wireless charging. At a minimum, you might be able to flip your phone around and use reverse charging -- or battery sharing, to use Google's lingo. Speaking of the case, it's nearly identical to the previous model. It's slightly thicker, and there's now a tiny speaker opening on the bottom near the charging port for feedback tones and playing locating sounds for the Find My Device function. Oh, and here's something I noticed immediately: the Buds Pro 2 are way easier to remove from their case than the previous version. They sit taller in their charging nooks and their mushroom-like shape is easier to grip than the Buds Pro's seamless profile. I was mildly concerned that the Buds Pro 2's smaller size might make it harder to use the touch controls, but it hasn't been a problem. The tap gestures are easy to use (I remain a big fan of the swipe-based volume control), even though you still can't customize them. All the basic functions are supported (playback, track skipping, call management, and voice assistant access), but there's still no way to mute yourself while on a call. Google hopefully will add this on the next version. You still get wear sensors, which do an admirable job of pausing/resuming audio when you remove or reinsert an earbud. If there's one thing that really sets the Pixel Buds Pro 2 apart from their predecessors, it's their ability to access Google's Gemini AI hands-free, even when your phone's locked and in your pocket. If you sign up for Gemini Advanced, you can also do real-time conversations via Gemini Live. Unfortunately, Gemini Advanced isn't available in my location yet, so I couldn't test that part out, but regular Gemini interactions via "Hey, Google," worked seamlessly. I won't do a deep dive into everything Gemini can do, but I will say this: I'm glad you can double-tap the earbuds to stop Gemini in its tracks -- some of its responses can be long-winded. Google says that thanks to the Tensor A1 chip, the Buds Pro 2's ANC is "twice as strong" as that of their predecessors. I couldn't measure that claim, but after using them in a variety of noisy conditions, I'm inclined to agree. It's most noticeable in mid-to-high frequencies. In my review of the first-gen Pros, I noted that they didn't cancel these types of sounds as well as the first-gen AirPods Pro. Remarkably, the ANC on the Buds Pro 2 isn't just better than the firts-gen AirPods Pro -- it's better than the AirPods Pro 2, and it's only fractionally less potent than the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, which I currently consider to be the leaders for ANC on wireless earbuds. Everything from the droning noise of air conditioners and vacuums to the unpredictable racket of traffic and construction was pleasantly reduced to a level that either disappeared entirely or was mild enough not to bother me. But here's a (ahem) tip: The fit test in the Pixel Buds app may indicate that you have a good seal, but it shouldn't be taken as gospel. Using the medium tips, ANC was noticeably better. But it wasn't until I installed the large tips that the Buds Pro 2 showed me their full potential. Conversation detection -- a feature that was added to the Buds Pro in 2023 -- works brilliantly on the Buds Pro 2. Just start talking when you're in ANC mode and the buds shift smoothly into transparency mode while simultaneously pausing your media. Shortly after it detects you're done chatting, it switches back to ANC and resumes whatever you were listening to. It works really well. But if you listen to comedy podcasts and have a tendency to laugh out loud, be prepared for some false positives. (That might have happened to me more than a few times.) Keep in mind that this is for quick interactions, not long conversations where you remain silent as you listen to someone else talk. I'm a bit disappointed Google didn't include the reverse of conversation detection: loud noise detection, which flips you from transparency to ANC when it detects potentially dangerous loud sounds. Apple and Bose offer this on their flagship earbuds, and given the computational audio prowess of the Buds Pro 2's Tensor A1 chip, it seems like it would be an obvious inclusion. Transparency mode itself feels unchanged to me -- which is to say it works really well. You can hear the outside world with excellent clarity and your voice will sound clear. However, as with the first-gen Buds, the Buds Pro 2 fall just shy of delivering the AirPods Pro's magical feeling of not wearing earbuds at all. