In a market flooded with wireless earbuds, each new entry needs to offer something unique to stand out. The Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 does just that, aiming to redefine the user experience with top-tier noise cancellation, superior sound quality, and groundbreaking features integrated through Google’s innovative technologies. This review delves into every aspect of the earbuds, from their design and comfort to audio performance and smart capabilities, evaluating whether they live up to the hype.
Design: Precision Meets Comfort
The Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 showcases a sleek, minimalist design that doesn’t just aim for aesthetics but also focuses on functional enhancements. The earbuds are 27% smaller than their predecessors, making them not only less conspicuous but significantly lighter.
This reduction in size translates to a less cumbersome experience, ideal for extended wear during commutes, workouts, or even just relaxing at home.
A notable innovation in design is the twist-to-adjust feature, which enables the earbuds to achieve a near-custom fit in the user’s ears. This feature was tested extensively during daily commutes on public transit and while engaging in a variety of physical activities. The earbuds remained securely in place, even during high-intensity interval training sessions, a testament to the effectiveness of the new stabilizing mechanism.
Building on the innovative twist-to-adjust feature, the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2’s design integrates a soft-touch material that conforms gently to the contours of the ear canal. This material choice not only aids in comfort but also helps in maintaining a better seal, which enhances sound quality and reduces the need to re-adjust the earbuds frequently.
Personally, it took some time for me to get used to the seal because of how “complete” it felt. For most users, however, the ‘barely here’ feeling was a nice touch, due to the thoughtful material integration, which is particularly noticeable during long listening sessions where comfort is paramount.
The earbuds come with multiple tip sizes—something that is critical for achieving optimal fit and sound isolation. The variety in tip sizes ensures that users can find a combination that avoids the common pitfall of earbuds becoming uncomfortable or falling out during activities like jogging or even more vigorous exercises.
In addition to physical comfort, the thermal properties of the materials used in the Pixel Buds Pro 2 ensure that they do not become uncomfortable after long periods of use, which can be a concern with electronic devices that sit so close to the body. The earbuds maintain a neutral temperature, avoiding the discomfort of heating up against the sensitive skin of the inner ear.
Audio Quality: Acoustic Innovation
The sound quality of the Pixel Buds Pro 2 is driven by an 11mm driver and a newly engineered acoustic architecture. The result is a sound that is not only loud and clear but also rich in detail. The earbuds offer a well-balanced audio profile, with deep bass, crisp mids, and sparkling highs. The clarity of acoustic instruments and vocals in a variety of music genres, from classical to rock and pop, was particularly impressive, providing an immersive listening experience.
One of the standout features is the Active Noise Cancellation with Silent Seal 2.0, powered by the Tensor A1 chip. This feature was put to the test in various environments: bustling cityscapes, noisy cafes, and during flights. The ability to filter out ambient noise while maintaining audio fidelity was remarkable, making it possible to enjoy music and podcasts without cranking up the volume to detrimental levels.
Smart Features: A Leap Forward
The integration of Google Assistant, rebranded as Gemini in these earbuds, brings voice-activated controls to a new level of convenience. Users can send messages, make calls, or get directions without ever touching their phone. This feature was particularly useful during cooking sessions, where one could ask for recipe adjustments or set timers hands-free.
Another groundbreaking feature tested was the real-time translation capability, which proves invaluable for multilingual interactions or while traveling in foreign countries. This feature allows conversations with non-English speakers to flow more naturally, breaking down language barriers in real time.
Pixel Buds App: Centralizing Control and Customization
The integration and functionality of the Pixel Buds Pro 2 are significantly enhanced by the accompanying Pixel Buds app, which acts as a hub for all your earbud settings. This app is crucial for users who wish to tailor their audio experience to their precise liking, providing tools and features that are both broad and deeply customizable.
Within the Pixel Buds app, users have the ability to adjust the sound profiles extensively. The app includes a full 5-band equalizer that allows for detailed adjustments to the audio output. Whether boosting the bass for a more immersive feel in your favorite tracks or enhancing the clarity of vocals for podcasts and audiobooks, the app provides these capabilities at your fingertips. Furthermore, users can select from a variety of EQ presets designed to optimize different listening environments, ensuring the best possible audio experience for any scenario.
The app’s user-friendly interface enhances the overall usability of the earbuds. It enables users to quickly check the battery levels of the earbuds and the charging case, switch between ANC and transparency modes, and activate adaptive sound features which adjust the audio based on the environment. This level of control ensures that users can adapt their listening experience on-the-fly, without ever needing to handle their connected device.
The Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 enhances user experience with the “Hearing Wellness” feature in the Pixel Buds app, which actively monitors and provides feedback on sound exposure levels.
This feature displays real-time volume levels and assesses them against recommended hearing safety standards, helping users maintain healthy listening habits. It also tracks exposure over time, offering insights into daily and weekly trends, and sends notifications if exposure exceeds safe limits, promoting long-term hearing health and awareness.
The app also allows for customization of touch controls, enabling users to assign specific actions to tapping, swiping, or holding gestures on the earbuds themselves.
Battery Life and Charging: All-Day Endurance
The battery performance of the Pixel Buds Pro 2 is robust, providing up to 8 hours of playback with ANC enabled and up to 30 hours with the charging case. During a week-long test, it was found that the earbuds could handle several days of use on a single charge, inclusive of commutes and daily workouts, without needing to reach for the charger.
The fast charging capability was another highlight, with a quick 15-minute charge providing up to three hours of playback. This feature came in handy during unexpected calls and last-minute errands, ensuring the earbuds were always ready to go.
Pricing and Availability
Check the Pixel Buds Pro 2 out here at S$349.
Verdict
The Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 sets a new standard in the wireless earbud market, offering a combination of innovative design, exceptional sound quality, and user-centric smart features. They are more than just earbuds; they are a multi-functional tool designed to enhance the way users interact with technology. For those embedded in the Google ecosystem, these earbuds offer seamless integration and real benefits that improve daily interactions.
The investment in these earbuds is justified by their performance, making them a top contender for anyone looking to upgrade their audio gear. Whether for personal use or as a gift, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 is sure to impress with its capabilities and future-proof technology.
