Google Pixel Buds Pro: one-minute review
Google Pixel Buds Pro feature active noise cancellation (ANC), decent audio, multipoint Bluetooth and a comfy design.
They offer an Apple AirPods Pro style experience for Android users thanks to seamless integration with the Google Assistant smarts.
You also get Intuitive touch controls for adjusting volume and switching tracks, not to mention wireless charging, an IPX4 water-resistant design and a compact charging case that feels premium.
READ MORE: Google Pixel 6a review: an excellent mid-range-price smartphone
And the battery life is excellent.
Pros
Ultra-comfortable
Decent active noise cancellation
Lengthy battery life
Multi device connectivity
Hands-free Google Assistant access
Cons
Transparency mode isn’t as good as it could be
No support for advanced Bluetooth codecs
Mic quality could still use some work
No EQ at launch
Google Pixel Buds Pro: full review
Google Pixel Buds Pro cost €119 more than the most recent Pixel Buds A-Series and work with any standard Bluetooth device, including PCs and iPhones, but come with an array of special features for Android users.
These are the fourth set of Pixel earphones and the first with the Pro moniker and noise cancellation.
I very much enjoyed Pixel Buds 2 which were succeeded by the much more affordable and acclaimed A-Series that used the same audio drivers as Pixel Buds 2 but fixed other niggles such as dropouts.
According to Google, Pixel Buds Pro utilise a custom six-core audio chip that powers the active noise cancellation system, and custom 11mm audio drivers with Google tuning.
Design, build and comfort
They are larger than Google’s Pixel Buds A-Series earbuds but have a similarly discrete look and feel and don’t protrude much from your ear.
When not in use they magnetically clip into their compact flip-top charging case
They come in four colours – charcoal, lemongrass, coral and fog – with a minimalist design. There’s just a subtle G on the outside of the bud to indicate they are made by Google.
The earbuds are held in place with a traditional silicone tip, and you get three sizes included in the box.
They feel super secure and are comfortable to wear even for extended periods.
One notable feature is that even when using ANC you don’t get the plugged-in feeling of other earphones.
Audio quality
Pixel Buds Pro are Google’s most sonically supreme earbuds yet, a rather pleasing everyday set of earphones.
Audio from a range of sources is rich and defined with excellent separation even on complex tracks.
Bottom end is punchy, mids are well-rounded and highs are crisp and detailed.
They only support the SBC and AAC codecs, but I’ve been surprised by how well they sound.
Audio is not quite at the high level of Sennheiser’s Momentum True Wireless 3 or Sony’s WF1000xM4 but they both cost quite a bit more.
A Volume EQ feature purports to automatically adjust your EQ as you increase or decrease volume. It seems to just turn up or down bass and treble in relation to the volume, so at quiet volumes those frequencies are boosted and at louder volumes those frequencies are lowered.
Google said it will add a five-band equaliser and spatial audio for immersive movie surround sound in firmware updates this year.
ANC
The active noise cancellation (ANC) is similarly pleasing, reducing most low rumbles (including in-flight), road noise and cooling fans.
They struggle a little with higher frequencies such as keyboard clicks or babies crying on flights.
When out walking or running, you will encounter wind noise.
The ambient awareness (transparency) mode is pleasing but not quite as effective as the same feature on Apple’s best-in-class AirPods Pro or Sony’s LinkBuds S.
On the whole, the ANC is pleasing and impactful but falls a little short of both AirPods Pro and Sony’s WF1000xM4.
Controls
The cap of the bud is touch sensitive and the gesture controls are excellent.
Tap once to pause or play, twice and thrice to skip tracks, or hold to turn on or off noise cancelling.
Swipe forwards and backwards for volume control, which is most welcome.
Battery life
Pixel Buds Pro last for up to seven hours of playback with noise cancellation turned on, and this is superior to many other earphones.
You get a total of 20 hours of playback including the case.
A five-minute quick charge of the earbuds adds an hour of playback.
Connectivity
Pixel Buds Pro are Bluetooth 5.0 earphones, supporting the standard SBC and AAC audio formats and Google’s Fast Pair with Android.
They support seamless switching between paired devices and multipoint for connecting to two devices simultaneously, such as a phone and a laptop.
This means when your earphones are connected to your laptop and a call comes in on your phone, they will automatically switch to your phone when you answer the call.
Google Assistant
Google Assistant is a key feature, but it only works with Android devices.
Touch and hold one of the earbuds or use the Hey Google wake-up phrase and your Assistant can read notifications and messages, send replies, control music playback, adjust volume, deliver directions from Google Maps and perform real-time live translation with Google Translate.
Other features
Call quality was decent, sounding clear even in noisy environments, with only a little background noise reported by those I tested this feature out with.
Pixel Buds Pro have in-ear detection, so your audio content pauses when you take out the buds and resumes when you reinsert them.
The case is IPX2 rated for water resistance and the buds are rated IPX4. The X is both instances mean they have not been tested for dust resistance.
Google Pixel Buds Pro verdict
These earphones are among the best you can buy for less than €220.
They sit alongside Sony's LinkBuds S (€199) and Huawei's Freebuds Pro 2 (€199) as almost perfect true wireless earphones with many flagship-level experiences.
I would not recommend them for iPhone users (as a lot of the smart features won't work) but for anyone who owns an Android smartphone these are an excellent purchase.
The lack of support for higher quality codecs is, for me, a disappointment but in fairness the buds still deliver pleasing audio from a variety of sources.
And they are among the most comfortable and snug fitting buds you can buy.
Pricing
Google Pixel Buds Pro cost €219.
Specifications
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5, SBC, AAC
Battery life: seven hours (ANC) plus up to 20 hours with case
Case dimensions and weight: 63.2 x 50 x 25mm; 50g
Earbud dimensions and weight: 23.7 x 22 x 22.3mm; 6.2g each
Water resistance: earbuds IPX4 (splash); case IPX2
Driver size: 11mm
Case charging: USB-C, Qi wireless
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