Google Pixel Buds Pro 2

The Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 cost $379 at the Google Store and most Australian retailers. No discounting yet. These are Google's play for the Android earbuds crown, and the pitch is simple: the lightest earbuds on the market with genuinely good active noise cancellation (ANC) and Google's AI smarts built in.

At 4.7g per bud, these are featherweight. You forget they're in your ears. For the all-day calls test, six hours straight of Teams calls was completely comfortable. Zero ear fatigue. The twist-adjust stabiliser fins are meant to lock them in, but here's the thing: fit is inconsistent. Some ears love them, some ears spend all day pushing them back in. If you can, try them at JB Hi-Fi before buying.

Noise cancellation uses Google's Silent Seal 2.0, and it's good but not great. On a 400-series bus, it handles the low-frequency engine drone well but lets in more mid-range chatter than the Sony XM5 or Bose QC Ultra. ANC is on or off. No adjustable levels. That's a strange omission at this price.

Sound quality is clean and balanced. The 11mm drivers deliver more bass presence than you'd expect from earbuds this small. Google's Tensor chip enables on-device AI features: real-time translation, conversation detection, and smart audio switching. If you're deep in the Google ecosystem (Pixel phone, Nest speakers, Google Home), the integration is smooth.

Battery life is excellent. 8 hours with ANC on, and the case holds 30 hours total. That's class-leading for total battery and puts it ahead of every competitor here except the AirPods Pro 2 (which matches it). The case is compact and pocketable.

For the lawn mowing test: the light weight is great but the fit inconsistency becomes a problem with vigorous movement. They stayed in during a steady mow but shifted during edging work. Not sport-secure.

The big limitation: Android only. No iOS app, no iOS features. If you have an iPhone, these are a hard pass. If you have a Pixel, they're worth serious consideration.

Available at Google Store Australia ($379), JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman, Officeworks, Telstra.

Your rights under Australian Consumer Law: At $379, these sit at the top of the mid-range tier, and a reasonable consumer would expect 2 to 3 years of reliable use. Google's manufacturer warranty is 1 year, but consumer guarantees don't stop there. If the ANC module fails, the Tensor chip develops issues, or battery capacity drops significantly within that period, you have a claim. Start with the retailer. Google Store Australia, JB Hi-Fi, wherever you bought them. They must handle the claim, not redirect you to Google support overseas.