Google Pixel Buds (2017)

Excellent battery life ; Great hands-free calling quality ; Translations, while limited, can be useful

Fiddly and inelegant headphone storage ; Non-isolating sound ; Fiddly touch panel ; Translation limited to Pixel phones ; Cumbersome to use across multiple devices

The Pixel Buds are an ambitious attempt at high-tech headphones but they’re poorly executed and limited by a need for a Pixel phone if you want to use them to their full potential.

They sound better than expected ; Intuitive touch controls ; Solid battery life

They don't shut out ambient noise at all ; Obnoxious case design ; Touch pads are easy totap accidentally ; Google Assistant seems hit-or-miss

Chris is Engadget's senior mobile editor and moonlights as a professional moment ruiner. His early years were spent taking apart Sega consoles and writing awful fan fiction. That passion for electronics and words would eventually lead him to covering...

Instant translation is fun, relatively accurate ; Loud audio with full bass ; Controls work well ; Charging case takes you off the grid

Expensive for tethered earbuds ; Charging case hard to close, feels flimsy ; Earbuds fit oddly

Google’s Pixel Buds are a solid first entry in the world of wireless earbuds, and for Pixel phone buyers, they provide some unique features that may be worth consideration. At $159, however, they don’t offer the kind of features and performance we...

Clean, smooth sound ; Featherlight and super comfortable ; Compatible with most recent USB-C devices ; You might love the in-ear cable loops

Negligible noise isolation ; Lightweight bass ; Glossy white finish isn’t easy to keep looking pristine ; You might hate the in-ear cable loops

Unless you’re up to your eyeballs in the Apple ecosystem and Lightning is the most common port on your devices, it’s hard to think of many reasons not to own a pair of these Pixel USB-C earbuds. The Pixel USB-C buds are exceptional in their particular...

Lightweight design ; Easy voice-controlled access to Google Assistant and Translate ; Sound avoids harshness or boomy bass

Fiddly connectivity, not a great fit ; Music lacks both excitement and detail

Google’s Pixel earphones have plenty of work to do if they want to be our best buds

Comfortable ; Impressive sound ; Pixel-exclusive features are cool

Very cumbersome to pair with multiple devices ; Occasional Google Assistant blunders ; Lacks customizable gestures

The Pixel Buds are a compelling set of wireless headphones that mostly succeed in executing their ambitions. While the sound and battery performance earn top marks, it’s knocked down by finicky usability and the fact that its best features are reserved...

Fast access to Google Assistant ; Good battery life ; Acceptable sound for this form factor

Super awkward case ; Constantly have to adjust ear fit ; Touchpad allows too many errant taps ; Open design lets in too much outside noise

The Pixel Buds tease some really fantastic ideas that I hope Google will someday deliver on. But this is a first-generation product in the bad kind of way, and it looks even worse when you compare it to Apple’s growing success with the AirPods....

Visually attractive. Includes battery case. Solid bass.

Google Assistant and Google Translate features aren't any better than just using the phone apps on their own. Uncomfortable earbud design. Sound quality does not measure up for the price.

Almost everything about the Google Pixel buds sounds really interesting. Wireless headphones with a minimalist design, Google Assistant and Google Translate integration, and a battery-equipped charging case. Unfortunately, what is appealing on paper...

You'll use Google Assistant more than ever ; Touchpad gestures are neat

Odd case design ; Hard to adjust ear fit ; Uncomfortable to wear ; Open design isn't good for noisy areas ; Real-time translations fall flat

On one hand, Pixel Buds offer a decent Google Assistant experience. On the other hand, they're frustratingly designed, don't sound great, and don't deliver on the potential of their real-time translation headline feature.