Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 Review

Our Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 Experience

The Pixel Buds have a flat, almost egg-shaped case that is one of the tiniest we've ever seen (though not the smallest Google case). It fits almost anywhere, but the super small size could make holding it tricky for some. It is easy to open, and the smooth matte exterior isn't slippery. The back features a small oblong pairing button, and the front has a round LED light that illuminates when you open the lid. The buds sit partway into the case and secure with a slight magnetic pull.

These buds pair almost automagically with any device nearby once you pull one from the case. When we pulled one bud loose, it paired with an iPhone streaming Netflix and overrode the buds we had been using.

Touch controls on the buds include tapping once to play or pause music, as well as answer or end phone calls. Swiping left and right adjusts the volume, and holding either earbud button activates/deactivates noise cancellation. You can chat directly with Google Assistant, send texts, or request real-time language translations (only on Android). Pairing these buds with an Android phone might be particularly useful for those who expect to travel to areas where the language isn't their own. While not perfect, it's better than most translator apps.

A smooth, non-tacky matte finish makes these earbuds soft and easy to grip. They feel clean and smooth, even when sweaty. They don't cause ear fatigue, even after hours of wear. It comes with four silicone tips that are easy to change, and the smallest are suitable for little ears. The app's Eartip Seal Check feature (available only for Android users) makes finding a good fit easier, but we didn't have any trouble even without the feature when paired with an iPhone.

These are some of the most stable earbuds we've tested. A small wing on the side gently rests behind the small ridge above your earlobe. The wings hold the buds in place without pressure; we didn't even feel them. We wore them at the gym and on runs and didn't experience any drops or dislodging. The buds are rated IP54, which makes them relatively resistant to dust and splashes of moisture, be it light rain, mist, or sweat.

The Pixel Buds minimized distractions, helping us focus, but they fell just short of the leading ANC earbuds. We thought they did a great job at drowning out the chaos of an open-space office, busy cafe, and even clanging weights at the gym.

They have a transparency mode, but it wasn't our favorite, as it creates a fan-like humming sound. However, it did help us stay more aware of our surroundings when awareness was needed. Transparency mode is also automatically turned on when the buds detect conversations. As long as you don't talk to yourself, this feature works pretty well. However, we didn't like the transparency mode, so having it turn on automatically wasn't ideal.

Our Analysis and Test Results

Sound Quality

The Pro 2 earbuds have a rich, clean sound that allows the listener to experience the texture of each instrument and voice while enjoying their combined efforts. The mix is solid, but we enjoyed the robust bass tones the most. Its strong presence demands attention without stomping on the higher frequencies.

The mids are bouncy and vibrant, and the treble tones are clear and detailed, resulting in a delightful sound that makes us want to dance. The full mids and strong lows create an impact that works well with emotive R&B and Hip Hop. In MAVI's “The Giver,” the piano serves as a warm and rich accompaniment to the rhythmic lyrics and silky layers of background vocals. The drums maintain a punchy presence over the lower, sustained bass tones and deep synths. The bass is exceptionally warm and punchy, with a silky smooth sheen that enhances favorite songs, whether classical, hard rock, or bass-heavy EDM.

The mids are full and developed, with an impressive range of tones and textures. Instruments sound realistic and true to their natural timbre, with enough clarity and detail to separate them. In “Helplessly Hoping” by Crosby, Stills, and Nash, the powerful vocals and exquisite harmonies from 0:13 to 0:45 are genuinely stunning. The treble frequencies deliver a clean, crisp sound with a remarkably natural quality. The guitar solo in Led Zeppelin's “Stairway to Heaven” is striking, with the guitarist's powerful high notes cutting through the smashing cymbals.

More emphasis could help the high notes sparkle, and consistency is a problem. In older recordings, the high notes can become sharper at higher volumes, and some clarity is lost, with high notes feeling masked by the mids and lows. In “It Ain't No Fun to Me” by Al Green, the vocals seem veiled behind the percussion and bass. The Pro 2 earbuds deliver excellent clarity across all volume levels, even at the highest settings. And they can get loud. Some testers listened a few clicks above the midline, as lower levels felt too quiet.