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 sound terrific. Much better than the first-gen (which I thought were already pretty good) and way better than the AirPods Pro. There's more detail, and better clarity throughout, and bass response is more robust. And that was my take using the default EQ setting right out of the box. Google lets you tweak it with several presets and a simplified equalizer, which lets you mix your own EQ formulas and save them for future use. They sound remarkably similar to the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro 3 when both buds are connected to a Pixel phone. However, Google's refusal to include high-quality Bluetooth codecs puts the Pixel Buds Pro 2 at a disadvantage compared to the Galaxy Buds Pro 3 when both are used with a Samsung Galaxy phone. Galaxy Buds and Galaxy phones communicate via Samsung's Seamless Codec (SSC), which can preserve more detail from lossless audio sources. If you're a Spotify listener, it won't make much of a difference due to its lossy stream quality. But with Apple Music, Tidal, or Amazon Music (plus a quiet place for listening), the Galaxy Buds Pro 3 sound better, something that Galaxy phone owners may want to keep in mind if you're considering both products. If the Pixel Buds Pro 2 were merely average-sounding, I wouldn't even bring this up. But when a set of earbuds sounds as good as the Pixel Buds Pro 2, I can't help but wonder how much better they'd sound with a little help from hi-res codecs. On a related note, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 also lack support for Bluetooth LE Audio, which means you can't use them with Auracast. For now, that's unlikely to matter. But as more public places begin to offer Auracast broadcasts (e.g. airport terminals, gyms, and movie theaters), Google's lack of future-proofing may feel shortsighted (especially when Samsung has already embraced it.) The Buds Pro 2 work with spatial audio and head tracking. Sort of. Google added it to select Pixel phones and the Pixel Buds Pro via a software update in 2023. Disappointingly, it remains limited to just a handful of video streaming apps like Netflix and Disney+, which offer 5.1-channel soundtracks. Not that I consider spatial audio to be a requirement on a decent set of earbuds, nor do I necessarily think that spatial audio sounds better than stereo. However, I do think that if you offer it as a feature, it should work with all kinds of media, not just movies or TV shows with multichannel soundtracks. When the first-gen Buds Pro were released, spatial audio was in its infancy. Today, it's mainstream, and Google needs to do better. Still, for what it's designed to do, it works well, providing a greater sense of immersion when watching videos on your phone. I tried it with movies like The Matrix on Netflix, and Iron Man 3 on Disney+ and it performs the same virtual home theater trick that Apple does with its AirPods when watching select content on iPhones, iPads, or the Apple TV 4K. They're not identical, however. Apple's head-tracking is more refined and seamless, while the Pixel Buds Pro 2 can feel notchy and abrupt as you turn your head. Making calls on the Pixel Buds Pro 2 will be good for you and your callers. Shifting to transparency mode lets you hear your voice naturally, thus reducing fatigue. The environmental noise-canceling algorithms do an excellent job of keeping background sounds at bay, though at times, they can be a tad too aggressive and end up scrambling your voice when your environment is especially loud. I tried using Google's Clear Calling feature, which supposedly improves both your voice clarity and that of your caller, but I can't say that my few test calls demonstrated this capability. The new Pixel Buds Pro offer a significant bump in battery life despite their smaller size. The first-gen delivered a claimed seven hours of playtime with ANC on, and a total of 20 hours when you included the case. The second-gen buds can now get eight hours per charge (a modest improvement), but the case's capacity has been greatly increased: total playtime is now 30 hours. However, for those who like to wait until the very last minute to charge, the biggest improvement may be the addition of a quick-charge function. Fifteen minutes in the case will now extend playtime by up to three hours. My relatively short five days with the Pixel Buds Pro 2 wasn't enough to push the limits on endurance, but so far, Google's numbers seem accurate. All in all, the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 are excellent wireless earbuds. If you're a Google Pixel phone user, they're the obvious choice, especially if you want easy voice access to Google Gemini/Gemini Live. For some folks, the improved comfort offered by their tiny size will be worth the price of admission, but everyone will benefit from their outstanding noise cancellation, transparency, and sound quality. I still think there's room for improvement. The spatial audio feature is too limited and Google's engineers should look for ways to further improve call clarity. But these are small things; if you're leaning toward buying the Pixel Buds Pro 2, they shouldn't get in your way.

Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 Review

Unlike most noise-cancelling true wireless earphones, the $229 Pixel Buds Pro 2 offer access to advanced AI features, including Google's Gemini Live. They also fit comfortably, sound great, deliver good active noise cancellation (ANC), and last quite a while per charge. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 are worth considering if you value their absolutely seamless first-party compatibility with Pixel phones. Otherwise, the $199.99 JBL Live Beam 3 earphones deliver more detailed audio, equally good noise cancellation, and a standout charging case for a little less money, earning them our Editors' Choice award. Design: Small and Comfortable The Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 have a similar design to the previous generation, with a stemless, bud-style build and a small, river-stone-like charging case with a flip-up lid. They come in some fun colors, including Hazel (dark gray), Peony (pink), Porcelain (white), or Wintergreen (mint green). We received the Porcelain model for review. The individual earbuds are shockingly small -- among the smallest stemless earbuds I've tested. Google says it made a concerted effort to reduce their size and claims they are 27% smaller than the previous-generation model. You get four total pairs of eartips in the box to customize your fit. The result is a bud that fits comfortably in your ear and can be worn for hours at a time. Like many wireless earbuds, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 carry an IP54 rating for water resistance. The charging case is also water resistant, with an IPX4 rating, which is a nice bonus. This means the buds and the case can handle light splashing from any direction. If you need fully waterproof earphones, the $229 Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 earphones have an IP68 rating. While the Pixel Buds don't have a stem, the touch surface on each earpiece is relatively responsive, meaning you don't have to push the earbud into your ear to get it to register. The controls are mirrored across both earbuds. Tap once to play/pause audio or answer a call, double-tap to advance to the next track or to reject a call, and triple-tap to return to the previous track. A touch-and-hold gesture cycles between noise control modes, with ANC and Transparency set as the default options. You can also assign the touch-and-hold gesture to activate Gemini or Google Assistant with one bud and noise cancellation with the other. The earbuds have 11mm dynamic drivers. Google doesn't state the specific frequency response, though it does explain that the earbuds have a high-frequency chamber that couples with the Tensor A1 chip built into each bud to deliver better high-end clarity. The Tensor A1 also plays a role in several smart features. The earbuds support Bluetooth 5.4, Google Fast Pair, and Google's Find My Devices network. Google doesn't specify the supported audio codecs, but the buds do not support high-res codecs like LDAC, which is a shame. Google says the buds provide up to 8 hours of continuous listening with ANC on. The charging case includes an additional 22 hours, bringing the total listening time per charge to 30 hours. Those numbers improve to 12 hours for the buds and an additional 36 hours in the case (for a total of 48) with ANC off. In addition, a 5-minute charge gives you 1.5 hours of listening with ANC off. All of these numbers are excellent. The case charges through a USB-C port on the bottom or on a Qi wireless pad. Google does not include a charging cable in the box. App: More Control Than Before The software experience for the Pixel Buds Pro 2 should be the same no matter what Android phone you have. The new Pixel Buds app is preinstalled on Google Pixel phones, but it is also available to non-Pixel Android phones via the Google Play Store. You can also manage the Pixel Buds via the Settings app on Pixel phones, but there's no app at all for iOS. You can connect the Pixel Buds to an iPhone via Bluetooth, but they'll only have basic Bluetooth functionality, and you won't be able to customize any features. Apart from the ability to customize controls and set ANC modes, you can also use the Pixel Buds app to access the Find My Device feature, set up spatial audio, and manage Gemini Live, which is Google's real-time voice assistant. You need the paid Gemini Advanced service to take advantage of Gemini Live, but Pixel 9 Pro buyers get Gemini Advanced free for a year. You activate Gemini Live by saying, "Hey Google, Let's Talk." Before doing so, you need to ensure all the apps and services on your phone are up to date and select Gemini as your default digital assistant. You also need to unlock your phone the first time you access Live with the earbuds in. The good news is that Gemini support isn't limited to Pixel phones. The app includes an EQ with five presets. If you tap the Settings button next to the presets, you can dial in your own EQ settings with five bands. The app doesn't indicate what frequencies the EQ sliders control, but this is a welcome feature nonetheless. Noise Cancellation: Good for the Price The Pixel Buds Pro 2's noise cancellation is quite good. It's not up to the standard set by the industry-leading Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds ($299), but Google has refined its algorithms enough to deliver an enjoyable