Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 Comparison
Compare Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 side by side: specs, ratings, pros and cons, and which one fits your room best.
On this page
At a Glance
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 are noise-cancelling earbuds with the H2 chip, foam-infused ear tips in five sizes, heart-rate sensing and hearing health features, and up to 8 hours of listening with ANC.
- Best For
- Apple device households
- Launch Price
- —
- Dust/Water Rating
- IP57
- Bluetooth Codecs
- AAC, SBC
- Noise Cancelling
- Adaptive ANC
- Mics per Bud
- 3
- Battery (Buds)
- 8 h
- Battery (With Case)
- 24 h
- Multipoint
- Automatic switching between Apple devices
The Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 are compact noise-cancelling earbuds with Google's Tensor A1 chip, Silent Seal 2.0 ANC, 11 mm drivers, Gemini voice features and a battery rated for 8 hours per charge with noise cancelling on.
- Best For
- Pixel and Android users
- Launch Price
- $229
- Dust/Water Rating
- IP54
- Bluetooth Codecs
- SBC, AAC, LC3
- Noise Cancelling
- Silent Seal 2.0 ANC
- Mics per Bud
- 3
- Battery (Buds)
- 8 h
- Battery (With Case)
- 30 h
- Multipoint
- Yes
Review Scores Compared
Expert Score
Voice & Call Noise Isolation
ANC & Transparency
Battery & Case Charging
Fit, Stability & Portability
Connectivity & UC Integration
Sound & Audio Quality
Editorial Reviews Comparison
Voice & Call Noise Isolation
- Apple AirPods Pro 37.8/10
- Google Pixel Buds Pro 28.8/10Leader
Apple AirPods Pro 3
Each bud has beamforming outer microphones, an inward-facing mic and a speech-detecting accelerometer. On Apple devices, Voice Isolation helps reduce background noise on calls. In a café the far end should hear a clear voice with less background chatter. In a quiet room the voice sounds natural, though a boom-mic model like the Jabra Evolve2 75 still sounds fuller.
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2
Beamforming microphones and Clear Calling on Pixel phones reduce background noise and boost your voice. A wind-blocking mesh covers the mics. Phone calls sound clear in most places, and Clear Calling helps in noisy streets. On Windows laptops they fall back to standard Bluetooth headset audio, which is narrower and less natural than the phone experience.
ANC & Transparency
- Apple AirPods Pro 39.5/10Leader
- Google Pixel Buds Pro 28.2/10
Apple AirPods Pro 3
Apple claims the ANC is up to twice as effective as on AirPods Pro 2. The new foam-infused tips seal better, and that improves passive isolation before any processing begins. On a busy commute the cancellation is among the best in earbuds, reducing engine rumble and voices to a low background.
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2
Silent Seal 2.0 runs on the Tensor A1 chip, and Google claims it cancels about twice as much noise as the first Pro. Transparency and Conversation Detection, which pauses audio when you speak, are included. In practice ANC is strong on buses, planes and air conditioning, competing closely with flagships that cost more.
Battery & Case Charging
- Apple AirPods Pro 39.5/10
- Google Pixel Buds Pro 29.7/10Leader
Apple AirPods Pro 3
Apple quotes up to 8 hours of listening with ANC on, 10 hours in Transparency using the Hearing Aid feature, and up to 24 hours in total with the case. Heart-rate sensing during workouts reduces this to 6.5 hours. Five minutes in the case gives around an hour of listening.
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2
Google quotes up to 8 hours with ANC on, or 12 hours off, and up to 30 hours with the case using ANC. That is among the best in premium earbuds. A full workday of music and calls is easy, and the case recharges over lunch. Five minutes of charging gives about an hour of playback.
Fit, Stability & Portability
- Apple AirPods Pro 38.6/10
- Google Pixel Buds Pro 29.3/10Leader
Apple AirPods Pro 3
Each bud weighs 5.55 g, and Apple includes silicone tips in five sizes, from XXS to L. The bud shape is slightly smaller than before, and the stems carry touch controls. For a full working day the fit is secure and light, and the extra-small tips make them practical for people who found the previous model too big.
