Apple’s AirPods and Google’s Pixel Bud are among the most talked-about products of the year. However, neither company has yet produced an all-in-one version that can compete with its premium offering.
The Pixel Buds are Google’s first wireless earbuds with active noise cancellation. They’re designed for use with Android smartphones running version 6.0 or later. Their comfort in your ears sets these buds apart, contributing to their overall solid performance.
- Comfortable and compact
- High-quality sound
- Transparency and ANC are very effective
- Charging with wireless technology
- Multipoint Bluetooth
- There is no accurate EQ adjustment
The Pixel Buds are a great way to enjoy listening to music, podcasts, or audiobooks. With my phone’s speakerphone enabled, I could hear myself even when there were loud noises around me. The best sound quality I’d experienced in a pair of headphones came from the Bose SoundLink buds. There are no high-quality or low latency audio codecs available.
Compared to the Pixel Buds A-Series and Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro, the Pixel Buds Pro sound surprisingly similar.
Using beamforming mics and a voice accelerometer, your voice sounds crystal clear even in loud and windy places.
The Google Pixel Bud Pros are wireless earbuds designed for people who want to stay connected no matter where they go. These buds use beamforming technology to connect directly to their phones without needing to be plugged in. You must keep your phone within ten feet of the left bud and keep it in the same room as the right one.
The Google Pixel Buds have built-in active noise cancellation, but if you’re not wearing earbuds, they won’t do much for you. They’ll block out external sounds but won’t cancel your voice and make things louder when you’re talking on the phone. If you’re listening to music outdoors, the headphones’ noise cancellation works well, but they aren’t great for long-distance listening.
Google’s new Pixel buds Pro are stylish, comfortable, and packed with features that Android fans have requested. The battery indicator light stays lit longer than expected when listening to music or watching a video.
What’s in the box?
Apple’s latest wireless earphones don’t include a charging cable, meaning you won’t need one if you already have an iPhone that supports USB-C. The company did not release the headphones before they were ready for pre-order, which is unusual given Apple’s reputation for discontinuing products before they’re ready.
Design
The answer is probably not at all – it doesn’t make or break how well it holds its shape when closed or how easy it is to open. It’s the same rectangular-shaped glossy white plastic box with rounded corners and a clear window on top.
The new Buds Pros have an overall body that provides more contact with the inside part of your ear. The current versions are easier to remove from charging cases than previous versions. Holding them between your thumb and forefinger will take some time. The new buds don’t have any rubber stems that provide a secure anchor.
The outer surface of the case has been changed slightly, but the touch-sensitive controls remain almost entirely flat against the ear.
They are available in 4 different colors in the US:
- Fog (gray with a hint of blue)
- Charcoal (not-quite-black)
- Lemongrass (Gatorade yellow/green)
- Coral (reddish-orange)
Review: The Pixel Buds Pro is a complete success. They retain nearly everything we loved about the original design. It has been described as looking like a sci-fi novel.
Comfort, controls, and connections
Google-StoreGoogle-Pixel-Buds-A-Series,-rich-sound-for-less
He feels comfortable wearing them for long periods and doesn’t think they make his ears feel more prominent than the originals. Those with smaller cones (the small bowls just outside your ears) may find them uncomfortable, too big, or not comfortable enough. If you want the best fit, go for the second generation or A-series Pros over the Jabras or Pro Pros.
Gen 2 has a naturally ventilated ear canal, which reduces air pressure differences between your ear canal and the outside world. It stops unwanted sounds from creeping into your ears, requiring an automatic noise cancellation system to compensate, which is not always practical.
They’re also ventilated, but the design is slightly different—and they’re comfortable to wear. When doing light exercises, they don’t move at all, and when doing high-impact activities, they’re sufficient. However, talking for five minutes or longer will cause them to loosen up.
The Pixel Buds have the best sound quality and intuitive gesture for volume control. Long pressing toggles between noise cancellation and transparency modes, just like the AirPods Pro. One tone per tap works well, and they let you know when they’ve registered a tap by sounding an alert. My favorite part about the volume adjustment is how easy it is to adjust.
The company’s signature feature, calling up the Google Assistant by saying “Hey Google,” remains unchanged from last year’s version. However, some new features, including the ability to pause music, skip tracks, and end calls, are now available. With Pixel Buds, you no longer have to press an extra button to activate Google.”
On iOS, you can control the volume with your voice using an app, or you can do it by swiping from the right or left side of the display.
All pixels at all times
Pairing the BudSonic Pro with an iPhone or Android phone is as easy as opening the lid and tapping the Bluetooth button. The usual Bluetooth menus on an iPhone are just one step more complicated than on an iPad. Google’s fast pair feature makes pairing both devices super easy.
