When I first set up the new Google Pixel Buds Pro 2, it almost immediately struck me just how much they’re like the AirPods Pro for the Google ecosystem.
They’re the ideal wireless earbuds if you’re fully into Google’s devices, whether that’s the new Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, 9 Pro Fold, a Pixel Tablet or Google’s smartwatches. These fit into the range perfectly. Small, sleek, and packed with features, these earbuds are designed to seamlessly integrate into Google’s revamped product lineup, in exactly the same way that Apple’s AirPods do for iOS users.
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 are impressively 27% smaller and 1.5g lighter than their predecessors, but it’s not just about size — the noise cancellation is powerful too, almost doubling in strength from the first generation and easily rivalling what you’d expect from premium competitors. The sound quality is topnotch as well, thanks to Google’s custom Tensor A1 chip. And, the onbud controls and gestures are spoton. They’re intuitive to use with customisable swipes and touches.
There are exclusive features too, like the Gemini AI integration, allowing you to talk with Google’s virtual assistant handsfree. And they have spatial audio with head tracking on Pixel phones too, for a more immersive experience when watching films. While they work with any Android device and can pair with an iPhone if you want, it’s clear these are best set up with a Pixel smartphone. My review below goes through the comfort, design, sound quality and more.
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 earbuds: At a glance
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2
Cons
No app for iPhone users- Quite pricey
- Case picks up marks and dust
Key specifications
| Noisecancelling | Yes |
|---|---|
| Battery life | 30 hours (8 hours on a single charge) |
| Charging | USBC and wireless charging |
| Weight | 4.7g per earbud (56g with the case) |
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 earbuds: Comfort and design
These buds are absolutely tiny. They’re probably the smallest flagship earbuds out there right now and even if they’re comparable, they just feel smaller than the rival models from Apple and Samsung, and they’re way more mini than hifi rivals from the likes of Technics and Bowers & Wilkins. I’m a big fan.
The major benefit of this shrunkendown design is comfort. A smaller and lighter build means you’re less likely to notice them and you’ll be able to wear them for hours and hours on end. Weighing only 4.7g per bud makes them lighter than Samsung’s Buds 3 Pro or Apple’s AirPods Pro 2, and you can tell that they feel much less intrusive.
They also have a subtle stabiliser wing — it gives you a more secure fit that feels locked in place and there are customisable tips (including an extrasmall pair) that’ll mean they won’t budge while in use. And they’re waterresistant too with the same IP rating as the AirPods Pro 2. This means that both the buds and the charging case can handle splashes from all directions, making them ideal for use outdoors and during workouts.
The design of the charging case is modelled on a pebble and it feels great in my hands. It has a welldesigned hinge with a satisfying click when you shut it, and they’re overall a minimalist and practical pair of earbuds. Oh, and before I forget, you’re not stuck with one colour like you are from certain companies. These come in aesthetic shades to match the colours of the new Pixel range: Hazel, Porcelain, Wintergreen, or Peony. I’m testing out Wintergreen and I love the look of them.
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 earbuds: Battery life
Battery life on the Pixel Buds Pro 2 is one of their strong points. They deliver up to eight hours of continuous playback with active noise cancellation (ANC) enabled, and up to 12 hours with ANC off. I couldn’t help but compare that to the AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation that I’ve been testing lately too, and the Pixel pair offer twice the battery life on a single charge, absolutely outmatching the AirPods (which weigh slightly more too).
When you factor in the extra battery in the charging case, the total battery life extends to an impressive 30 hours with ANC and up to 48 hours without it. The buds feature Google’s new Tensor A1 chip, which helps with efficiency and powers enhanced noise cancellation and other smart features. This chip allows for twice the noise cancellation of the previous generation, along with better integration with Gemini and Google Assistant, as well as realtime language translation.
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 earbuds: Features
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 have some special features that you can set up in the “Pixel Buds” app (only on Android), including automatic switching between compatible devices (in addition to Bluetooth multipoint connectivity for two simultaneous connections) and the ability to locate them using the Find My Device app if you should go missing.
You get an ear tip fit test, conversation detection (which switches to transparency mode when you talk), equaliser profiles and customisations (if you want more bass or more vocal clarity, for example), spatial audio setup (more on that in the next section) and a hearing wellness area in the app where you can see your high volume exposure over the last seven days. Confusingly, you still can’t set up a volume limit, though.
The other big selling point is handsfree Google Gemini access. If you say “Hey Google” you’re able to get immediate access to Gemini for quick questions like setting reminders or getting a weather update. If you say “Hey Google, let’s talk” instead, you start a conversation with Gemini Live. This allows for a freeflowing conversation with the assistant and works really well if you’ve got lots of questions you want to ask and want the ability to interrupt and correct yourself just like you’re talking to a real person. I’m impressed at how well this works.
