Pixel Buds Pro 2: Top Wireless Earbuds for $170
▼ Summary
– The author, a tech editor, upgraded from the 2021 Pixel A-series buds to the Pixel Buds Pro 2 and found the new model to be an excellent successor with significant improvements.
– Key upgrades of the Pixel Buds Pro 2 include a smaller design with a silicone ear fin for fit, along with better sound quality, active noise cancellation, and transparency mode.
– These earbuds are compatible with any Bluetooth device but offer the best experience with a recent Pixel phone, allowing for battery monitoring and feature customization.
– Users can customize touch and head gestures for functions like activating the voice assistant, with options also available through a browser-based app for PCs.
– The author’s main complaint is that the included silicone ear tips do not stay secure, but this was solved by using third-party memory foam tips.
Upgrading from the budget-friendly Pixel A-series earbuds to the Pixel Buds Pro 2 was a revelation. The older model punches well above its weight for sound, but the Pro 2 delivers a comprehensive premium experience that justifies the leap. They represent a significant step forward, packing enhanced audio, effective active noise cancellation, and a useful transparency mode into an even more compact design. For anyone considering an upgrade, these earbuds have just hit their best price yet at $169.99, a substantial drop from the original $229.99, available at major retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and Google’s own store.
The fit has been thoughtfully improved with the addition of a silicone ear fin, which helps secure the buds more snugly than the previous generation. This design tweak, combined with their smaller overall size, makes them comfortable for extended listening sessions. Where they truly shine, however, is in their performance. The sound quality is richer and more detailed, the active noise cancellation competes with top-tier models from other brands, and the transparency mode allows for clear awareness of your surroundings when needed.
While these are versatile Bluetooth earbuds compatible with any device, they unlock their full potential when paired with a Pixel smartphone. Integration is seamless, allowing you to check individual bud and case battery levels right from a homescreen widget. The accompanying Pixel Buds app offers deep customization, letting you reprogram touch gestures on each earbud. You can assign actions like summoning the Gemini voice assistant or toggling between noise cancellation and transparency mode. For those who prefer not to use touch controls, you can disable them entirely or even enable head gesture controls, a simple nod can answer an incoming call. Many of these settings can also be managed through a web-based app for use with a PC.
My sole point of contention was with the included silicone ear tips. While they fit initially, they tended to work themselves loose during everyday activities like walking or talking. A simple aftermarket fix solved this perfectly: a set of $16.99 memory foam tips from a third-party seller provided a secure, lasting seal that the stock options couldn’t match. This minor accessory investment transformed the fit from adequate to impeccable.
Overall, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 stand out as a compelling package, especially at their new discounted price. They offer a suite of high-end features, deep integration with the Google ecosystem, and a comfortable, secure design, once you find the right ear tips for your ears. For Pixel users or anyone invested in the Android ecosystem looking for premium wireless audio, they are an excellent choice that delivers on its promises.
(Source: The Verge)
