These Are Our Absolute Favorite Android Earbuds, and They're Below $200

If you’re an esteemed Android user like me, and you felt left out of yesterday’s deal on the AirPods Pro 3, I’ve got you covered today with an even bigger discount on the Pixel Buds Pro 2. Both Amazon and Best Buy have the hazel color marked down from $229 to $180, a $49 discount on Google’s most upgraded wireless earbuds.

Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

The first change you’ll notice from the previous generation Pixel Buds Pro is that the newer model is much lighter, and the buds are 27 percent smaller. As a result, these are an excellent choice for anyone with small ears, and they stay put super well. Reviewer Parker Hall “had no problem doing hours of tree pruning and going on long sweaty runs in Portland’s early fall heat wave.”

With some help from top-notch physical sound isolation, the active noise-canceling on these is just as good as Apple’s and even goes toe-to-toe with big hitters like Bose and Sony. The transparency mode works just as well, too, with a wider range and clearer audio than a lot of other headphones offer. When it’s time to actually turn up the tunes, you can enjoy a wide, natural soundstage that has excellent detail in the midrange and clear, sparkling treble.

The Gemini integration, unfortunately, leaves a bit to be desired. It’s not the smoothest experience, particularly when asking multiple questions, and the Pixel Buds Pro 2 aren’t offering anything that other earbuds can’t do. Apple’s live translations and heart rate monitors are more useful features, but if you’re on Android, you’re locked out of them anyway.

If you’re interested in upgrading your earbud game, and you already have a Pixel, you can grab the Pixel Buds Pro 2 in hazel for $180 from either Amazon or Best Buy. If that color doesn’t suit you, I also spotted lesser discounts on the peony color for $189, or the porcelain color for $210. For anyone who isn’t already sold on the Pixel Buds Pro 2, make sure to swing by our guide to the best wireless earbuds, with picks for both Apple and Android owners.