Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 are a great example of what you want when upgrading from one generation of earbuds to the next. They are much lighter, smaller, and more comfortable than before. The active noise cancellation (ANC) and transparency modes have also improved a lot. Plus, these earbuds are strong performers when it comes to battery life.
They can also interact with Gemini, Google’s new AI-powered assistant, allowing you to have easy, free-flowing conversations. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 are priced at $229, which is $30 more than the previous version, but the improvements make the price increase feel reasonable.
A big new feature in these earbuds is Google’s custom-made Tensor A1 chip. This is the first time Google has used its own silicon in the Pixel Buds lineup. Google is highlighting how this chip makes the ANC twice as powerful as before and allows the audio to pass directly to your ears without being affected by the noise cancellation.
However, good audio quality doesn’t mean much if the earbuds won’t stay in your ears. Many people struggled with the original Pixel Buds Pro because they were too bulky and would gradually slip out of place. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 fix this problem with a design that is 27% smaller and 24% lighter. This makes a big difference in how securely they fit. The smaller size, combined with a subtle stabilizer fin, helps the earbuds stay in place during activities like running, eating, and talking. In all my tests, they never came loose.
The noise cancellation on the Pixel Buds Pro 2 is stronger than before. It’s still not quite at the level of Bose, the industry leader, but it does a much better job than the original Pixel Buds Pro at reducing background noise.
Google has made even bigger improvements with the transparency mode, which now almost matches the clarity of Apple’s AirPods Pro. When using transparency mode, it feels like you’re not wearing earbuds at all, though Google hasn’t added features like Apple’s Adaptive Audio or a “loud sound reduction” feature.
When it comes to sound quality, the improvements from the Tensor A1 chip are less obvious. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 sound very clean and crisp, but their default tuning is light on bass. You can use various presets and a custom equalizer to adjust the sound, but overall, I still prefer the sound from other earbuds like Sennheiser’s Momentum True Wireless 4 or the Technics AZ80.
However, those are more expensive at $300, compared to the Pixel Buds Pro 2’s $230 price tag. Google has added a new high-frequency chamber for smoother treble, but the improvements in sound quality are subtle. While the sound is better than the previous model, it’s not a dramatic change.
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 still only support basic Bluetooth codecs like AAC and SBC, which is an area where Google hasn’t made changes. However, I appreciate the Hearing Wellness feature in the Pixel Buds app, which helps you monitor whether your volume is at a safe level.
The earbuds also support true multipoint connectivity, allowing you to connect to multiple devices at once. The earbuds have low latency when used with newer Google phones, but there’s no option to apply this low latency to other devices like the Nintendo Switch or Steam Deck.
One cool feature is the hands-free “Hey Google” voice commands. You can also activate a conversational session with Google’s AI, Gemini Live, by saying, “Hey Google, let’s talk.” This feature allows you to have longer conversations with the AI, but it has some limitations. For example, it can’t set reminders, send text messages, or make phone calls.
It also couldn’t tell me when Election Day was, saying it couldn’t answer “political” questions to avoid giving wrong information. While the idea of an AI assistant in your ear sounds exciting, Gemini Live still has a lot of room for improvement.
Despite the limits of Gemini Live, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 are great earbuds overall. As a tool for accessing Google’s AI, they work well. I didn’t need to speak loudly to get it to understand me, and even though there were some small mistakes in the transcripts, Gemini generally got what I was saying. The earbuds also have excellent voice call performance, thanks to Google’s Clear Calling feature, which uses machine learning to improve voice clarity.
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 also excel in battery life, offering up to eight hours of continuous listening with ANC on and up to 12 hours with it off. When you include the charging case, that extends to 30 or 48 hours, respectively. If you listen at a high volume, the battery life will be a bit shorter, but Google’s estimates are pretty accurate.
Nowadays, the phone you use often influences which earbuds you’ll buy, but fortunately, Google, Apple, and Samsung are all releasing top-tier products. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 are a great example of this, even though Gemini Live still has some kinks to work out. Everywhere else, Google has made real improvements.
