The Google Pixel USB-C Earbuds are poor for mixed usage. They’re essentially a wired version of the Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless with a USB-C audio connector that allows them to be used with newer smartphones that don’t have an aux port. It should be noted that this limits their compatibility to devices with USB-C ports, so users with older devices or iPhones won't be able to use these earbuds without a suitable adapter. While they’re outstandingly portable and decently comfortable, they’re built somewhat flimsily and have an open-fit design that has a severe impact on their noise isolation performance and ability to deliver a consistent listening experience.
Our Verdict
The Google Pixel USB-C Earbuds are disappointing for mixed usage. Their near-total absence of noise isolation capability and cheap build quality make them a bad fit for commuting and office work while their boomy sound profile and middling frequency response consistency make them inadequate for neutral sound. However, they have a microphone with impressive recording quality and a fairly stable, decently comfortable fit.
- Impressive microphone recording quality.
- Stable, decently comfortable fit.
- Awful noise isolation.
- Boomy sound profile.
- USB-C-only audio connection limits versatility.
The Google Pixel USB-C Earbuds are sub-par for neutral sound. They have a somewhat boomy sound profile with a total absence of low-end thump and rumble, not to mention cluttered and muddy vocals and lead instruments. Also, their sound profile can’t be customized with an EQ or audio presets. Their open-fit design, meanwhile, results in inconsistent bass and treble reproduction.
- Stable, decently comfortable fit.
- Boomy sound profile.
- No companion app to make EQ adjustments.
- Inconsistent bass and treble delivery.
The Google Pixel USB-C Earbuds are bad for commuting. While they’re decently comfortable and very easy to carry around, they don’t feel especially sturdy and barely block out any ambient noise, so you may hear everything from the rumble of bus engines to the chatter of nearby commuters.
- Lightweight, portable build.
- Stable, decently comfortable fit.
- Awful noise isolation.
- Boomy sound profile.
- USB-C-only audio connection limits versatility.
The Google Pixel USB-C Earbuds are okay for sports and fitness. They’re very lightweight and quite stable, so they shouldn’t fall out of your ears too easily. Unfortunately, their all-plastic construction feels a little flimsy, and their wired-only audio connection represents a potential snagging hazard.
- Lightweight, portable build.
- Stable, decently comfortable fit.
- USB-C-only audio connection limits versatility.
- Somewhat fragile build quality.
The Google Pixel USB-C Earbuds are poor for office work. Since they don’t block out any ambient noise, you may hear nearby coworkers talking to one another. Their USB-C audio connection also robs them of a bit of versatility, since you can only connect to your computer with a USB-C to USB-A adapter if it doesn’t have a compatible port. That said, they’re decently comfortable and leak very little noise, so you can crank your music up to drown out any ambient noise without worrying about disrupting people nearby.
- Stable, decently comfortable fit.
- Great audio leakage performance.
- Awful noise isolation.
- Boomy sound profile.
- USB-C-only audio connection limits versatility.
The Google Pixel USB-C Earbuds are wired-only.
The Google Pixel USB-C Earbuds are passable for wired gaming, as long as you only game on PC and have a USB-C port or a USB-C to USB-A adapter. They’re decently comfortable and feature very low latency, so you won’t have to worry about lag at a crucial moment. If you’re gaming in a fairly quiet environment, their in-line microphone makes your voice sound clear and natural, so teammates shouldn’t have any trouble understanding you. Unfortunately, you can’t customize their somewhat boomy sound profile with an EQ or presets.
- Stable, decently comfortable fit.
- USB-C-only audio connection limits versatility.
The Google Pixel USB-C Earbuds are unremarkable for phone calls. While their in-line microphone does a good job of making your voice sound clear and detailed, it struggles slightly when it comes to isolating speech from loud background noise. You may have trouble hearing people on the other end of the line if you’re in a loud or crowded environment, as the buds barely block out any ambient noise.
- Impressive microphone recording quality.
- Stable, decently comfortable fit.
- Awful noise isolation.
- USB-C-only audio connection limits versatility.
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Popular Headphones Comparisons
The Google Pixel USB-C are wired earbuds with a somewhat rare USB-C connection for audio. They're inadequate for mixed usage due to their awful noise isolation and non-adjustable boomy sound profile, not to mention plasticky build quality. That said, they’re very easy to carry around, and their in-line microphone delivers surprisingly impressive recording quality. If you’re looking for more options, check out our list of recommendations of the best earbuds and in-ear headphones, the best earbuds under $50, and the best wired headphones.
The Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless are much better for mixed usage than the Google Pixel USB-C Earbuds. The Pixel Buds 2017 are wireless, which makes them an even better fit for sports and fitness since they won’t snag on anything. They’re also better built and offer a more consistent listening experience. That said, the Pixel Buds USB-C are better if you prioritize lower-latency audio. They also have an easier-to-use control scheme and a marginally better-balanced sound profile overall.
The TIN Audio T2 and Google Pixel Buds USB-C Earbuds have different advantages. The TIN are much better built, with metal buds and a detachable, replaceable 1/8" TRS audio cable. Their sound profile is also far better-balanced overall, and they isolate a greater amount of background noise. However, the Google headphones, unlike the TIN, have an in-line microphone remote that allows you to make calls as well as on-the-fly track and volume adjustments.
The Apple EarPods are slightly better for mixed usage than the Google Pixel USB-C Earbuds. The Apple earbuds are more comfortable and provide more accurate, open audio reproduction. They're also compatible with a greater number of devices courtesy of their analog audio connector, whereas the Google earbuds can't connect to devices that lack a USB-C port, such as iPhones. However, the Google headphones have a more stable fit, slightly better audio leakage performance, and a marginally better in-line microphone.
The Beats urBeats3 Earphones are substantially more versatile than the Google Pixel Buds USB-C Earbuds. The Beats, which can be purchased with either a 1/8” TRRS or Lightning port connector, offer a far more consistent, balanced listening experience, not to mention a superior build quality, and much better noise isolation performance. The Google headphones have a marginally better in-line microphone and offer a slightly more open listening experience than the Beats.
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