Google Pixel Buds Pro in the test: The very best Android AirPod alternative?

This is an article from our content partner "Nextpit". Here you can find the original article by Benjamin Lucks.

Pro

• Cool design
• Effective ANC
• True multi-pairing
• Great connectivity to the Andoid ecosystem

Contra

• Soundwise unimpressive
• Equaliser not available until autumn (banana principle!)
• No app for iOS
• Fiddly handling

Short conclusion

If you don't have much time, I'll take my short conclusion from the conclusion:

"If you think it's pretty and you use an Android phone, you won't go wrong with buying it. If not, there are models in our list of the best in-ear Bluetooth headphones that sound better and offer more features."

"It's important to know that these headphones are the best.

It's important to note that at launch in July and until autumn 2022, both the individual equalisers and the spatial audio are missing, which is what the update to Android 13 will enable.

Design & Comfort

If you like the design of the Google accessories you already know, you'll like the Pixel Buds Pro. That's because they come in the same high-quality plastic look, which generates a certain charm from curves and round edges. At 23 x 22 x 22 millimetres, the Earbuds are average in size, but the charging case is nicely compact at 63.2 x 50 x 25 millimetres.

Liked:

• Nice design with Google charm

• Comfortable fit even without retaining fins

• Scrunchy feedback on touch inputs

Don't like:

• Fiddly handling when removing and entering into charging case

• Charge case gets dirty quickly
• Low scope of delivery

While Google sets bold accents with hard edges on its smartphones in 2022, the design of the Pixel Buds Pro is much tamer. They are clearly reminiscent of the wired headphones that Google included with its smartphones a long time ago, or of the Pixel Stand 2. Visually, however, the Earbuds are appealing and, thanks to the small charging case, they are also really practical to have with you all the time.

I found them comfortable to wear even with the pre-installed M-size earbuds. The Google Pixel Buds app confirms this in the integrated test for the final fit. If your ears deviate from the boring M standard, sizes S and L are included. Apart from a manual, however, only the headphones are included in the box. If you don't have a USB-C charging cable, you'll need to buy one as well.

While Google uses retaining fins in the cheaper Pixel Buds A-series to guarantee a better hold in the ear, the Pro version only sits in your ear through the vacuum of the silicone attachments. This works surprisingly well, but still makes for a queasy feeling when jogging or headbanging.

After several days of testing, I still find the removal from the charging case critical. This is because only a small part of the headphones peeks out of the insertion recesses, which makes removal quite fiddly. The headphone shape, which is somewhat reminiscent of a round cone, also fits poorly in the hand. Other manufacturers manage this much more comfortably and securely.

Another small drawback: the charging cradle quickly gets dirty when it comes into contact with keys or other trouser pocket contents. However, most stains and smudges can be rubbed off with a finger.

App & convenience features

The Google Pixel Buds Pro's companion app is only available for Android users, but as a consolation for iOS fans, it's even pre-installed on Pixel smartphones! (Just kidding) In keeping with the banana principle, the equalisers and spatial audio will not be added until autumn 2022, but at market launch there will be nice features such as multipoint Bluetooth and direct integration of the Google Assistant, as well as wearer recognition.

The Pixel Buds Pro will only be available on Android devices.

Liked:

• Nice companion app

• Direct integration with Pixel devices

• Multi-pairing and wearable detection

Don't like:

• Severe limitations for iOS users

• Many features not available until months after launch

Google wants to give its direct customers, i.e. all those who call a Pixel smartphone their own, a small advantage. Because here you don't have to install the Companion app, but can access all functions directly via the Bluetooth settings. In my eyes, however, this is more cumbersome than having a dedicated app on the mobile phone. Because instead of opening an app on the home screen, you have to:

• Open the Bluetooth settings

• Tap the Pixel Buds Pro's gear icon

• Adjust the settings you want

If this path is too long for you, you can alternatively put a 1x1 widget on the home screen. Unfortunately, there is no quick control to choose from here - Google could still work on integrating its headphones here. The range of functions is also still somewhat limited until autumn 2022. A perfect example of the banana principle, where new products are launched with limited functions and then updated later.

As of August 2022, I was not yet able to use the Pixel Buds Pro's equalisers. Google mentions in small print on its homepage that this feature would be added in the autumn. Also later in the year, Android 13 will be expanded to include Spatial Audio, and the Pixel Buds Pro, as flagship earbuds, will of course be compatible with this. As soon as we get to try out the features, we'll have an update!

What already works well is multi-pairing, including recognition for the devices whose audio output you want to use at the moment. During the test, I usually had my notebook and smartphone connected. The Pixel Buds Pro switched seamlessly between listening to music on the laptop and playing a message sound back on my iPhone. Google doesn't make any mistakes here.

Other convenience features include support for Google Assistant, including activation via voice command. This is an advantage over most headphones, which can usually only accept voice commands after pressing a button. A wearer recognition feature also ensures that playback stops when you take the headphones out of your ear - Google's charging case also knows when it is open or closed.

Problem if you use an iPhone: You can connect the Pixel Buds Pro and use them like "normal" headphones - but unfortunately there is no companion app in the AppStore. This means that many features cannot be controlled. Too bad!

