Google Pixel Buds Pro Review: Good but Not Great

Google's new Pixel Buds Pro are yet another pair of wireless earbuds atop a gigantic pile of already available options. So what do the Pixel Buds Pro offer that other tiny ones don't? Not much. The earbuds do feature Google Assistant, but that feature requires a paired Android 6.0 device or later. (Otherwise the Pixel Buds Pro should work with any other Bluetooth device, iOS included.)

Retailing for about $200, the Pixel Buds Pro compete directly against Sony's Linkbuds S and play in the same space as Apple's AirPods Pro. After spending several days with the audio product, I was less impressed than I expected to be. There's little here that makes them feel unique or stand out above the competition.

The crux of the problem is that Google's Pixel Buds Pro are good, but not great. Music sounded solid but didn't outperform other earbuds in the same class. The touch controls were convenient while I sat at my desk, but they let me down when I went running. There are plenty of reasons to like this product, but it's hard to come up with reasons to buy them over others.

TL;DR

Pros:

• Comfortable fit
• Very good microphone performance

Cons:

• Less secure in-ear while running or sweating

Buy at Google.

Pixel Buds Pro Features

Google's new Pixel Buds Pro feature active noise cancellation (ANC). I thought they fared well in their ability to block out distracting sounds. On the flip side, a transparency mode can be toggled so they don't feel like they're sealing you off from your surroundings. Both modes performed well enough to be useful.

With ANC on, you can expect 7 hours of listening time and 20 hours in total with the charging case. With ANC off, the listening time rises to 11 hours and 31 hours in total. The case can be recharged wirelessly or using a USB-C cable.

The battery life estimates Google provides are impressive. Even using the earbuds for several hours daily, I couldn't deplete them during my nearly week-long pre-release review period. If you want to wear these all day long for work, that shouldn't be a problem.

I liked the way the Pixel Buds Pro fit. They slid in and sat snuggly, as if they were made for my ears. I felt no fatigue or pressure from the earbuds. It's hard to guess how these will work for other people, but I enjoyed wearing them while at my desk or casually walking around.

There are three microphones on each earbud. This contributes to the excellent call quality I experienced while testing. In addition to asking people how well they could hear me on the phone, I recorded audio of my voice and thought it came across very natural. Each earbud also includes an 11-millimeter driver to provide well-rounded sound.

I went through a lot of familiar songs to get a sense of how music sounded on Pixel Buds Pro. The bass was rich with plenty of punch, but it wasn't explosive. There was enough clarity throughout the mid- and high-end frequency ranges. Songs were dynamic and full. I also watched an episode of Westworld with the earbuds, and dialogue was clear, while sound effects were immersive.

The default sound profile should suit most people's preferences, but there is an adjustable EQ if you have your own ideas about the finer details. I didn't think there was anything to complain about in terms of how audio resonated, but the Pixel Buds Pro also weren't noticeably exceptional compared to similarly priced products.

The responsive, and generally helpful Google Assistant is pretty much the lone feature that would convince me to recommend these earbuds over a number of other choices. But someone would need to specify they wanted that ability first.

To clarify, I was more than satisfied with the quality of Google Assistant on the Pixel Buds Pro. I simply remain convinced it's a niche feature, especially because it needs to be connected to an Android device. I couldn't summon Google when I went running with only the earbuds and my Apple Watch, for instance.

Pixel Buds Pro worked fine paired directly to my Apple Watch without any technical problems. I did experience problems with the touch controls while on a run. The small earbuds felt insecure in my ears as sweat began to roll down my head. When I tried to adjust them for a better fit, the volume changed, the audio paused, and the mode switched from transparency to ANC. A lot went sideways in a short amount of time.

I liked the abundance of touch controls in one place, including being able to skip tracks and adjust the volume, but it was hard to do reliably while out exercising. I had almost no problems manipulating the touch controls when I sat at my desk.

Pixel Buds Pro Compared With Pixel Buds A-Series

Pixel Buds Pro, at $199.99, aren't Google's only earbuds. Pixel Buds A-Series are its entry-level product and retail for $99.99. The extra hundred dollars for the Pros gets you, in short, ANC, longer battery life and a wireless charging case. There's also the benefit of Google Assistant, too, but I'm not sure this feature is more of a differentiator than those other things.

The models' earbuds are different in physical shape, as well. The A-Series have a protruding rubber tip, or wing. This attribute will keep it more secure for fitness activities, but in prior testing I found it to cause discomfort in my ears. Again, fit is tricky to prescribe over the internet, but between these two earbuds, I would pick Pixel Buds Pro strictly based on their feel. Otherwise, I think the A-Series provide good enough sound to be a solid value for its $100 price point.

Should You Buy Google's Pixel Buds Pro?

I've been very happy with Pixel Buds Pro during my time with them. They've been extremely comfortable, and the music I listened to has all sounded wonderful. Anyone who dives in and takes the plunge with these wireless earbuds should have a great experience, too.

With a $200 retail price, however, they simply fade into a sea of other similar products. I wish the cost was significantly lower or that there was a particularly notable feature to justify their premium price.

Buy at Google for $199.99.

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