experience. The earbuds are good at cutting noise across the frequency spectrum. In testing, they dialed back much of the low-end thrum from an airplane engine, as well as the mid and higher frequencies. They weren't quite as good at cutting all the noise from a city bus but were able to soften the rattles from the door and the engine to a good degree. In a crowded cafe, the Buds Pro 2 cut out much of the background chatter, though I still heard some nearby voices in the mid-register. The Transparency mode isn't bad, but it's not the best, either. It trims back the highest-frequency sounds and comes across as relatively natural. However, it also introduces a noticeable masking hiss to the audio that is unpleasant. The $249 Apple AirPods Pro 2 have a far more natural Transparency mode. Sound Quality: Mostly Excellent I tested the Pixel Buds with ANC off and the default EQ on. On The Knife's "Silent Shout," the Buds Pro 2 deliver a well-rounded frequency response. The appreciable bass presence ensures that the round kick drum has punch and the bass synth is dreamily smooth. The high frequencies feel slightly tucked away, but this doesn't detract from the listening experience. A track like "Drover" by Bill Callahan really reveals the sound signature. The high frequencies aren't hidden in the mix; in fact, the cymbals have compelling clarity, and the strums of the guitar strings have a nice natural tone. Callahan's vocals are deep and rich, and the driving kick drum has plenty of room to breathe. On Kendrick Lamar's "Loyalty," both Lamar's and Rihanna's vocals sound clear and are presented front and center in the mix. The earbuds do a good job of reproducing the sub-bass tones at the 34-second mark in this track, which makes for a full sound. Notably, this doesn't come at the expense of the higher frequencies; the percussion sounds detailed and clear. Orchestral tracks, like the opening scene from John Adams' The Gospel According to the Other Mary, sound rich and encompassing. The buds reproduce both the low strings and high brass alike and still leave room for the vocals to come through the mix. Instrument separation is clear, and the mix doesn't feel cluttered. Generally speaking, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 offer a balanced audio response that caters well to most genres. Occasionally, the high frequencies feel slightly deprioritized, which results in a slight lack of sparkle, but that's really nitpicking. Spatial audio sounds quite good. It increases the feeling of immersion when watching movies or TV shows, though I didn't find myself using it much for music. The earbuds support head tracking with compatible media, too. The microphone is merely OK. Using Google's voice recorder app on a Pixel 9 Pro Fold, I experienced some Bluetooth artifacts, and at times, my voice sounded distant. The earbuds do a pretty good job of blocking background noise. Verdict: Great for Pixels Users, Good for Everyone Else Google gets a lot right with its second-generation earphones. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 are small and comfortable, have excellent battery life, cancel noise well, and sound mostly excellent. More importantly, they seamlessly blend into the Google ecosystem, which is particularly useful if you have a Pixel phone and/or use Gemini Live. If that level of integration appeals to you, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 are easy to recommend. For more discerning listeners not invested in Google's ecosystem, JBL's LiveBeam 3 earphones deliver higher-quality audio and similar noise cancellation with an advanced touch-screen case for less money.

The Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 are a bright spot in a dull market

As an avid Pixel Buds Pro owner, I was really excited when Google announced their new earbuds. I do love my Pixel Buds Pro, but there's plenty of room for improvement here -- especially when it comes to fit and design. I just wanted some buds that fit in my ears, don't fall out, and sound good. Of course, I also don't want to drop over $300 to get a decent pair of earbuds. There are plenty of great wireless earbuds to choose from, but how exactly do the Pixel Buds Pro 2 compete in a sea of competent devices? I'm happy to report that there's a lot to love here if you can get past a few small hiccups. Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 8.5/ 10 The Pixel Buds Pro 2 are a nice improvement over the previous generation, with better fit and interesting new features. With great ANC and up to 8 hours of battery life, these are good buds to have around. You will have to tweak the sound, though, to get it just right. ProsGreat ANC and passthroughSpatial audio is a plusBattery life for days and quick chargingGreat fit and easy-to-use design ConsConnectivity issues when using multipointGemini Live features aren't really helpfulSound took a little tweaking $229 at Best Buy$229 at Google Store$229 at Amazon Price, availability, and specs If you're looking to pick up the Pixel Buds Pro 2, they will set you back $230. You can purchase them on Amazon, Best Buy, or through the Google Store itself. The new buds are offered in four colors: Porcelain, Hazel, Wintergreen, and Peony (which I have for this review.) And let's be clear: I love the Peony pink. We need more fun colors in tech. Specifications Battery Life 8 hours with ANC Noise Cancellation Yes Microphones 3 IP rating IP54 Charging Type-C, Qi wireless Driver size 11mm Dimensions and weight (earbuds) 22.74mm x 23.08mm x 17.03mm; 4.7g Spatial Audio Yes Multipoint support Yes Expand What I liked about the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 Comfortable fit, adjustable sound Right out the gate, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 were super easy to set up; I just had to open the case and have my phone in hand. It was by far the quickest process of any device I've tested, other than the Sony Ult Tower 10, and I'm a big fan of painless setup. The first thing that really stood out was the new design. