Google has quickly become my go-to for all things mobile-related. I am currently using the Pixel 9 and Pixel Buds Pro, with the Pixel Watch on my wishlist. Google’s easy-to-use ecosystem and amazing functionality across all their devices has made it very easy to migrate from other brands. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 recently became available, and coincidentally in the same wintergreen colour as the Pixel 9 I am using, I figured it was a no-brainer to give them a try to see how they get on.
As always, the unboxing is straightforward and elegant in its simplicity. In the box, you get the earbuds in the traditional egg-shaped charging case, some minor documentation, and three additional sizes of rubber tips (XS, S, and L, as the Medium size is already fitted on the earbuds). The box itself is small so there is limited packaging to throw out (or save if you like to hoard electronics boxes, like me), so a big plus for the environment there as well.
Despite my preference for Google mobile products, I was mildly disappointed to find that the charging case arrived in the traditional white colour and did not match the Wintergreen colour that greeted me on the earbuds when I opened the case. Disappointment aside, the earbuds themselves are lovely to look at, especially in the Wintergreen. There’s no excess structure or apparatus to get in the way when wearing or putting them in.
“You can even have a conversation with Gemini by saying, ‘Hey, Google, let’s talk,’ and it is accessed by unlocking your phone once while wearing the Pixel Buds Pro 2.”
Since my time with the Pixel Buds Pro, I quickly learned a great way to put them in without the risk of them falling out during use. Putting them in a bit sideways and giving a little twist into the proper position gave me a snug fit that stayed in, regardless of how much headbanging there was to be done. Upon first wearing, the Pixel Buds app on my phone opened and prompted me to do a fit test, which I passed with flying colours (the earbuds seemed to fit perfectly, so I was happy).
As always, I turn on the noise cancelling and put on something that has a lot of oomph. As it had just been released, I immediately turned to Heavy Is The Crown from Linkin Park, and I was not ready for how good it sounded through the Pixel Buds Pro 2. This is all thanks to the entirely re-engineered audio subsystem that Google developed themselves to put in the Pixel Buds Pro 2. What you get is a clear and immersive sound that comes at you right out of the box with no tuning necessary.
While I mentioned the noise cancelling earlier, Google has put a lot of it into the Pixel Buds Pro 2, namely, the Tensor A1 chip inside. The Tensor A1 allows the earbuds to have ultra-low latency audio processing that adapts to the environment around you up to a staggering 3 million times per second. The result is noise cancellation that is up to twice as strong as what you got on the Pixel Buds Pro. As well, the Tensor A1 chip affords the Pixel Buds Pro 2 the ability to have better battery life despite their smaller form factor.
Speaking of battery life, The Pixel Buds Pro 2 will get roughly eight hours of battery life on the buds themselves and an additional 30 hours from the charging case. Not bad at all for something so small and lightweight. In my testing, I was getting around seven hours of life with varying levels of noise cancellation. I would switch between regular noise cancellation and Transparency mode if I was in a room with people I needed to hear at a moment’s notice. There were a couple of times I needed some battery in a hurry, and with the Pixel Buds Pro 2, a quick 15-minute charge gives up to three hours of usage.
“Google has put a lot of it into the Pixel Buds Pro 2, namely, the Tensor A1 chip inside.”
My absolute favourite thing about the Pixel Buds Pro 2 must be the Google Gemini AI integration. This allows you to talk to Google simply by saying “Hey Google” and lets you set reminders, play music, and more. You can even have a conversation with Gemini by saying, “Hey, Google, let’s talk,” and it is accessed by unlocking your phone once while wearing the Pixel Buds Pro 2. From there, you can put your phone away and use Gemini to your heart’s content until you take both of the earbuds out of your ears.
I was able to have Gemini tell me jokes, answer my philosophical questions (I say ‘answer,’ but as close as an AI can get), tell me how a lemon meringue pie is made, and more. Using Gemini with the Pixel Buds Pro 2 is quickly becoming second nature, similar to how Amazon’s Alexa is a staple in my family living room.
The Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 are amazing earbuds and I can absolutely see myself using them for the foreseeable future. My only real issue with them has to be the price. There’s no easy way to say it: they’re $299 CAD. That’s an awful lot for a pair of earbuds that aren’t made by Apple. What you get for the price is good, but I would have been more sold on a $249 price tag. I can still wholeheartedly recommend the Pixel Buds Pro 2, though, as they are easily the best earbuds I’ve used this year. The sound quality and noise cancellation are second to none.
