Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 review: This is what a second-gen product should be like

Let’s cut to the chase: The Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 is exactly what you want to see in a second-generation product. Not only has Google managed to make the earbuds smaller and lighter for better comfort in the ear, but the active noise cancellation (ANC) and sound quality are noticeably improved and there’s a new Tensor chip inside that offers multi-path processing so that audio signals don’t get affected by the ANC processing. In short, it improves on its predecessor in almost every way.

The TL;DR version:



The Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 have improved ANC, sound quality, fit and battery life. If you're deep in the Android ecosystem and you're keen on integrating Gemini into your life, then these earbuds are one of the best options around. 



Note: You can find the Pixel Buds Pro 2 on Lazada, Shopee, and the Google Online Store.

Let's start with the charging case, because there's little that has changed. It looks almost exactly the same, with the exception of a new speaker next to the USB-C charging port for the Find My Device feature. It’s a long-awaited feature and it’s nice that Google has included it here. Inside, you’ll find the earbuds, and you will immediately notice how small they are. 

Side note: the earbuds are held in the case with extremely strong magnets, which makes it so that they don’t fall out even when the case is opened, held upside down and shaken vigorously. So if you’re looking to take them out of the case easily, we’ve found that pulling them sideways and away from the case works better than pulling straight up. 

Google claims that 45 million ear scans were used in order to create the shape of these new earbuds, and the earbuds are 24% lighter and 27% smaller than the original Pixel Buds Pro. Each earbud weighs just 4.7g, and there’s also a new twist-to-adjust stabiliser fin on each earbud that provides more stability and security in the ear. 

Inside the earbuds, we still have a custom 11mm dynamic driver, although it now comes with a new high-frequency chamber for better treble. The main improvement here is in the Tensor A1 chip, which is designed for audio and supposedly provide twice as much noise cancelling compared to the original Pixel Buds Pro.

There are four colour options for the Pixel Buds Pro 2: Porcelain, Hazel, Wintergreen and Peony. The unit we have is Peony, which, as you can see from our photos, is very bright.

Features

One of the most important features, ANC, has been massively improved thanks to the introduction of Silent Seal 2.0. On trains and in cars, the low rumble of engines and track noise are very suppressed and basically unnoticeable if you have music playing. I used these to escape the incessant drilling from construction work happening in an apartment above. While the drills are still audible, it’s suppressed to a low enough hum that doesn’t drive me mad. It’s not quite on the level of Sony, Bose or Apple, but it’s more than enough for most situations that you’ll find yourself in. The Transparency/ambient sound mode is much improved and sounds fairly clear and natural.

The touch controls remain relatively similar. You only get the option to customise the tap and hold control in the Pixel Buds app, but since Google has customised the controls rather sensibly, it’s not too big an issue. Media playback, track control, and volume adjustment are all present by default. 

Other expected features are also present, such as an equaliser, ear tip seal check, in-ear detection, multipoint and even a hearing wellness feature that alerts you if your earbuds are playing at too high of a volume level. There’s a spatial audio feature, but it’s appears to be targeted at movies since it only supports apps like YouTube, Disney+, and Netflix.

Clear Calling has been improved, and while noise rejection does work well in noisy environments, it gets a little too aggressive, and the microphone performance wasn’t as good as expected. When using the Recorder app, I noticed the recording tended to cut out the first word I spoke, and if I had a fan aimed at me, the quality would drop further. 

These earbuds also support Gemini, which is Google’s take on AI, so you’ll be able to send messages, call contacts or ask questions without having to pull your phone out of your pocket. And if you’re in the mood to chat with it, you can even activate Gemini Live for a more fluid conversation rather than the usual question-and-answer format. 

If you’re looking for how Gemini performs, we’ve covered it in our Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro XL review. However, we did give it another try this time around to see if anything’s changed. Google now recognises that the most recent Olympics is Paris 2024, and it’s able to tell me that the most recent MRT disruption was on 25 September, so it feels like the results are now up to date.

Unfortunately, Gemini still insists on disregarding Tasha Low’s existence as the leader of Skarf, so maybe it’s not all roses yet. That being said, we do now get the ability to put the phone into Do Not Disturb mode through Gemini, so minor wins I suppose.

There’s IP54 dust and water resistance rating on the earbuds with a nice IPX4 rating on the case, so it’s certainly a step up from the Pixel Buds Pro. 

Wireless and audio performance

It’s a bit of a disappointment, but the Pixel Buds Pro 2 still only support the standard SBC and AAC codecs, without any high-res or low-latency codecs like LDAC or aptX Adaptive. The buds are running on Bluetooth 5.4, and it does support low energy (LE) audio, which helps with battery efficiency and it’s evident via the improved battery life on the earbuds. 

Connectivity is excellent with no drop outs, crackling or disruptions of any kind, and there’s multipoint support with the option to turn on Audio Switch so that the earbuds can switch between audio sources automatically. The caveat here is that your devices need to be paired to the same Google account as your headphones, so it’s really more targeted towards Android tablets and smartphones rather than with laptops or computers. 

Battery life is fantastic, with an above-average of around 8 hours in the earbuds with ANC turned on and a total of 30 hours with the charging case. A quick 15-minute charge in the case will give the earbuds three hours of playtime, and the case can be charged either wired via the USB-C port or wirelessly on a wireless charger. 

Audio quality has definitely been improved compared to the original Pixel Buds Pro. The original Pixel Buds Pro had a heavier emphasis on the bass, and the Pixel Buds Pro 2 is going for a slightly more natural and balanced presentation this time around.

It’s a generally clean sound with a slight dip in the mids for a gentle V-shaped signature that works excellently with a wide genre of music. You get a decent amount of bass that’s isn't over the top and has a touch better texture and detail. The sub-bass has sufficient depth and rumble.

The mids, while slightly depressed, are relatively neutral and have a good timbre, with instruments accurately reproduced. I particularly enjoyed listening to guitar-heavy tracks with these and being able to lose myself in the music. 

The treble benefits from being slightly extended with a later roll off that allows for more sparkle and air in the sound. This is highly subjective, of course, but I personally enjoy brighter treble so this was a plus point for me. 

Of course, there is that 5-band equaliser in the Pixel Buds app, so the sound can be tweaked to your own personal preference if you’re not a fan of the default tuning.

Conclusion

At S$349, there's no shortage of options if you are prepared to splurge this kind of money on earbuds. However, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 has some distinct advantages over other competitors. If you’re keen on AI and using Gemini, well, you won't find a better alternative out there. And even though it is slightly more expensive than its predecessor, the price increase seems perfectly reasonable and palatable once you consider everything that it offers.

Overall, if you’re looking for a pair of earbuds that has decent sound quality, above average battery life and good ANC performance while compressing everything into a tiny earbud that’s super comfortable to wear, the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 should be one of the top choices on your list to consider. 

Note: The Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 are S$345 and you can find them on Lazada, Shopee, Amazon, and the Google Online Store.

Our articles may contain affiliate links. If you buy through these links, we may earn a small commission.