Google’s latest wireless headphones have a new feature that lets you connect them to all your signed-in devices. These devices get priority access to the headphones, so a phone call on one device can interrupt a movie on another. You can change these preferences at any time. It works, but as Google says, I couldn’t adjust the prioritization of sound sources and devices.
For the first time, Google has released a pair of wireless earbuds that support Bluetooth Multipoint so they can be connected to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. They’re great for connecting to both an Android device and an iPhone simultaneously.
Google Pixel Buds Pro Specifications
Google’s new wireless Bluetooth headphones are called the Pixel Buds Pro, and they come with some cool features, including a built-in mic, Google Assistant support, a unique design with a touchscreen on each bud, and a battery life of up to 10 hours.
The Pixel Buds deliver a premium earbud listening experience that Google’s earlier efforts could not match. They have excellent audio quality, noise cancellation, and a transparent mode. These are a good choice if you’re an Android owner who wants to shell out 200 for earphones. If you’d instead save money, check out our list of the best Bluetooth headphones under200forearphones.Ifyou′dinsteadsavemoney,checkoutourlistofthebestBluetoothheadphonesunder100.
With the Pixel Buds Pro, no one has ever complained that I sound too far away or that they can’t understand me over background noise – even when my office window opens with traffic and construction noises coming through. I could hear everything clearly through the headphones, but more background noise got in, too.
IPX4 (ears), IPX2 (headphones), 11mm driver size. Case dimensions: 64.3 x 49.9 x 26.1 mm. Battery life can last up to 10 hours with ANC enabled and up to 12 hours without. USB-C charging port. 5.0 Bluetooth connectivity. Colors include black, grey, green, lime, orange, purple, red, white, yellow, and pink.
Pros
- A competent ANC and a great transparency mode.
- Good audio quality with plenty of basses.
- It can connect to two audio sources at once.
Cons
- Not all video formats are supported.
- At launch, there were practically no EQ settings.
- Somewhat bulky
- on; up to 11 hours without it
- Audio codecs: SBC, AAC
Sound Quality
The Pixel Buds Pros are the best-sounding earbuds yet, and I think they outperform the more pricey AirPods Pros in sound quality. The improved passive noise cancellation and active noise reduction combine to let you hear every bit of the full potential of these headphones 100% of the time. Even if Google cut down the size of the drivers on the regular Pixels to just 11mm on the Pros, the buds’ noise cancellation is better.
With the Pixel Buds Pro, you can pair two devices simultaneously and smoothly transition between them with audio switching. The Pixel Buds Pro also supports one-tap Google Fast Pair for Android devices and Bluetooth multipoint (pairing to two devices simultaneously).
Buds Pro are closed-back versions of the Gen-2 / A-Series, offering the same performance no matter where you put them. The soundstage is quite good and allows you to listen more effectively than regular headphones. With the open design of the A-series, you can easily wash off the sound when you’re not using them.
Google has finally made an affordable pair of wireless headphones with excellent sound quality. However, if you’re looking for something better than the standard Bluetooth version, you may want to look elsewhere.
They have much better sound quality than their predecessors because they use custom-designed drivers that allow for more transparent highs and deeper lows, but more fulsome EQ settings are coming later this year.
Google’s new Pixel Buds earbuds are designed to work as a pair of speakers, not just one speaker paired with another. They have a single driver, yet they produce an expansive soundstage with excellent separation. You may also notice more space around instruments, emphasizing the songs’ fullness. The headphones also make phone calls hands-free, thanks to the built-in mic.
Google’s new Pixel Buds Pro wireless earbuds were more manageable for me to put in and take out of my ears without constantly adjusting my head positioning than Apple’s AirPods. They slipped quickly into my ears and remained in place all day. Google doesn’t include a bass boost option this time, instead opting for the ability to toggle volume EQ on and off.
Google hasn’t provided an official version of the Buds app for Apple devices, so they’re stuck with whatever settings come preinstalled. But, with or without this tweak, the Pixel Bud Pro is excellent for a wide variety of musical genres and should suit all but the most ardent bass heads.
Google’s Pixel buds Pro earbuds will be able to do precise head tracking, which is the crucial element that separates apple’s spatial audio experience from others. Google hasn’t said much about this, but there’s every reason why it will follow in the steps of apple’s AirPods Pro. With a motion-detecting accelerometer and gyro sensor in each earbud, the pixel buds pro should also have excellent audio quality.
Noise Cancellation and Transparency
The Pixel Buds are Google’s first wireless earphones with active noise cancellation (ANC). They provide excellent damping of all frequency ranges except the highest. Traffic and construction noises are also well contained. As I write this, I have a fan under my desk to keep me comfortable in this hot weather, but otherwise, I am unaware of any sounds around me.