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2
Each bud weighs about 4.7 g, among the lightest in this group, and the twist-to-adjust fin keeps them steady during walks or workouts. Google includes four tip sizes. The small size makes them comfortable for long sessions, and they barely protrude from the ear. That also helps with lying on a pillow or wearing a hat.
Connectivity & UC Integration
- Apple AirPods Pro 37.0/10
- Google Pixel Buds Pro 27.1/10Leader
Apple AirPods Pro 3
The buds use Bluetooth 5.3. With an iPhone, iPad and Mac on the same Apple Account, they switch automatically to the device you are using, which works like multipoint inside Apple's ecosystem. Apple's AirPods user guide covers Live Translation, Find My with a speaker in the case, and head gestures for answering calls.
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2
The buds connect over Bluetooth 5.4 with two-device multipoint, LE Audio and Fast Pair for one-tap setup. On Android the buds appear in settings without a separate app download. Gemini integration lets you talk to Google's assistant hands-free, which is handy on the move for messages, reminders and directions. Find My Device locates lost buds and the case on a map.
Sound & Audio Quality
- Apple AirPods Pro 37.9/10
- Google Pixel Buds Pro 29.3/10Leader
Apple AirPods Pro 3
Apple uses its H2 chip and Adaptive EQ, which measures the sound in your ear and adjusts the tuning to match your fit. Spatial Audio with head tracking is supported on Apple devices. The sound is clean and well balanced, with more bass depth than the previous Pro and clear vocals.
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2
Each bud has an 11 mm dynamic driver, unusually large for such a small earbud. Codec support covers SBC, AAC and LC3 for LE Audio, with no aptX or LDAC. The tuning is lively and bass forward, with clear vocals. The Pixel app's five-band EQ lets you calm the low end for podcasts and calls between meetings.
Why Apple AirPods Pro 3 Beats Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 (and Vice Versa)
Why Apple AirPods Pro 3 beats Google Pixel Buds Pro 2
- Better anc & transparency: 9.5 vs 8.2 out of 10
- Case Weight: 43.99 g vs 65 g
- Water Resistance: Dust, sweat, and water resistant (IP57) vs Sweat and water resistant (IP54 earbuds)
- Case Water Rating: IP57 vs IPX4
- Noise Cancelling: Adaptive ANC vs Silent Seal 2.0 ANC
Why Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 beats Apple AirPods Pro 3
- Better sound & audio quality: 9.3 vs 7.9 out of 10
- Better voice & call noise isolation: 8.8 vs 7.8 out of 10
- Better fit, stability & portability: 9.3 vs 8.6 out of 10
- Bud Weight: 4.7 g vs 5.55 g
- Ear Hooks / Wings: Yes (twist-to-adjust stabiliser) vs No
- Bluetooth Codecs: SBC, AAC, LC3 vs AAC, SBC
Review-score leads of 0.5+ points out of 10 first, then specs where only one comes out ahead.
