Pixel Buds Pro review: Google’s best earbuds yet

In each 2020 and 2021, Google debuted new variations of its Pixels Buds, the second of which was a $99 mannequin with a great deal of options. For the third 12 months in a row, the corporate has new true wi-fi earbuds, however this time it added a key function: lively noise cancellation (ANC). With the Pixel Buds Pro ($200), Google lastly has earbuds that cowl the entire bases, so it shouldn’t actually be a shock that they’re additionally the corporate’s greatest but.

Design

The Pixel Buds Professional seem like the extra mature sibling of the earlier two fashions. The place the Pixel Buds (2020) and Pixel Buds A-Collection had been each round with an eartip off one aspect and a “stabilizer arc” off the opposite, the Pixel Buds Professional are extra of an oval form. That match wing on the again is gone, however the form of this new model suits properly within the contours of the ear. Though they don’t have that additional stabilizer, I by no means had any points with them jostling unfastened at an inopportune time. Plus, they’re nonetheless fairly small, and tuck in securely with out the necessity of extra elements.

There’s nonetheless an outlined circle on the skin of this IPX4-rated Professional mannequin, and that’s the place the earbuds settle for faucets and swipes for the on-board controls. These are mirrored on either side, with single (play/pause), double (skip tracks ahead) and triple faucets (skip tracks backward) because the actions. An extended press will alternate between ANC and transparency modes whereas swiping forwards or backwards adjusts the amount.

That lengthy press motion will be configured to summon Google Assistant, if you happen to favor to not activate it with a spoken cue. What’s extra, you don’t should mirror that possibility, so you’ll be able to have Assistant on one aspect and ANC controls on the opposite. For the sound modes, you’ll be able to add a 3rd possibility that turns each ANC and transparency mode off, however by default, it would solely toggle between noise canceling and ambient sound.

The IPX2-rated charging case is sort of equivalent to the one which got here with the A-Collection. The primary distinction is the within doesn’t match the colour of the earbuds and the one for the Professional mannequin is a smidge bigger. Google moved the standing mild from contained in the case on the 2020 mannequin to the skin in 2021, so that you didn’t should open it to see the battery ranges. It’s on the skin right here as nicely, with the pairing button round again and the USB-C port on the underside edge. Flicking open the flat circular-shaped holder together with your thumb remains to be satisfying and the compact dimension is definitely tucked right into a small pocket for transport.

Software program and options

Google makes use of a six-core audio chip that’s powered by its personal algorithms for lively noise cancellation. The corporate has additionally added a function referred to as Silent Seal that maximizes blocking and minimizes any sound leaks. The software can adapt to your ear form when ANC is on, with sensors that “continuously” monitor the strain and relieve it to maintain issues cozy. All of this combines to do a stable job battling fixed noise like a sound machine or human voices and cackling cartoons on TV.

Transparency mode, nonetheless, might use some work. Google says the Pixel Buds Professional “course of a variety of frequencies” to maintain issues sounding “pure.” Throughout my checks, that wasn’t the case. Positive, the ambient sound possibility permits you to hear what’s occurring round you, nevertheless it’s removed from pure. It’s muffled, so that you’re acutely conscious you’ve earbuds shoved in your ears. And for that reason, it’s simple to lift your voice throughout a fast dialog.

On Pixel telephones, the Pixel Buds app is system-level software program that’s accessible via the Bluetooth menu. Merely faucet on the gear icon subsequent to the earbuds’ title and also you’ll get entry to every little thing. There’s additionally a shortcut possibility within the widgets menu, if going into settings is an excessive amount of. This lets you get to the Pixel Buds Professional options with a single faucet. On non-Pixel Android gadgets, you’ll must obtain a standalone Google Pixel Buds app from the Play Retailer, however the options are the identical.

