• TWEAK
• Hardware
• Headset

Google Pixel buds Pro 2

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Central features

• Connection: Bluetooth 5.4
• Custom-made dynamic speaker of 11 mm
• Active noise reduction with Silent Seal™ 2.0
• IP Rating:
• Earphones: IP54
• The case: IPX4
• Tensor A1 Chip

The hardware in the new Pixel Buds Pro 2 has been upgraded and they now contain a Google Tensor A1 chip. This is the first time we see a Tensor chip in a set of earbuds.

The Pixel Buds Pro 2 are available in four colors: Porcelain, Hazel, Wintergreen and Peony.

A walk around the Pixel Buds Pro 2

Just like the last generation, we get a practical charging case with the Pixel Buds Pro 2. Regardless of which color you choose, the case is white.

There is an option for wireless charging of your earbuds via the case. At the bottom of the case there is also a USB C connector for charging via cable.

As a new addition, there is also a small speaker at the bottom. It can be used when trying to find your Pixel Buds Pro 2 via the Find my Device function.

The lid is held closed magnetically and clicks together with a very satisfying click.

Inside, the two earbuds are also held in place with magnets and charged automatically when needed, as long as there is power on the built-in battery in the case. Google states the battery life of the two earbuds at up to eight hours with noise reduction activated and up to 12 hours without. It can be extended to up to 48 hours via continuous charging in the case.

If we take out the two earbuds, we can see that the shape has been updated a bit since the last generation. They are still held in place in the ear with silicone tips, but the Pixel Buds Pro 2 have added an extra pin to help ensure a better fit.

The set comes with medium silicone tips installed, but a large, a small and an extra small set are included in the box if you need to adjust the size.

Apart from that, however, there is nothing in the box. No USB C cable is included for charging, so you have to take care of that yourself.

The side of each earbud is a touch interface where you can start or pause music, answer calls and switch between ANC or transparency mode. It is possible to customize which functions you have access to here via the software.

The new Pixel Buds Pro 2 are significantly lighter than the previous generation, with a weight of only 4.7 grams per earbud.

Software

There is software to control and customize the settings on your Pixel Buds Pro 2. Access is slightly different depending on which device you are connected to. If you, like me during the test here, use a Pixel phone, the app is already on the phone, as part of the settings.

If you press additional settings for Buds Pro 2 under your Bluetooth overview, you will get to the Pixel Buds app

Alternatively, you can download the dedicated app via Google's Play Store.

Via the app, it is possible to see if you are connected and see the battery status of the earphones and the case.

The app also provides access to control of the active noise control, as Google calls it. Here you can choose between Noise reduction, Transparent sound or off, where neither part is active.

In relation to the sound more generally, it is also possible to adapt it via preset EQ settings, or you can set up your very own.

With a more practical angle, there is also the option via the app to set up Google Assistant, and check up on the various options via the touch interface on the headphones.

If you should be unlucky enough to lose one or both earbuds, you can also track them via the app. You can set them to play a sound, so that you can trace yourself to it on the sofa or wherever they may be. has holed up. However, you can also use Google Maps to see the location they had the last time they were connected to the phone.

The Pixel Buds Pro 2 also support Spatial Sound, which can be activated through the software. However, it requires that the content you want to see/hear supports it.

Google has also added a Hørewellnes function, where you have the opportunity to keep an eye on your sound level, so that you stay within the safe limits. It is a very practical feature to help one keep one's ears healthy.

Overall, there are really good options for customizing and reviewing your Pixel Buds Pro 2 via the accompanying app.

Testing

I've been using the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 for a week, along with the Pixel 9 Pro Fold that we've had for testing.

There is no doubt that it is a headset that is designed to work optimally with Android and in particular the Pixel phones.

Connecting to a Pixel phone happens more or less automatically. When you open the case near a Pixel phone, it automatically asks if you want to connect via Fast pair

The connection between phone and Buds has been trouble-free throughout my test, with a solid range. Around 20-30 meters there were no problems, depending on whether there were walls or other obstacles in between.

If we jump to the most important point, namely the sound, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 comes in really well. The Tensor A1 chip together with the 11mm drivers deliver rock-solid sound that feels open and airy, despite being routed directly into your ear.

You get a really good sound image, where both high and mid tones have plenty of room to unfold, while the bass fills the bottom well without dominating the image.

The tuning straight out of the box is really good, but via the app you can customize it as you like. This can be done either via the predefined EQ settings, or via your own customized.

If we look at the noise reduction, or the possibility of ambient mode, Google has also managed to hit a really good point.

The ANC setting is among the best I have tried to date. It is an incredibly good damper on the noise around you. It is also good at shutting off noise from, for example, a TV in the background and not just the monotonous, humming background sounds that many ANC solutions otherwise do best.

Google itself says that the new ANC algorithm is twice as good as the one in the previous Pixel Buds Pro. That's a claim I'm ready to believe after my time with the kit.

In the same way, the Transparent sound setting is also super good at letting in the sound around you in a natural way.

A new feature that Google has added when using ANC means that the set automatically detects when you start talking. When it does, it pauses your music and switches to the Transparent sound setting.

In this way, you can quickly and naturally switch from peaceful ANC without noise in the supermarket, to a conversation with the clerk, by simply starting to speak.

In relation to the fit, the update of the Pixel Buds Pro 2 is really good. I found it very difficult to keep the previous version in my ears for a long time and, for example, running and training were virtually impossible with them.

However, that's not the case with the Pixel Buds Pro 2, which didn't fall out of my ears once during my testing, even during exercise.

If you have it turned on, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 also act as a quick access to Google Assistant, and partly the new Gemini. The usual Google Assistant things like asking the time, quick Google searches and controlling Smart Home devices work without problems.

Price

Google Pixel Buds Pro can be pre-ordered now and will land with a price of just under 230$. It is at the expensive end of the True Wireless market but falls very well in line with other High End sets from e.g. Jabra or Sennheiser.

Conclusion

Google has made some solid updates to their Pixel Buds series. The result is a fantastic set which is a great partner for your Pixel phone.

The feature list is solid with good news, and especially if you are a frequent user of the Google ecosystem, there is a lot of functionality to be gained with the Pixel Buds Pro 2.

When it is paired with delicious well-tuned sound and some of the best ANC I've tried, it's hard to complain.

The new Pixel Buds Pro 2 are a strong set, and in my book some of the best earbuds you can get for your Android phone.

We land on a final score of 9 and a Great Product Award. Google sets the standard for Android headsets with the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2.

Benefits

• Nice well-tuned sound
• Completed integration with Android and Pixel phones
• Fantastic ANC