The Pixel Buds Pro are Google's first active noise-cancelling wireless earbuds, and they still beat most of the competition in this area. In addition, the plugs convince with an excellent sound, high wearing comfort and endurance.
Last year, Google delivered a real price hit with the Pixel Buds A. For just 100 euros, they deliver great sound and are among the most comfortable wireless earphones on the market. However, the A-Class is quite spartan, above all they lack active noise cancellation (ANC), which is now also common in cheaper Bluetooth plugs. The new Pixel Buds Pro have this feature and more to offer, but are also significantly more expensive at just under 220 euros. ntv.de tried out whether they are worth it.
Taking the charging case out of its box, you'd assume Google haven't changed much other than adding ANC, so it looks similar to the A-class box. However, the case is a bit larger and when you open it and take out the earbuds, you can see that the Pixel Buds Pro are more than just an evolution.
The new earbuds no longer have silicone wings to sit securely in the ear and their body is more bulbous and larger. Still, the rounded surface protruding from the ear is a bit smaller, making the new Buds even a bit more inconspicuous than the A-Class.
What is more important, however, is that they are just as comfortable and secure. However, the prerequisite is that the attachments, which are only available in three different sizes, fit. You can test whether this is the case in the app, which also uses animations to demonstrate how to use and operate the earphones correctly. If the app confirms a perfect fit, you will be rewarded with excellent sound.
The bass from the 11 millimeter drivers is powerful but wonderfully elastic. That means they have real depth and are always present without overpowering themselves. Instead, they give the well-defined mids the priority they deserve. In addition, there are clear highs that provide many details. Like the basses, they don't overshoot the mark and don't painfully bore into the ear, even at high volumes.
So that the Pixel Buds Pro are not too reserved when listening to quiet music, you can activate the so-called volume equalizer in the app, which adjusts bass and treble. This is more than a placebo effect, you hear the difference more clearly the quieter you turn the music down.
Overall, the earphones are very adaptable and hit the right note with every style of music in the varied Spotify test playlist. High-resolution material was not required because the Pixel Buds Pro do not support the corresponding Bluetooth codecs such as aptX.
The engineers have also done a very good job with the active noise cancellation, which is supposed to adapt to the shape of the user's ears. Whether this is the case cannot be verified, but one can hear that Google's algorithms work excellently. The ANC not only effectively suppresses continuous background noise such as the hissing of trains or traffic noise. It also significantly dampens office noises such as clattering keyboards or conversations from colleagues. The background noise typical of ANC is kept within limits and sensors ensure that a typical feeling of pressure does not arise in the first place.
It is also pleasing that the Pixel Buds Pro suppress wind noise well, as long as the breeze is not too stiff. The noise cancellation is also very effective for phone calls, you can be understood well even at a very noisy intersection and conversation partners sound clear and distinct. As befits pros, the new Google earbuds also have a transparency mode that amplifies ambient noise when needed.
ntv.de has not yet been able to try out an exciting function, as it will not be available until autumn: in combination with a compatible pixel smartphone, the earphones can then handle 3D spatial audio.
The touch control of the Pixel Buds Pro is simple, but leaves little to be desired. To increase or decrease the volume, swipe forwards or backwards on one of the buds. With one, two or three taps you control playback and handle calls. If you remove a plug, playback pauses automatically. With long touches you can decide whether the assistant is started on the left or right or whether you switch between ANC and transparency mode.
To simply switch off ANC, you have to switch to the app, which is a bit cumbersome. An update could change this relatively easily. It is questionable whether an update of the somewhat spartan application will eventually bring an equalizer for individual sound adjustments or other useful extras. After all, you can use the app to search for lost buds via a beep and activate the simultaneous connection with two devices. If you want, you can also use the Pixel Buds Pro with iOS devices, but then you have to do without an app completely.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with the endurance of the earphones. Google specifies the runtime of the Pixel Buds Pro with activated ANC as up to seven hours, which was confirmed in the everyday test. The charging box has reserves for another 14 hours. Without noise suppression, the buds last up to eleven hours, with the case 31 hours. In contrast to the A-Class, the Pros' box can be charged inductively.
It's also worth mentioning that users don't have to worry about sticking little spies in their ears with the buds. If you don't want to rely on the convenience of Google's digital assistant, the plugs don't pass on any data, as a test with DuckDuckGo's app tracking protection showed.
Overall, Google can meet the high expectations with the Pixel Buds Pro, the earphones play at the top with their strong sound, high comfort, the very effective ANC and good endurance. However, they have to face a number of tough competitors in their price range that have similar or different qualities.
Among other things, the Huawei Freebuds Pro 2 or the Sony LinkBuds S for 200 euros are attractive alternatives, the enormously durable JBL Live Pro 2 only costs 150 euros. And if you can do without ANC and other extras, the Pixel Buds A are still a very tempting proposition. Or you can take both: If you order the Pros by August 1st, you will get the A-Class for free.