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 are much smaller than their predecessor, which is good. They also have a new wing that is perfect for keeping these little guys in place when you slide them in your ears. In fact, Google made it easy to get the perfect fit, unlike the Pixel Buds Pro, which felt large and clunky -- settling them in place was always a struggle. The stem's addition makes it much easier to get the earbuds in your ear properly, and, more importantly, it keeps them firmly in place. This is, by far, the best addition to the buds. At no point did I worry that they were about to fall out, and I felt perfectly at ease during any vigorous workout. Read our review Google Pixel Buds Pro review: Fourth time's the charm It only took five years, but Google finally got it right Once they were in my ears, they were pretty comfortable. I usually pop my buds in before a long walk or a lengthy editing session, so I can wear these buds for several hours before taking a break. Once I found my right size, I actually forgot I was wearing earbuds a few times. If that does happen frequently, and you worry about how it might damage your ears in the long-term, the Pixel Buds Pro app actually has a Hearing Wellness option that monitors the length of time you've worn and listened to the buds, as well as their volume level. This feature didn't track everything, as I noticed little change after using the buds on my laptop. But if you frequently listen through your phone, this might prove more helpful. While the buds did shrink, they still have a flat surface, displaying their Google-branded G proudly, and they also feature the new Tensor A1 Chip. The bud's surface is ideal for the gesture controls. The controls are simple and intuitive; they didn't change much from the previous generation. You can easily tap to answer calls and play or pause the buds, double tap to end a call or skip tracks, or triple tap to skip tracks. Close The bud's surface area makes it easy to swipe back and forth to change the volume, and it's a simple press and hold to toggle ANC. Bonus points here to Google for making the press and hold customizable; it's up to you which bud, if any of them, controls Gemini. The controls themselves are a little sensitive, and I did find myself accidentally adjusting the volume when I was trying to move my hair out of the way. But other than that, the controls are pretty wonderful. In terms of fit in general, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 ship with several different ear tips -- ranging from extra small to large -- to ensure a perfect fit. As someone with small ears, this is great, and I did go back and forth between the smallest two sizes before settling on the right fit for me. The range included should fit most people, but if you were looking for extra large tips, they aren't in the box. The tailored fit is crucial for creating a good seal when wearing the buds, ultimately determining your experience with some of the features, and you can test how good your seal is in the Pixel Buds Pro app. The ANC on these is pretty solid. It isn't perfect, but it does a great job blocking out most of the sound. As a mother of two kids under 6, these buds were put to the test, and I'd say they came out on top. On a similar note, the passthrough was really impressive. The balance between the earbud sound and the outside world was great, as I was able to take in my surroundings and have conversations with the music still going. Calls were easy to make and accept, and the sound was good on both ends; no complaints there. I also tested video calls on both my Asus Zenbook and the Pixel 8 Pro, and everything sounded as it should. Read our review Google Pixel 8 Pro review: Living up to its name If you want to see the future of Google, the Pixel 8 Pro is the phone to buy The sound on the Pixel Buds Pro 2 did take a little tweaking. I wasn't overly impressed with how they sounded out of the box. Admittedly, I'm a heavy bass girl who likes to sink into the music. So, depending on the song, the audio would sound hollow -- the bass was understated, and the overall sound was less full. I found this issue particularly in songs like In the Blood by Darren Korn and Ashley Barrett from the Hades Soundtrack and No One Left To Love by ROOS+BERG from Alan Wake 2, though the sound mix on the latter song was better. However, after I headed into the settings, I adjusted it more to my liking. Adding the heavy bass option definitely helped, and if you wish, you can even customize your setting to have your perfect sound. After some adjustments, I blasted Livingston's Shadow and was more than pleased. I was also pleasantly surprised by Spatial Audio, which is a nice addition this generation. I tested this feature