Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 review

Secure to wear with a smaller footprint

They have a built-in fin, which helps lock the buds in your ears. ( Image credit: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Express)

Google’s pro-level true wireless earbuds, the Buds Pro 2, have undergone a drastic makeover—and I mean that. They are 24 per cent lighter and 27 per cent smaller, and you’ll notice the difference immediately once you put them on. While the previous-generation Pixel Buds Pro were comfortable, the Buds Pro 2 feel even more comfortable and better designed. They are so tiny that at times you may forget you are wearing them. I also appreciate how securely they stay in my ears, thanks to a new twist-to-lock mechanism. All you have to do is place the buds in your ears and give a slight twist for the best fit. Google includes a range of rubber tip sizes in the box. I found that the standard pre-installed tips fit my ears comfortably, staying secure over long periods, whether I’m exercising, running, or standing in a crowded Delhi Metro.

The Buds Pro 2’s design is quite simple. The case is oval-shaped—super compact and handy—while the buds come in a range of colour options. The case has a pop-open lid and slots for each bud to slide in and attach magnetically for charging. It features USB-C and wireless charging, in addition to a small speaker that can be used to locate the buds’ case, in case you lose it. Each Pixel Buds Pro 2 earbud is IP54 rated, while the case offers only IPX4 water resistance. This essentially means the buds can handle sweat, but they aren’t rated for swimming.

Pairing with my Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold (review) was virtually instant (I did try pairing them with my iPhone 16 Pro; however, neither the sound nor settings can be tweaked). Just pop open the case, and the wireless buds appear at the bottom of the screen on the Pixel smartphone for quick pairing, similar to how you pair AirPods with an iPhone. Further adjustments can be made in the Pixel Buds app. The wireless buds use capacitive touch controls for play/pause, assistant and noise cancellation selection modes. Google went for a horizontal swipe motion to change volume levels, and I see why the disc shape of the Pixel Buds works rather well.

Pleasant and detailed sound quality

The sound is extremely crisp and detailed. ( Image credit: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Express)

I use all types of headphones and earbuds, but I am not an audiophile — just in case you want to know. I often come across strong opinions about true wireless earbuds in general. Frankly, it all comes down to something very simple: do I like the sound of the Pixel Buds Pro 2? Well, yes—the sound of the Buds Pro 2 is full, natural, and offers a wide soundstage for wireless earbuds. The sound is very impressive for listening to contemporary music genres, such as modern dance, hip hop, pop, and Bollywood music. I listened to Sonu Nigam’s “Kal Ho Na Ho,” and it sounded clean and crisp. I also played “As It Was” by Harry Styles, and the vocals hit hard and emotionally. In general, when listening to music on the Buds Pro 2, you get a real sense of balanced sound where the bass is solid but not bloated, the mids are powerful, and the highs are clear without being overly bright. Instrument separation is excellent on the Buds Pro 2, but they are not suited for delicate music, such as acoustic and classical.

I found the Buds Pro 2 excellent for listening to podcasts and watching movies is especially enjoyable. Does it support Spatial Audio? Yes (a lot of you have asked for this, and I am aware). The Buds Pro 2 does support Spatial Audio, which brings a surround-sound cinema effect within the earbuds. Unfortunately, Spatial Audio with head tracking only works with Google’s Pixel smartphones.

Top-notch noise cancellation

Perhaps what impressed me the most (and I’ll say it loud) is the noise cancellation. When I turned on Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) on the Buds Pro 2 recently in a café, I couldn’t hear anything and completely forgot I was surrounded by people. I wouldn’t say ANC is a must-have feature, but for those times when you are on the go and can’t access a quiet place, ANC does make a difference. Take my case: when I am attending a big product launch event, I typically have to file a copy right there. It’s hard to find a quiet place to write a story. Having ANC built into earbuds is a godsend feature for those times.

Another impressive aspect is how well the transparency mode works on these wireless earbuds. I can work on a story and edit a copy while still hearing other people’s voices in the office. The Transparency mode on the Pixel Buds Pro 2 is as good as that of Apple and Sonos. One feature I really found interesting was Conversation Detection, which turns off the ANC and switches on Transparency as soon as the AI on the earbuds detects when you start talking. It’s handy, as you don’t have to touch your earbuds or take them off to hear yourself speak.

Gemini integration is a hit-and-miss

The artificial-intelligent features take full advantage of Google’s ecosystem. ( Image credit: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Express)

The Pixel Buds Pro 2 are the first earbuds to feature a Google Tensor A1 chip. This means Google heavily relies on AI for audio processing and active noise cancellation. What’s new is how deeply these buds are integrated with Gemini, Google’s virtual assistant. All you need to do is press the buds to ask Gemini any question, including follow-ups, which can be annoying if you have multiple questions at once. You can also have a more conversational experience with Gemini Live by using a wake phrase, such as “Hey, Google, let’s talk.” While it has great potential, it soon hits a pause due to Gemini Live’s limitations. You can’t send a text message or email, or tell Gemini to call someone. The list of limitations is long and endless, but I do see a future where wireless buds can offer a new way to talk to AI in a more meaningful way. Unfortunately, it’s not there yet.

Notes, comments and observations

• The Pixel Buds Pro 2 pack in eight hours of battery life with ANC turned on and another 30 hours in the case. The Battery life stretches to 12 hours with ANC off.
• They are also suitable for recording your voice for a voiceover and a podcast. I tested them using the Google Pixel’s Recorder app.
• Voice call performance, thanks to Google’s Clear Calling feature, which optimizes voice clarity using AI—both on the earbuds and on your Pixel smartphone—remains a strong point.

Should you buy the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2?

So, do I like the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2? Yes. They are wireless, convenient, comfortable, and have excellent active noise cancellation, transparency mode, and spatial audio. The sound is natural, and they fit well within Google’s walled garden (or should I say the Pixel ecosystem?). The Buds Pro 2’s price tag might indeed seem steep compared to other wireless earbuds, but I completely disagree with the claims that they’re overpriced for what they offer.