The Buds by Google’s take on Apple’s AirPods with noise cancellation, adding better active noise cancellation and transparency. However, they don’t block out as much mid-high frequency sound as the Airpod Pros, and their wind protection isn’t as strong as Apple’s.
Google’s new Pixel Buds earbuds are Google’s answer to Apple’s Beats headphones, but with a price tag of less than $100.
With the Pixel Buds Pro, you won’t be able to wear them without hearing everything perfectly, but they’re easy to use and switch between modes quickly and easily. If you’re thinking about buying an iPhone XS Max, you might want to check out our review of the Apple Watch Series 4 instead. The new smartwatch offers better battery life, wireless charging, and improved heart rate tracking compared to the original Series 3.
Call Quality
The Pixel Buds Pro is suitable for phone calls and video conferencing indoors and in quiet environments but not for use outside or in noisy environments. As outside noises become louder and compete with the sound inside your phone, the noise cancellation algorithms will slightly smudge your voice, reducing its clarity and depth.
Transparency mode allows you to hear your voice more clearly than other people’s voices, reducing the likelihood of call fatigue. If getting the best call quality under all conditions is essential, the Jabra Elite 7 PRO may be superior to the Google Pixel Buds Pro. Otherwise, they are perfectly adequate.
Battery Life
The case has enough power for about 20 hours of playback, so you can listen to your music for an entire day without needing to plug it back in. Apple’s AirPods Pro (5 hours) and Samsung’s Galaxy Buds Pro (10 hours) have longer battery life slightly but are still much more expensive.
Because there is no fast charge feature, you must wait for them to recharge when the batteries run out before using them again. Some early adopters have expressed dissatisfaction with the battery life.
Like
- With its tapered design, this hat fits securely, discreetly, and comfortably.
- Noise-canceling is impressive, and the sound quality is excellent
- Mode for natural-sounding transparency
- Voice call quality is good
- Long battery life
- Android users can use Google Assistant hands-free
Don’t Like
Headphones? Here Are Some Alternatives You Should Try Instead”
The Pixel Buds are designed to work with both Android phones and iPhones. But while there’s no headphone jack on iPhone models, it’s possible to use Bluetooth headphones. And there are plenty of options available for less expensive alternatives.
For example, the 35 OnePlus Bullets Wireless (35OnePlusBulletsWireless(25 off) comes with a built-in DAC and amplifier, high-quality noise canceling technology, and a USB Type-C port for charging and wired listening. The 70 Sony WH-1000XM3s (70SonyWH−1000XM3s(50 off) include features like active noise cancellation but better sound quality. The 150 Bose QuietComfort 35 II (150BoseQuietComfort35II(80 off) offers the even better sound quality, a wireless design, and a voice assistant integration.
There are also cheaper options for Android users. For example, the 40 JBL Clip+ (40JBLClip+(30 off) offers great sound quality but lacks the noise cancelation in the pricier pairs. If you want something with a little more bass, check out the 60 Klipsch Image S4BT (60KlipschImageS4BT(20 off), which includes a battery life of up to 25 hours per charge.
If you prefer over-ear designs, the 300 Beats Powerbeats Pro (300BeatsPowerbeatsPro(200 off) pair well with most people and provide excellent sound quality. Other popular choices include the 350 Jabra Elite Active 75t (350JabraEliteActive75t(250 off) and the 400 Plantronics BackBeat Fit (400PlantronicsBackBeatFit(100 off), which have been around since the early 2000s.
Of course, none of these options are perfect. While they do offer good sound quality, many lack the same level of comfort and convenience that the Pixel Buds bring to the table.
Our Take
Google’s Pixel Buds Pro may be the best option if you’re looking for a wireless pair of headphones that work with iOS and Android devices. There are rumors that Apple will release an updated version of the AirPods sometime next year. If and when that happens, the updated AirPod may include some features that have put Google on the defensive.
The company has traditionally taken a different approach to personal audio, taking much longer to catch up with trends such as good wireless connectivity and active noise cancellation.
Google has finally created a great set of earphones. The new PixelBuds Pro, released today for $200, provides the basics and premium features such as multi-point audio and a killer transparency feature. It almost feels strange, but Google has almost created a good pair of headphones.
What else could we use instead?
They are strikingly similar in audio quality, noise cancellation, transparency, battery life, and wireless charging. They also have features in common, such as Bluetooth multi-point, a fitness test, and the ability to locate my headphones.
With slightly better battery life than the Buds Pro, the Elite 7 Pro is our top pick for best buds. Voice assistants are unavailable on the Elite 7 Pros, but Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa are. They do not, however, include the upcoming spatial audio capabilities of the Pixel buds.
How long will they last?