with some 8D mixes on Spotify, and it was great. While it may not be on the same level as headphones, like my Sony WH1000XM4s, it was pretty close. Finally, we have battery life, which is pretty stellar. I have yet to charge the buds/case. I'm a chronic overcharger, so not putting my case in the wireless charger has been killing me. But I'm happy to report that I could easily get around 8 hours of time out of the bud, and that's with ANC pumping. If I needed a quick top-off at any point, I'd throw them in the case, and before long -- around 15 minutes -- they'd have enough juice for another round. That's pretty ideal, considering I am sometimes in calls back to back some days, which isn't great for earbud battery life. Gemini Live Close Like the previous buds, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 feature Google's Assistant, but this time, we have Gemini. Since the buds are compatible with Gemini, you can program one of your buds to open up the AI assistant, and you can ask for the weather, a joke, or to do other small tasks, like set a reminder or an alarm. If you want to opt into the premium AI plan, though -- or you're patient enough for it to roll out to free users -- you'll get access to Gemini Live. Instead of continuously asking "Hey Google" to get your AI's attention, you can interrupt by just pressing on your earbuds. While this is a new feature, I honestly couldn't see any real reason to use it. I rarely used Google Assistant on my previous earbuds, and I was just happy I had the option not to include it. However, if you are interested in exploring Gemini Live, it's here, and it works okay. What I don't like about the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 Connecting the dots While my experience with the Pixel Buds Pro 2 is largely positive, one of the biggest annoyances I had to deal with was connectivity issues. The buds connected to my Pixel Pro 8 without any fuss, and I linked it with my Zenbook in just a few minutes, but that's when things started to get interesting. The buds were connected to both devices, but my laptop was the dominant one of the two, and no matter how many times I tried to have my phone take over the buds, it would just keep disconnecting. I had to turn off my laptop to fix it. Once I was able to link up my phone, it was okay. To listen on my laptop, I have to disconnect from my phone completely -- something I didn't have to do with my Sony WH1000XM4 or my Pixel Buds Pro. The connection would also mess with my Spotify connection, and I'd have to close out of the app to get it to play on the right device. That was before I discovered, thanks to reaching out to Google, that there's a Multipoint Toggle buried in the More Setttings menu. While it's a quick fix, it is a bit annoying that this feature isn't easy to find and on by default. In the same vein, Google's Find My Device relies on connectivity. I dropped an earbud under the kitchen table and walked away, and as long as my phone was connected, the earbud would ring out. However, it was very quiet. I was able to hear it across an open floor plan, but when I put the earbud upstairs in the bathroom, I couldn't hear the ring over the shower. To be clear, I am very happy to have a way to possibly find my earbuds should they ever fall out, but I need to be able to hear where they are. Also, you need to be pretty close to get them to sound off. Still, it's better to have it than not. Should you buy the Pixel Buds Pro 2? Overall, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 are a decent improvement over the previous generation. The fit is way better and more customized, the design is more secure, and the color just pops. If you are entrenched in the Google ecosystem, you can't go wrong with the Pixel Buds Pro 2. They offer great ANC, spatial audio, and impressive battery life. They aren't on the high-end price-wise, so they are definitely more affordable than some of the other buds out there, and you get solid features. However, there are a few annoyances you'll just have to get past if you plan on using multi-point connectivity. The problem with any of that is that the wireless earbuds market is fairly competitive at this point -- it's really hard to go wrong. However, I will say the fit and features of the Pixel Buds Pro 2 do put them ahead of other choices for me. So, if you're in the market for some new buds, these are a great pick. Staff pick Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 8.5/ 10 The Pixel Buds Pro 2 are a step up from the previous generation, especially regarding fit and design. If you're looking for quality ANC and great battery life, look no further. Packed with features from spatial audio to Google's Find My Device, they are a solid set of earbuds to have around. $229 at Best Buy$229 at Google Store$229 at Amazon Related Best wireless earbuds in 2024 Your ears deserve the best, so choose the best wireless earbuds

Pixel Buds Pro 2 Review: So Damn Close to Being Perfect

