Pixel Buds Pro still worth it?
Pixel Buds Pro still worth it?
My Sony WF-1000XM4s are the latest victim in the battery issues plaguing Sony earbuds: https://old.reddit.com/r/SonyHeadphones/comments/x7mx2n/wf1000xm4_severe_battery_issues/ Sony's apparently taking them back and refunding customers, but I'm stuck without working buds in the meantime.
I had gotten the Pixel Buds A series when I pre-ordered my Pixel 6a, but I sold them to reduce the final cost of my phone..
I've been eyeing the Pixel Buds Pro since they're down to $120 USD for Thanksgiving/Black Friday. I was wondering what owners of them think of them and if they're still worth it - considering they're 18 months old at this point.
I use earbuds in the gym or when when I'm walking to the grocery store.
I'd say so, I bought them separately for ~$80 using my remaining credit from my 7 pro preorder. I've seen a lot of people say the noise cancelling leaves a lot to be desired, but for me it's right where it needs to be. It's not going to fully cancel out sounds, but it'll tone everything wayyy down, with only a bit coming through. It doesn't give me that weird pressure feeling in my ears like other ANC does.
The sound quality is also great! Obv not the best compared to a wired pair but realistically you're not going to notice a difference if you're listening on Spotify anyway.
I've used them for a few hours at a time and not had them die on me, so honestly I'm not 1000% sure how long they'll last. Either way it's good enough for me
I got a set with my pixel 8 purchase and I'd say for the $120 they're worth it. I wouldn't purchase them for full price though.
The sound quality is definitely acceptable. They aren't as good at my WH-1000XM4s, which are over ears also by Sony, but they do a decent job of providing clarity and moderate bass. The higher frequencies can be a bit peaky especially at higher volumes and I feel it's lacking in maximum volume but they're solid nonetheless.
The ANC leaves a little too be desired in circumstances with loud ambient environments but I get the feeling that with a set of foam tips it would be excellent. The transparency mode on the other hand works phenomenally and is very impressive.
I haven't used them for calls yet so I can't comment on call quality or the microphones.
The touch pads to me are the biggest mark against these as they can be a bit finicky. To pause your music you need to tap once but very often it registers that input as a swipe and raises or lowers the volume instead. Perhaps it's just something I'll get used to in time.
Lastly make sure you don't order it in white as the case especially collected all sorts of marks within days of use.
I love mine. Have had them since launch, and previously had the Airpods pro.
There are things I love about the pixel buds and things I hate. The noise cancelling is phenomenal when you get the seal right in your ear, which is rare.
One of my ears just doesn't jive with the pixel buds. I've tried different sizes, cleaning them routinely, and even looking at third party tips.
The sound is excellent and I love the assistant functions and gesture features that are built in that the airpods don't have. At the same time the tap / hold function to enable or disable ANC is annoying is shit for when all you're trying to do is adjust the earbud. In my case that's often.
Overall I would pick them up for $130. The battery life alone makes them probably worth that.