With a battery life of 7 hours on average, these aren’t bad for a pair of wireless headphones. They won’t last forever, but they should outlast most other wireless headphones in this price range with proper care.
The competition
Apple creates products primarily for iPhone users, while Google focuses on Android users by developing its operating system (Android). These distinctions are reflected in their approaches to wireless headphones, such as Apple’s AirPods and Google’s Nest thermostats.
Google has released three new pairs of wireless headphones called Pixel Buds, which are now available for free. Apple has just released its new AirPods Pro, which features improved water resistance, longer battery life, and a built-in microphone. The most significant difference between these and previous models is that they now come with a larger screen and noise-proofing.
Compared to each company’s most recent wireless headphone offering, both offer comparable products at different price points. However, both companies’ new wireless headphone offerings are significantly less expensive than their previous models. For those looking for wireless headphones, Samsung’s mobile phones are another excellent option.
They’re similar to Google’s PixelBuds but have six hours more battery life and a built-in microphone. They include spatial audio, ambient listening mode, and voice assistant integration.
Should you buy them?
The Google Pixel Buds are great earbuds for iPhone users, but they’re overpriced for their performance and have a short battery life compared to the previous pair. The Google Pixels are excellent headphones if you don’t have an iPhone. Except for the open-back design, they’re just as good as Apple’s AirPods.
Google’s Pixel Bud headphones are an excellent audio companion that should improve over time as Google updates them. They also work fine with iPhones, though you’ll miss some finer details. And you can’t change any settings or update the software yourself.
The Pixel Buds are an excellent pair of wireless earbuds that can go the entire workday without needing to be recharged. They have great features, such as a built-in microphone for making hands-free calls, and they’re compatible with Android and iOS devices.
The Google Pixel Buds Pro (199) is an excellent option for199)isanexcellentoptionfor200 if you use an Android phone. If you do not purchase the premium version, you will only get one hour of battery life per charge. It took Google a few tries to get these wireless headphones to look right.
Pixel Buds Pro (PBP): Final Thoughts
The Google Pixel Buds Pros are a great pair of wireless headphones, but at 200, they aren’t cheap compared to other options. Sony’s LinkBuds S and Beats’ Fits Pro offers better sound quality and cost just200,theyaren′tcheapcomparedtootheroptions.Sony′sLinkBudsSandBeats′FitsProoffersbettersoundqualityandcostjust100 and $150, respectively. If you’re looking for affordable headphones, check out our picks for the best budget wireless headphones.
The Pixel earbuds are designed to fit comfortably in the left and right ear canal without feeling loose or slipping. They don’t feel bulky, even when folded up, and they’re effortless to put in your ears. Compared to most earbud designs, I was most impressed by how the Pixel buds fitted my ears and how they differed from most.
They also include some tips, so you don’t have to worry about buying another set of tips. But the real benefit is that these tips were made specifically for the Pixel 2XL, so it makes sense they would fit perfectly. If you’ve got a smaller device, however, you may want to consider buying a few extra pairs of tips to be sure.
One of their most significant selling points is that they work with iOS and Android phones, so you can easily use them interchangeably. They also support Google Assistant and Siri, so you don’t need to pair them separately.
The Pixel Bud Pros are far superior to most other earbuds today. You can tell that their designers put a lot of effort into ensuring everything works well and feels solid enough to withstand daily use. However, the main reason I am recommending them is not what they can do but rather what they don’t do.
The Pixel Buds Pros are great earbuds for iPhone users, but they’re not compatible with every iPhone model out there. If you have an older phone, you might want to buy regular headphones instead or buy a spare pair of tips. They’re made from quality materials and feel good when worn, too.
The Google Pixel Buds offer a unique experience that’s difficult to find elsewhere, and they’re worth checking out if you’re looking for a high-end wireless headphone option. On balance, the earbuds offer good sound quality and decent battery life, and they’re easy to use and comfortable to wear.
FAQ
Which pairs of Pixel Buds are correct for you?
We recommend the Pixel Buds Pro if you want the best sound quality. They have better audio performance and longer battery life and support wireless charging and multi-point pairing.
How does the Pixel Buds Pro compare to the Samsung Galaxy Bud Pro?
The Galaxy Buds Plus is the latest pair of wireless headphones from Samsung and includes some pretty impressive features compared with previous models. They’re waterproof up to 50 meters, use Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.1 technology, and feature a built-in mic and speakerphone. On their downside, they don’t offer Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) like the Pixel Buds+.
Samsung’s new Galaxy Buds are wireless earbuds for Android phones running Marshmallow and above. They’re similar to Apple’s AirPods but cost about half as much (200 versus200versus350) and don’t require an iPhone XS or newer. They also have a charging case and a microUSB-to-USB-C cable so you can charge wirelessly.