The Pixel Buds Pro 2 ace every single department, but the Gemini integration keep it from truly being great. Two years after the release of the Google Pixel Buds Pro, Google announced its successor, the Pixel Buds Pro 2, at last month's Made by Google event. We liked the first-gen buds for their cute egg-shaped case (that Google insists on calling a 'pebble'), great sound, and effective ANC. Our only gripe with those was the removal of wings from the package. Google probably heard our complaints and worked on the Pixel Buds Pro 2's fit, claiming they're now extremely snug in your ears. It seems that the revised fit is what the Mountain View company is most proud of on these buds. That, along with the Tensor A1 chip, 'twice as powerful' ANC, 'premium' sound, and 'hands-free' Gemini integration. It bumped its flagship buds' price by $30â€"they're $230 instead of the $200 first-gens. But considering there have been two whole years between the two releases, I'd attribute (and justify) the price bump to annual inflation and rising material and labor costs. Since my ears hate in-ear buds, I was most excited to test its reworked fit. I also recently checked out ChatGPT integration on the $60 CMF Buds Pro 2 and was curious to see if a $230 pair of buds would do AI integration better. The new Pixel buds launched in four beautiful shades: Porcelain, Hazel, Wintergreen, and Peony. I instantly fell for the Wintergreen and Peony. Whatever the hell Google did on its "twist-to-adjust stabilizer," it worked. The fit is perfect. It finally cooked up the perfect recipe for in-ear buds that don't budge. These fit me so snugly that I wish Google could share its secret ingredients with other earbud manufacturers. After wearing them for extended periods, the buds didn't start hurting my ears and didn't plop out when I'd briskly walk to catch the train. I wore them around the house while doing a million chores and outside on my way to the office. They stayed put throughout. See at Best Buy One ingredient could be these little wings-type things that the buds grew back this generation. They're significantly smaller than typical earbud wings, but their function is the same: they complement the fit and make the buds tighter in your ears. They're fully rubberized and feel comfortable against your concha. However, the twist-to-adjust stabilizer is supposed to offer two separate kinds of fits. You can twist the buds in one direction to "lock [them] securely in your ear during workouts, or adjust the other way for all-day comfort." Upon extensively twisting them in my ears, I didn't feel the presence of two dedicated fit modes. The buds were either tight or not tight enough. I'm also thankful for an XS ear tip in the package. Many companies overlook extra small or large sizes, so I'm happy that Google accommodates tiny-eared folks. Having just reviewed the extremely loose and ill-fitted Apple AirPods 4, these little, button-like peripherals that tightly hug your ear canals felt like fresh air. I cannot stress enough how tiny these earbuds truly are. They've undergone a massive reduction in weightâ€"from 6.3 grams on the first-gen to 4.7 gramsâ€"so their lightweightness also adds to their comfort. Google claims their small, comfortable, and lightweight design resulted from testing 45 million data points from different ears. Volume controls are often done extremely poorly on wireless earbuds. Take the flagship AirPods 4 as an example that doesn't feature onboard volume controls. The CMF Buds Pro 2 allows double tap and hold as the only way to tweak volume... which is a lot of work. On the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, swiping up and down the stem is the only way to change volume, which wasn't terrible but slightly challenging as, while swiping down, I had to ensure I didn’t pull the bud out of my ear. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 tweak volume when you swipe on them horizontally. Swiping from back to front turns the volume up, and bringing your finger from front to back turns it down. These gestures are incredibly intuitive and made me wonder why other mainstream brands didn't think of such basic actions for volume control. Swiping up and down makes more sense on over-ear headphones that don't risk falling out of your ears. On tiny peripherals like these, horizontal swiping is significantly safer. I've gotten used to turning to my phone for volume control while using in-ear buds, but the Pixel Buds Pro 2 made me use the onboard volume controls. The rest of the functions are pretty straightforward, too. Single tapping controls playback, double tapping skips the song, and triple tapping takes you to the previous track. Long tapping on each bud can be customized to ANC or trigger Gemini. I assigned one action to each bud, and it only took me half a day to remember which bud does what. The Tensor A1 chip did wonders on the Pixel Buds Pro 2. The sound is extremely crisp and detailed, allowing you to pay close attention to every little detail in the song. The low end is unarguably the most defined element of the sound profile on these buds, as it was on the first-gen Pixel Buds Pros. Owing to the 11mm drivers, the bass sits on a separate layer from the rest of the orchestra and requires most of your attention. On the predecessors, though, there were complaints about the low-end sounding excessively dominant. Thankfully, on these buds, it's not overdone to the point of sounding thick or muddy. It hits just the perfect spot. Google added a new high-frequency chamber to improve the treble. The high-end is less prominent than the low-end on these buds, but it sounds decent, far from being too sharp or tinny. The mids carry sufficient space and sound quite airy. