Google Pixel Buds (2017)

Excellent battery life ; Great hands-free calling quality ; Translations, while limited, can be useful

Fiddly and inelegant headphone storage ; Non-isolating sound ; Fiddly touch panel ; Translation limited to Pixel phones ; Cumbersome to use across multiple devices

The Pixel Buds are an ambitious attempt at high-tech headphones but they’re poorly executed and limited by a need for a Pixel phone if you want to use them to their full potential.

Lightweight design ; Easy voice-controlled access to Google Assistant and Translate ; Sound avoids harshness or boomy bass

Fiddly connectivity, not a great fit ; Music lacks both excitement and detail

Google’s Pixel earphones have plenty of work to do if they want to be our best buds

Comfortable ; Impressive sound ; Pixel-exclusive features are cool

Very cumbersome to pair with multiple devices ; Occasional Google Assistant blunders ; Lacks customizable gestures

The Pixel Buds are a compelling set of wireless headphones that mostly succeed in executing their ambitions. While the sound and battery performance earn top marks, it’s knocked down by finicky usability and the fact that its best features are reserved...

You'll use Google Assistant more than ever ; Touchpad gestures are neat

Odd case design ; Hard to adjust ear fit ; Uncomfortable to wear ; Open design isn't good for noisy areas ; Real-time translations fall flat

On one hand, Pixel Buds offer a decent Google Assistant experience. On the other hand, they're frustratingly designed, don't sound great, and don't deliver on the potential of their real-time translation headline feature.

Good battery life ; Impressive sound quality

Ridiculous setup issues ; Uncomfortable to wear ; Problematic interactions

At £159, Google’s Pixel Buds are the same cost as Apple’s AirPods and massively more expensive than other wireless earbuds. And as much as we like the sound quality and battery life, we’re frankly baffled at some of the serious shortcomings that make...

Smart design ; Good battery life

Awkward fit ; Bassy sound ; Google Assistant is pernickety

Google Assistant can’t save these earphones from disappointment

The Google Pixel Buds are lightweight wireless earphones that offer a relatively comfortable fit and decent sound in non-noisy environments. They wrap up nicely to fit in a very compact charging case that delivers multiple extra charges on the go....

Their open design lets in a lot of ambient sound. The "real-time" translation feature is only available to Pixel phone owners, but isn't a big leap beyond the existing Translate app. Bluetooth pairing can be more cumbersome than it should be.

The Pixel Buds are perfectly decent wireless headphones with a few extra tricks for Pixel phone users -- but don't expect a "Star Trek"-style universal translator.