We plotted the Pixel Buds Pro 2 frequency response curve and compared it to our GearLab House Curve. The most notable differences from the original Pixel are slightly less emphasized bass tones below 75 Hertz (Hz) and a slight peak shift in the boundary between the mid and treble frequencies. The highest frequencies also follow our curve closer than the original. The result is an earbud that sounds somewhat better.

Soundstage

The Pixel Buds Pro 2 give music space to shine. They create a soaring stage with an exceptional stereo spread for an immersive experience. It's better, larger, and more nuanced than previous versions. All that space makes it easy to find and follow an instrument or vocal riff. In Rush's “The Spirit of Radio,” the lyrics from 0:41 to 0:55 stand impressively apart from the dynamic bass lines, intricate guitar work, and complex rhythms.

Listening to “Ivy” by Leon Bridges is an open and expansive experience. Bridge's vocals remain clear and centered amidst the mellow, warm instrumentals, especially when his voice layers in velvety harmonies. At the 1:53 mark, the sound springs to life as lower bass tones grow beneath swirling vocals and the mellow warmth of the banjo and guitars. The clear separation between instruments allows for the appreciation of each texture, providing remarkable clarity in the overall harmony. These earbuds truly whisked us away.

Comfort and Fit

The Pixel Buds Pro 2 are comfortable and secure. Google has shaved 0.05 ounces off the original for a lighter 0.17 oz bud. The shape slides seamlessly into ear contours, feeling unobtrusive and breathable.

They are more comfortable than the average bud, and our testers could wear them for up to 8.5 hours straight without fatigue. This is one of the longest durations in the group.

Noise Cancellation

The Pixel Buds Pro 2 earbuds aren't the top-performing active noise cancelling (ANC) earbuds, but only a handful manage to perform better. For the price, they are impressive.

The Pixel reduces mid- and bass-range frequencies by at least 20 decibels and over 30 decibels in specific ranges. In the treble range, where passive isolation does more work, they lower sounds by at least 15 decibels.

App Features

We love the Pixel Pro's straightforward app. Android users can download the Google Pixel Buds app to customize their experience, but Apple users are limited and lose some features, as there is no similar Apple app. The earbuds still pair easily with Apple devices, and the factory settings sound so good that many won't miss the app.

The app offers adjustments to the frequency response curve, featuring five default settings and manual adjustability for the frequency bands. Additionally, there's a spatial audio and head-tracking setting for an even more immersive experience. The app also includes the ability to help locate lost earbuds and turn active noise cancellation and transparency mode on/off. Multipoint connectivity enables seamless switching between devices, and a conversation detection feature automatically pauses the music and shifts to transparency mode when it detects a voice nearby.

Battery Life

The Pixels played for 10 hours straight at 75% of their max volume without the Active Noise Cancelation (ANC) running. With ANC, the battery life would likely be shorter, as it uses more energy when ANC is enabled.

While impressive, it's not as long as the 12 hours Google claims or the 11 hours of the first generation. Still, it is higher than the average battery life in the group, and it should get most people through the day with maybe a quick charge to push across the finish line. The case offers three additional charges, and five minutes inside the case provides 1.5 more hours, helping ensure favorite tunes continue for gym motivation.

Call Quality

These buds handle phone calls well in quiet settings, but their performance deteriorates as ambient noise levels increase. However, they are still better than the average earbud and ones we'd happily use for meetings or regular calls in ordinary environments.

The louder and more frenetic subway was a challenge for the Pixel. They managed to decrease the ambient sounds to a reasonable volume, but the voices sound like they are coming from far away or have an echo. Understanding the female voice required more concentration than the male voice, and although we were able to understand them, we wouldn't want to chat for long under these conditions.