Apple - AirPods 4 with ANC vs Google - Pixel Buds Pro 2
Between the AirPods 4 with ANC and Pixel Buds Pro 2, the AirPods 4 with ANC comes out ahead in weight per bud, while the Pixel Buds Pro 2 wins on battery — buds and battery — with case. Overall, the AirPods 4 with ANC scores 58.3 and the Pixel Buds Pro 2 scores 69.5 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 is the clear pick on raw spec strength, leading by 11.2 points on the Mars Score. The margin is wide enough that the underdog only makes sense if its individual strengths line up with what you specifically need.
Pick the AirPods 4 with ANC if you care most about weight per bud. The biggest gaps in its favor are weight per bud.
Pick the Pixel Buds Pro 2 if your top frustration with your current device is running out of charge before the day ends — endurance is the lead spec here. Its strongest claims are battery — buds, battery — with case, driver size, among others.
Both ship with comparable active noise cancellation, water resistance, spatial audio, so those specs don't separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: the Pixel Buds Pro 2 is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.
Why Apple - AirPods 4 with ANC wins
- ▲Weight per bud — 0.40 g less. 4.3 vs 4.7.
Why Google - Pixel Buds Pro 2 wins
- ▲Battery — buds — 60.00% more. 8 h vs 5 h.
- ▲Battery — with case — 50.00% more. 30 h vs 20 h.
- ▲Driver size — 10.00% more. 11 mm vs 10 mm.
- ▲Has Multipoint.
Spec comparison
Design
| Spec | Apple - AirPods 4 with ANC | Google - Pixel Buds Pro 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | openlead | in-ear |
| Weight per bud | 4.3 glead | 4.7 g |
| Water resistanceⓘ | IP54 | IP54 |
Audio
| Spec | Apple - AirPods 4 with ANC | Google - Pixel Buds Pro 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Driver sizeⓘ | 10 mm | 11 mmlead |
| Active noise cancellationⓘ | true | true |
| Transparency mode | true | true |
| Spatial audioⓘ | true | true |
Battery
| Spec | Apple - AirPods 4 with ANC | Google - Pixel Buds Pro 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery — buds | 5 h | 8 hlead |
| Battery — with case | 20 h | 30 hlead |
| Wireless case chargingⓘ | true | true |
Connectivity
| Spec | Apple - AirPods 4 with ANC | Google - Pixel Buds Pro 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetoothⓘ | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Codecs | AAC,SBC | AAC,SBC |
| Multipointⓘ | false | truelead |
| In-ear detection | true | true |
Frequently asked
Which has longer battery, AirPods 4 with ANC or Pixel Buds Pro 2?+
Pixel Buds Pro 2 lasts 8h per charge vs 5h.
Do AirPods 4 with ANC or Pixel Buds Pro 2 support multipoint?+
Pixel Buds Pro 2 supports multipoint; AirPods 4 with ANC does not.
Which has ANC, AirPods 4 with ANC or Pixel Buds Pro 2?+
Both have active noise cancellation.
Spec-level deep dives
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