Which Wi-fi Earbuds Are Higher?

Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 are right here, and with their arrival comes a number of questions. One of the large questions after Apple’s annual iPhone occasion is, “Should I buy new AirPods right now?” But earlier than you possibly can reply that, it’s vital to know the competitors, and the principle one is Google’s Pixel Buds Pro 2. While each bear the “Pro” moniker of their names, they’re not created equal, and small variations in options might have a big effect on which pair you ought to purchase.

If you’re questioning which set off to tug, right here’s a breakdown of which pair of wi-fi earbuds does what.

See AirPods Pro 3 at Amazon

See Pixel Buds Pro 2 at Amazon

1) Sound

While I haven’t gotten to listen to Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 for myself but, these wi-fi earbuds have a brand new structure that Apple says ought to deliver some enhancements over the past era. According to Apple, AirPods Pro 3 have a brand new “multiport acoustic architecture” that higher controls the airflow and the way in which the sound carries to the ear. How demonstrable that change is stays to be seen, nevertheless it must be the best-sounding pair of AirPods but, if Apple’s messaging is any indication.

Similarly, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 mark a big increase in sound high quality over the unique iteration, with 11mm drivers that assist increase each excessive and low ends. Which structure delivers higher sound high quality will come all the way down to desire, and we received’t know for certain till we strive AirPods Pro 3 for ourselves, however each must be the best-sounding model of their respective product strains. AirPods Pro 3 could have robust competitors, although—we thought the Pixel Buds Pro 2 had been rattling close to excellent.

2) ANC

Apple is promising some huge enhancements gen-over-gen with energetic noise cancellation (ANC), claiming that its AirPods Pro 3 have 2x the ANC functionality because the AirPods Pro 2. Apple usually gives better-than-average ANC (it’s not Bose QuietComfort Ultra, nevertheless it’s good), so double the ANC is an attractive provide. Google’s Pixel Buds Pro 2 additionally provide double the ANC over the primary era, and as we said in our overview, it is likely one of the highlights of the buds general.

One factor that might give AirPods Pro 3 the sting, nonetheless, is a redesigned eartip that comprises foam inside. That ought to make a really tight seal in your ear and supply good passive noise cancellation on high of ANC. Again, it’s laborious to say with out listening to the AirPods Pro 3 for ourselves, however there’s an opportunity that AirPods Pro 3 might have an X issue right here.

3)Battery

One of the largest AirPods enhancements gen-over-gen, in response to Apple, is within the battery life division. AirPods Pro 3 now have an 8-hour battery life outdoors of the case with ANC on, which is 2 extra hours than the AirPods Pro 2. The factor is, we’re evaluating to Google’s Pixel Buds Pro 2, which even have 8 hours of battery life outdoors the case, which means this a part of the showdown could possibly be a tie.

That being mentioned, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 do have a greater battery life within the case. While AirPods Pro 3 have a 24-hour battery life within the case with ANC on, Google’s Pixel Buds Pro 2 have 30 hours. Case battery isn’t the largest metric for achievement, however extra is extra on the subject of battery.

See AirPods Pro 3 at Amazon

See Pixel Buds Pro 2 at Amazon

4( Features

Features are the place issues get fascinating and doubtlessly the place AirPods Pro 3 draw back. While each wi-fi earbuds have AI integrations (Google has Gemini, and AirPods Pro have Apple Intelligence), dialog detection, help for head gestures, and adaptive ANC, and even reside translation talents, Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 lean into well being sensing as nicely.

AirPods Pro 3 introduces a coronary heart charge sensor that enables the wi-fi earbuds for use for monitoring exercises and even energy burned, whereas Google’s Pixel Buds Pro 2 don’t have any such well being options. Whether that’s a game-changer is completely as much as you, nevertheless it’s clear that AirPods Pro 3 simply do extra in that division. Maybe Google will shut the hole with its subsequent pair of wi-fi earbuds, however for now, Apple has the benefit, particularly for those who’re utilizing an iPhone.

5) Fit

Apple clearly spent a number of time redesigning its AirPods Pro 3. Specifically, Apple says that it used “over 10,000 ear scans with more than 100,000 hours of user research” to tweak the match of AirPods Pro 3. It additionally modified the “external geometry of the eartip,” which now aligns to the middle of the physique for extra stability. Those modifications might very nicely lead to an much more snug match and provides AirPods an edge right here.

With that mentioned, we gave the Pixel Buds Pro 2 excessive marks for consolation, so Apple has its work reduce out. Apple does objectively now have extra eartip sizes than Google’s Pixel Buds Pro 2—5 as an alternative of Google’s 4—however that doesn’t essentially imply they’re extra snug, even when they do have fitter choices. If I had been a betting man, I’d put my cash on Apple within the match metric, if simply because they appear to have exhaustively redesigned the AirPods Pro 3 and centered on the burden and really feel.

AirPods Pro 3 vs. Pixel Buds Pro 2: Price

While the AirPods Pro 3 are dearer than the Pixel Buds Pro 2, they’re additionally model new, and the worth isn’t drastically completely different. Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 are $250, whereas Google’s Pixel Buds Pro 2 are $230. What’s notable is that Apple didn’t increase the worth of its wi-fi earbuds, making the AirPods Pro 3 really feel like a strong deal. Google’s Pixel Buds Pro 2 are virtually precisely a yr outdated at this level, and whereas $230 isn’t the costliest beginning worth for wi-fi earbuds, it’s not an enormous low cost. That being mentioned, we’ll be capable to let you know which worth is value it as soon as we truly take a look at the AirPods Pro 3 ourselves.

See AirPods Pro 3 at Amazon

See Pixel Buds Pro 2 at Amazon