Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 review: Big upgrade, very small earbuds

Google's Pixel Buds Pro 2 are everything you could ask for when moving from one generation of earbuds to the next. They're noticeably lighter, smaller, and more comfortable to wear. Both Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode have been significantly improved. They're also on the battery front as far as noise-cancelling earbuds go. Plus, they let you freely interact with Gemini, the company's new AI-powered helper. Now priced at $229, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 are $30 more expensive than the previous model, but I don't mind the price hike considering the improvements Google has made.

New to these buds is the Tensor A1 chip, which marks the first time Google has built custom silicon into the Pixel Buds lineup. The company is making a big deal about how this A1 chip makes ANC twice as powerful as before, and that it delivers audio “directly to your ears on a dedicated path, unaffected by the processing that happens during noise cancellation.”

But nothing about audio performance will matter if these things don't stay in your ears. And for some, a secure fit proved to be a hassle with the chunky first-generation Pixel Buds Pro, which had a habit of slowly sliding out of place. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 have undergone a major overhaul — it's now 27 percent smaller and 24 percent lighter — and it makes a huge difference when it comes to in-ear fit. The shrunken size, combined with a subtle stabilizer fin, has kept the new earbuds snug in my ears. They haven't yet fallen apart in various tests of running, eating, talking, and other activities that can loosen earbuds.

Noise cancelling on the Pixel Buds Pro 2 is really strong. It's still not on par with Bose, the reigning and defending champion, but when it comes to reducing the everyday noise around you, these do a better job than the originals. I'd argue Google has made an even bigger breakthrough with Transparency mode, which now basically matches Apple's AirPods Pro in clarity and the illusion of not wearing earbuds. Encouraging stuff, though Google has no equivalent to Apple's Adaptive Audio or a similar “loud sound reduction” feature when Transparency mode is on.

But start playing music, and the supposed upgrades that come with the Tensor A1 are less obvious. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 sound very clean and crisp. Their default tuning is surprisingly restrained in the lower frequencies, but there are various presets (and a 5-band custom EQ) at your disposal to strike the perfect balance. You can tweak the audio quite a bit, but for overall tone, I still prefer options like Sennheiser's Momentum 4 True Wireless and the Technics AZ80. (But those are $300 earbuds, not $230 earbuds.) The Pixel Buds Pro 2 are a step up in fidelity from the Pixel Buds Pro — Google has added “a new high-frequency chamber” for smoother treble — but it's nothing dramatic. The previous-generation pair was already satisfactory to many, and these changes make the new buds better. They're comfortable in the mix, just not winning the day.

The Pixel Buds Pro 2 are limited to your usual AAC and SBC Bluetooth codecs, so this is one area where Google has been stubborn about changes. I appreciate the Hearing Wellness section in the Pixel Buds app, which is a handy reference for whether your current volume is at a safe level. And I'm glad Google continues to offer true multipoint support, along with its automatic device-switching trick. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 exhibit low latency when used with the company's own recent phones, but there's no universal setting to apply that low latency to external devices like the Nintendo Switch or Steam Deck.

The Pixel Buds Pro 2 still give you hands-free “Hey Google” voice commands, but now you can also activate a more conversational Gemini Live session by saying “Hey Google, let’s talk.” After that, you can chat with Google’s AI for as long as you want. Sounds nice, but the prospect of a HisWhenever you approach the limits of the Gemini Live, the AI ​​assistant in your ear really starts to get confusing – and you quickly hit them.

It can't set reminders. It's unable to send text messages or emails; you can't even ask Gemini to call someone when it's in live mode. The normal Gemini can handle many of these tasks, but not the conversational version. Heck, it even refused to tell me when election day is, replying that it can't answer “political” questions to avoid the possibility of sharing misinformation. There appear to be guardrails to this feature. Very Far-fetched. I guess it's better than not having it, given the chaos I've been able to create with the Pixel 9's Reimagine tool. But security measures need some improvement. (Election Day is November 5.)

It's easy to imagine a future where Gemini Live can connect to your apps — booking an Uber for you, or maybe ordering your favorite Grubhub so it's ready and waiting when you get home — but this experience is nothing like that. For now, Gemini Live is just a conversation companion, and the most “fun” you'll probably have is trying to get it to say something funny or unexpected. For now, Google says Gemini Live is good for other use cases like brainstorming on the go or practicing for a job interview. Would I ever do that? No, but it's a scenario the company highlights.

However, my weak impression of Gemini Live shouldn't detract from these earbuds! As a vector to reach Gemini, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 do a great job. I never had to speak particularly loudly, and while I noticed a few mistakes in my words when going over the transcript, Gemini generally always grasped the gist. Voice call performance also remains a major strength, thanks to Google's Clear Calling feature, which uses a heap of machine learning to optimize voice clarity – both on the earbuds and on your Pixel smartphone.

Battery life is another win, with the Pixel Buds Pro 2 able to get up to 8 hours of continuous listening time with ANC turned on or up to 12 hours if you keep it off. Taking the case into account, you get 30 hours or 48 hours respectively. These numbers will drop slightly if you're turning up the volume, but I found Google's estimates to be accurate.

We're now in a world where the phone you have often determines (or strongly influences) which earbuds you'll pair with it. But thankfully, we've also reached a point where everyone – Google, Samsung and Apple – are putting out their best products ever. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 are a great example of this, even if the Gemini experience is lackluster for now. Almost everywhere you look, Google has made meaningful upgrades.

Photography by Chris Welch / The Verge
Shot with a Nikon Z6 III and 24-70mm f/4 S lens