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
Editor's pick
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 wireless earbuds in Porcelain
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2
Launch price $229

At a Glance

Apple AirPods Pro 3

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
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2

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

  • Apple AirPods Pro 38.4/10
  • Google Pixel Buds Pro 28.8/10 Leads

Voice & Call Noise Isolation

  • Apple AirPods Pro 37.8/10
  • Google Pixel Buds Pro 28.8/10 Leads

ANC & Transparency

  • Apple AirPods Pro 39.5/10 Leads
  • Google Pixel Buds Pro 28.2/10

Battery & Case Charging

  • Apple AirPods Pro 39.5/10
  • Google Pixel Buds Pro 29.7/10 Leads

Fit, Stability & Portability

  • Apple AirPods Pro 38.6/10
  • Google Pixel Buds Pro 29.3/10 Leads

Connectivity & UC Integration

  • Apple AirPods Pro 37.0/10
  • Google Pixel Buds Pro 27.1/10 Leads

Sound & Audio Quality

  • Apple AirPods Pro 37.9/10
  • Google Pixel Buds Pro 29.3/10 Leads

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 3Google Pixel Buds Pro 2
Best ForApple device householdsPixel and Android users
Fit TypeTrue wireless in-earTrue wireless in-ear
Release Year20252024
Launch Price—$229

Design & Build

Apple AirPods Pro 3Google Pixel Buds Pro 2
Bud Weight5.55 g4.7 g Better
Case Weight43.99 g Better65 g
Dust/Water RatingIP57IP54
Water ResistanceDust, sweat, and water resistant (IP57) BetterSweat and water resistant (IP54 earbuds)
Ear Tip SizesFive sizes (XXS, XS, S, M, L)Four sizes
ColorsWhitePorcelain, Hazel, Wintergreen, Peony
Bud StyleStem—
Ear Hooks / WingsNoYes (twist-to-adjust stabiliser) Better
Case Dimensions62.2 x 47.2 x 21.8 mm49.9 x 63.3 x 25 mm
Case Water RatingIP57 BetterIPX4
Materials40% recycled content, including 100% recycled aluminum in the hinge and 65% recycled plastic in the case—

Audio

Apple AirPods Pro 3Google Pixel Buds Pro 2
Driver Size—11 mm
Driver TypeApple custom dynamic driverDynamic
Bluetooth CodecsAAC, SBCSBC, AAC, LC3 Better
Spatial AudioYesYes (supported Pixel phones)
Custom EQAdaptive EQYes (five-band)
Head TrackingYes—
Hearing Health FeaturesHearing Test, Hearing Aid feature, Hearing Protection—

Noise Cancelling

Apple AirPods Pro 3Google Pixel Buds Pro 2
Noise CancellingAdaptive ANC BetterSilent Seal 2.0 ANC
Active Noise CancellingYesYes
Transparency ModeYes (Adaptive Audio)Yes
Adaptive ANCYes—
Wind Noise Reduction—Yes (wind-blocking mesh)

Microphone

Apple AirPods Pro 3Google Pixel Buds Pro 2
Microphones66
Microphone SetupBeamforming outer mics, inward-facing mic, speech-detecting accelerometerBeamforming microphones
Call Noise ReductionVoice Isolation (Apple devices)Clear Calling (Pixel)
Bone-Conduction SensorNo—
Mics per Bud33

Battery & Charging

Apple AirPods Pro 3Google Pixel Buds Pro 2
Battery (Buds)8 h8 h
Battery (With Case)24 h30 h Better
Fast ChargingYes (5 min = about 1 h)Yes (5 min = about 1 h)
Wireless ChargingYes (MagSafe, Qi, Apple Watch charger)Yes (Qi)
Charging PortUSB-CUSB-C
Battery (Buds, ANC Off)—12 h

Connectivity

Apple AirPods Pro 3Google Pixel Buds Pro 2
Bluetooth Version5.35.4 Better
MultipointAutomatic switching between Apple devicesYes
LE Audio / Auracast—Yes
Google Fast Pair—Yes
USB DongleNoNo

Controls & App

Apple AirPods Pro 3Google Pixel Buds Pro 2
ControlsTouch control on stemsTouch
Companion AppBuilt into iOS, iPadOS and macOS settingsPixel Buds app (Android)
Wear DetectionYesYes
Voice AssistantSiriGemini
Custom ControlsYes (swipe volume on the stem)Yes (tap and swipe)
Find My / LocateYes (case speaker)Yes (Find My Device)
Head GesturesYes—

In the Box

Apple AirPods Pro 3Google Pixel Buds Pro 2
In the BoxAirPods Pro 3, MagSafe Charging Case (USB-C), silicone ear tips (five sizes), documentationEarbuds, charging case, ear tips, USB-C cable
Warranty1-year Apple limited warranty1-year limited

Identifiers

Apple AirPods Pro 3Google Pixel Buds Pro 2
Model NumberAirPods Pro 3Pixel Buds Pro 2

Compatibility

Apple AirPods Pro 3Google Pixel Buds Pro 2
OS CompatibilityiOS, iPadOS, macOS; basic Bluetooth on Windows and AndroidAndroid 8+; basic Bluetooth on iOS and Windows
Works WithAny 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

Similar Comparisons

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