I’ve never been a big fan of ear buds in general. I’ve tried out a couple of lower priced brands, but they were either uncomfortable to use for very long or didn’t fit well enough and for the most part, the noise cancelling features were underwhelming and unintuitive. However, I guess the old adage that “you get what you pay for” is true in this case because I am truly impressed so far with the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 in my tests so far and I’ve found myself wearing them more than any other in ear speakers I’ve ever used.Ironically, one of the reasons I never considered Pixel Buds before was that in pictures they always looked so big and awkward. Having never seen them in person, I was completely surprised at how small they actually are. To this end, in my review ... MoreI’ve never been a big fan of ear buds in general. I’ve tried out a couple of lower priced brands, but they were either uncomfortable to use for very long or didn’t fit well enough and for the most part, the noise cancelling features were underwhelming and unintuitive. However, I guess the old adage that “you get what you pay for” is true in this case because I am truly impressed so far with the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 in my tests so far and I’ve found myself wearing them more than any other in ear speakers I’ve ever used.Ironically, one of the reasons I never considered Pixel Buds before was that in pictures they always looked so big and awkward. Having never seen them in person, I was completely surprised at how small they actually are. To this end, in my review pics I’ve included a coin for scale to give you an idea of their actual size. Even the charging case was smaller than I imagined and fit nicely in a jacket or pants pocket. (And I really appreciate that Google has wireless charging; makes things so easy!)The initial pairing and setting up my Pixel 8 Pro were seamless and easy to complete. Device setup is one of the things that I think Google doesn’t get enough credit for; it really gets better in every new iteration. Extra high points for the controls on the buds being so intuitive; with other buds I had to constantly refer to the help docs on how to do simple things like change the volume or take a call, but the Pixel Buds are so instinctual that I was up and running immediately.Sound quality is a subjective thing, as everyone’s hearing is different as are their preferences for volume and equalization so it’s a hard metric to review. I will say that while I wouldn’t consider myself a professional audiophile, I was a working musician for years (mostly in clubs and some studio work) and I found the quality of reproduction to be quite remarkable, even without any equalization adjustments. Personally, I don’t know if I’ll even change the EQ as I was quite pleased with the balance and spectrum. To me, a few of the standout features are the fit, the noise cancellation and the integration with Google’s new Gemini assistant.It's amazing how a few design tweaks from the original Pixel Buds have made all the difference. I had to ask a buddy to check out their version 1 buds and the difference is night and day. The Pixel Bud Pro 2’s insert easily and with a simple twist, lock firmly but gently in place. The medium size ear tips installed by default felt quite comfortable and sealed my ears well, though Google thoughtfully includes different size ear tips for a custom fit. (I liked how the setup procedure even tested how well they sealed!) I could see myself wearing these for long periods of time and in fact I watched an entire movie without any discomfort.As an aside, I was surprised how well the sound quality was when I paired the buds to my ShieldTV box. I have a pretty decent 5.1 theater set up with quality speakers and a great AV amp. I’d never tried headphones or ear buds for a movie because I felt like I’d be taking a step back in quality. But watching a movie with the buds was a whole new experience for me. It was immersive and the Spatial Sound setting really gave it good separation and theater-like quality. Combined with the Automatic Noise Cancelling, it was a worthwhile alternative to annoying my neighbors if I want to watch an action flick late at night!The Noise Cancelling was another standout for me; it really is impressive in its implementation. And as well as it works, the transparency settings allow you to cut background noise while still leaving you ‘situationally aware’. The addition of the Tensor chip to the buds is more than just window dressing; being able to run the noise cancelling algorithms on the buds themselves in real time is not only a major engineering accomplishment, but it also works incredibly well. Better than any other ANC buds I have tested to date, in fact.I’ve been playing with Gemini a lot lately and the integration with Gemini Live was a nice addition in my opinion. While I look forward to more integration with other Google services, Gemini has come a long way in a short time recently and I know that closer integration is likely weeks away. But for now, being able to have normal conversations with Gemini via the buds is not only fun, but really useful.In short, I’d highly recommend the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 not only to anyone who is a fan of earbuds but also invite those who may have had underwhelming experiences in the past to check them out. They could change your opinion like they did mine.

