We've added a comparison between these headphones and the Status Between 3ANC True Wireless in Noise Isolation. The Pixel Buds Pro are the best-sounding Pixel Buds so far, and I think they beat the more expensive AirPods Pro for overall fidelity. Even though Google reduced the size of the drivers from 12mm on the A-Series to 11mm for the Pro, the better passive noise isolation and excellent ANC come together to finally let you hear the full potential of these buds 100% of the time. Google has added a Spatial Audio feature via a software update. However, this is only available on Google Pixel phones. We have updated Virtual Soundstage and App Support to reflect these changes. Touch and hold either bud to switch between the various ANC and Ambient modes. You can optionally add an Off option for the ANC and Ambient modes to the on-ear controls via the app, as well as assign this gesture to summon Google Assistant on one or both earpieces. We didn't have any issue with the touch controls in testing, but would still prefer the option to customize the controls more extensively via the app.

Google's Pixel Buds Pro are available in four colorways –fog, charcoal, lemongrass and coral –but your chosen hue adorns just the touch-capacitive top plate of the driver housings. You can learn more about Google’s Pixel Buds below. Google is set to release the earbuds start in July 2022. A post-launch update will deliver support for Spatial Audio, a “3D” audio technique first pushed by Apple’s AirPods, and since adopted by Samsung’s earbuds as well. More on Pixel Buds: CNBC’s Sofia Pitt has been testing them for the past several days. They’re similar to Apple’s AirPods Pro but slightly inferior. One of the reasons the Gen 2 and A-Series feel so good is that they use a vented design that naturally relieves any air pressure difference between your ear canal and the outside world. Unfortunately, that also led to some unwanted sound creeping in, requiring an automatic volume boosting system to compensate, something it didn’t always do very well.

Pixel Buds Pro: Price UK

Google could have done a better job with fit, though. Proprietary Silent Seal technology is employed to maximize ANC and reduce leakage by having the buds optimize performance to your ear shape, and this appeared to work well in terms of range of audio output and noise cancellation during my testing.

We tested a beta version of the companion app for the Google Pixel Buds on a Samsung Galaxy S21 smartphone. The full range of features is available on devices running Android 6.0 and newer. Note that Google Pixel phone owners get a system-level app that lets you adjust all settings and features via the Connected Devices menu in Settings. On iOS devices, the Pixel Buds function as a simple pair of earbuds, without any special functionality. Meanwhile, the transparent listening mode offers crisp and clear audio; it makes it easy to conduct conversations without removing the earpieces. Cycling through the ANC modes is easy enough with a press-and-hold action, though again, non-Android users can't adjust which modes are available via these on-ear controls. The Pixel Buds Pro also have responsive wear detection (auto-pause/play), and touch controls that can be enabled through single/multi-tap, swipe, and long-hold gestures. Google Pixel Buds Pro review: Sound quality Using the Pixel Buds Pro for calls or videoconferencing works very well indoors, in quiet environments and you can get decent results outdoors or in noisy spots too, but it’s something of an uneven performance. They are incredibly close performance-wise on things like sound quality, ANC, transparency, battery life, and wireless charging, and they even share features like Bluetooth multipoint, a fit test, and find my earbuds.

Furthermore, a five-minute charge of earbuds in the charging case delivers up to an hour of listening time with Active Noise Cancellation on, and a 15-minute jolt of juice with the earbuds in the charging case delivers up to three hours of listening with Active Noise Cancellation on. The Pixel Buds Pro also are vented, but it’s a new design. According to Google, “Sensors actively measure the pressure in your ear canal so the earbuds can relieve it and stay comfortable.” For your reference, we've compiled a list comprising of available Pixel Buds Pro shades per region. As with most wireless earbuds, this probably comes down to their internal batteries. And with a starting life span of seven hours with ANC on, that’s not bad — you’ll still be able to get good use out of them even when they deteriorate to just 50% capacity, and there’s no telling when that will happen. If you clean them regularly and wipe away any salt and sweat once you’re done using them, I see no reason they shouldn’t last as long as any other wireless earbuds in this class. The Pixel Buds Pro's shape doesn't promote the most secure fit, for us (Image credit: TechRadar) Google Pixel Buds Pro review: design and features