Google Pixel Buds Pro 2

Matthew Lopes, Nicholas Lim, and Yannick Khong from rtings.com assess the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 as a well-designed, feature-rich option primarily aimed at Android and Pixel users. They praise the earbuds’ lightweight, comfortable fit, effective active noise cancellation, and robust battery life, highlighting useful features like multi-device pairing, a customizable five-band graphic EQ, and seamless device switching within the Google ecosystem. The earbuds excel in noise isolation and portability, with a durable IP54 rating and a thoughtfully improved case. However, the review expresses clear reservations about audio reproduction accuracy, citing poor group delay, phase mismatch, and a closed-off treble response that dulls vocal clarity and bass definition. Microphone performance is also criticized for struggling with background noise. Additionally, some premium features are locked to recent Pixel devices, limiting full functionality for other Android users. Overall, the review conveys a moderately positive but measured tone, recognizing the Pixel Buds Pro 2’s strengths while candidly addressing notable sound and ecosystem limitations.

David Carnoy from CNET highlights the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 as a compelling upgrade, especially for Pixel and Android users, thanks to their smaller, lighter design and significantly improved sound and noise-canceling performance. Powered by the new Tensor A1 chip, these earbuds deliver richer, more natural audio with a wider soundstage and enhanced noise cancellation that rivals top competitors like the AirPods Pro 2. Unique features such as the “twist-to-adjust stabilizer” fin and a case speaker for Find My Device add practical value. However, Carnoy notes a critical caveat: fit is highly individual, and without a tight seal—sometimes requiring alternative ear tips—the sound and noise cancellation suffer noticeably. Voice-calling is improved but not best-in-class, and the $229 price is higher than the original model, reflecting broader market trends. Overall, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 earn strong praise for their performance and features but come with a fit-dependent recommendation, making them especially attractive for Pixel users willing to optimize their fit.

Christian de Looper from PCMag highlights the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 as a well-rounded pair of earbuds that excel in comfort, battery life, and noise cancellation, especially for users deeply embedded in the Google ecosystem. The review praises their small, ergonomic design, solid ANC performance, and seamless integration with Pixel phones and Google’s Gemini Live AI assistant, which adds unique real-time voice features. Sound quality is described as balanced and enjoyable across genres, though the high frequencies are slightly subdued, and the microphone quality is only average. The earbuds also offer useful customization options via the Pixel Buds app, though iOS users face limited functionality. While the Pixel Buds Pro 2 deliver excellent value for Pixel users, the review notes that competitors like the JBL Live Beam 3 provide more detailed audio and comparable noise cancellation at a lower price, making them a better choice for those outside Google’s ecosystem. Overall, the review conveys a moderately positive, thoughtful tone with clear insights into strengths and trade-offs.

Parker Hall from WIRED praises the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 as some of the best premium wireless earbuds available, especially for users with smaller ears. He highlights significant improvements over the previous generation, including enhanced noise cancellation that rivals top competitors like Apple, Sony, and Bose, and a more comfortable, stable fit aided by a clever twist-and-lock design. The earbuds deliver a clear, wide soundstage with energetic, detailed audio, and the transparency mode is notably effective without sounding tinny. Battery life is strong, surpassing AirPods Pro, and seamless device switching adds to their versatility. While Hall appreciates the integration of Google’s Gemini AI assistant, he finds its current implementation less practical compared to other hearing assistance features available on rival earbuds. Despite minor quibbles about the case size and AI features, he enthusiastically recommends the Pixel Buds Pro 2 as the best high-end earbuds for Android users, justifying the modest price increase with their overall performance and feature set.

Chris Welch from The Verge highlights the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 as a significant and welcome evolution over their predecessor, emphasizing their notably smaller, lighter, and more comfortable design. He praises the earbuds’ enhanced active noise cancellation, which is reportedly twice as powerful thanks to the new Tensor A1 chip, and lauds the crystal-clear transparency mode and pleasant, detailed sound quality. Battery life also stands out as a strong point. Additionally, the integration of Gemini, Google’s AI-powered assistant, offers a novel feature for hands-free conversations, though its impact feels somewhat underwhelming. Despite these improvements, Welch notes some limitations: the ANC still doesn’t quite match Bose’s best, the lack of higher-quality Bluetooth codecs restricts audio fidelity, and the earbuds’ fit can be problematic, as they sometimes fail to stay securely in the ears. Overall, the review conveys a very positive but measured enthusiasm, recognizing meaningful upgrades while acknowledging areas for improvement.

