Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless vs Pixel USB-C Earbuds: Which Headphones Are Better? - RTINGS.com

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Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless

Google Pixel USB-C Earbuds

Tested using Methodology v1.4

Updated May 05, 2025 07:18 PM

Tested using Methodology v1.4

Updated Jan 15, 2024 01:45 PM

Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless Picture

Google Pixel USB-C Earbuds Picture

TypeEarbuds

EnclosureClosed-Back

Noise CancellingNo

WirelessYes

TransducerDynamic

MicYes

TypeEarbuds

EnclosureClosed-Back

Noise CancellingNo

WirelessNo

TransducerDynamic

MicYes

Our Verdict

Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless

Google Pixel USB-C Earbuds

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.

Variants

Pixel Buds

Pixel USB-C (White)

Review

See Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless Review

See Google Pixel USB-C Earbuds Review

Check Price

Standard

Pixel Buds

White

Pixel USB-C

Standard

Pixel Buds

White

Pixel USB-C

Standard

Pixel Buds

White

Pixel USB-C

Standard

Pixel Buds

White

Pixel USB-C

Main Differences for

Mixed Usage

Threshold

0.10

Mixed Usage

0.0

0.0

JOIN NOW to see main differences

Full Comparison

Mixed Usage

0.0

0.0

Neutral Sound

0.0

0.0

Commute/Travel

0.0

0.0

Sports/Fitness

0.0

0.0

Office

0.0

0.0

Wireless Gaming

0.0

0.0

Wired Gaming

0.0

0.0

Phone Calls

0.0

0.0

Design

Style

Design Picture 2

Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless Design Picture 2 Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Google Pixel USB-C Earbuds Design Picture 2 Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Type

Locked

Locked

Enclosure

Locked

Locked

Wireless

Locked

Locked

Transducer

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Comfort

N/A

N/A

Comfort Picture

Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless Comfort Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Google Pixel USB-C Earbuds Comfort Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Weight

Lock lbs

Lock lbs

Clamping Force

Lock lbs

Lock lbs

Show Text

Controls

N/A

N/A

Controls Picture

Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless Controls Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Google Pixel USB-C Earbuds Controls Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

OS Compatibility

Locked

Locked

Ease Of Use

Locked

Locked

Feedback

Locked

Locked

Call/Music Control

Locked

Locked

Volume Control

Locked

Locked

Microphone Control

Locked

Locked

Channel Mixing

Locked

Locked

Noise Cancelling Control

Locked

Locked

Talk-Through

Locked

Locked

Additional Controls

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Breathability

N/A

N/A

Breathability After Picture

Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless Breathability After Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Google Pixel USB-C Earbuds Breathability After Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Avg.Temp.Difference

Lock °C

Show Text

Portability

N/A

N/A

Portability Picture

Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless Portability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Google Pixel USB-C Earbuds Portability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

L

Lock"

Lock"

W

Lock"

Lock"

H

Lock"

Lock"

Volume

Lock in³

Lock in³

Transmitter Required

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Case

N/A

N/A

Case Picture

Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless Case Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Google Pixel USB-C Earbuds Case Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Type

Locked

Locked

L

Lock"

N/A

W

Lock"

N/A

H

Lock"

N/A

Volume

Lock in³

N/A

Show Text

Build Quality

N/A

N/A

Build Quality Picture

Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless Build Quality Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Google Pixel USB-C Earbuds Build Quality Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Show Text

Stability

N/A

N/A

Stability Picture

Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless Stability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Google Pixel USB-C Earbuds Stability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Show Text

Headshots 1

Angled Picture

Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless Angled Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Google Pixel USB-C Earbuds Angled Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Side Picture

Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless Side Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Google Pixel USB-C Earbuds Side Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Headshots 2

Front Picture

Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless Front Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Google Pixel USB-C Earbuds Front Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Rear Picture

Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless Rear Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Google Pixel USB-C Earbuds Rear Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Top

