Google’s $99 Pixel Earbuds Actually Changed My Workouts for the Better

Photo credit: Courtesy
Photo credit: Courtesy


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Whether you prefer to sweat it out during a long run or weightlifting session at the gym, the right music can elevate even the most basic workout. For me, music is essential during any type of exercise—I have to have my wireless earbuds in and workout playlist queued up and ready to go.

But my experience with the most popular option—Apple’s AirPods—didn’t go so well. Figuring out how to switch songs and change the volume (so much tapping!) was frustrating. Plus, one AirPod always seemed to fall out during my workout, which is not ideal for such a pricey item. In fact, I recently misplaced one of my AirPods and can’t find the motivation to purchase another one.

So, when I was sent the new Google Pixel Buds A-Series to try on behalf of Prevention, it felt like the perfect opportunity to explore new horizons. After testing out the pixel buds for a few days (through intense workouts, morning jogs, and on walks to get coffee), I can happily say that I am beyond pleased with the performance of these earbuds. In fact, they’ve elevated my workouts and put me in an overall better mood.

Looking for some new earbuds that are perfect for gym time? Here’s everything you need to know about the Google Pixel Buds A-Series.

They are sweat-resistant and stylish.

Great things come in small packages—and these headphones are no exception. They come in two easy-to-wear colors, white and olive. The buds are lightweight, super comfortable to wear for long periods of time, and have a smooth, sleek touch. The soft ear tips (which come in three sizes) allow you to get a nice snug fit, and flexible stabilizer ear arcs let you get an even more secure fit.

Fun fact: Google scanned thousands of ears to make this dream pixel bud fit. They were also specifically designed for high-intensity workouts, so they are waterproof and sweat-resistant. They have an IPX4 water protection rating, so you won’t have to worry about them falling out during a sweaty session or while going for a run during light rain.

The audio features truly deliver.

Of course, the most important thing to look for when it comes to wireless earbuds is the sound quality. The pixel buds have a 12-millimeter speaker driver, which delivers powerful and well-balanced audio. There’s also a unique audio feature called adaptive sound, which increases or decreases the volume based on your surroundings. So if you’re on a run outside and come across a noisy traffic stop, your buds will adapt to the environment and adjust your music to drown out that extra noise. (Cool, right?)

And when it comes to making phone calls, you can rely on these earbuds to give you a crystal clear sound, thanks to their beam-forming mics that help reduce any background noise.

Photo credit: Google
Photo credit: Google

You can go hands-free.

I’m a huge fan of my Google home device and was so excited when I found out that the Google assistant feature was built right into the Pixel Bud A-Series. The Google assistant feature makes it easy for me to find out what the weather is before rushing outside, and I don’t even have to tap on the buds to change the volume (you can if you want to, though).

Instead, I can just say, Hey Google, turn up the volume. I can also control audio playback with voice commands, send messages, access my notifications, and get answers to random questions. Bonus: There’s a new feature where you can get real-time translation in more than 40 languages while using the headphones in tandem with a Pixel or Android 6.0+ phone.

Photo credit: Google
Photo credit: Google

The battery life is impressive.

I’ve always struggled with remembering to charge my AirPods and the case after every use. And if you’ve done this before, you know how frustrating it can be to put in a pair of dead earbuds. Fortunately, the pixel buds have up to five hours of listening time on a single charge and up to 24 hours while using the charging case. The best part is the speedy charge: It only takes 15 minutes in the case to get up to three hours of listening time, which is major for someone like me who always forgets to charge her tech tools after using them!

Overall, these sleek and smart wireless pixel buds are a total winner for fitness lovers. They also come at a more accessible $99 price point. Want to try it out for yourself? Get yourself a pair at Walmart or Best Buy.

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