Christian Thomas from SoundGuys highlights the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 as a thoughtfully redesigned and competent pair of earbuds, especially well-suited for users deeply embedded in the Google Pixel ecosystem. The review praises the smaller, lighter form factor and improved ergonomic fit, which make them comfortable and secure for active use, supported by IP54 water resistance. Sound quality is described as balanced and improved over the original, with less bass emphasis and a brighter, more detailed sound that will appeal to most listeners, though bass enthusiasts might find it lacking. The earbuds offer solid ANC performance and useful features like multipoint Bluetooth, spatial audio, and AI integration via the Tensor A1 chip. However, some criticisms include the lack of higher-bitrate codecs, limited Auracast support at launch, and certain Pixel-specific features that may not fully benefit all Android users. While not revolutionary, these earbuds represent a meaningful upgrade and a strong choice for Android users seeking a polished, feature-rich experience.

Zachariah Kelly from TechRadar highlights the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 as a compact and visually appealing upgrade with notable improvements in battery life and noise cancellation. The earbuds’ smaller size and bold color options add to their charm, and the new Find My Device feature for the case is a practical bonus. However, Kelly expresses clear reservations about the fit and comfort, citing the twist-to-adjust stabilizer fins as potentially awkward and causing frequent readjustments that impact sound quality. While the sound is decent, it is described as somewhat soft and wooly, especially compared to the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, which Kelly recommends over the Pixel Buds Pro 2 due to better audio performance and ease of use at a similar price point. Overall, the review conveys a cautiously positive tone, appreciating the earbuds’ strengths but emphasizing that design compromises and pricing limit their appeal, especially for those seeking the best value or audio quality.

Alex Bracetti from Tom’s Guide highlights the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 as a standout choice for Android users, praising their sleek, lightweight design, strong active noise cancellation, and impressive battery life. The review emphasizes the earbuds’ deep integration with Google’s ecosystem, especially the promising AI-powered Gemini assistant, which enhances daily tasks despite not yet rivaling top AI chatbots. Sound quality is described as warm and full-bodied, with customizable EQ settings improving clarity, though spatial audio and high-bitrate codec support fall short of expectations. The fit is noted as a weak point, with the buds feeling loose despite multiple ear tip options. Apple users face limited functionality, missing out on many Google-specific features. Overall, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 deliver a comprehensive and polished Android audio experience, making them a compelling alternative to pricier competitors like Bose and Sony, particularly for Pixel phone owners seeking seamless integration and smart features.

Rita El Khoury from Android Authority highlights the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 as a remarkable upgrade over their already excellent predecessor, emphasizing their exceptionally small size and improved ergonomic design that delivers unmatched comfort and stability—even during extended wear and sleep. She praises the versatile twist-to-adjust fit, which offers users customizable comfort and noise cancellation, a feature rarely seen in earbuds. The integration with Google’s Gemini Live AI assistant is described as seamless and empowering, enhancing everyday interactions with natural, multilingual voice support. Battery life impresses with nine hours of continuous use, surpassing Google’s claims despite the smaller form factor. While sound quality and noise cancellation show clear improvements, she defers to a specialized audio review for deeper analysis. Criticisms include finicky touch controls and a confusing charging case design, though software updates have mitigated some frustrations. Overall, El Khoury enthusiastically recommends the Pixel Buds Pro 2 as a worthy successor that addresses key issues of the original model.

Dua Rashid from Gizmodo highlights the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 as a significant improvement over the first generation, especially praising their dramatically reduced size and weight, extremely snug and comfortable fit, and highly intuitive onboard controls. The earbuds deliver excellent sound quality with a standout punchy bass and powerful noise cancellation that effectively silences ambient noise, creating an immersive listening experience. Battery life and water resistance also meet expectations for premium earbuds. However, Rashid expresses disappointment with the much-touted Gemini AI integration, describing it as underwhelming and not truly hands-free due to the need for manual activation and inability to interrupt responses. While this AI feature detracts somewhat from the overall appeal, the review positions the Pixel Buds Pro 2 as a top-tier choice for those prioritizing fit, sound, and ANC, offering strong value despite the $230 price tag. The review balances enthusiasm for core features with measured critique of the AI functionality.