Top Picture

Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless Top Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Google Pixel USB-C Earbuds Top Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

In The Box

In The Box Picture

Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless In The Box Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Google Pixel USB-C Earbuds In The Box Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Show Text

Sound

Sound Profile

Frequency Response

Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Google Pixel USB-C Earbuds Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bass Amount

Lock dB

Lock dB

Treble Amount

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Frequency Response Consistency

N/A

N/A

Consistency L

Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless Consistency L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Google Pixel USB-C Earbuds Consistency L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Consistency R

Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless Consistency R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Google Pixel USB-C Earbuds Consistency R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Avg. Std. Deviation

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Raw Frequency Response

Raw FR L

Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless Raw FR L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Google Pixel USB-C Earbuds Raw FR L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Raw FR R

Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless Raw FR R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Google Pixel USB-C Earbuds Raw FR R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bass Accuracy

N/A

N/A

Bass

Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless Bass Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Google Pixel USB-C Earbuds Bass Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Std. Err.

Lock dB

Lock dB

Low-Frequency Extension

Lock Hz

Lock Hz

Low-Bass

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid-Bass

Lock dB

Lock dB

High-Bass

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Mid Accuracy

N/A

N/A

Mid

Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless Mid Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Google Pixel USB-C Earbuds Mid Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Std. Err.

Lock dB

Lock dB

Low-Mid

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid-Mid

Lock dB

Lock dB

High-Mid

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Treble Accuracy

N/A

N/A

Treble

Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless Treble Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Google Pixel USB-C Earbuds Treble Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Std. Err.

Lock dB

Lock dB

Low-Treble

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid-Treble

Lock dB

Lock dB

High-Treble

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Peaks/Dips

N/A

N/A

Peaks/Dips Graph

Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless Peaks/Dips Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Google Pixel USB-C Earbuds Peaks/Dips Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Peaks

Lock dB

Lock dB

Dips

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Imaging

N/A

N/A

Group Delay

Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless Group Delay Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Google Pixel USB-C Earbuds Group Delay Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Phase Response

Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless Phase Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Google Pixel USB-C Earbuds Phase Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Weighted Group Delay

Lock

Lock

Weighted Amplitude Mismatch

Lock

Lock

Weighted Frequency Mismatch

Lock

Lock

Weighted Phase Mismatch

Lock

Lock

Show Text

Passive Soundstage

N/A

N/A

PRTF

Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless PRTF Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Google Pixel USB-C Earbuds PRTF Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

PRTF Accuracy (Std. Dev.)

N/A

N/A

PRTF Size (Avg.)

N/A

N/A

PRTF Distance

N/A

N/A

Openness

0.0

0.0

Acoustic Space Excitation

0.0

0.0

Show Text

Virtual Soundstage

N/A

N/A

Virtual Soundstage

Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless Virtual Soundstage Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Google Pixel USB-C Earbuds Virtual Soundstage Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Head Modeling

Locked

Locked

Speaker Modeling

Locked

Locked

Room Ambience

Locked

Locked

Head Tracking

Locked

Locked

Virtual Surround

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Weighted Harmonic Distortion

N/A

N/A

Weighted Harmonic Distortion

Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless Weighted Harmonic Distortion Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Google Pixel USB-C Earbuds Weighted Harmonic Distortion Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

WHD @ 90

Lock

Lock

WHD @ 100

Lock

Lock

Show Text

Test Settings

Firmware

Locked

Locked

Power

Locked

Locked

Connection

Locked

Locked

Codec

Locked

Locked

EQ

Locked

Locked

ANC

Locked

Locked

Tip/Pad

Locked

Locked

Microphone

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Isolation

Noise Isolation

N/A

N/A

Noise Isolation

Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless Noise Isolation Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Google Pixel USB-C Earbuds Noise Isolation Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Isolation Audio

Overall Attenuation

Lock dB

Lock dB

Noise Cancelling

Locked

Locked

Bass

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid

Lock dB

Lock dB

Treble

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Leakage

N/A

N/A

Leakage

Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless Leakage Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Google Pixel USB-C Earbuds Leakage Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Leakage Audio

Overall Leakage @ 1ft

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Microphone

Microphone Style

Integrated

Locked

Locked

In-Line

Locked

Locked

Boom

Locked

Locked

Detachable Boom

Locked

Locked

Mic

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Recording Quality

N/A

N/A

Microphone Frequency Response

Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless Microphone Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Google Pixel USB-C Earbuds Microphone Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Recorded Speech

LFE

Lock Hz

Lock Hz

FR Std. Dev.