As a long-time iPhone and AirPod Pro 2 user, I was skeptical about switching to Google's Pixel Buds Pro 2. Could anything truly integrate as seamlessly with my new Pixel 9 Pro as Apple's ecosystem? The answer, surprisingly, is a resounding yes!Sound Quality that Sings: These earbuds deliver rich, immersive audio that rivals, and perhaps even surpasses, my AirPod Pros. The clarity is exceptional, with crisp highs and deep, satisfying bass. Whether I'm listening to podcasts or rocking out, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 consistently impress.Comfort and Stability Redefined: Forget about constant readjustments. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 fit snugly and comfortably in my ears, even during intense workouts. I've put them through the paces on runs and weightlifting sessions, and they ... MoreAs a long-time iPhone and AirPod Pro 2 user, I was skeptical about switching to Google's Pixel Buds Pro 2. Could anything truly integrate as seamlessly with my new Pixel 9 Pro as Apple's ecosystem? The answer, surprisingly, is a resounding yes!Sound Quality that Sings: These earbuds deliver rich, immersive audio that rivals, and perhaps even surpasses, my AirPod Pros. The clarity is exceptional, with crisp highs and deep, satisfying bass. Whether I'm listening to podcasts or rocking out, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 consistently impress.Comfort and Stability Redefined: Forget about constant readjustments. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 fit snugly and comfortably in my ears, even during intense workouts. I've put them through the paces on runs and weightlifting sessions, and they haven't budged once. Compared to the AirPod Pros, which sometimes felt loose, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 offer a noticeable improvement in stability.Seamless Pixel Integration: Pairing with my Pixel 9 Pro was effortless, and the Google Assistant integration is a game-changer. Accessing information, controlling my music, and managing notifications is incredibly convenient with hands-free voice commands.Noise Cancellation that Works: The active noise cancellation effectively blocks out distractions, allowing me to focus on my music or calls. While not drastically different from the AirPod Pro 2's noise cancellation, it's certainly on par.Overall: The Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 have won me over. They deliver exceptional sound, unparalleled comfort and stability, and seamless integration with my Pixel phone. If you're looking for a premium earbud experience, especially if you're in the Pixel ecosystem, look no further.

The Google Pixel Buds 2 were a bit of a mixed bag when they launched in 2020. They had a unique design, decent sound, and seamless integration with Google Assistant, but also suffered from connectivity issues and somewhat finicky controls.Here's a breakdown of the pros and cons:Pros:* Comfortable fit: The design was innovative and aimed for a secure yet comfortable fit with a vent to prevent that "plugged ear" feeling.* Good sound quality: Audio was generally well-balanced, though not the absolute best in their price range.* Seamless Google Assistant integration: As expected, they worked flawlessly with Google Assistant for voice commands and real-time translation.* Wireless charging: The case supported wireless charging, a convenient feature.* Improved ... MoreThe Google Pixel Buds 2 were a bit of a mixed bag when they launched in 2020. They had a unique design, decent sound, and seamless integration with Google Assistant, but also suffered from connectivity issues and somewhat finicky controls.Here's a breakdown of the pros and cons:Pros:* Comfortable fit: The design was innovative and aimed for a secure yet comfortable fit with a vent to prevent that "plugged ear" feeling.* Good sound quality: Audio was generally well-balanced, though not the absolute best in their price range.* Seamless Google Assistant integration: As expected, they worked flawlessly with Google Assistant for voice commands and real-time translation.* Wireless charging: The case supported wireless charging, a convenient feature.* Improved connectivity (eventually): Early models had connectivity issues, but Google largely resolved these through firmware updates.Cons:* Connectivity issues (early on): This was a major problem at launch, causing frustration for many users.* Mediocre battery life: Battery life was average at best, especially compared to competitors.* No active noise cancellation: A feature becoming increasingly common in this price range, ANC was missing from the Pixel Buds 2.* Finicky touch controls: The touch controls could be a bit sensitive, leading to accidental touches.* Price: They were relatively expensive compared to other true wireless earbuds with similar features.Overall:The Pixel Buds 2 were a decent option for Android users, especially those heavily invested in the Google ecosystem. However, the initial connectivity issues, lack of ANC, and average battery life made them a less compelling choice compared to some competitors.If you're considering buying them now, it's worth looking at the newer Pixel Buds Pro, which address many of these shortcomings with improved sound, active noise cancellation, and better battery life. Or, if you're on a budget, you might find good deals on the Pixel Buds 2, making them a more attractive option.