The company’s latest wireless earbuds are excellent, currently available at an attractive price. I upgraded from the 2021 Pixel A-series buds to the Pixel Buds Pro 2, and two things were clear: the A-series buds offer surprising sound quality for under $100, and the Pixel Buds Pro 2 fulfill all my expectations for a successor. They are smaller and include a silicone ear fin for a secure fit, while their enhanced features—superior sound quality, active noise cancellation, and transparency mode—compete with the best. If you’re considering an upgrade soon, this model has returned to its lowest price ever of $169.99 (was $229.99) at Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart (in limited colors), and the Google Store.
These earbuds are Bluetooth-compatible with any device but pair best with a Pixel phone running newer Android versions. You can check the current battery levels of the earbuds and case via a homescreen widget or the Pixel Buds app. You can customize touch gestures on each earbud, adding functions like activating the Gemini-powered voice assistant or managing noise control. You can also disable all touch controls or enable head gestures, such as nodding to answer calls. Most features can also be customized using Google’s browser-based companion app for PCs.
My only issue with the Pixel Buds Pro 2 is that the included silicone ear tips do not stay secure in my ears (they fit, but my inner ear grease makes them slip out during activities like walking, talking, or chewing). However, $16.99 memory foam tips from Tang Town on Amazon solved the problem.
Read our review of the Pixel Buds Pro 2 for more details.