Lock dB

Lock dB

HFE

Lock Hz

Lock Hz

Weighted THD

Lock

Lock

Gain

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Noise Handling

N/A

N/A

SpNR

Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless SpNR Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Google Pixel USB-C Earbuds SpNR Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Speech + Pink Noise

Speech + Subway Noise

SpNR

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Active Features

Battery

N/A

N/A

Battery Type

Locked

Locked

Continuous Battery Life

Lock hrs

N/A

Additional Charges

Lock

N/A

Total Battery Life

Lock hrs

N/A

Charge Time

Lock hrs

N/A

Power-Saving Feature

Locked

Locked

Audio While Charging

Locked

Locked

Passive Playback

Locked

Locked

Charging Port

Locked

Locked

Show Text

App Support

N/A

N/A

App Picture

Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless App Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Google Pixel USB-C Earbuds App Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

App Name

Locked

Locked

iOS

Locked

Locked

Android

Locked

Locked

macOS

Locked

Locked

Windows

Locked

Locked

Equalizer

Locked

Locked

ANC Control

Locked

Locked

Mic Control

Locked

Locked

Room Effects

Locked

Locked

Playback Control

Locked

Locked

Button Mapping

Locked

Locked

Surround Support

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Connectivity

Bluetooth

N/A

N/A

Bluetooth Version

Locked

Locked

Multi-Device Pairing

Locked

Locked

NFC Pairing

Locked

Locked

Line Of Sight Range

Lock ft

N/A

PC Latency (SBC)

Lock ms

N/A

PC Latency (aptX)

N/A

N/A

PC Latency (aptX HD)

N/A

N/A

PC Latency (aptX-LL)

N/A

N/A

iOS Latency

Lock ms

N/A

Android Latency

Lock ms

N/A

Show Text

Non-Bluetooth Wireless

N/A

N/A

Non-BT Line Of Sight Range

N/A

N/A

Non-BT Latency

N/A

N/A

Show Text

Wired

N/A

N/A

Cable Picture

Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless Cable Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Google Pixel USB-C Earbuds Cable Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Analog Audio

Locked

Locked

USB Audio

Locked

Locked

Detachable

Locked

Locked

Length

N/A

Lock ft

Connection

Locked

Locked

Analog/USB Audio Latency

N/A

Lock ms

Show Text

PC / PS4 Compatibility

PC/PS4 Analog

Locked

Locked

PC/PS4 Wired USB

Locked

Locked

PC/PS4 Non-BT Wireless

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Xbox One Compatibility

Xbox One Analog

Locked

Locked

Xbox One Wired USB

Locked

Locked

Xbox One Non-BT Wireless

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Base/Dock

N/A

N/A

Type

Locked

Locked

USB Input

Locked

Locked

Line In

Locked

Locked

Line Out

Locked

Locked

Optical Input

Locked

Locked

RCA Input

Locked

Locked

Dock Charging

Locked

Locked

Power Supply

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Check Price

Standard

Pixel Buds

White

Pixel USB-C

Standard

Pixel Buds

White

Pixel USB-C

Standard

Pixel Buds

White

Pixel USB-C

Standard

Pixel Buds

White

Pixel USB-C

Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless

Google Pixel USB-C Earbuds

Comments

Comparison

• Posted 2 years ago

Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless vs Google Pixel USB-C Earbuds: Main Discussion

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