Google’s Pixel Buds Pro remain one of our favorite pairs of true wireless earbuds, offering robust active noise cancellation (ANC), punchy bass, reliable touch controls, and a host of convenient features, especially for Android users. However, given today’s competition in the mobile market, they don’t offer the best value at their standard list price of $200.
However, today Wellbots is having a sale, discounting the pair to a more affordable $135 with the checkout code ENGPIX65. This isn’t an all-time low – the buds fell as low as $117 in a similar deal last October and sold for $119 for much of the holiday season – but it’s the best price we’ve tracked in 2024 . For reference, the device dropped to $139 last month. This offer applies to all color variants of the set.
Photo by Billy Steele/Engadget
This is the lowest price we’ve seen for Google’s highest-end wireless earbuds this year.
Save $65 with code
$135 at Wellbots
Engadget audio expert Billy Steele gave the Pixel Buds Pro a test score of 87 in 2022. By default, they have a sculpted, cranked sound with punchy bass and boosted highs. It’s the kind of signature that won’t suit audio purists, but should fit well with modern pop music. However, like many pairs, you can tweak the sound with a graphic EQ. The earbuds themselves have an IPX4 waterproof rating, so they should withstand typical workouts. Battery life is solid at around seven hours with ANC on or 11 hours with ANC off, while the case supports wireless charging. You can connect to two devices at the same time and the pair supports in-ear detection, so it automatically pauses when you remove an earbud.
Perhaps the most important reason to consider the Pixel Buds Pro is their tight integration with Android. It’s somewhat similar to how Apple’s AirPods work with iOS: you can summon Google Assistant hands-free, quickly switch between paired devices, use adaptive and spatial audio modes, ring the earbuds remotely, and access Google Translate, among other operating system-specific features Features. Last fall, Google also added a “conversation detection mode” that automatically pauses your music and turns off ANC when you talk to someone. All of these features are natively available on Google’s Pixel phones. With other Android devices, you can access most of the same tricks via a separate Pixel Buds app.
There are still issues to consider. While we had no issues with comfort during testing, the fit may be difficult for those with smaller ears. The call quality is not particularly good, nor is the integrated transparency mode. For more demanding listeners, there is no support for higher quality Bluetooth codecs such as aptX or LDAC. And again, this is a busy market: Other pairs like the Sony WF-1000XM5, the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4, or the Anker Soundcore Space A40 may offer better noise isolation, sound quality, or overall value in a vacuum. It also wouldn’t be a big surprise if we see a new model at Google’s I/O conference next month. Still, the current model is still a comprehensive choice for Android fans today, and this discount brings it to a cheaper price.
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