Inside, you’ll get battery percentages for each earbuds individually. The extent for the case additionally seems when the buds are related, however nonetheless docked inside. Under which are choices for fine-tuning Google Assistant, discovering misplaced earbuds, contact controls, sound modes, an eartip seal examine and extra. You can even flip automated audio switching between Android gadgets on and off, ditto for multipoint connectivity for iOS, laptops and extra. Below the sound possibility, there’s the flexibility to pick ANC, transparency mode and off, in addition to the choice to disable Quantity EQ (extra on that in a bit). The Pixel Buds app additionally enables you to go for HD audio and whether or not or not you need to use them for calls and media audio.

Google permits you to disable a variety of these options as nicely, together with issues like in-ear detection (automated pausing), contact controls and even Assistant. Most firms will allow you to flip one or two of those off, however Google provides you the flexibility to go with out even its handiest objects ought to the necessity come up.

Talking of Assistant, hands-free entry returns once you say “Hey Google.” Just like the way in which Apple enables you to summon Siri with out urgent a button on AirPods, this works precisely such as you’d count on. You may have Assistant learn out notifications for as many apps as you want or you’ll be able to restrict it to only a few. Google Translate remains to be right here as nicely, providing “real-time” assist in over 40 languages through Dialog Mode. Merely ask Google Assistant to “assist me converse French,” for instance, or you’ll be able to open the Translate app on to assist. It is a helpful function, and the textual content translation seems in real-time, however the spoken model through Assistant is barely delayed. This pause would make an in-person dialog a bit awkward, particularly if you happen to aren’t your cellphone. However, it would provide help to in a pinch.

One gripe I’ve with the Pixel Buds Professional is with what must be a easy job: pairing. The Pixel 6a I used to check the earbuds acknowledges the case is open in about three seconds, displaying a notification on the prime of the display screen. Even when I put the buds in instantly, they’re nonetheless not totally paired, and I needed to faucet the notification to enter the Pixel Buds app after which faucet as soon as extra on “Join.” If the Pixel 6a was the final gadget I used the earbuds with, this could occur mechanically – no extra faucets required. Or, on the very least, I ought to have the ability to totally join them from the notification.

Sound high quality

Each the Pixel Buds (2020) and A-Collection lacked ample low-end. The latter had a bass increase possibility to assist issues, nevertheless it was an all or nothing setting and it nonetheless wasn’t nice. Neither set of earbuds had presets or a guide EQ both. On the Pixel Buds Professional, Google has remedied this drawback, as its newest model has pleasantly punchy bass throughout a variety of genres. Whether or not it’s a quick kick drum in Shane Smith & The Saints’ mixture of nation and rock, the synth-driven pop hooks of Charli XCX or the booming beats of Kendrick Lamar, what the corporate has carried out with the bass right here is spectacular. It stays clear and tight, and it by no means turns into overbearing.

Google has additionally carried out nicely to breed delicate particulars. Even within the chaos of Underoath’s Voyeurist, the feel of drums, the grit of distorted guitars and the nuance of the singer’s deep growl are all simply distinguishable. Not solely are they there, they’re dynamic. Total, the audio is massive and open, so when a observe is supposed to be hovering and atmospheric, like elements of “Thorn” on Voyeurist, you get that impact. Not all earbud firms can muster this, however Google does an excellent job conserving issues spacious even when they aren’t “spatial”… but.

Talking of, the one massive function that isn’t prepared for the Pixel Buds Professional but is spatial audio. Google says it plans to replace the earbuds to help immersive sound this fall, providing it for motion pictures and TV exhibits on appropriate Pixel telephones. Particulars are scarce at this level, however I count on the corporate could have much more to say about it when the time comes. The function might arrive with the Pixel 7 and Android 13, each of which must also debut round that point. And hopefully a few of that information has to do with music.