Full Specifications
General
| Apple AirPods Pro 3 | Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Apple device households | Pixel and Android users |
| Fit Type | True wireless in-ear | True wireless in-ear |
| Release Year | 2025 | 2024 |
| Launch Price | — | $229 |
Design & Build
| Apple AirPods Pro 3 | Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Bud Weight | 5.55 g | 4.7 g Better |
| Case Weight | 43.99 g Better | 65 g |
| Dust/Water Rating | IP57 | IP54 |
| Water Resistance | Dust, sweat, and water resistant (IP57) Better | Sweat and water resistant (IP54 earbuds) |
| Ear Tip Sizes | Five sizes (XXS, XS, S, M, L) | Four sizes |
| Colors | White | Porcelain, Hazel, Wintergreen, Peony |
| Bud Style | Stem | — |
| Ear Hooks / Wings | No | Yes (twist-to-adjust stabiliser) Better |
| Case Dimensions | 62.2 x 47.2 x 21.8 mm | 49.9 x 63.3 x 25 mm |
| Case Water Rating | IP57 Better | IPX4 |
| Materials | 40% recycled content, including 100% recycled aluminum in the hinge and 65% recycled plastic in the case | — |
Audio
| Apple AirPods Pro 3 | Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver Size | — | 11 mm |
| Driver Type | Apple custom dynamic driver | Dynamic |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC | SBC, AAC, LC3 Better |
| Spatial Audio | Yes | Yes (supported Pixel phones) |
| Custom EQ | Adaptive EQ | Yes (five-band) |
| Head Tracking | Yes | — |
| Hearing Health Features | Hearing Test, Hearing Aid feature, Hearing Protection | — |
Noise Cancelling
| Apple AirPods Pro 3 | Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Noise Cancelling | Adaptive ANC Better | Silent Seal 2.0 ANC |
| Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes |
| Transparency Mode | Yes (Adaptive Audio) | Yes |
| Adaptive ANC | Yes | — |
| Wind Noise Reduction | — | Yes (wind-blocking mesh) |
Microphone
| Apple AirPods Pro 3 | Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Microphones | 6 | 6 |
| Microphone Setup | Beamforming outer mics, inward-facing mic, speech-detecting accelerometer | Beamforming microphones |
| Call Noise Reduction | Voice Isolation (Apple devices) | Clear Calling (Pixel) |
| Bone-Conduction Sensor | No | — |
| Mics per Bud | 3 | 3 |
Battery & Charging
| Apple AirPods Pro 3 | Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Battery (Buds) | 8 h | 8 h |
| Battery (With Case) | 24 h | 30 h Better |
| Fast Charging | Yes (5 min = about 1 h) | Yes (5 min = about 1 h) |
| Wireless Charging | Yes (MagSafe, Qi, Apple Watch charger) | Yes (Qi) |
| Charging Port | USB-C | USB-C |
| Battery (Buds, ANC Off) | — | 12 h |
Connectivity
| Apple AirPods Pro 3 | Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.4 Better |
| Multipoint | Automatic switching between Apple devices | Yes |
| LE Audio / Auracast | — | Yes |
| Google Fast Pair | — | Yes |
| USB Dongle | No | No |
Controls & App
| Apple AirPods Pro 3 | Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Controls | Touch control on stems | Touch |
| Companion App | Built into iOS, iPadOS and macOS settings | Pixel Buds app (Android) |
| Wear Detection | Yes | Yes |
| Voice Assistant | Siri | Gemini |
| Custom Controls | Yes (swipe volume on the stem) | Yes (tap and swipe) |
| Find My / Locate | Yes (case speaker) | Yes (Find My Device) |
| Head Gestures | Yes | — |
In the Box
| Apple AirPods Pro 3 | Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| In the Box | AirPods Pro 3, MagSafe Charging Case (USB-C), silicone ear tips (five sizes), documentation | Earbuds, charging case, ear tips, USB-C cable |
| Warranty | 1-year Apple limited warranty | 1-year limited |
Identifiers
| Apple AirPods Pro 3 | Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Model Number | AirPods Pro 3 | Pixel Buds Pro 2 |
Compatibility
| Apple AirPods Pro 3 | Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| OS Compatibility | iOS, iPadOS, macOS; basic Bluetooth on Windows and Android | Android 8+; basic Bluetooth on iOS and Windows |
| Works With | Any app via Bluetooth | — |
Takeaways
- Our pick: Google Pixel Buds Pro 2, with the highest spec-based rating (4.5/5).
- Choose Apple AirPods Pro 3 for apple device households.
- Choose Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 for pixel and Android users.
Pros and Cons
Apple AirPods Pro 3
PROS
- Adaptive ANC and transparency
- H2-class processing
- Automatic Apple device switching
- USB-C charging case
CONS
- No UC USB dongle for Windows PCs
- Not Teams-certified like Jabra/Poly UC buds
- Windows users get a weaker call story
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2
PROS
- Small, light buds with a twist-to-adjust fin
- Strong ANC for the price
- Deep Android and Gemini integration
- Long battery life
CONS
- Best features need Android
- No aptX or LDAC
- No dongle for PC calls
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Quick Verdict
- Apple AirPods Pro 3 8.4Leads in ANC & Transparency
- Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 8.8Best overallLeads in Voice & Call Noise Isolation, Battery & Case Charging, Fit, Stability & Portability


