Google’s Pixel Buds lineup has become a solid choice for users looking to pair high-quality earbuds with their Pixel phones. While Google doesn’t yet offer over-ear headphones like some of its competitors, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 brings an improved experience for those who appreciate the in-ear sound. Designed to work best within the Google ecosystem, this new version enhances several aspects of the Pixel Buds Pro while introducing fresh features.
Let’s dive into the redesign, sound quality, and the integration of Google’s Tensor chip and Gemini AI that makes the Pixel Buds Pro 2 stand out.
New Design: Tiny but Mighty
The first noticeable change in the Pixel Buds Pro 2 is their size. Google has reduced their size by 27%, and while this may not sound like a huge difference, it significantly impacts comfort and fit. The new, smaller earbuds weigh 1.5 grams less than the previous version, making them feel light and comfortable during extended wear.
Google has also redesigned the shape of these earbuds. By analyzing millions of ear scans, the company has come up with a compact, rounded design that fits snugly. The IP54-rated earbuds are compact, durable, and sit securely in most ear shapes. While Google’s twist-to-adjust stabilizer may not offer much-added security for everyone, the earbuds stay in place once you find the right ear tip size.
Despite their smaller size, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 come equipped with a full suite of onboard controls. However, the smaller touch panel means you’ll need to be more precise with your taps.
Performance Powered by Tensor and Gemini AI
Google has integrated its Tensor chip into the Pixel Buds Pro 2, a first for its earbuds. This chip helps manage audio processing more efficiently, delivering low-latency sound and improving active noise cancellation (ANC). Thanks to Tensor’s power, Google has been able to boost battery life without increasing the earbud size.
A big talking point for the Pixel Buds Pro 2 is their integration with Gemini AI. These earbuds act as a hands-free assistant, offering more complex tasks and conversational interactions compared to Google Assistant. While this sounds revolutionary, much of this functionality can also be accessed through Pixel phones, making it less of a game-changer if you’re already using Google’s devices.
Other notable features include Conversation Detection, Hearing Wellness tracking, multipoint Bluetooth, and customizable long-press options (although choices are limited). For Google ecosystem users, these earbuds also seamlessly switch between linked devices.
Sound Quality: A Significant Upgrade
One of the most important aspects of any earbud is sound quality, and the Pixel Buds Pro 2 don’t disappoint. With enhanced drivers and overhauled acoustics, Google has focused on delivering crisp highs, full mids, and punchy bass. While the improvement isn’t a massive leap from the original Pixel Buds Pro, you’ll notice deeper bass and clearer details, especially with music genres like electronic and alt-metal.
If you’re a fan of tweaking your sound, Google provides a 5-band EQ in the Pixel Buds app, though the presets may not be ideal. Fortunately, you can fine-tune the audio to your liking. However, Google’s spatial audio feature, while present, comes with limitations. It only works on specific video apps and requires a Pixel 6 or newer device to function. Unfortunately, it isn’t available for music and demands head tracking for use on Netflix, making the experience less seamless than you’d hope.
Active Noise Cancellation: Improved but Not Perfect
Google’s updated ANC system, Silent Seal 2.0, promises to block more noise than its predecessor by addressing a wider range of frequencies. During testing, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 did well with low-to-mid-range noises, like the hum of a car or the drone of a fan. However, like many earbuds, they struggle with higher-pitched sounds, such as human voices. If you’re in a noisy environment, you might still hear nearby conversations unless you’re listening to music or a podcast.
Call Quality: Clear Communication
Google has once again integrated AI to enhance call quality, reducing background noise for clearer conversations. With Clear Calling, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 not only suppress background sounds during calls but also work with apps like Google Meet and some third-party platforms. While the earbuds might not deliver studio-quality sound, their ability to block out distractions is impressive, especially when paired with a Pixel phone.
Battery Life: Long-Lasting Performance
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 offers up to eight hours of battery life with ANC enabled, and the included charging case extends this to 30 hours. During typical use, which included transparency mode for calls and regular volume levels, the earbuds lasted just over eight hours.
If you’re in a hurry, a 15-minute charge in the case will give you up to three hours of playback, ensuring you’re never without sound for long. The case itself is IPX4-rated and supports both wired and wireless charging, adding convenience to its robust battery life.
Competition: Where the Pixel Buds Pro 2 Stand
While the Pixel Buds Pro 2 are a fantastic choice for Google users, they aren’t necessarily the best in every category. If sound quality is your top priority, Sennheiser’s Momentum True Wireless 4 offers a richer audio experience. Meanwhile, Sony’s WF-1000XM5 excels in features like ANC and custom sound settings.
That said, for those deeply invested in Google’s ecosystem, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 offer the best integration with Pixel phones and other devices, making them a top contender for convenience and compatibility.
Conclusion
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 represent a substantial upgrade over their predecessor, offering more powerful features, better sound quality, and improved battery life. While the price has increased and the spatial audio experience has its limitations, these earbuds remain a strong choice for Pixel users. If you’re not tied to Google’s ecosystem, you may find better sound or feature sets elsewhere, but for die-hard Pixel fans, these are the best earbuds Google has ever made.