Today we are reviewing the most expensive model of wireless headphones from Google that are produced. Pixel Buds Pro has all the functionality you need for wireless headphones in 2023, including active noise cancellation (ANC), quality conversational microphones, high autonomy and a stylish design.
Given the large amount of criticism on the Internet about this model, expectations were extremely low, but, spoiler, the headphones are very good, except for a few points. So let’s consider the features of the model and talk about the experience of using it both with a smartphone from Google and from third-party manufacturers.
The headphones come in a pleasingly minimalistic white packaging with color printing. The delivery set consists of only three pairs of ear pads (S, M, L) and documentation.
A rather interesting implementation of packaging for ear pads in the form of a double-sided cardboard tube without the use of plastic.
Subjectively, this is one of the restrained and beautiful TWS designs
True Wireless Stereo of all on the market today. A neat case that looks like a cross between a Star Wars stormtrooper and Marvin from the movie Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, made of matte white plastic, with black plastic inside.
The cover does not hang down and closes with a pleasant heavy click, and the soft glow of an LED hidden under a layer of plastic is responsible for the indication, which visually looks much more expensive than a simple light bulb.
There are four color options in total, but in all cases the case will be the same, only the colors of the headphone covers will change.
The headphones are made of smoother plastic, and their covers are made of the same tactilely pleasant matte material as the case.
The fit is comfortable and with properly selected ear pads, the headphones are not felt in the ears, but they do not sit very securely and are not suitable for sports. Moreover, if your ears are slightly different from the average shape, the Pixel Buds Pro will fall out of your ears even during normal walking, so it is better to measure them before buying.
Uncertain fit is one of the main disadvantages of this model, as well as other models with a similar body shape, which, although distinguished by increased comfort, but at the same time makes the user constantly worry about keeping the headphones while driving.
Management is responsive and works without misses. Flat and fairly large platforms detect the user’s gesture or tap without any problems, but at first, out of habit, you pause the music when you try to adjust the earphone in your ear.
In general, the headphones are made in such a way that you want to use them: neat packaging, nice materials, the click of the case lid and how easily the Pixel Buds Pro are taken out of it (which is something that manufacturers usually don’t pay attention to). All this creates the impression of an expensive toy and evokes sympathy even before the music is turned on, which is very important not only in audio equipment, but also in any product related to emotional use.
The first thing you notice after switching it on is the very soft noise cancellation found in the top popular models of full-size wireless headphones, such as the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless, Sony WH-1000XM5 or BOSE Noise Canceling Headphones 700. It works well enough to completely completely work the noise of the loaded avenue, but does it quite softly.
The penetration mode is also very high and can compete with the Apple AirPods 2 Pro (link to AirPods review). During testing, several times I caught myself putting the headphones in my ears in the morning and forgetting about them, because the permeability mode was activated, which sounds natural enough not to cause discomfort.
The speaker microphones are a bit worse quality than Apple’s headphones or headsets with an external mic, but they’re still great for everyday use as a headset for calls from both a Google smartphone and a Windows 11 laptop or desktop PC.
The connection to the Google Pixel 4a smartphone was as fast and trouble-free as possible. It is enough for the user to open the cover of the new headphones and press the connection button that appears. This is followed by a short adjustment and a check of the quality of the fit (whether the ear pads are correctly selected, a similar function debuted in Apple AirPods Pro).
Further TWS setup is done in the Google Pixel Buds app. In it, the user can adjust gestures, sound quality, adjust noise and update headphones.
There is a special widget for Google smartphones, and there is no need to download the app separately, unless you have previously forcibly removed it. Otherwise, use with devices from other manufacturers is no different – the same application that is responsible for configuring Pixel Buds Pro is available to the user through the Play Market.
So the headphones are universal and since they don’t initially have the seamlessness that Apple products have – their functionality doesn’t feel truncated. When testing with several Xiaomi and OnePlus smartphones, there were no problems with connection and setup.
Searching for the device through the application is done by turning on the music on the headphones themselves at maximum volume, which is not enough to successfully detect the headphones, especially if they are in a case, under some object or in an imperfectly quiet room, so the option is doubtful.
The search for headphones together with the case is carried out by the Google Find My Device program, which must be installed separately from the Play Market. It only allows you to determine the last location of the Pixel Buds Pro with a marker on the map and the time it was turned on. So even such a giant company as Google cannot yet compete with Apple’s Locator.
From 100% to 0%, the headphones themselves are discharged in an average of 8-10 hours (80-100% volume and when switching on ANC with transparency mode). The case gives about three full charges.
With ANC off, the Pixel Buds Pro at full volume drain 10-15% per hour, depending on volume. In my case, the right earphone loses its charge significantly faster: if the right one has 70% of the battery, then the left one has 75-80%.
Fully discharged headphones are charged from the case in 5-10 minutes for about an hour of listening, as stated by the manufacturer.
In addition to problems with the connection, it is also customary to criticize the sound of Google headphones for being unnatural and dry, with which I have to disagree. Perhaps it was so when the first raw revisions were released, but today they can be called one of the best TWS both in terms of sound and overall user experience.
The sound of Google Pixel Buds Pro can easily compete with such models as Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3, Sony WF-1000XM4 and, as already mentioned above, Apple AirPods Pro 2 (far from the best sound on the market, but for a reason most brands are oriented).
The headphones sound rich, voluminous and smooth, but at the same time they produce a fairly high level of detail, given the single dynamic radiator and wireless connection. They can be used to listen to almost all genres of music, including rock, rich electronica, jazz and some symphonic compositions. The full orchestra is not stretched out, but still, not many wireless in-channel models can boast of such versatility.
The Google Pixel Buds Pro do a good job of conveying the scene on simple recordings, which can be a pleasant surprise, especially when listening to artists focused on the environment and placement of instruments.
The main sound testing was carried out on the Google Pixel 4a smartphone and the Astell&Kern SR25 audio player.
| Construction type | Vacuum |
| Fastening type | Without fasteners |
| Type of acoustic design | closed |
| Driver | 11 mm dynamic custom |
| Bluetooth version | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Frequency range | 20 – 20000 Hz |
| Protection |
Headphones IPX4 Case IPX2 |
| Dimensions of one earpiece | 22.33×22.03×23.72 mm |
| Dimensions of the charging case | 25x50x63.2 mm |
| Weight | 140 g |
The cost of Google Pixel Buds Pro headphones is UAH 8,060.
In this price segment, the closest competitors in terms of sound quality and overall product level can be called the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 by UAH 9,689Sony WF-1000XM4 for UAH 9,708 and of course Apple AirPods Pro 2 for 10,499 UAH.
It is also worth paying attention to the Sony LinkBuds S WF-LS900N by UAH 7,881 if the bass component is a priority, and for lovers of upper frequencies there are hybrid Anker SoundCore Liberty 3 Pro UAH 6,999.
Pros:
sound, quality of noise cancellation, quality of penetration mode and conversational microphones, design, build quality and materials
Cons:
non-universal ergonomics
Conclusion:
initially low expectations were dashed literally at the first listen. Google Pixel Buds Pro has nothing to complain about, except for a too soft fit and not the most universal ergonomics.
These are excellent TWS headphones with a pleasant design, high-quality materials and trouble-free connection. Perhaps, in the long run, there will be problems related to the battery or the design, but for now they will easily compete with devices from the top TWS segment.
