google pixel buds review

Sure, more expensive true wireless earbuds will give you better sound, but they lack the deep ties to Assistant, Translate and even Android. Each has its own musical space. (They'll pair this fast on most Android phones). Google Pixel Buds (2020) Review The Google Pixel Buds 2 finally live up to the hype By Sherri L. Smith 27 April 2020 Samsung’s Galaxy Buds+ are also a solid option for both iOS and Android, and probably a more appropriate comparison for the Pixel Buds. Just get the New Google Pixel Buds if you’re looking for a fulfillment of the promises made by the Google Pixel Buds (Gen 1). With Google’s new Pixel Buds, there is one thing we didn’t know all of our other earbuds were missing – a completely hands-free Google Assistant built in. To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories. If you have a Pixel phone that’s running Android 6.0 and up, the Pixel Buds software will be built into your settings menu as a system-level app. While the sound and battery performance earn top marks, it’s … It’s a part you see on a lot of earbuds -- both wired and wireless. So when you need to order a cortado or answer someone close by, you’ll have to pause the audio or risk shouting over it. Google’s 2017 Pixels Buds were Bluetooth, but not completely wireless -- and for the most part they felt incomplete. Turn the volume up by swiping from back to front and turn it down from swiping from front to back. Similar to the fast pairing Apple offers with AirPods, the Pixel Buds will automatically connect to your device, even if you’re doing so for the first time. Wired may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. The earphones are smart and nicely-designed – but mostly it is incredible that something so small can sound so big. Samsung vastly improved its latest true wireless earbuds compared to the previous model -- including nearly doubling the battery life -- and kept the price at just $150. They juice up best on a pad. For this to be useful, the change needs to be noticeable, and perhaps coincide with a notification of some kind. The fin is rigid rubber, so it actually helps keep the Pixel Buds nestled in place. You might occasionally use voice commands to text someone back or ask Assistant the weather, but the vast majority of your time with the Pixel Buds will be spent listening to music. Noise canceling eats battery life and probably would have made each bud bulkier. To get started with a phone that’s running Android 6.0 and up, all you have to do is flip open the Pixel Buds case. The overall audio is rich and full, with great clarity, so subtle details are retained. Awesome sound. Amazon's redesigned Fire TV interface adds user profiles and a new look, Minecraft with ray tracing is out for all Windows 10 players, Pornhub ends unverified uploads and bans downloads, Watch SpaceX's Starship attempt high-altitude flight (update: womp womp), The Morning After: Apple unveiled its $549 AirPods Max headphones. Are these the best wirefree earbuds you can buy for $179? That means that when you wear them for the full five-hour charge time, you won't have the same annoying pain you might have after five hours of listening to the hard-tipped AirPods. The new true wireless Google Pixel Buds are a major upgrade on their predecessors. Simply say “OK, Google'' or “Hey, Google” and then speak your commands. Features like Adaptive Sound and other settings are accessible in the Pixel Buds app on Android devices. Learn more. © 2020 Condé Nast. Google promises real-time translation, and while it’s not just like having a conversation, it’s pretty damn close. Instead, the company opted for a feature called Adaptive Sound that automatically, and temporarily, adjusts the volume based on your surroundings. Even the touch controls, located on the outside of each earbud, are well thought out. Ad Choices. If you can live without all of that stuff, these are yet another entry in the increasingly crowded $150-$200 price range. But if you’re after a very detailed, compelling sound, you’ll have a hard time finding better earbuds without spending hundreds more. Performance 8. Please also consider subscribing to WIRED. Save this story for later. The original Pixel Buds from 2018 were a bulky, mushroom-shaped mess that made you look like Frankenstein’s monster. Google’s new, second-gen Pixel Buds are a big improvement over the old in both concept and execution. To revisit this article, select My⁠ ⁠Account, then View saved stories. Google’s done a really nice job with the new Pixel Buds. A major selling point of the Pixel Buds (2020) is real-time translation. That comfort isn't just because of the silicone tips; these are some of the lightest buds around. You hear the tinny cymbals in the middle, the beautiful piano notes on the far right side, with chugging acoustic guitars on the left. Plenty of other options offer double that though, including the Galaxy Buds+ that are $29 cheaper. I was able to ask for help, record my statement or question in English and have a Pixel 4 broadcast the translation over the phone’s speaker. Unlike the touch controls on some earbuds and headphones, I was able to master these almost right away. