Google Pixel Buds (2017)

Streamlined setup ; Attractive look ; Excellent voice integration ; Useful features

Average battery life ; No noise cancellation technology

Very comfortable ; Reliable touch controls ; Solid audio ; Affordable price ; Improved Assistant performance

Adaptive Sound is a work-in-progress ; No ANC ; Battery life ; No audio customization

Excellent battery life ; Great hands-free calling quality ; Translations, while limited, can be useful

Fiddly and inelegant headphone storage ; Non-isolating sound ; Fiddly touch panel ; Translation limited to Pixel phones ; Cumbersome to use across multiple devices

The Pixel Buds are an ambitious attempt at high-tech headphones but they’re poorly executed and limited by a need for a Pixel phone if you want to use them to their full potential.

They sound better than expected ; Intuitive touch controls ; Solid battery life

They don't shut out ambient noise at all ; Obnoxious case design ; Touch pads are easy totap accidentally ; Google Assistant seems hit-or-miss

Chris is Engadget's senior mobile editor and moonlights as a professional moment ruiner. His early years were spent taking apart Sega consoles and writing awful fan fiction. That passion for electronics and words would eventually lead him to covering...

Instant translation is fun, relatively accurate ; Loud audio with full bass ; Controls work well ; Charging case takes you off the grid

Expensive for tethered earbuds ; Charging case hard to close, feels flimsy ; Earbuds fit oddly

Google’s Pixel Buds are a solid first entry in the world of wireless earbuds, and for Pixel phone buyers, they provide some unique features that may be worth consideration. At $159, however, they don’t offer the kind of features and performance we...

Much-improved design ; Wireless charging ; Hands-free Google Assistant ; Easy pairing on Android phones

Connection stability concerns ; Stabilizer arc can cause discomfort after extended listening ; Average battery life ; Vented design lets in a fair amount of outside noise

Google’s new Pixel Buds are greatly improved over the original version. They’re now truly wireless, have better sound quality, and let you use hands-free Google Assistant voice commands.

Always-on Google Assistant Live language translation Auto-play/pause Sleek design

Aggressive, fatiguing sound Can fall out easily No noise reduction Mediocre battery life

The new true wireless Google Pixel Buds are a major upgrade on their predecessors. The always-listening Google Assistant is great, but the lack of active noise cancellation and fatiguing sound quality at this price are a disappointment.

Light and comfortable. Awesome sound. Sweatproof. Amazing integration with Android, including hands-free access to Google Assistant and fast pairing. Supports wireless charging.

Only five hours of battery life outside the case. Expensive.

I like the Pixel Buds for a different reason. One that’s not really quantifiable when looking at a spec sheet. These are made for the traditional AirPod buyer: someone who wants a pair of headphones that work exactly as expected, every time you use...