When choosing a pair of wireless earbuds, buyers often have to weigh buying from a trusted audio brand versus going with a smartphone brand. Legacy audio companies like Bose and Sony usually offer an edge in sound quality, but phone brands like Apple, Samsung, and Google provide unparalleled software integration with their ecosystem devices. For those who value clever software features and a hint of artificial intelligence, there are no better options on the market than the Google Pixel Buds 2a or the Pixel Buds Pro 2.
Both pairs of earbuds support the basics, such as active noise cancellation to block unwanted noise, an ear tip fit test to get a better seal, and Clear Calling to eliminate background noise. However, Google keeps going the extra mile to add enticing features to Pixel Buds models across all price points, and these are my favorite ones.
Hands-free Gemini and head gestures
For when your hands are full
I find that Google Pixel Buds have reliable swipe gestures for playback and volume control (only on Pro models), but that only helps if your hands are free. For the times when you’re juggling things and need a hands-free assistant, Pixel Buds have robust Gemini support. You can say “Hey Google” to activate Gemini when it is set as your default assistant on your Android phone. Plus, with Gemini Live, you can keep the conversation going through your Pixel Buds—while your phone stays in your pocket.
That’s not all Gemini can do, because the assistant also optionally reads your notifications aloud to keep you in the loop. As an added bonus, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 support head gestures. You can answer or decline phone calls and interact with incoming calls by nodding your head while wearing the earbuds. It might look odd in public, but it’s a seriously cool feature.
Live Translation
Hear translations in your ears in real time
Google Pixel Buds ship with a live translation feature that makes it easy to hold a conversation with someone speaking another language. It’s based on Google Translate, but conversation mode is best while wearing Pixel Buds. You can activate this mode by saying, “Hey Google, help me speak [language].” Alternatively, conversation mode can be manually triggered in the Translate app.
While wearing your Pixel Buds, you can hold down one earbud to speak. Then, your phone will translate your message and play it aloud for the other person. They’ll have the chance to respond via your phone, and the translated response will play in your Pixel Buds. It’s a neat way to carry on an immersive conversation with someone who doesn’t speak your language.
Adaptive Audio
ANC power when you need it, transparency when you don’t
Most earbuds feature ANC modes like noise-canceling, which blocks sound out, and transparency, which lets sound in. What if you want a bit of both? That’s exactly what the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 offer with the new Adaptive Audio mode. It’s a hybrid ANC mode that dynamically adjusts noise cancellation and transparency levels based on your surroundings.
For example, Adaptive Audio might use stronger ANC when the environment around you gets noisy. It’ll then pull back the ANC power if you’re in a quieter setting. These dynamic adjustments will come in handy for people who find excessive active noise-canceling to be painful.
Google Find Hub
Locate your Pixel Buds from anywhere
Google Pixel Buds have Google Find Hub integration, and this will let you track your earbuds from anywhere. Aside from location updates, you can also play a sound through your earbuds to help you locate them. For the Pixel Buds Pro 2, a case speaker makes it easier to find your earbuds while they’re inside the case.
In the Find Hub app, you’ll be able to see the location of the individual earbuds and their case, plus details like battery life. For older Pixel Buds models, the location where they last connected to your Android phone will appear on the Find Hub map.
Loud Noise Protection
Trust me, your ears will thank you
Rolling out in tandem with Adaptive Audio, Loud Noise Protection is a feature that every Pixel Buds Pro 2 owner should use. It will automatically detect and dampen sudden loud sounds to protect your hearing. For example, a train passing by overhead or emergency sirens nearby would be suppressed by Loud Noise Protection. These sounds would typically be amplified accidentally by your earbuds in transparency mode, but they’re intelligently dampened by the Pixel Buds Pro 2.
Loud Noise Protection is on automatically when Adaptive Audio is enabled. For more ear-friendly tips, check out the Hearing wellness tab in the Google Pixel Buds app. It’ll show your volume history and loud noise exposure to promote healthy listening habits.
Google Pixel Buds get better over time
It’s never a good idea to buy products with the hope of future feature additions—that’s an easy way to end up disappointed. With that being said, we have to commend companies that support their products well, and Google has with the Pixel Buds lineup. The most recent September 2025 drop brought six new features to existing Pixel Buds Pro 2 owners completely free. Some made their way to the brand-new Pixel Buds 2a, too.
- Supported codecs
-
SBC, AAC, Opus
- Bluetooth
-
Bluetooth 5.4
- Driver Size
-
11mm drivers
Google’s Pixel Buds Pro 2 feature incredible sound, a comfortable and tiny design, and excellent software features. There’s a custom Google Tensor A1 chip for audio and active noise-canceling processing, plus features like Clear Calling and more.