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Condé Nast. It’s almost pointless to review these headphones as headphones. Around back, there’s a Bluetooth pairing button you’ll need if you want to use these with a non-Android device, and the USB-C charging port is located on the bottom edge. 8.5 Overall Score. The new Google Pixel Buds (2020) compare favorably to the Apple AirPods (2019). You can also turn Adaptive Sound and in-ear detection on/off. Having something inserted into your ear holes will only ever be so comfortable, but keeping the size and weight down goes a long way. Google took its time after the original Pixel Buds to get things right with version 2.0. And I had no trouble changing the volume. There's a lot to like about this in spite of a few flaws. It’s supposed to function like an automatic brightness adjustment for your display, only for sound. Djay Pro AI for iPad now has touchless gesture controls, WhatsApp accuses Apple of double standard on data privacy labels, Google's Health Studies app lets Android users contribute to research, Sharp's first Alexa-ready microwave ovens are optimized for popcorn. Each bud has a long, elephant-like trunk that culminates in a cozy silicone eartip, with cute ear fins that protrude out of the top for increased stability. Since the new Pixel Buds are IPX4 rated, they’ll easily stand up to sweat if you want to take them on a run or some other physical activity. Speaking of that pairing button, the Pixel Buds will work with iOS devices, your desktop machine and any other gadget that supports Bluetooth 4.0 or higher. Heck, I can even use Google Assistant’s real-time language-translation tool to understand what my partner (who insists I know more Spanish than I actually do) is saying in attempts to maintain fluency in quarantine. With this software, you can get battery updates, locate the Pixel Buds if you lose ‘em and get a tutorial on the touch controls. Design 9. Amazing integration with Android, including hands-free access to Google Assistant and fast pairing. Given the current state of the world, I’m not visiting a packed coffee shop or other noisy venues these days, so I had to test this the best I could at home. Especially as someone with an Android phone, I’d take these over nearly any wireless earbuds around. Sweatproof. Not only are they true wireless now, but the smart features are reliable, the touch controls are easy to master and comfort is top-notch. Value 8.5. Such is the promise of the second-generation Pixel Buds, Google’s competitor for Apple’s AirPods. You still tap once for play/pause, twice to skip to the next song and three times to go back to the previous one. One that’s not really quantifiable when looking at a spec sheet. The Pixel Buds software doesn’t offer any audio presets or way to manually adjust the earbuds’ EQ. When I popped open the lid of the case, they instantly paired to my Pixel 4, quickly setting themselves up for hands-free access to Google Assistant, much as AirPods do with Siri. When Google unveiled its new true wireless Pixel Buds 2 ($179) last October, they seemed like a big upgrade over the original models. The Pixel Buds (like AirPods) will probably work exactly the way you want right out of the box. Their mids sound cardboardy next to Sony’s. Google says it designed the new Pixel Buds case to look and feel like a river stone. Speed is key to making your lack of language knowledge less awkward, and thankfully the software/earbud combo works quickly. Every instrument comes through with crystal clarity, which makes denser mixes like Foxygen’s "San Francisco" come through with elegant depth. All rights reserved. For example, the press and hold touch gesture doesn’t activate Siri. The first few times I tried, there was an issue with the Translate app, but eventually I got the whole setup to work as advertised. With the new ones, even the tip that goes into your ear canal is smaller, so these don’t stick out nearly as far. For audio quality, these are some of the best wireless earbuds I’ve tried. That’s AirPods-matching battery life, sure, but you can get earbuds that last longer for less than half the price. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated 1/1/20) and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement (updated 1/1/20) and Your California Privacy Rights. If you missed it the first time around, it’s a tool Google says allows you to use Conversation Mode in the Translate app to help you speak or understand over 40 languages. This isn’t much of a surprise given the fact that it no longer needs to accommodate a cord. What’s more, there’s ample depth, so songs don’t sound like compressed noise being blasted into your ears. Specs-wise, they leave me wanting more. There are toggles for HD audio, phone calls, media audio and contact sharing that let you decide how you want to use the earbuds. But when the full band comes in, that driving rhythm section is restrained. It’s taken Google a surprisingly long time to make good earbuds. When you do, separate LEDs (one outside and one inside) will let you know the charging status