Google's new wireless earbuds: The Pixel Buds 2 are really good

The Google Pixel Buds 2 impress with a successful overall package. The wireless earphones sound strong, are compact and very practical. If everything fits, they are the ideal everyday plug, especially for Android users.

The first Pixel Buds failed at ntv.de because they were too fiddly, only offered average sound, design and operation were not well thought out. Now there is the new generation, which fortunately has very little to do with its predecessors. ntv.de tried them out and quickly got used to the everyday companions in their ears.

Well-fitting peppermint drops

First of all, the new Pixel Buds are real wireless earphones that are no longer connected by a string. The relatively large round outside has remained, which makes the buds look a bit like having peppermint drops in your ears. Overall, the plugs are so compact and ergonomically shaped that they sit comfortably and hardly protrude. Thanks to the silicone wings, they don't fall out when jogging or working out, but you have to readjust the earphones every now and then to keep the best sound. According to IPX4, they are protected against sweat and can withstand a rain shower without damage.

Google did a particularly good job with the charging case. It is so small and flat that it fits into every pocket and is a haptic pleasure: the matt plastic and the locking mechanism feel good. The box like the buds make a high quality impression.

With the charging case, the Pixel Buds can be quickly connected to an Android device. All you have to do is open the lid, the device automatically recognizes the earphones and displays a notification, the instructions of which are followed. This not only works with Google smartphones, but with any device that has at least Android 6 installed. Other devices are connected via a button on the back of the box.

Excellent sound

The sound of the Pixel Buds 2 is very good. The earphones deliver powerful, elastic bass, differentiated mids and clear highs with many details. Overall, the sound is pleasantly warm without being too cozy. The buds open up a pretty wide stage for earphones. Unfortunately, the associated app is very spartan and offers no way to adjust the sound. All in all, the Pixel Buds 2 are among the wireless earbuds with the best sound. This also applies to calls where the Google plugs do an excellent job. Wind noise and street noise are effectively suppressed, conversation partners hear the user clearly.

The Buds do not have active noise cancellation (ANC), but users have the option of automatically adjusting the volume to the environment. Passive shielding is okay, but nothing more. But this has the advantage that you are safely on the road without any extra function and understand announcements when you pause the playback. There is a deduction for the fact that the environment notices what music you are listening to at normal volume.

Successful touch operation

A highlight of the Pixel Buds 2 is the operation via the large touch surfaces on the outside. It is uncomplicated, but allows you to give all important commands via tip and wiper. The buds can be used individually and they pause playback automatically when they are removed.

If you want, you can also use the Google Assistant for control. You either hold down a touch surface or say "OK Google". This means that all possible functions are available, including direct translation. This works reasonably well, but in the test it was more reliable to start the translator app manually and have conversations interpreted by smartphone alone. The cell phone is needed anyway as an output device for the translations.

The mileage of the Pixel Buds is about 4.5 hours. Google specifies up to five hours, which seems plausible when speech recognition is deactivated and the volume is reduced. This is not outstanding for wireless earphones without ANC, but it is sufficient. The case can be charged inductively and has juice for around 19 hours of music enjoyment. After ten minutes in the box, empty buds have reserves for up to two hours of playback.

Strong all-rounder

The Google Pixel Buds 2 cost around 200 euros. It's pretty expensive considering that they don't have an ANC. However, only significantly more expensive earphones sound a bit better than the Google earplugs, for example the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 or the Technics EAH-AZ70W. When talking on the phone, the Pixel Buds 2 are hard to beat, the touch controls are excellent and the Google Assistant is perfectly integrated. If you don't need it that often, you will find similarly good all-rounders in the Jabra Elite 75T for around 175 euros, but they can't quite keep up with the sound.