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Don't settle for the Pixel Buds Pro sale, get the Pixel Buds Pro 2
Google knocked it out of the park with its latest buds, the Pixel Buds Pro 2. To my surprise, Google improved upon almost every issue we had with the original Pixel Buds Pro. The newest buds fit, sound, and block out noise better than the originals. You might be tempted to save a buck and get the discounted Pixel Buds Pro, but don’t settle for the sale.
The newer Pixel Buds Pro may be more expensive, but they’re a better value over the older model.
The Google Pixel Buds Pro: Good earbuds, no longer a great deal
The Pixel Buds Pro debuted at $199, and they stood out from the pack at the time of their 2022 release. They are Google’s first active noise canceling (ANC) earbuds, and their performance holds up today. That said, the ANC lags behind true frontrunners like the Sony WF-1000XM5 and Jabra Elite 10 Gen 2.
The original cons of the Pixel Buds Pro have aged ungracefully. Google’s wonky sound profile for the first-gen Pixel Buds Pro remains odd at best. The microphone quality — fine in quiet environments — leaves much to be desired when moderate wind noise enters the fray. Microphone technology has advanced quite a bit in these two years, so this is a real sore spot regarding the buds’ age.
Back in 2022, I forgave the Pixel Buds Pro for their loose fit and odd weight distribution. After all, the earbuds stay in place, even though they don’t feel like they should. However, compared to the Pixel Buds Pro 2 and their concha-gripping ear fins, the fit of the original flagship buds feels sloppy. To this day, adjusting the volume on the Pixel Buds Pro loosens the fit, thereby degrading the ANC and sound quality.
Google's current sale prices the Pixel Buds Pro for $50 less than the Pixel Buds Pro 2, but the older buds aren't the better deal.
I love Google’s earbuds for the same reason I used to love the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro series. Why? Google’s design doesn’t (appear to) take itself too seriously. The various color palettes stand out in today’s murky sea of white, black, and now, translucent colorways. Google continues to carry splashes of color into the second-gen Pixel Buds Pro, so this is no longer a unique draw of the older buds.
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 are a better value than the Pixel Buds Pro
Yes, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 are more expensive than the original Pixel Buds Pro. Even with the price difference, the newer buds are a better value.
Futureproofing is much better with the Pixel Buds Pro 2, as they support Gemini Live — Google’s AI rival to ChatGPT. With the Pixel Buds Pro 2 and a compatible Pixel phone, you can carry a natural conversation with Gemini. Interrupting Gemini’s responses doesn’t throw the AI model off its game as it does with Google Assistant. Google’s new Tensor A1 chip makes Gemini, and a host of other improvements, possible. While Gemini Live is the feature capturing the most headlines, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 have plenty of other great improvements.
Unlike the Pixel Buds Pro, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 work with Auracast. You may not find use for Auracast in your daily life, but it’s a game-changer for people with hearing impairments. Rather than strain your ears to hear the announcer’s feed at a sporting event, you can tap right into the stream itself. This means you can receive the announcer’s broadcast feed directly to your Pixel Buds Pro 2. We’ll see more and more earbuds adopt Auracast support in the future. However, the Pixel Buds Pro can’t support this as they have an outdated Bluetooth (v5.0) version.
While the Pixel Buds Pro 2 and Pixel Buds Pro share the same 5-band custom EQ in the Pixel Buds app, the former has a more pleasing sound out of the box. As a proud audio enthusiast, I tell myself that everyone EQs their earbuds out of the box, but that’s not reality. For most people, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 will sound better, even though you can get the Pixel Buds Pro to sound pretty close with some finaggling.
Google's Tensor A1 chip makes big improvements upon the ANC performance.
Unsurprisingly, the newer buds also have some big ANC improvements over the older generation. Droning ambient noise like your office A/C unit or a plane’s engine are quieter when wearing the Pixel Buds Pro 2.
In our Pixel Buds Pro 2 vs Pixel Buds Pro microphone poll, 66% of our 233 voters shared that they feel the microphone quality is also improved with the Pixel Buds Pro 2.
Don’t give in to the sale
While it may be tempting to pick up the Pixel Buds Pro while they’re on sale ($199 at Amazon), it’s not worth it. You’re better off saving up for a few more weeks to buy the Pixel Buds Pro 2. The newer buds have more future-proofed features. Plus, the improvements make a real difference for regular listeners. The new earbuds fit better, are more comfortable, cancel more noise, and have better sound/microphone quality.
If you’re looking for a Pixel Buds bargain, the Pixel Buds A-Series ($94 at Amazon) are also a better value than the Pixel Buds Pro. The A-Series have less tech than either generation of Pro earbuds, the cost of spending less than $100.
The Pixel Buds A-Series have little ear wings that keep the buds in place. These are thinner and softer than those of the Pixel Buds Pro 2. You get spatial audio on Pixel 6 devices and later. The bass response is underwhelming out of the box, but you can use Google’s custom EQ to remedy this lack of oomph.
I typically tell people to get the old model when the new one comes out because they’ll save so much money on a product that will still hold up for years to come. In the case of the Pixel Buds Pro, their remaining lifespan just isn’t looking good. And if you’re going to spend more than $150 on earbuds, you deserve a product that will keep pace with the ever-changing advancements to come.
Not to mention, the fit of the Pixel Buds Pro is still atrocious, something that software could never fix anyway.
Frequently asked questions about the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2
Yes, the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 have an IP54 rating. The earbuds can resist dust and water, just don’t submerge or swim with them.
Yes, you can get the Pixel Buds Pro 2 to work with an iPhone. We recommend against buying Pixel Buds if you have an iPhone though, because you’ll be missing out on some of their best features. In the case of the Pro 2, this means you won’t get Gemini Live if paired to an iPhone.