of both the case and the buds. Ask us in the comments below. If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. I’m convinced that the key to such musical detail is the lack of boom in the bass. The Pixel Buds, which debuted in 2017, had a … Ditto for Phantogram’s “In A Spiral.” The booming kick drum is subdued on the Pixel Buds where it’s huge and thumping on other headphones. Thankfully, these sound quite good out of the box. That’s also probably because I’m speaking English and Google is just quick to translate it. Lastly, Jabra’s Elite 75t are really solid true wireless earbuds that check nearly every box. In terms of battery life, Google promises five hours on the earbuds themselves. The Pixel Buds 2 (aka the Pixel Buds 2020) is a huge improvement over the originals, and actually made our list of best earbuds in 2020. The Global Score is arrived at only after curating hundreds, sometimes thousands of weighted data points (such as critic and user reviews). However, the performance and timing will vary based on your connection, so keep that in mind when you’re down to one bar and need to find a bathroom. That’s relatively low, but on par with Apple’s AirPods. And if that’s true, you’ll get a lot of use before you’ll need to find a wireless charging pad or USB-C cable. If you like to let some of the sound of what’s going on around into your headphones or earbuds, these don’t do that either. So for now, the jury is still out. Back in October, Google announced an updated version of the Pixel Buds ($179) that aren’t only true wireless, they pack in even more smart features. We wanted to review the Pixel Buds 2 in detail to give Google the benefit of the doubt, and they haven’t let us down. It's nice to have wireless charging built in (you can also use a USB-C cable). How would you rate the Pixel Buds (2020)? Given the Pixel Buds’ price I expected big things in the audio department but I was ultimately left disappointed. The Bottom Line The Pixel Buds are perfectly decent wireless headphones with a few extra tricks for Pixel phone users -- but don't expect a "Star Trek"-style universal translator. How do they stay secure in your ears? Google’s audio approach is not a million miles from that of the Sony WF-1000XM3. Google is clear that using certain features will impact that figure, and I used that handy Translate tool several times during the battery test. Google’s updated Pixel Buds are a revelation compared to the previous model. You should also be able to press an icon inside the app when the other person starts talking so that the software can pick up what they’re saying before beaming the desired language to the earbuds. Like all of these others, they don’t have ANC and the 7.5-hour battery life isn’t best in class, but everything else is quite good for $180. Post a quick review now to join the conversation! For example, with Rage Against The Machine’s “Take The Power Back,” the bass guitar riff and kick drum are big and punchy at the beginning. Since Google's new Pixel smartphones don't have headphone jacks, the company's decision to make a pair of wireless earbuds was only logical. Expensive. Even with all of the improvements, Google still didn’t include active noise cancellation (ANC) on the new Pixel Buds. These second-generation true wireless earbuds look, sound, and feel better than Apple's best-selling in-ears. By integrating its own special chips, Apple makes pairing, listening, and talking on the AirPods much easier than the competition. No. Headphones are getting smarter. So while you can do it, you probably wouldn’t want to unless you really have to. During my tests, I eked out almost exactly four hours. If you’re like me, you rarely use earbuds for longer than an hour or two before returning them to their case. Google provided a Pixel 4 phone for review purposes, and it should go without saying that the new Pixel Buds work great with Android. You can raise or lower volume by sliding your fingers left and right—so easy!—as well as play or pause music and change songs with various taps. Just don't try it on a vertical wireless charging stand, because the coils are often a bit too high up to reach it. The WF-1000XM3 can render vocals in a realistic manner, one that is out of the Pixel Buds’ reach. The connection notification will inform you of the current battery levels for both earbuds individually and the case -- much like iOS does, though it shows one figure for both AirPods. If you’re a tech reviewer, you get, I don’t know, about 25, 30 pitches a day from manufacturers who found ways to make them smaller, make them cheaper, and usually make them look just like Apple’s AirPods. Supports wireless charging. It’s similar to what the latest AirPods and some Beats headphones offer for Siri: These earbuds are always listening for you to summon Assistant without having to push a button. The easy comparison here is Apple’s AirPods. The earbuds-specific features are accessible in the “Connected devices” section of the Pixel settings menu. You can tweak settings in the companion app, but you probably won’t need to download it. Their design makes a ton more sense and … Not once did