Why I'm recommending Google's Pixel Buds in 2026 (after years of passing on them)

2 days ago 7

ZDNET's cardinal takeaways

These Pixel Buds Pro 2 are disposable connected the Google Store for $229.
With superb dependable and a bully fit, these earbuds tin item details successful euphony that different earbuds can't.
I suggest buying Comply representation foam receptor tips for a amended seal.

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Years ago, I purchased a brace of Google Pixel Buds Pro earbuds, and though their dependable was sweet, the buds' carnal plan was earnestly flawed. No substance what I did, I could not support them successful my ears.

Because they couldn't marque a decent seal, the dependable suffered. That one-two punch resulted successful maine not utilizing them, truthful they sat successful a drawer, untouched and forgotten. Every erstwhile successful a while, I'd interruption them out, lone to beryllium reminded wherefore they'd been near alone.

Also: Google unveils Pixel Buds Pro 2: Here are the 3 features I'm astir excited about

On a whim, I decided to springiness the Pixel Buds Pro 2 earbuds a try. After all, Google had redesigned the carnal buds to see tiny "wings" that are expected to assistance support them successful place. How would they stack up against my archetypal Pixel Buds Pro earbuds?

I thought, "Okay, Google, I'm gonna springiness you 1 much chance."

Even earlier the earbuds arrived, I ordered a acceptable of comply representation foam earbud tips. I was ready.

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My experience

When the earbuds yet arrived, my archetypal content was that the size of the lawsuit had been reduced. After pulling the buds from the case, the small wings were the adjacent happening to drawback my attention.

They're overmuch smaller than I thought they would be, starring maine to wonderment if they would beryllium capable to support the buds successful my ears (especially during a workout).

Fortunately, my Comply receptor tips arrived connected the aforesaid time arsenic the earbuds (I chalk that up to the miraculous), truthful I instantly switched retired the silicone tips. With that taken attraction of, I gave the caller tips a spot of a squish and inserted the earbuds, utilizing a flimsy twisting question to get them into place.

To my relief, the operation of the wings and the Comply tips gave these earbuds a bully and coagulated fit. I'd accidental these connection astir arsenic reliable a acceptable arsenic immoderate accepted earbud I've tried. Whew.

Also: How to get and usage Spatial Audio connected the Pixel Buds Pro

It was clip to link them. Because I person a Pixel phone, the instrumentality instantly discovered the earbuds and walked maine done the setup, including a seal check. Connecting the Pixel Buds Pro 2 earbuds was an implicit no-brainer, and successful astir 30 seconds, they were acceptable to go.

Of course, earlier I tapped play connected that archetypal tune, I knew I wanted to set the EQ. I opened the Connected Devices conception of Settings, located the earbuds, and tapped the associated cogwheel icon.

While successful the settings for the earbuds, I noticed the Head Gestures option. With these gestures, I tin reply calls with an up and down motion oregon cull them with a side-to-side nod.

Nice touch, Google.

Of course, a brace of earbuds is lone arsenic bully arsenic their sound. I opened my accustomed trial playlist and deed play. The archetypal opus to greet my ears was "Tom Sawyer," by Rush, and, beatified cow, did it dependable amazing. What truly caught my attraction was the level of item they could extract from the music.

Also: I was skeptical of these $350 wireless earbuds - until they knocked my socks off

I've heard earbuds that could excavation subtlety from a song, but the Pixel Buds Pro 2 took this to different level. It was beauteous astonishing pursuing the assorted instruments and however good the Pixel Buds Pro 2 earbuds could bring the dependable to life.

After Tom Sawyer came to its beauteous conclusion, I moved connected to "Sun Killer" by Spiritbox. Although this way doesn't bash overmuch to propulsion the earbuds' limits, it gives maine penetration into however they tin grip vocals.

Cortney LaPlante's dependable is gorgeous against a backdrop of driving rhythms and crunchy, djenty guitars. Through the Pixel Buds Pro 2 earbuds, I could perceive her breath, and erstwhile she yet lets escaped astatine the end, her screams are arsenic almighty arsenic ever.

One of my favourite tunes from the eighties is "Human," by Human League. The physics drums truly trial an earbud's quality to execute capable clarity to bring it to life, and these earbuds aced that test. Also, proceeding the debased extremity of the keyboard was thing I didn't expect.

So far, truthful wonderful.

Also: These Google earbuds connection the eventual listening acquisition for Android users

Next came 1 of my favourite Chevelle songs, "Antisaint." Okay, I person to confess that euphony from this play and genre isn't ever the champion to trial a brace of headphones with due to the fact that it's truthful compressed. At the aforesaid time, if a brace of earbuds tin grip it with a definite level of grace, they get a large brace of thumbs up. Guess what? The Pixel Buds Pro 2 earbuds passed with flying colors.

ZDNET's buying advice

I'm not overmuch into gimmicks with earbuds. What I'd similar is simply a brace that fits well, stays successful place, and creates dependable connected a level that matches my discerning ears. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 earbuds cheque each the close boxes.

Coming successful astatine $229 from the Google store, these mightiness beryllium a spot supra the mean user's budget, but if you tin spend them, I can't ideate uncovering a better-sounding brace of earbuds nether $250. I would spell truthful acold arsenic to accidental that these earbuds are amended than my prized Dennon PearL Pro earbuds.

Grab a brace of these earbuds and beryllium done with the competition.

Pixel Buds Pro 2 tech specs

Driver: Custom 11mm dynamic talker driver.
Noise Cancellation: Active Noise Cancellation with Silent Seal 2.0
Transparency Mode for situational awareness.
Chips: Google Tensor A1 successful each earbud.
Audio Codecs: Supports AAC, SBC.
Gaming: Low-latency mode (supported by Pixel 8/Android 14+).
Bluetooth: Version 5.4 with Super Wideband for calls.
Multi-point support.
Sensors: 3 mics, capacitive touch, IR proximity, accelerometer, gyroscope.
Controls: Tap and swipe for music, calls, and volume.
Conversation Detection, Find My Earbuds, Find My Case (Android only).
Battery life: ANC On: Up to 8 hrs (buds), 30 hrs (total). ANC Off: Up to 12 hrs (buds), 48 hrs (total). Quick Charge: 5 mins for 1.5 hrs (ANC off).
Charging: USB-C, Qi-certified wireless.
Water Resistance: Earbuds IP54, Case IPX4.
Weight: 4.7g per earbud (with mean tip).
Colors: Moonstone, Porcelain, Peony, Wintergreen, Haze