Google Pixel Buds Pro is one of the best wireless earbuds available right now, and for good reason. While it didn’t launch in the best shape, the earbuds have gradually improved over the past year with significant software updates. One of the impactful updates introduced a five-band equalizer, allowing users to really tweak the sound quality, since it wasn’t great out of the factory. The company also added support for spatial audio, giving Pixel Buds Pro users a truly immersive experience. Now it looks like Google will improve the audio experience even further with the introduction of Clear Calling.
Google Pixel Buds Pro is one of the best wireless earbuds available right now, and for good reason. While it didn’t launch in the best shape, the earbuds have gradually improved over the past year with significant software updates. One of the impactful updates introduced a five-band equalizer, allowing users to really tweak the sound quality, since it wasn’t great out of the factory. The company also added support for spatial audio, giving Pixel Buds Pro users a truly immersive experience. Now it looks like Google will improve the audio experience even further with the introduction of Clear Calling.
Pixel Perfect Setup
Pixel Buds Pro setup is super simple. Just open the case next to a Pixel phone and you’ll get a quick pairing notification. The Pixel’s Bluetooth menu has a settings page for the Pixel Buds, which lets you check battery life, change sound modes, remap touch commands, and install software updates. On non-Pixel Android phones, this is part of the Pixel Buds app on the Play Store. On iPhones, well, you’re SOL. The Pixel Buds Pro work just fine on iPhones over Bluetooth, but you can’t adjust any settings or download updates at all.
Sound Quality
They have a usefully wide frequency range, and listening with ANC enabled doesn't affect quality or enjoyment. Tracks like Hall & Oates' "I Can't Go for That (No Can Do)" showcase excellent layering. The synths and mechanical drum samples at the beginning are well mixed, and the drums have some nice kick. More striking are the soulful harmonies that run throughout the melody and toward the end of the song.
These come through clearly and sound prominent over the thumping bassline, showing off the Pixel Buds Pro's ability to balance lows and mids. Google's sound profile handles the distorted drums and grumbling bassline in Tame Impala's "New Person, Same Old Mistakes" much better than I thought it would, creating just the right amount of impactful reverb.
Controls and Digital Assistant
Google Assistant integration and experience, which is unmatched by other wireless earbuds. The Assistant wake words ("Hey Google" and "OK Google") will instantly launch the AI bot. Google’s software is super fast at executing commands, and voice recognition is fantastic, thanks to the three-microphone array that picked up every syllable I uttered during my lengthy inquiries. Google Translate is equally reliable — being able to translate over 40 languages in real time is fantastic, and the Pixel Buds Pro makes using this remarkable feature effortless. You can access the feature by selecting conversation mode or opening the Translate app. Notifications are another great feature from Google, updating users on calendar events, traffic updates, flight changes, and incoming emails and messages.
Pixel Buds Pro also feature responsive wear detection (auto-pause/play), and touch controls that can be enabled with single/multi-tap, swipe, and long-press gestures.
Battery Life and Charging Case
Google has stretched the battery life of the Pixel Buds Pro, offering up to 7 hours of battery life with ANC on and up to 11 hours with ANC off. In reality, these playback times drop by 1 to 1.5 hours, given high-volume listening and use of Google features. I have no complaints, as these earphones provided a reasonable 3 days of noise cancelling use (2 hours per day) before needing to be recharged. A 5-minute quick charge got me 1 hour of listening time; 15 minutes gets you up to 3 hours of use.