The Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless are mediocre headphones for most uses but have a unique and open earbud fit that some may prefer over typical in-ears. Unfortunately, they have a very muddy sound profile that isn't well suited for most music genres. On the upside, they're decently well-built and stable enough for sports, thanks to their adjustable cable tips' design. They also have a compact case that extends their battery life.
Our Verdict
The Google Pixel Buds Gen 1 are mediocre mixed usage headphones with a few unique features. They're decently comfortable and stable, thanks to their earbud design and adjustable stability tips. They're also compact enough to fit into most pockets and come with a charging case that gives them a total of over 20 hours of battery life. Unfortunately, they barely block any noise, which makes them poorly suited for loud environments and commuting. Unfortunately, their sound profile is also quite bass-heavy, which won't be suitable for many music genres.
- Compact and portable.
- Stable and adjustable fit.
- Decent battery life.
- Poor noise isolation, by design.
- Uneven audio reproduction.
The Google Pixel Buds Gen 1 are sub-par for neutral sound. They have a poorly balanced sound that lacks a lot of low-bass due to their open fit, but they also sound boomy because of a noticeable overemphasis in the high-bass. Additionally, due to their in-ear design, they don't have the best soundstage. On the upside, they're comfortable enough to wear for long listening sessions.
The Google Pixel Buds Gen 1 aren't suitable for commuting or traveling. The open fit lets in a lot of ambient noise, which isn't suitable for loud environments.
The Google Pixel Buds Gen 1 are good for sports. The open fit allows you to run outside and stay aware of your surroundings. They also have adjustable stability tips that make them stable enough for most light to moderate exercises. However, their control scheme could be a bit more precise.
The Google Pixel Buds Gen 1 are sub-par for office use. The open fit of these earbuds makes them poorly suited for lively or noisy work environments. On the upside, they don't leak too much, so you won't distract those around you.
The Google Pixel Buds Gen 1 aren't designed for gaming. Their Bluetooth connection isn't compatible with gaming consoles, and even if they work on Bluetooth-enabled PCs, their wireless latency is too high for any competitive gaming.
You can't use the Google Pixel Buds Gen 1 wired.
The Google Pixel Buds Gen 1 are a sub-par option for phone calls. The microphone struggles in moderately loud environments and blends recorded voice and ambient noise, so it's better to use it in a quiet environment. While speech is understandable, it lacks a bit of presence and detail.
Changelog
- Updated Sep 23, 2022: We've added a comparison with the Google Pixel Buds Pro Truly Wireless in the 'Noise Isolation' test.
- Updated Mar 27, 2020: Converted to Test Bench 1.4.
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.1.
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.
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Popular Headphones Comparisons
These are the first Google-made headphones. They have a unique design and convenient features but are somewhat lacking compared to the competition. On the upside, they have a good build quality that feels durable enough to last you a while, and they come with a great charging case that gives them over 20 hours of battery life in total.
See our recommendations for the best wireless earbuds, the best earbuds with a mic, and the best earbuds and in-ears.
The Apple AirPods (1st generation) are much better wireless headphones than the Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless. The Apple have a more comfortable fit, especially for those used to the Apple's one-size-fits-all earbud design. They also have better build quality, and unlike the Google, they are truly wireless. You can also use each earbud independently of each other. The Apple have a slightly better sound, even if they don't have a lot of bass. On the upside, the Google are a lot more stable for physical activity and sports. Their adjustable earbud fit design also caters to more listeners than the Apple.
The Jaybird X3 Wireless are better and more versatile wireless headphones than the Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless. The Jaybird have a more isolating in-ear fit which makes them more suitable for commuting and loud environments. They have a better-balanced sound profile, which you can also EQ since they have an app, unlike the Google. On the upside, the Google have longer 20-hour battery life, and since their fit is adjustable, they can be a bit more suitable for all ear shapes and sizes. Their open fit also makes them a better option if you run outdoors often and need to monitor your environment for traffic or obstacles.
The Beats BeatsX Wireless are much better headphones than the Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless. The Beats have better noise isolation performance, and they sound a lot better-balanced. They also have a longer wireless range and have an impressive charge time of under an hour. The Beats are also slightly more suitable for outdoor runners thanks to their open earbud fit, which some will find a lot more comfortable than the in-ear design of the Google.
The Bose SoundSport Free Truly Wireless are better earbuds than the Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless. The Bose sound a lot more balanced than the Google, despite having a semi-open fit. The Bose still pack a lot of bass and cater well to all genres, unlike the Google. They're also a bit more comfortable thanks to their softer earbud tips, and their build quality feels a bit more durable than that of the Google headphones. On the upside, the Google have longer cumulative battery life, and since their fit is adjustable, they'll be a bit more suitable for all ear shapes and sizes.
Our How We Test Headphones article takes you behind the scenes in our lab. You'll learn how we choose and purchase products and dive into the details of our review philosophy, from testing and scoring to writing and editing.
You can also discover how we produce recommendations like this one so that you can find the best headphones (or earbuds!) for your needs.
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