In this episode of Tech Takedown, it's the AirPods Pro 2 vs. Google Pixel Buds Pro in a battle to decide which company makes the better wireless earbuds. Kate and John square off in an epic showdown for the ages, where the reliable AirPods Pro 2nd Generation are challenged by a convincing pair of Google Pixel Bluetooth earbuds, that aren't just one of the best wireless earbuds for Android.
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00:00Welcome back to Tech Takedown, where today we're battling out which company makes the better wireless earbuds.
00:06Is it Apple AirPods Pro 2?
00:08Or the Google Pixel Buds Pro?
00:10We're about to find out. John, you have one minute on the clock.
00:13Well, the first reason someone should buy the Pixel Buds Pro versus the AirPods is that it's a lot cheaper.
00:19Normally, it's $200, but I just checked before this, and you can get it as low as $140.
00:24So right off the bat, it's cheaper, and for me, I like that because I'm not going to spend as much money.
00:29At the same time, it also has some of the same premium features as the AirPods.
00:33So you're going to get things like noise cancellation to drown out the noise around you.
00:37You have also the adaptive sound so that in the event you're wearing them, someone talks to you, you can still listen to your surroundings.
00:43Perfect for running, for jogging.
00:45And finally, you also have spatial audio, which is a feature that you wouldn't expect to find here, but it is available.
00:51So it gives you that head tracking movement to give you that spatial audio experience.
00:54And when factoring all those features for the price point, it definitely helps out in the budget more than the AirPods.
01:00I now get 30 seconds to counter John's point.
01:03Now, John, price is a very important aspect for customers.
01:07I know that, but there is a thing called the Apple tax, and you do get the benefit of buying into the Apple system just for paying a bit more.
01:13But I'll do you one better.
01:15The AirPods Pro, yes, they start at $250.
01:19But most days, you can find it for under $200.
01:22In fact, I literally bought a pair this morning for $189 for graduation.
01:28And I think that's a great score for the price, even when you look at those that are just a little bit cheaper.
01:33These are still cheaper, but tell me a real reason why the AirPods are better.
01:37So that's how it's going to be.
01:39All right, I got you.
01:40The AirPods Pro 2 beat the Pixel Buds Pro in the case department.
01:45A wireless charging case is so important.
01:47Now, both cases do have USB-C charging and wireless charging.
01:51But these are the only earbuds of these two that has a speaker built into the case.
01:55That means if I misplace them through the Find My system, I can actually have them ping an audible sound.
02:01If the earbuds are separated from the case, which, come on, that happens to all of us, I'll still be able to locate the case, not just the buds.
02:08But that's not all.
02:09The case also has this really handy little loop that you can put a little lanyard on and you can carry it on your wrist or put it on your keychain.
02:17Again, these types of convenience features are built with customers in mind.
02:21And they answer some of the most common complaints that do come with a pair of wireless earbuds.
02:25What say you to that?
02:27Well, that's a fair point.
02:28I will say that is probably a you problem with losing the earbuds.
02:32But for me, I always have it on me.
02:34I always keep track.
02:35And in the event I misplace it, let's say somewhere in the couch cushions, I can always use my phone to find it.
02:40It'll play sound on the earbuds themselves.
02:43Not so much the case, but at least I can find the earbuds.
02:46Well, John, I knew you were going to have a tough time countering that one.
02:49But let me know who you think is winning so far in the comments.
02:52And just a reminder that after this video, you should go check out our guide to the best wireless earbuds you can buy now rated and tested.
02:59We have a tech takedown to get back to.
03:01Time's on the clock for me starting out this round.
03:03Here we go.
03:04Those who care about the technical specs, and I know you're out there, will really appreciate my next point.
03:09The AirPods Pro 2 have Bluetooth 5.3, whereas the Pixel Buds Pro only have Bluetooth 5.0.
03:17That's an older Bluetooth standard, whereas the AirPods Pro have the newer Bluetooth standard.
03:22And in general, I'm a fan of getting the most future-proof tech, even if it's going to cost you a bit more.
03:28That way you're not investing as often when the technology ultimately becomes outdated and replaced.
03:33And now the benefit of Bluetooth 5.3 is that the Bluetooth connections are actually being split over greater bands,
03:39which means that when you're in an area that has far more Bluetooth devices in it, like an airport or busy office,
03:44your connection to your device will be far more reliable.
03:47You'll also be able to be farther away from the connected device and still get the experience of playback.
03:54But more importantly, Bluetooth 5.3 is more power efficient,
03:58meaning the AirPods Pro aren't going to drain as quickly due to the Bluetooth connection.
04:03Well, it's a big mistake you talk about battery life, because despite it not having 5.3,
04:07the Pixel Buds Pro actually have longer battery life, up to 11 hours versus 6 hours, roughly 6 hours with the AirPods Pro 2.
04:15The other reason why I think it doesn't really matter whether it uses 5.0 or 5.3 is that I always have my phone near me,
04:21so it doesn't matter if I'm close or somewhat far away, I'm always having that same connection to my music.
04:27There's no worries about it cutting off my cable. You see me every day at the desk. I'm always wearing this.
04:32I have yet to have any connection issues.
04:34I can verify that Jon in fact wears the Pixel Buds Pro every single day.
04:44But that makes me even more excited to hear your final point. Give it to me.
04:47It's pretty obvious. It's the design. Look at the AirPods. It looks like you're wearing a Q-tip on your ear.
04:52But with the Pixel Buds Pro, they look more discreet. Also available in six different colors,
04:57so you're not stuck with just white as the only option. You can choose from whatever one you want.
05:02And they fit better, in my opinion. Just look at the AirPods.
05:05When you try to work out with them, sometimes you get sweaty and, you know, this connection gets kind of loose.
05:10Versus the Pixel Buds Pro, they have that silicone tip that comes included. You don't have to buy that separately.
05:16So when you're working out, it stays in there. And overall, it just doesn't look as distracting as the AirPods.
05:23The nice thing, too, is that when I'm wearing it, you don't really notice it as much versus the AirPods.
05:28They just sit in your ear. They're kind of flush. You still have those touch controls, but it just looks discreet.
05:33The stems look stupid. And you think about everyone that's wearing the AirPods, they're kind of like this Apple cult.
05:40I want to look different, and that's what these offer.
05:43Give this video a thumbs up if you're in the Apple cult.
05:45John, I'm so sorry. You must not realize that the AirPods actually do come with silicone tips.
05:52Like, why did you think you have to buy them? I don't think that's ever been the case.
05:55Anyway, regardless of if you had to pay for them, the AirPods Pro come with four different ear tip sizes,
06:02which the Pixel Buds only come with three.
06:04You get an added extra small ear tip, which for someone like me, that's a game changer.
06:08It gives shoppers more options when they're getting their earbuds that they can actually find the right pair that fits for them.
06:14So I would say that's a huge perk that you just don't get with those.
06:18Still looks like a heated though.
06:19Fighting words were said today, but it's ultimately up to you to decide who won this episode of Tech Takedown.
06:25Let us know in the comments and let us know which devices you'd want to see in the next episode.
06:29You can find full reviews of the AirPods Pro 2 and Pixel Buds Pro on Tom's Guide.com.
06:35And you can find more of our fun content everywhere on social at Tom's Guide.
06:39Otherwise, we'll catch you here at the table for the next one.