Google TWS headphone Review : the Pixel Buds 2 Test

ashley

Member
We have tested Google's new TWS headphones, the Pixel Buds 2 with advanced control features, new design and instant translation.

If there is a product that all brands have launched to design to accompany their smart mobile phones, it is certainly the wireless headphones. Apple marked a before and after in this segment with the original AirPods and, since then, few are the rival companies that have not launched their own proposal.

Even Google joined this new headphone design (it launched some in 2017 but with a different design and focus) with the Google Buds 2 , devices that it presented with the Pixel 4 at the end of last year but that have not been put to the sale until April 2020 . And in Spain we have had to wait even longer, until July.

Google Pixel Buds 2-Configuration
  • Weight:
    • Headphone: 5.3 grams.
    • Case: 56.1 grams.
  • Dimensions:
    • Earphone: 20.5 x 19.5 x 18.2mm.
    • Case: 63 x 47 x 25 mm.
  • Connectivity : Bluetooth 5.0.
  • Battery:
    • Headphone: Up to 5 hours of music.
    • Case: up to 24 hours of music.
    • Wireless and USB-C wired charging.
  • Speakers : 12 mm.
  • Others:
    • Touch control.
    • Compatible with iOS and Android.
    • Ambient sound.
    • IPX4 resistance.
The design of the Pixel Buds

Google has taken the design of these headphones quite seriously. Not only are they very different from the first version, which even had a cable connecting them at the back of the head, but they are also different from other TWS alternatives.

Google TWS headphone Review : the Pixel Buds 2 Test

The company has created headphones with ergonomics really adapted to the ears so that after a while we almost forgot that we were wearing them. It helps that through an internal channel allows air transfer between the inside of the ear and the outside, not giving the sensation of plugging, many headphones of this type remain, at least in theory.

In practice we do have a certain feeling of oppression, but it is true that it is less than what we suffer in other headphones of this type.

Google TWS headphone Review : the Pixel Buds 2 Test

At the top of each earpiece we have a small projection that serves to fix the earpiece to the ear and that it does not fall off. Of course, if it bothers you it is a problem because it cannot be removed.

This has happened to us by taking them more than two hours in a row, especially when we were training. However, at no time have we dropped them, but we hope that Google will change the design when they release the third version.

Google TWS headphone Review : the Pixel Buds 2 Test

As it could not be otherwise, the Pixel Buds are IPX4 certified, which guarantees that it is not a problem that they receive splashes of water or they get wet with sweat when we exercise.

The box has a curious shape with much more curved lines than other models. It is quite compact and has a button to pair the headphones if necessary, an LED that indicates whether it is charging or synchronizing, a USB C port and it is also compatible with Qi wireless charging.

Many gestures, including one for volume

Google TWS headphone Review : the Pixel Buds 2 Test

That wireless headphones have a touch zone for gestures instead of physical buttons is no longer a novelty. We have even seen it in products that cost four times less than these Google Buds.
  • Single tap: play or pause music / answer call.
  • Double tap: next song / hang up call.
  • Triple tap: previous song.
  • Long press: Activate the Google Assistant / read the notifications.
  • Swipe forward or backward: increase or decrease the volume.
It is important to say that to activate the Google assistant we have to press and hold the handset while we speak, and release it when we want the answer. If we let go quickly what the system will do is read the notifications to us.
 

ashley

Member
Pairing can be done in a conventional way by pressing the button on the box and searching from the Bluetooth settings of our mobile phone or through a new form of automatic pairing using Fast Pair technology .

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If we choose this option, we will not have to carry out any extra steps except for a touch on the screen when the notification window appears that the headphones want to be paired with our mobile.

The Google Pixels have integrated the control of the headphones in the firmware itself but this is not the case in the rest of Android phones. In this case we must download the Pixel Buds Companion App. We will need Android 6 or higher to have all the functions.

Finally, if we want we can activate the presence detection, with which the music will stop if we remove the headphones and will resume if we put them back on.

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One of the most important aspects when we talk about headphones is the sound quality. The Google Pixel Buds 2 sounds pretty good and has more pronounced bass than other cheaper headphones. Logical, but equally remarkable.

Of course, the lack of support for aptX codecs is striking, although at least when we watch videos we have no problems. Latency is very low and we have no feeling of asynchrony, perfect for watching videos.

As for calls, we have an acceptable quality because the system eliminates external noise but still we do not reach the quality of the cable headphones.

Here we have to highlight that we have done some tests in a video call and it is heard even with a mask on, although the volume is muffled a bit.

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A wind noise elimination function that is performed thanks to the two microphones that each of the headphones have is appreciated. It is also capable of detecting when we are talking about the movement of our jaw, helping to make voice detection better.

By means of the adaptive sound option, the headphones can automatically raise and lower it according to the ambient noise, so that we do not have to be aware of doing it ourselves if we are in changing environments.

One of the few criticisms that we can make to these headphones is that they do not have active noise cancellation, ANC , although it is true that in this price range it is rare to see headphones that do implement it. Yes, rare but possible .

Google Assistant

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As we might think, these headphones are activated with the OK Google command, although we can also launch the wizard by long-pressing any of them. It is strange to have the assistant alert at all times and it gives us the feeling that this is handled by the right earbud, since it discharges its battery much faster than the left.

Another function of the assistant integrated in the headphones is the possibility of using instant translation in 40 languages, although you need an internet connection.

Within the application that we install on our mobile we have an option to search for headphones, in case one of them is lost. What this feature was is to sound each of the headphones independently so that we can locate them.
 

ashley

Member
A fair battery

Google has done a great job with these headphones and it is greatly appreciated that they have included wireless charging as well as the USB C connector, although the latter in this price range is extremely mandatory. According to the manufacturer, each of the headphones gives us up to five hours of music playback and half if what we do is talk on the phone. Something similar happens with the cargo box, which ranges from 12 hours to 24 depending on what we do.

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Our tests indicate that this autonomy is quite optimistic and the reality is that we have something less. In addition, it is quite noticeable if we use gestures and voice control in the headphones, since the battery goes down faster than simply listening to music or watching a video.

The Pixel Buds 2 are good headphones, but they have many rivals

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It is not a secret that Google does not have its strongest points in hardware. We have seen it with tablets and mobiles, and now we also see it with headphones. The Google Pixel Buds are competent devices, with good design, good sound and many functions.

However, the price that Google asks for them, $ 199, takes them too far from other rivals with which it is measured from you to you, perhaps not in all aspects but yes in those that matter most to users: quality of sound, autonomy and design.
 
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