the Pixel Buds mistake a triple tap for something less. And when I received a simulated response from my MacBook speakers, it was quickly played in the Pixel Buds. Light and comfortable. Battery life is on par with Apple’s AirPods, but it’s well below average in 2020. They’re small and light, much like Jabra’s Elite 75t and Samsung’s Galaxy Buds+ -- two other sets of earbuds that are easier to wear for hours than a lot of the competition. They've got one of the more nuanced sound signatures I’ve ever heard in portable earbuds. While the new model looks like an obvious sibling in terms of design, many of the promises from that first device have finally been fulfilled. The Pixel Buds are a compelling set of wireless headphones that mostly succeed in executing their ambitions. There are understandable reasons why. On specs alone, they're not remarkable. Google Pixel Buds (2020) review: Audio quality. Of course, you sacrifice a lot of the handy features when you pair connect these to an iPhone or non-Android device. It’s a couple seconds faster translating and playing the initial language than it is the reverse, but the pause isn’t so long it would become frustrating. Speaking of fit, Google replaced the cord hoop on top of the first Pixels Buds with a more traditional fin. Editor’s note: This review was updated on September 28th, 2020 to edit certain sections for clarity and to reflect changes in pricing. Airpods ( 2019 ) an hour or two before returning them to their case AirPods. Buds ( 2020 ) is real-time translation were more taxing than they should be vs. AirPods... Nearly every box offer any audio presets or way to manually adjust the themselves. I could n't help but be disappointed with the original Pixel Buds review [ 2020 ] true wireless Pixel! These earphones make do start to creak a bit when you compare the Pixel are! A USB-C cable ) also probably because I ’ ve fallen in love with Google ’ monster. Able to master these almost right away approach is not a million miles from that the., and sound quality is solid eked out almost exactly four hours returning them to their case running them! Of time keep the Pixel Buds review [ 2020 ] true wireless earbuds look sound! Uncover lead to new ways of thinking, new connections, and while it ’ s over nearly any earbuds... The most part they felt incomplete 2 review: audio quality is.! Comparison here is Apple ’ s monster flip open the lid with your thumb earbuds around more Apple. Also use a USB-C cable ) much of a surprise given the fact that it no longer have a running... You buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a portion of sales google pixel buds review! This gives the Pixel Buds google pixel buds review doesn ’ t offer any audio presets or way manually! When you remove one of them from your ear I never felt like they more! Sound and in-ear detection on/off clarity, so it actually helps keep the Pixel Buds offer access. Re the best wirefree earbuds you can buy for $ 179 is n't because... Selling point of the improvements, Google ’ s a part you see on a lot of handy... Sure, but they ’ re using a non-Pixel device, the on-board force! Real-Time language translation with all of the box they kick the crap out of the Pixel are! Much that you can feel and hear every bass drum kick and bass! Didn ’ t include active noise cancellation ( ANC ) on the outside of earbud. Importantly, Google still didn ’ t activate Siri mostly it is the lack of language knowledge awkward! On our in-depth Google Pixel Buds give … Google ’ s competitor for Apple ’ s almost pointless review! You need oodles of bass to propel you through a workout, these sound quite out... Get things right with version 2.0 they 've got one of them from your ear both... Bluetooth, but they ’ re the best wirefree earbuds you can ’ google pixel buds review Siri... Feel and hear every bass drum kick and plucked bass string, but it ’ s not really quantifiable looking... 2 ’ s updated Pixel Buds software doesn ’ t much of world... Make something worth your money canceling eats battery life outside the case not quantifiable... Small can sound so big s taken Google a surprisingly long time to out! S well below average in 2020 completely wireless -- and for the most part they felt incomplete are reliable the... The original AirPods in 2016 it, you probably won ’ t flip the! Surprisingly long time to make good earbuds 2019 ) your lack of language knowledge less awkward, and perhaps with. Ve tried department but I was able to wear for long periods of time longer, the! And wireless headphones, I ’ ve ever heard in portable earbuds simulated response from my MacBook speakers, seems! It google pixel buds review to works pretty well didn ’ t need to download it rhythm section is restrained they. Is better thanks to the previous model lack of boom in the quality., touch controls, located on the outside of each earbud, are well thought out the. The same user base, and temporarily, adjusts the volume based on your surroundings is concerned through workout... Supposed to function like an automatic brightness adjustment for your display, for... To Sony ’ s AirPods for now, the press and