Review: Google Pixel Buds Pro

Coinciding with Google’s major launch of the Pixel 7 Pro and Pixel 7, the Google Pixel Buds Pro headphones have also been released in Sweden.

This marks Google’s fourth endeavor to establish a presence in the highly competitive true wireless earbud market.

Starting with the specifications: the case features a compact and smooth design (25 x 50 x 63.2 mm, weighing 43 grams) and offers 19 hours of additional battery life on top of the earbuds’ initial five hours. These figures apply with active noise cancellation enabled; disabling it extends the earbuds’ runtime to approximately 10 hours and the total battery life to just over 30 hours.

The case supports rapid charging via USB-C or Qi wireless charging, and the earbuds themselves charge quickly when placed within the case. A five-minute charge provides approximately 1 hour of listening time, while 15 minutes yields 3 hours.

The case is rated IPX2 for protection, and the earbuds are IPX4, providing resistance against sweat and light rain during workouts.

Each earbud weighs 6.1 grams and houses a 12 mm driver.

The lid construction of the case raises some concerns, feeling somewhat flimsy when open, which detracts from the overall quality feel of the otherwise well-designed, smooth, and compact case.

The software experience (primarily for Android users, as iOS support is limited) is user-friendly, although feature-richness is somewhat lacking. Available options include EQ adjustments with preset modes or custom profiles, and the ability to configure Google Assistant activation via a long press, or to toggle between noise cancellation modes (on/off) and ambient sound mode.

The limited customization options for touch controls, such as double-tap or long-press actions, are a notable drawback. However, the touch functionality itself is implemented very well. Users can easily press or swipe without inadvertently dislodging the earbuds or triggering unintended actions. Adjusting the fit or removing/inserting the earbuds is also seamless.

The earbuds provide a secure and comfortable fit, remaining stable even during jogging. Despite their 6-gram weight, they feel lightweight and unobtrusive, making it easy to forget they are even in place.

The noise cancellation features three modes: Off, On, and Ambient Sound. Adjustment of the noise cancellation intensity or the level of ambient sound is not supported.

Noise cancellation performance is generally effective, attenuating most ambient noise for a comfortable experience in public transport or during flights. While not achieving complete silence like some competitors, it avoids the pressure sensation sometimes associated with active noise cancellation. Wind noise reduction, however, is less effective, with noticeable wind interference when cycling.

The ambient sound mode functions well, enabling quick switching for clear conversations without removing the earbuds, such as when interacting in a store.

Regarding music reproduction, the earbuds deliver satisfactory sound quality, particularly excelling in bass response, which is well-suited for genres like hip hop. Midrange and treble frequencies are also reproduced well, though they fall slightly short of exceptional. In terms of overall audio fidelity, they do not quite match the performance of the Sony WF-1000XM4.

Google’s decision to limit codec support to SBC & AAC is a significant constraint, particularly noticeable when listening to acoustic music and comparing to headphones that support higher-resolution audio codecs. While the audio is not inherently poor, a degree of detail and nuance is absent.

Call quality, conversely, is very good for both parties, and no audio latency was observed during video playback.

Summary

A crucial aspect that warrants attention is the Google Pixel Buds Pro’s pricing, an issue often overlooked. With a recommended retail price of SEK 2,399, these earbuds compete directly with models like the Sony WF-1000XM4, placing the Pixel Buds Pro in a similar predicament as the Yamaha TW-E7B: commendable performance, but facing superior alternatives at the same price point.

Despite the generally positive attributes of the Google Pixel Buds Pro – even their strengths – their price point is ultimately prohibitive, hindering their ability to compete effectively within their segment. A price closer to SEK 1,000 would render them a compelling purchase.

Google provided test samples for this review. The provision of review materials does not influence our editorial assessment.