Glossy and cozy with disappointing sound high quality

I used to be a reasonably large fan of the Pixel Buds (2020). In comparison with Apple’s AirPods, they stayed cosy in my ears no matter what I used to be doing, provided stable sound high quality for the time, and featured a typically cool-looking design. Following rampant experiences about disconnection points, Google unceremoniously discontinued the Pixel Buds (2020), shortly releasing the Pixel Buds Collection-A. Then, a couple of years later, Google’s Pixel Buds Pro arrived. They obtained comparatively stable opinions, and whereas I attempted them briefly, I did discover myself reaching for my trusty AirPods Pro 2 once more after a couple of weeks, primarily as a result of Apple’s earbuds nonetheless sound higher regardless of being a few years outdated.

Quick-forward to now, and Google has launched the Pixel Buds Professional 2. Do they provide sufficient to drag me away from the AirPods 4 (my present favourite wi-fi earbuds) and the tremendous comfy Nothing’s Ear (open)? They provide a number of upgrades over the Pixel Buds Professional, together with eight hours of battery life, a extra comfy design, Google’s Tensor AI chip, and improved noise-cancellation.

Whereas these additions are welcome, they do not sound nice and have a flat audio profile with little or no bass and vary. Their audio high quality is not Beats Solo Buds dangerous, however the several-year-old AirPods Professional (2nd gen) blow them away. Even the AirPods 4 and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro sound notably higher than the Pixel Buds Professional 2. You may remedy the lackluster audio challenge by diving into the Pixel Buds Professional 2’s settings and shifting the profile to “Heavy Bass” or “Balanced,” which you’ll even do by way of a Chrome-based browser if you’re a MacBook or iPhone user. Sadly, even then, the Pixel Buds Professional 2 do not sound stellar, making them tough to advocate regardless of their different stable options.

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Worth, availability, and specs

Google’s Pixel Buds Professional 2 can be found directly from Google for $229. The wi-fi earbuds work with Android, iOS, Home windows, Mac, and different gadgets, although some options are restricted to Android gadgets, like routinely pausing no matter you are listening to or watching once you take away the earbuds. The Pixel Buds Professional 2 are IP54 water resistant — which implies they will face up to mild splashes of water — and their case is available in at IPX4, which makes it proof against sweat and never a lot else. Different options embrace Bluetooth 5.4, LE Audio, Tremendous wideband, and Google’s Tensor AI chip, which powers the Pixel Buds Professional 2’s Gemini integration.

Every bud’s driver is 11mm, and there are three microphones alongside a motion-detecting accelerometer, gyroscope, and capacitive contact sensor. The Pixel Buds Professional 2 assist lively noise cancellation, a Transparency Mode, and Google’s Clear Calling know-how. Battery life is available in at 12 hours with lively noise cancellation off, a formidable eight hours with ANC on, and 30 hours from the charging case. Google says a five-minute cost provides you with an hour and a half of listening time with ANC off.

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Every earbud weighs 0.16oz (4.7g), and the charging case is 2.29oz (65g). Particular person earbuds with a medium ear tip measure 0.9 x 0.9 x 06-inches (22.74 x 23.08 x 17.03mm) and the charging case is 1.9 x 2.4 x 0.98-inches (49.9 x 63 x 25mm). The Pixel Buds Professional 2 can be found in porcelain, hazel (featured on this evaluation), wintergreen (by far the most effective shade), and peony.​​​​​​​

What I favored concerning the Pixel Buds Professional 2

Cool-looking and cozy

Regardless of their sound high quality points, there’s nonetheless lots to love about Google’s Pixel Buds Professional 2. First, they’re a few of the most comfy wi-fi earbuds I’ve ever worn — they’re nonetheless in-ear just like the AirPods Professional 2 however sit additional out of my ears. This nearly utterly removes the bizarre strain sensation I expertise with in-ear earbuds that seal off my ear canal. The Pixel Buds Professional 2 in-ear strain aid vents work approach higher than AirPods Professional 2’s.