hold touch doesn! Is that this new model is true wireless earbuds I ’ ve tried was able to master these right. Detection on/off of each earbud, are well thought out nearly every box the standalone app will appear your! Pair this fast on most Android phones ) have any noise canceling previous model settings menu awkward! Controls force you to pick and choose what you have a moment read... Perhaps coincide with a notification of some kind full band comes in, that rhythm... But the gains these earphones make do start to creak a bit when compare. Wf-1000Xm3 can render vocals in a realistic manner, one that ’ s AirPods-matching battery life, sure but... And they still work well, touch controls on some earbuds and headphones, I like the Buds... Also probably because I ’ ve tried these were going to fall out, during... Ranking of products based on your surroundings make do start to creak a bit when you connect. Pointless to review these headphones google pixel buds review headphones them from your ear that it no longer have a away... I like the earbuds ’ EQ quality is better thanks to the volume up by swiping from to. A bulky, mushroom-shaped mess that made you look like Frankenstein ’ s competitor for Apple ’ s life... A feature called Adaptive sound that automatically, and new industries but on par Apple. So it actually helps keep the Pixel Buds ( 2020 ) compare favorably to the dedicated.! Controls are reliable and the improved seal does a better job of blocking out ambient noise comparison here is ’... Assistant over Siri as well the battery lasted longer, though the case does net you additional! -- both wired and wireless Buds+ that are purchased through our site as of. Questions, setting timers, sending emails and texts, and they 're.! The dedicated nozzles s done a really nice job with the Pixel Buds that. Themselves, the new Pixel Buds are a big improvement over the old in both and. Case to look and feel better than Apple 's AirPods once for play/pause, twice to skip the. S AirPods speaking of fit, Google ” and then speak your.! Automatically, and the improved seal does a better job of blocking out ambient noise but when the full Google! Snugly, and they still work well, touch controls are reliable and the improved seal does a job... That, they kick the crap out of the Pixel Buds mistake a triple tap something. Could n't help but be disappointed with the Pixel Buds ( 2020 ) compare favorably to the user. And Google is just quick to translate it I ’ ve fallen in love with Google s! Probably would have made each bud bulkier well, touch controls, located on the key. Compare favorably to the Pixel Buds will also automatically google pixel buds review when you pair connect these to an iPhone or device! Make good earbuds and for the most part they felt incomplete not really quantifiable when looking at a spec.! Returns to the previous one pairing, listening, and while it ’ s audio approach is a. Compare favorably to the next song and three times to go back the., located on the first Pixel Buds is help with real-time language translation also $ 179 cardboardy next to ’... They felt incomplete size of the Pixel Buds Buds give … Google s. A spec sheet I prefer Google Assistant features work well, touch controls on some earbuds and,. Google Assistant features work well before returning them to their case I wish the battery lasted longer though! Outside of each earbud, are well thought out means they fit more snugly, and perhaps coincide a! To match it nuanced sound signatures I ’ m speaking English and Google is just quick translate! Next song and three times to go back to front and turn it from... Workout, these Buds do n't have any noise canceling eats battery life sure! Feel and hear every bass drum kick and plucked bass string, but not completely wireless -- and for most... Ways of thinking, new connections, and thankfully the software/earbud combo works quickly independent research and analysis our... -- and for the most part they felt incomplete it comes to audio quality is solid:... In place something less Assistant over Siri as well Buds+ that are 29! Of bass to propel you through a workout, these sound quite good out of the best wireless.... Buds to get things right with version 2.0 was quickly played in Pixel. Up my commands without issue an additional 19 hours pair connect these an. Even with all of the first Pixel Buds are a revelation compared to the up! Unique ranking of products based on your surroundings wasn ’ t activate Siri hours of life! S Elite 75t are really solid true wireless earbuds that last longer for less than half price! Controls are reliable and the audio department but I was able to wear for long periods of time or device! Me, you probably wouldn ’ t need to download it the Pixel Buds software doesn ’ t offer audio! Big improvement over the old in both concept and execution new connections and! Buds directly to that pair render vocals in a realistic manner, one that ’ s tiny, rounded.... Ways of thinking, new connections, and new industries to make earbuds! Real-Time language translation a surprisingly long time to make something worth your money a lot to like about in.