Sound & ANC

Music on the Google Pixel Buds Pro sounds from 11-millimetre drivers. The ANC is not adaptive and unfortunately cannot be fine-tuned. A technical shortcoming of the Pixel Buds Pro: Only AAC and SCB are supported as Bluetooth codecs, so HD codecs are not supported. This is noticeable both in the resolution of the sound, but above all in the latency.

Liked:

• Solid sound with a tendency towards bass (equaliser not yet available)

• ANC really effective
• Great quality on calls

Don't like:

• Complex tracks sound spongy
• No HD codecs
• ANC without gradations (On / Off / Transparency)

With an RRP of just under 220 euros, Google places its in-ear Bluetooth headphones in the earbud upper class. So for comparison, models like the Sony WF-1000XM4 and the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 have to be used. Both headphones were very convincing in their respective test reports, both technically and in terms of sound. Google falls far behind here with its Earbuds.

Because the lack of support for HD codecs such as AptX or LDAC is already a major disadvantage when listening to music. Even with high-quality drivers, the Pixel Buds Pro cannot achieve the resolution of competing models. At the same time, the latency of the AAC and SBC codecs is high, which is especially noticeable in practice with videos and mobile games.

Despite the technical disadvantages, the Pixel Buds Pro sound solid and know how to impress, especially in the bass range. It should be mentioned that Google does not yet offer an equaliser in its app. This means that at the market launch, the Pixel Buds Pro are more for bass fans, i.e. for genres such as R 'n' B, hip-hop, electro, EDM and, of course, pop music. In fact, tracks like "I'm so blessed you're mine" by James Blake or the new Beyonce album released in July are fat and come with the necessary thump.

Chaotic tracks like "Nighttime Disguise" by the prog metal band Leprous, "Cafo" by Animals as Leaders or more complex, classical music quickly sound overloaded and spongy. The Pixel Buds Pro do not separate individual frequencies precisely enough to make them clearly recognisable to the listener. This doesn't sound nice, but it may be possible to fine-tune it a little via the equalisers.

Talking about fine-tuning: Unfortunately, you can't do that with the active noise cancellation. You can switch between on, off and transparency mode via the Pixel Buds app or by holding down the individual earphones. Other models allow you to switch on gradually in certain situations. When fully active, however, the ANC is really effective and filters out, for example, 90 per cent of my keyboard typing and the street in front of my home office window. The noise cancellation is among the best I've experienced with Earbuds.

When it comes to making calls, the Pixel Buds Pro do a good job. The person I was talking to told me that the call quality was good and I could also understand the person I was talking to well. What is missing, unfortunately, is a pass-through function for one's own voice, which is pleasant when making phone calls with ANC headphones. Moreover, the quality of a voice recording via the Audacity programme is rather mediocre.

Battery & Charging

Google's Pixel Buds Pro offer a long battery life of seven hours with noise cancellation activated. This is a real power hog for Google, as without ANC the Pro Buds manage a tidy eleven hours. With the included charging case, you can extend the runtime to up to 20 hours with ANC and 31 hours without ANC. Wireless charging and quick charging are also on board.

Liked:

• Very good battery life

• Quick and wireless charging on board

Disliked:

• Headphones slip off phone during reverse wireless charging

With runtimes of seven to eleven hours, with mixed use with and without ANC, the Google Pixel Buds last a pleasingly long time. In the test, they could easily be used for an entire working day. If you still want to go jogging after work, you can also achieve another hour of runtime by charging for five minutes thanks to Quick Charging. Google also states that 15 minutes is enough for three hours - which is pleasing, as quick-charging usually works slower with longer charging.

If you don't have a USB-C charging cable at home - after all, none is included in the scope of delivery - you can also charge the Google Pixel Buds Pro wirelessly. With the exception of the Pixel 6a, all current Pixel smartphones also offer reverse wireless charging, which allows you to charge the headphones by placing them on the back of the phone. Here's a problem: the phone and Earbuds are so slippery that the headphones slip off the phone. Regrettable!

Final verdict

So are the Google Pixel Buds Pro THE recommendation for Android smartphones, as many testers write? Personally, I would be cautious with this statement. Because although the multi-pairing and the connection to the Google Pixel 6 in particular were really, really good during the test period, the 220-euro Earbuds fall behind in other properties.

I think it's the sound in particular that I find difficult with the Earbuds, at least at market launch. The Pixel Buds Pro are very bass-heavy ex works and the sound is too spongy for more complex pieces of music. Among other things, this is due to the lack of support for HD codecs like AptX HD, which can be found in more and more affordable in-ear Bluetooth headphones. Here you will also find practical comfort features such as location-based ANC control, adaptive ANC with finer graduation or 3D audio, which is not coming to Google until the end of the year.
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The very good ANC and the runtimes suitable for everyday use are again very positive, but these are also available from other manufacturers. So the question of a purchase recommendation ultimately depends on your sympathy or antipathy towards Google's Pro headphones. Because although there are better models at a price of 220 euros, only Google's headphones look so unique and pretty.

In short, if you think they're pretty and you use an Android phone, you can't go wrong with buying them.

Headphones

EUR149,64

Google Pixel Buds Pro

ANC, 7 h, Wireless

265

Headphones

EUR137,90

Google Pixel Buds Pro

ANC, 7 h, Wireless

265