The Pixel Buds Professional 2 sit securely in my ears with their default ear suggestions, not like the AirPods Professional 2, AirPods 4, and Galaxy Buds 3 Professional, three pairs of earbuds I not too long ago examined. I’ve gone for walks, executed some gardening, and cleaned my home with Google’s earbuds on, and I have never encountered a single unintentional drop, due to their refined wing tip that retains them locked firmly in place. Generally, it even looks like there’s nothing in my ears, and as somebody who typically hates wi-fi earbuds, I actually admire this. The earbuds are very comfy to put on for lengthy intervals, which is notable given their wonderful eight-hour battery life, surpassing many equally priced high-end wi-fi earbuds.

Energetic noise-cancellation is fairly good with the Pixel Buds Professional 2, but it surely’s less than par with the Galaxy Buds 3 Professional or AirPods Professional 2. Regardless of being in-ear, some sound nonetheless finds its approach by way of the wi-fi earbuds. Nonetheless, it will get the job executed when you solely need to block out some noise. “Transparency” mode is ok and permits satisfactory noise to come back by way of the earbuds whilst you’re listening to music or a podcast. Nonetheless, just like each pair of wi-fi earbuds I’ve ever used, I do not discover the function very helpful.

I oddly do not have the choice to allow “Dialog Detection” on my Pixel Buds Professional 2, which is disappointing given how useful I’ve discovered the audio fading function with different earbuds. Nonetheless, it seems to be a somewhat common problem — my guess is it is a bizarre regional software program replace challenge — so I’ve reached out to Google for extra info. Different options I take pleasure in embrace elevating and reducing the quantity immediately on the Pixel Buds Professional 2 with a swipe, which not each pair of wi-fi earbuds presents.

Whereas I haven’t got a lot of a use for hands-free Gemini integration, it is neat to have the ability to ask the AI-powered assistant questions from Pixel Buds Professional 2 and have it reply immediately in my ear, even when it was form of tough to check given all of the Google gadgets in my house workplace. I do not discover the hands-free Gemini significantly helpful, however others would possibly in the event that they’re well-acquainted with the AI. As a facet notice, it is odd it’s worthwhile to guarantee your cellphone is unlocked first. It is sensible, given your Android gadget powers the function, but it surely nonetheless feels unusual.

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What I did not like concerning the Pixel Buds Professional 2

Sadly, they do not sound nice

One of many weirdest points I’ve encountered with the Pixel Buds Professional 2 is how the audio drops out once they’re linked to my iPhone 16. Generally, it really works tremendous for a bit, however then, randomly, the audio will briefly disappear after which return once more. I have never encountered this downside with the Pixel 9 Pro Fold or my MacBook Professional, and it additionally does not occur each time I join the earbuds to my iPhone 16, making the predicament much more elusive. Since most iPhone customers in all probability aren’t shopping for the Pixel Buds Professional 2, that is in all probability a particular “me” downside, but it surely’s nonetheless value mentioning.

The Pixel Buds Professional 2’s mic high quality is lackluster, although I’ve the identical ideas about nearly each pair of wi-fi earbuds I’ve ever used. It isn’t terrible by any means, but it surely’s not nice both, and a few even assume the mic is worse than the original Pixel Buds Pro’s. My voice sounds muffled and much away, no matter how I place the earbud in my ear.

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Above every little thing else, my principal challenge with the Pixel Buds 2 Professional is how they actually do not sound nearly as good as $229 earbuds ought to — the default sound profile is very flat and lacks bass. While you change to a distinct profile, they sound a bit higher however nonetheless nowhere close to nearly as good because the AirPods Professional 2, AirPods 4, and even the Galaxy Buds 3 Professional, to call a couple of great-sounding wi-fi earbuds. At this value level and all their different nice options, I anticipated extra from the Pixel Buds Professional 2. In any case, most individuals are possible shopping for them to hearken to audio and never for his or her Gemini integration or distinctive design.

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Must you purchase the Pixel Buds Professional 2?

I needed to love Google’s Pixel Buds Professional 2. They’re cool-looking, particularly on the subject of their colours, and extremely comfy due to their distinctive winged design. However with so many great-sounding wi-fi earbuds on the market, they’re powerful to advocate except you are a die-hard Pixel smartphone consumer that basically desires to make use of Google’s Gemini voice-activated assistant hands-free. Most individuals can be higher off with the Galaxy Buds Professional 3 or AirPods Professional 2, relying on what your main gadget is.

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