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AirPods Pro 3 vs Pixel Buds Pro 2: The biggest battle in audio
October 2, 2025
Google and Apple are two of the biggest companies in the world, and have both have been pushing hard into the audio industry throughout the past few years. The AirPods Pro 3 and Pixel Buds Pro 2 are therefore two of the most popular sets of wireless earbuds in the world, but which are superior? We put both through our SoundGuys testing lab to find out.
This article was originally published on October 2, 2025, and this is the first version.
What’s it like to use the AirPods Pro 3 compared to the Pixel Buds Pro 2?
The AirPods Pro 3 look familiar if you’ve seen the AirPods Pro 2, but Apple refined the shape for a slightly deeper fit. The new foam-infused ear tips give a better seal for ANC and stability, though they can still slip a bit when sweat builds up. At 5.6g per earbud, they’re very light, but the glossy finish makes them harder to keep in place. The case is a bit larger, now with a U2 chip for precise Find My tracking, but it still scratches easily.
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 are extremely portable, lightweight, and comfortable. I find the ovoid nozzle with its subtle rubber fin keeps them snug in my ears. The magnets inside the case are very strong, and the top-hinge design feels premium. In short, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 are more comfortable and stable for long sessions or active use.
When it comes to durability, the AirPods Pro 3 hold the advantage, thanks to their IP57 rating. On the other hand, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 are rated IP54, so while they aren’t as durable as the AirPods Pro 3, they can still handle sweat and rain.
The AirPods also have an advantage when it comes to onboard controls. Thanks to the stem, the AirPods Pro 3 have very intuitive pinch controls, along with head gestures. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 use swipes and taps, which I don’t find as reliable as pinch controls. That said, you can control both using your voice, whether it’s Siri with AirPods or Google Assistant with Pixel Buds. A firmware update has also added head gestures to the Pixel Buds Pro 2.
Do the AirPods Pro 3 or Pixel Buds Pro 2 have more features?
The AirPods Pro 3 are overloaded with features. They double as a fitness tracker (heart rate monitoring), clinical-grade hearing aids, and even a Live Translation tool. With features such as Adaptive Audio, Personalized Spatial Audio, and Adaptive EQ, the AirPods Pro 3 are designed to serve the needs of your ears, and they adapt to whatever situation you are using them in.
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 also supports spatial audio and offers Google Gemini voice integration, which typically outperforms Siri. After launch, Google added a variety of features to the Pixel Buds Pro 2 to put them in line with Apple’s offerings, including Adaptive Audio and Loud Noise Protection.
While both sets of earbuds have a lot of features, there are some caveats. The AirPods Pro 3 only get these features if you use them with an iPhone, and the Pixel Buds only get these features if you use them with an Android phone. There are no cross-platform apps to use the earbuds in the other ecosystem. As well, both of these earbuds are lacking a fully customizable EQ, which isn’t ideal for audiophiles or those who like to tinker.
How do the AirPods Pro 3 and Pixel Buds Pro 2 connect?
The AirPods Pro 3 use Bluetooth 5.3 with SBC and AAC codecs, making them ideal for iOS but underwhelming for Android users. They use Apple’s H2 chip for seamless device switching, but if you pair them with Android, you lose all the advanced features and even firmware updates.
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 support Bluetooth 5.4 with SBC, AAC, and LC3. They offer Multipoint and Auracast, which means it’s easier to pair these earbuds to a wider variety of devices.
Is battery life better on the AirPods Pro 3 or Pixel Buds Pro 2?
In our standardized test, the AirPods Pro 3 lasted 8 hours and 42 minutes with ANC on—a big jump from the AirPods Pro 2. They also support fast charging (5 minutes = 1 hour), wireless charging, and even Apple Watch chargers.
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 came close, lasting 7 hours and 55 minutes with ANC on. They also support Qi wireless charging and offer slightly faster quick charging — 5 minutes yields 1.5 hours of playback.
Do the AirPods Pro 3 or Pixel Buds Pro 2 block noise better?
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If ANC is your top priority, the AirPods Pro 3 are clearly stronger. The AirPods Pro 3 are in a league of their own, reducing the loudness of external noise by 90% in our tests. In real-world testing, we find they excel in offices, commutes, and planes. Transparency Mode is equally impressive, letting in voices naturally without the artificial hiss you sometimes hear in competitors.
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 manage around 80% noise reduction, which is solid but a step behind Apple. Transparency is convincing, and conversation feels natural, but they don’t quite achieve the “nothing in your ears” illusion that Apple nails.
Do the AirPods Pro 3 sound better than the Pixel Buds Pro 2?
The AirPods Pro 3 and Pixel Buds Pro 2 both deliver excellent sound quality. These major tech companies have large audio research departments, and so it’s not all that surprising that they make earbuds that most people will enjoy the sound of. The main difference to take note of is that the AirPods Pro 3 have an Adaptive EQ, which adjusts the sound of the earbuds each time you put them on based on the fit of the earbuds in your ears, whereas the Pixel Buds Pro 2 have a custom equalizer. Both sets of earbuds have spatial audio with head tracking.
Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (MDAQS)
Hold up! Something’s missing
We’re currently upgrading a few things in the lab, and we’re holding off posting MDAQS results for now. But we have tested the AirPods Pro 3; we’re compiling a little more information before we publish the results to ensure the quality of data meets our editorial standards.
Objective Measurements
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The frequency response we measured of the AirPods Pro 3 is similar to that of the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2. Both relatively match up with our SoundGuys Headphone Preference Curve, which means we think most people will enjoy how these earbuds sound.
Do the AirPods Pro 3 or Pixel Buds Pro 2 have a better microphone?
In our tests, the AirPods Pro 3 seem to have better microphones than the Pixel Buds Pro 2. You can listen to our standardized microphone demonstrations below and let us know which you think sounds better.
AirPods Pro 3 microphone demo (Ideal conditions):
Pixel Buds Pro 2 microphone demo (Ideal conditions):
AirPods Pro 3 microphone demo (Street conditions):
Pixel Buds Pro 2 microphone demo (Street conditions):
Which microphone sounds better to you?
AirPods Pro 3 vs Pixel Buds Pro 2: Price and availability
The AirPods Pro 3 have a starting price of $249, whereas the Pixel Buds Pro 2 have a starting price of $229. Since the Pixel Buds Pro 2 were released a year before the AirPods Pro 3, you might be able to find them on sale more often than the AirPods.
Should you get the AirPods Pro 3 or Pixel Buds Pro 2?
This is an easy decision if you already own a phone from either company. iPhone users should buy the AirPods Pro 3. They integrate seamlessly, deliver industry-leading ANC, and come with health features that no other earbuds offer.
Android users should pick the Pixel Buds Pro 2. They sound great, fit securely, and offer a customizable EQ, making them friendlier for a wider range of listeners.
If you are looking for a more platform-agnostic alternative, check out our list of the best wireless earbuds on the market. That said, which of these two earbuds would you buy? Let us know in the poll down below.
Which earbuds would you buy?
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