I haven't packed bulky, over-ear headphones in a year thanks to these Pixel earbuds

ZDNET's cardinal takeaways

• The latest wireless earbuds are near-perfect for me.
• They present a balanced dependable illustration with effectual ANC performance.
• Some capabilities are constricted if you're connected iOS.

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For arsenic agelong arsenic I tin remember, I've preferred headphones implicit earbuds for travel. Yes, they're bulkier, but the added value has ever been worthy it for the superior dependable prime and sound cancellation -- if not the artillery life. 

Also: The viral wireless audio dongle for in-flight amusement conscionable got a large upgrade - and I emotion it

Last year, however, Google introduced a brace of earbuds that not lone replaced the headphones successful my backpack but did truthful without compromising immoderate indispensable features. That made the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 easy 1 of my favourite products of late.

This hardware is near-perfect for me

Prakhar Khanna/ZDNET

Google claims the Pixel Buds Pro 2 were designed "to beryllium the astir comfy earbuds," and it's 1 of those uncommon instances wherever the selling worldly matches reality. While comfortableness levels tin alteration from idiosyncratic to idiosyncratic due to the fact that not each receptor shapes are the same, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 are, without question, the astir comfy earbuds I've ever used. They're smaller, lighter, and supply a snug acceptable that stays unafraid successful your ears -- adjacent erstwhile you enactment out.

Also: Spotify vs. Apple Music: I've utilized some euphony streaming services, and my prime is clear

Most earbuds of this size and plan compromise astatine slightest 1 of the pursuing features: controls, dependable quality, progressive sound cancellation (ANC), oregon artillery life. But the Pixel Buds Pro 2 are different. Here's how.

Starting with controls, the earbuds enactment astir each kinds of playback, ANC, volume, and much controls with pat and swipe gestures:

• Single tap for play/pause oregon answering calls
• Double tap for the adjacent way oregon ending/rejecting calls
• Triple tap for the erstwhile track
• Press and hold for ANC control
• Swipe guardant oregon backward for measurement adjustment

Most non-stem earbuds unit you to take betwixt 3 of these 4 power options, but it's unthinkable to get a afloat suite of power with gestures connected earbuds this small.

The audio is adjacent better

Second, the Pixel Buds Pro 2's dependable prime is fantabulous for their size. Despite supporting lone AAC and SBC codecs, the level of item and clarity is impressive. They dependable much earthy than their predecessors, with deeper and much precise bass. 

It's not thumpy but balanced, and the earbuds connection wide vocals and energetic treble. Listening to my favourite euphony connected them has been arsenic enjoyable arsenic listening to it connected my headphones.

Prakhar Khanna/ZDNET

As for ANC, the Buds Pro 2 usage a twist-to-adjust plan to make an fantabulous in-ear seal. The choky acceptable ensures large passive sound isolation portion the bundle takes attraction of the rest. On flights, the ANC importantly reduces airplane noise, and playing euphony astatine 60% measurement oregon higher fades distant the outer sounds entirely.  

The artillery beingness is superb, too. I've worn these earbuds for six hours consecutive without experiencing receptor fatigue. Google claims they connection 8 hours of playback with ANC connected and up to 30 further hours with the charging case. After much than six months of use, I haven't had them dice mid-session.

Also: This is the champion clip to publication your adjacent flight, according to Google

They're besides packed with utile features. The speech detection diagnostic pauses your euphony automatically erstwhile the earbuds observe your voice. Plus, Gemini Live acts arsenic a conversational Google Assistant. However, this diagnostic inactive needs refinement earlier it becomes afloat reliable. For instance, if I'm asking for a speedy calculation, I'd similar a effect successful 1 condemnation alternatively than knowing the mathematical process to scope the result. 

I've lone utilized Gemini Live for investigating purposes and haven't bothered triggering it successful day-to-day life. I bash privation Google had included a diagnostic similar the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro's quality to execute basal tasks similar measurement accommodation without requiring a aftermath word.

ZDNET's buying advice

The Pixel Buds Pro 2 excel successful the basics: controls, dependable quality, ANC, artillery life, and comfort. I utilized to trust connected headphones for superior dependable and ANC performance, and amended artillery life, but the 2024 Google earbuds person made it casual for maine to battalion airy and permission the bulkier signifier origin behind.

I nary longer consciousness the request to transportation headphones. The Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 connection large dependable prime and ANC show alongside unmatched comfortableness and stellar artillery life. Plus, they prevention abstraction successful my backpack, and I tin slumber whilst wearing them connected flights -- a near-impossible feat with headphones.