Pixel Buds Pro 2 vs AirPods Pro 2
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 and the AirPods Pro 2 compete for the same spot on your shortlist, with Google and Apple each making its case. Across 3 compared areas, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 takes 1. The widest gap shows up under battery & charging.
At a glance
- Sound & Noise Cancelling Tie
- Battery & Charging Pixel Buds Pro 2 wins
- Features & Connectivity Tie
- Price Pixel Buds Pro 2 wins
- Sound & Noise Cancelling10.0
- Battery & Charging6.5
- Sound & Noise Cancelling10.0
- Battery & Charging4.7
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
-
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 has 2 h more listening per charge
The spread here is large: 8 h on the Pixel Buds Pro 2 versus 6 h on the AirPods Pro 2. Expect to notice it. Longer listening per charge matters on long flights, workdays and road trips.
-
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 has a 0.02 oz lighter build
Only a little separates them: 0.17 oz on the Pixel Buds Pro 2, 0.19 oz on the AirPods Pro 2. Lighter earbuds or headsets feel less noticeable during long listening sessions.
Design & Size
The AirPods Pro 2 carries an extra 0.02 oz.
Fit & Build
| Spec | Pixel Buds Pro 2 | AirPods Pro 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | In-ear (stemless) with twist-to-adjust stabilizer | In-ear with stem |
| Water resistance | IP54 | IP54 |
| Weight (per earbud / headset) | 0.17 oz (winner) Lightest in class | 0.19 oz |
| Case weight | N/A (not specified) | 1.79 oz |
Sound & Noise Cancelling
Too close to call
Side by side, the sound & noise cancelling figures for the Pixel Buds Pro 2 and the AirPods Pro 2 barely differ. Neither pair gives you a reason to choose it on sound & noise cancelling.
Battery & Charging
Pixel Buds Pro 2 leads
This section belongs to the Pixel Buds Pro 2. In battery & charging, it leads the AirPods Pro 2 by a margin that’s hard to ignore. Choose the Pixel Buds Pro 2 and you get 2 h more listening per charge. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 runs longer before needing a break, so you’re less likely to be interrupted mid-podcast. Bottom line for battery & charging: the Pixel Buds Pro 2 has the edge.
Battery (single charge)
Pixel Buds Pro 2: 8 h AirPods Pro 2: 6 h Ratings usually assume moderate volume and specific settings, so real results vary.
Features & Connectivity
Too close to call
The differences on features & connectivity are small enough to ignore in daily use. For features & connectivity, pick whichever you prefer for other reasons.
Full Specifications
Sound & Noise Cancelling
| Spec | Pixel Buds Pro 2 | AirPods Pro 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Driver size | 0.43 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Active noise cancelling | Yes | Yes |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes |
| Spatial audio | N/A (not specified) | Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | Pixel Buds Pro 2 | AirPods Pro 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery (single charge)Manufacturer rating, ANC on where available | 8 h (winner) | 6 h |
| Battery (with case)Manufacturer rating | 30 h | 30 h |
| Wireless charging | Yes | Yes |
| Charging port | USB-C | USB-C (Lightning on the original 2022 version) |
Features & Connectivity
| Spec | Pixel Buds Pro 2 | AirPods Pro 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.4 (LE Audio), Tensor A1 chip | Bluetooth 5.3 (Apple H2 chip) |
| Multipoint | Yes | N/A (not specified) |
| Heart-rate sensing | No | No |
| Hearing health features | N/A (not specified) | Hearing Test, Hearing Aid, Hearing Protection |
| Controls | Capacitive touch (tap and swipe) | Force sensor, swipe for volume |
Fit & Build
| Spec | Pixel Buds Pro 2 | AirPods Pro 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | In-ear (stemless) with twist-to-adjust stabilizer | In-ear with stem |
| Water resistance | IP54 | IP54 |
| Weight (per earbud / headset) | 0.17 oz (winner) Lightest in class | 0.19 oz |
| Case weight | N/A (not specified) | 1.79 oz |
Price
| Spec | Pixel Buds Pro 2 | AirPods Pro 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $229 (winner) | $249 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
The launch price difference is small: $20, favoring the Pixel Buds Pro 2. Paying $20 more for the AirPods Pro 2 doesn’t buy you the better overall package.
Launch prices (US) as of August 2024. Discounts and bundles come and go, so compare current prices before buying.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Pixel Buds Pro 2 if…
- you listen for hours at a stretch (8 h vs 6 h per charge)
- you want the lighter fit (0.17 oz vs 0.19 oz)
- you don’t need the extras that cost $20 more
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 or the AirPods Pro 2?
On the specs compared here, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 makes more sense for most buyers; the AirPods Pro 2 doesn’t win a single measurable area.
Which has better battery life, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 or the AirPods Pro 2?
On paper, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 has the edge: 8 h of battery (single charge) against 6 h for the AirPods Pro 2. Real-world results also depend on how you use it.
Is the Pixel Buds Pro 2 cheaper than the AirPods Pro 2?
The AirPods Pro 2 launched at $20 more than the Pixel Buds Pro 2, based on prices as of August 2024.
Which weighs less, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 or the AirPods Pro 2?
On the scale, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 comes out ahead at 0.02 oz lighter than the AirPods Pro 2.
Executive Summary
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 and the AirPods Pro 2 come from rival camps, Google and Apple, but they’re chasing the same person: you. The biggest reason I lean toward the Pixel Buds Pro 2 is simple: it has 2 h more listening per charge. Stack a 0.02 oz lighter build on top of that, and the Pixel Buds Pro 2’s lead grows.
Choose by what you’d use most: battery & charging leads to the Pixel Buds Pro 2, the things a spec sheet can’t capture leads to the AirPods Pro 2.
My pick: the Pixel Buds Pro 2.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.