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed listening to music on the Pixel Buds Pro 2. I spent a good chunk of the review period listening to podcasts and taking calls on these, too, and had no complaints in those areas. The Tensor AI's noise-canceling capabilities are what I'm most impressed with. As expected, the buds did an excellent job at canceling low-end noise and were a little less effective at high-end noise (since that's harder to cancel.) Of course, sirens passed through, but people's conversations on the street were silenced to the point of being inaudible, which the AirPods 4 failed. I started losing my caller's voice when I passed over a Subway vent with a train passing underneath. Upon enabling ANC, the buds instantly transported me to a world where the train's sound was merely a distant hum. I'm always pushed to disable ANC on the streets whenever I'm dealing with earbuds that do it well, and that was my experience with the Pixel Buds Pro 2. The ANC is so powerful that you might have to put up with some eardrum suck. I felt that after extended periods of wearing these buds, I would just switch to ambient mode for a while to fix it. See at Best Buy Perhaps the biggest feature being touted on the Pixel Buds Pro 2 is their Gemini AI capabilities. Disappointingly, it doesn't really live up to the hype. You're required to manually trigger the buds every time you talk to them. The action is customizable between long-tapping either the right or left bud. It works fine if you ask it one quick question during a busy commute when you don't have the time to pull out your phone and do a Google search. But for each follow-up question, you have to long-tap the bud every time. These buds marketed Gemini integration as a 'hands-free' feature that lets you get things done on the go. But it's not really hands-free when I'm required to perform an action repeatedly. I also couldn't interrupt Gemini's voice, which was extremely annoying in situations where it had a long response for me. For instance, I asked about the weather in my area, and it started responding in Fahrenheit. Being a Celsius person, I immediately asked it to switch the unit. Still, I had to wait until it was done telling me about the current weather, highs, lows, rain forecast, etc., before I could ask it to do anything else. Gemini on the Pixel Buds Pro 2 was also unreliable in some cases. I asked it about "coffee shops in my area that are open right now" twice. First, it responded with a huge list, again not letting me interrupt it. The second time, which was hardly five minutes later and at the exact same spot (in my bed), it told me it couldn't provide real-time information about coffee shops in my area. I'm glad it takes into consideration stuttering and pausing while you're talking. You can speak to it like you would a human. It also has good memory and understanding of context. Though pressing the bud for each follow-up question is exhausting, if you can put it up with that, the buds will do pretty well with follow-up questions. I started asking about the weather in my area and a couple of follow-up questions; I was saying things such as, "What about next week in New Jersey?" It knew we were still talking about the weather and responded accurately. The Pixel Buds Pro 2’s battery life is well-aligned with their claims. You get 12 or eight hours, with ANC off or on. With the charging case, those numbers go up to 48 and 30 hours. Compare this to the $180 AirPods 4, which offers a four to five-hour battery life and 20 to 30 hours with the case, depending on whether ANC is on or off, respectively. I’ve been using the Pixel Buds Pro 2 for six days, alternating between music, podcasts, calls, and a lot of Instagram content, and I haven’t had to charge the case yet. See at Best Buy Usually, IP ratings apply to just the earbuds but not the case. On the Pixel Buds Pro 2, the charging case also comes with an IPX4 rating, which means it’s not resistant to dust but offers pretty good water resistance. Having any sort of resistance on the case is great, so I’ll happily take what I’m getting. The buds are rated at IP54, the same as the flagship AirPods. If Google hadn't touted Gemini integration as one of the biggest features on the Pixel Buds Pro 2, I could’ve scored them higher. These are overall excellent buds that give you everything you want. The size and weight have been dramatically reduced, so they’re comfortable sitting in your ears all day. The twist-to-adjust stabilizer is far from a gimmick. It gives the buds their snug, ear-hugging fit. Navigation has been done so intuitively that it makes me wonder why more earbud companies don’t take a similar, straightforward approach, especially with volume. The sound profile is impressive, with the deep, punchy bass being the star of the show. And the noise-canceling is so powerful that you feel transported into a private vacuum. My only gripe is that the Gemini integration is half as attractive as advertised. It’s far from being â€~hands-free’ if you can’t ask a single follow-up question without getting your hands involved. Plus, you can’t interrupt it with your voice regardless of how long its response is, which is fairly annoying. I can’t ignore the Gemini integration and enjoy the rest of what these buds offer because I imagine the AI integration is one of the reasons they’re priced at $230. Google didn’t have to follow suit and mindlessly stuff its product with AI if the integration wasn’t providing much value.