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 earbuds: Sound quality and noisecancelling
Google has also significantly upgraded the sound quality of the Pixel Buds Pro 2. On the inside, they’re equipped with customdesigned 11mm dynamic drivers powered by the Tensor A1 chip mentioned in the previous section. Despite being very compact, this is an impressive setup for audio performance and it doesn’t disappoint.
For all the tracks and podcasts I tested, I found the Pro buds delivered rich and wellbalanced sound with excellent clarity that puts them right up there with the AirPods Pro 2. Google has stuck with the same Bluetooth codecs as the predecessor for these buds but that shouldn’t be a concern. Even with highresolution music streaming services (I used Qobuz while testing), you’d struggle to tell the difference, and I find that complex songs with multiple layers — like Queen’s ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ and ‘Running Up That Hill’ by Kate Bush — sound brilliant through these. They’re great for all genres and all content, with nothing leaping out as a notable downside.
These include spatial audio for surround sound within your earbuds — once switched on it’ll work within compatible apps and content, instead of you needing to turn it on and off each time (just like AirPods). It’s not a simple 360degree effect, too, as the Pixel Buds Pro 2 also support spatial audio with headtracking, for more realistic immersion when watching films, TV shows or music mixed in Dolby Atmos. I tested this out by watching compatible TV programmes on Disney+ and found the effect highly impressive, a lot like it is on Apple’s AirPods.
Of course, improved noise cancellation further enhances the sound quality by blocking out and silencing external distractions. My tests involve using the buds within challenging environments for ANC, like in the loud London Underground trains, busy cafes, our bustling offices and while walking around city streets. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 are excellent. I really can’t hear a big difference between these and the AirPods Pro 2, which are some of the best noisecancellers out there. There is still a slight step up when you pick a Bose pair, as Bose leads the way for ANC, but these get you more than 95% of the way to that performance.
Good Housekeeping’s verdict on the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2
The Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 are on the pricier side for earbuds, but at £219 they’re competitive with some of the key rivals and it’s clear that Google has waited to include several upgrades in this new pair. The improved fit and smaller size make a big difference, and they’re comfortable to wear for a long time. They’re easy to control, packed with extras, sound brilliant, and cancel loads of noise and background distractions, which makes them a great choice for travel. And they also offer a better battery life than several notable alternatives.
Overall, I’m highly impressed by the new Pixel Buds Pro 2. The downsides are limited to the price, the lack of iPhone compatibility and the cases’s tendency to pick up slight marks and smudges. These are minor, though. They’d be my first recommendation not only to Pixel fans looking for a pair of earphones to go with their handset but to all Android users after compact and stylish buds that deliver all the integrations and features that Apple users get from AirPods Pro.
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 earbuds: Other products to consider
There’s a huge amount of competition in the world of wireless earbuds and headphones in 2024, and that means you can often find a pair that does everything you want at a lower price, or spend a lot more for loads of highend features.
If you use an iPhone, I’d always recommend considering the noisecancelling AirPods Pro 2 before any other options, because they’re so seamlessly connected into Apple’s overall “ecosystem” of devices. And, on the other hand, Samsung’s new Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are probably the ones to go for if you’ve got a Samsung phone, as they also have a few exclusive features just for Samsung users.
If you’re less focused on buying the earbuds that match the brand of smartphone you’ve got, it’s worth considering that the Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds offer the best noisecancelling I’ve heard, while the Jabra Elite 10 Gen 2 comes very close and is very comfortable. At lower prices, I recommend the JBL Live Beam 3, Nothing Ear, Nothing Ear (a) and Sony WFC700N, with the latter two options going for under £100, making them great value.
Simon Cocks is Hearst UK’s Technology Ecommerce Editor, overseeing tech shopping content and strategy across a range of titles including Good Housekeeping UK, Esquire UK, Digital Spy, Men’s Health UK and Women’s Health UK.
Simon specialises in testing the latest smart gadgets, home entertainment gear, headphones, speakers, portable chargers, radios, ebook readers and smartphones. He’s reviewed top tech products from brands including Google, Apple, Amazon, JBL and Bose.
A magazine journalism graduate from Kingston University in 2014, Simon also worked on the Discovery and Silkroad inflight magazines. He then gained experience writing about entertainment at SFX and Total Film. He also contributed reviews and interviews to TwitchFilm (later ScreenAnarchy), CultBox and Frame Rated.
He joined Good Housekeeping UK as the Editorial Assistant for Special Projects and was part of Good Housekeeping’s Consumer Affairs Team between 2014 and 2019. In this role, he conducted price comparison research, wrote detailed household and moneysaving advice guides and edited thousands of indepth reviews for the Good Housekeeping Institute.
He has focused on technology and gadgets since 2020, where he started by testing out power banks and instant cameras. He writes reviews, roundups, news articles and deals updates, and also covers top tech deals during sales like Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
When not testing out the latest gizmos, you’ll find Simon either catching up with the newest releases at his local cinema or out shooting with his beloved compact camera.You can follow Simon on Instagram at @simonrcocks, on Threads at @simonrcocks, and on Twitter/X at @simoncocks.