A brand new function Google has added to the Pixel Buds Professional known as Quantity EQ. Principally, the tuning adapts once you alter the loudness, so “highs, mids and lows are balanced and nuanced at any quantity.” The corporate explains that this lets you hear each facet of a track even at a low stage. Quantity EQ does a stable job there, and maybe probably the most spectacular half is how the bass stays punchy once you flip the sound down. Vocals come via clear and subtlety in guitar tones are nonetheless distinguishable within the combine.

Name high quality

Google makes some lofty claims about “crystal clear” calls on the Pixel Buds Professional. Most headphone firms do that, and the precise outcomes can range vastly from what’s on paper. Google says massive microphone openings on the skin are lined with mesh to attenuate wind noise. Beamforming mics on the within work alongside a voice pickup unit (bone conduction) so that you will be heard in noisy environments.

In follow, issues are simply okay. Voice high quality is first rate, nevertheless it’s not the clearest I’ve skilled on earbuds by any means. There was even a fuzziness to the audio throughout a video name in Meet. And whereas the Pixel Buds Professional do an honest job blocking fixed rumbling, like a garments dryer or noise machine, they’re not nearly as good with issues like TV sound and voices. Google might additionally enhance efficiency right here if it fed your voice again via the earbuds, to maintain you from feeling such as you’re shouting despite the fact that transparency mode is lively throughout calls.

Battery life

Google is promising as much as seven hours of listening time with lively noise cancellation enabled and as much as 11 hours with it turned off. With a totally charged case, the corporate says you’ll be able to count on one other 13 hours of ANC use or 20 extra hours with out it. What’s extra, Google has included wi-fi charging, a function that was lacking from final 12 months’s Pixel Buds A-Collection after the corporate supplied it in its massive 2020 redesign. Lastly, there is a quick-charge function that offers you one hour of ANC listening time in 5 minutes.

Throughout my checks, these numbers had been almost spot-on with actual world efficiency. With ANC on, I got here 10 minutes wanting Google’s score. Provided that neither of the earlier two Pixel Buds fashions had lively noise cancellation, Google has greater than doubled the non-ANC listening time right here and I managed simply shy of the acknowledged 11 hours. You’ll even get two extra hours than these two units of buds even with ANC turned on, so the corporate has clearly improved issues with regards to battery life for its most premium mannequin.

The competitors

Whereas it could be engaging to match Pixel Buds Professional to AirPods Pro, the 2 units of earbuds aren’t actually direct opponents. Apple and Google are catering to their respective prospects, reserving probably the most engaging options to individuals who personal iOS and Android gadgets. Nevertheless, a fast run down the options checklist will point out Google has checked almost each field Apple does for $50 cheaper (at full value). The one actual omission is spatial audio, which Google plans to introduce quickly.

As soon as once more, Samsung’s Galaxy Buds line is a greater foil for Pixel Buds. Although Samsung catered closely to iOS customers prior to now, its current earbuds give the perks to the Android devoted. 2021’s Galaxy Buds Professional supply good sound high quality, ANC and a number of other different helpful options, however with solely 5 hours of battery life (eight hours with out lively noise cancellation or Bixby voice instructions). Galaxy Buds Pro had been additionally $200 at launch, although we’ve seen them for $125. What’s extra, Samsung has an Unpacked occasion arising subsequent month the place we are going to in all probability see a brand new mannequin. So if you happen to’re contemplating the corporate’s earbuds as a substitute for Google, I’d suggest ready a few weeks earlier than making a last choice.

Wrap-up

Google’s greatest earbuds but are additionally its most full package deal up to now. All the options that made 2020’s redesigned Pixel Buds and the A-Collection follow-up such compelling choices for Android customers, particularly Pixel house owners, are again. And whereas the Pixel Buds Pro are $20 greater than what we received two years in the past, the 2022 model is way improved. Energetic noise cancellation and the refined sound high quality are equally spectacular, and nicely price the additional cash. So long as Google can ship spatial audio rapidly and it really works nicely, the one factor missing is name high quality, which might not be a dealbreaker for you.