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  1. Table of Contents
  2. Top
  3. Main Differences
  4. Design
    1. Style
    2. Comfort
    3. Controls
    4. Breathability
    5. Portability
    6. Case
    7. Build Quality
    8. Stability
    9. Headshots 1
    10. Headshots 2
    11. Top
    12. In The Box
  5. Sound
    1. Sound Profile
    2. Frequency Response Consistency
    3. Raw Frequency Response
    4. Bass Accuracy
    5. Mid Accuracy
    6. Treble Accuracy
    7. Peaks/Dips
    8. Imaging
    9. Passive Soundstage
    10. Virtual Soundstage
    11. Weighted Harmonic Distortion
    12. Test Settings
  6. Isolation
    1. Noise Isolation
    2. Leakage
  7. Microphone
    1. Microphone Style
    2. Recording Quality
    3. Noise Handling
  8. Active Features
    1. Battery
    2. App Support
  9. Connectivity
    1. Bluetooth
    2. Non-Bluetooth Wireless
    3. Wired
    4. PC / PS4 Compatibility
    5. Xbox One Compatibility
    6. Base/Dock
  10. Comments

Apple AirPods (1st generation) Truly Wireless vs Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

Apple AirPods (1st generation)
Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless

Tested using Methodology v1.3.1

Updated Jan 15, 2024 03:46 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.4

Updated Jan 15, 2024 02:47 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Apple AirPods (1st generation) Truly Wireless Picture
Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless Picture

Variants

  • AirPods (1st generation) (White)
  • Pixel Buds

Our Verdict

Apple AirPods (1st generation) Truly Wireless

Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless

The Apple AirPods (1st generation) Truly Wireless are much better wireless headphones than the Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless. The Apple have a more comfortable fit, especially for those used to the Apple's one-size-fits-all earbud design. They also have better build quality, and unlike the Google, they are truly wireless. You can also use each earbud independently of each other. The Apple have a slightly better sound, even if they don't have a lot of bass. On the upside, the Google are a lot more stable for physical activity and sports. Their adjustable earbud fit design also caters to more listeners than the Apple.

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Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 

6.4
6.1

Comfort 
 

8.0
7.0

Bass Accuracy 
 

6.0
2.7

Full Comparison

Design

Style  

Design Picture 2  

Apple AirPods (1st generation) Truly Wireless Design Picture 2
Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless Design Picture 2

Type  

Earbuds
Earbuds

Enclosure  

Open-Back
Closed-Back

Wireless  

Truly Wireless
Yes

Transducer  

Dynamic
Dynamic
Show Text 

Comfort 
 

8.0
7.0

Comfort Picture  

Apple AirPods (1st generation) Truly Wireless Comfort Picture
Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless Comfort Picture

Weight  

0.02 lbs
0.03 lbs

Clamping Force 
 

0 lbs
0 lbs
Show Text 

Controls 
 

4.7
6.0

Controls Picture  

Apple AirPods (1st generation) Truly Wireless Controls Picture
Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless Controls Picture

OS Compatibility 
 

N/A
Not OS specific

Ease Of Use  

Subpar
Okay

Feedback  

Subpar
Subpar

Call/Music Control  

Yes
Yes

Volume Control  

No
Yes

Microphone Control  

No
No

Channel Mixing 
 

N/A
No

Noise Cancelling Control  

N/A
No

Talk-Through 
 

N/A
No

Additional Controls  

Voice enabled controls
Voice Assistant
Show Text 

Breathability 
 

9.6
9.4

Breathability After Picture  

Apple AirPods (1st generation) Truly Wireless Breathability After Picture
Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless Breathability After Picture

Avg.Temp.Difference  

0.4 °C
0.6 °C
Show Text 

Portability 
 

9.6
9.3

Portability Picture  

Apple AirPods (1st generation) Truly Wireless Portability Picture
Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless Portability Picture

 

1.72"
1.3"

 

1"
2"

 

0.6"
0.9"

Volume  

1.03 in³
2.4 in³

Transmitter Required  

N/A
No
Show Text 

Case 
 

8.5
8.0

Case Picture  

Apple AirPods (1st generation) Truly Wireless Case Picture
Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless Case Picture

Type  

Hard case
Hard case

 

2.06"
2.3"

 

1.69"
2.3"

 

0.74"
0.9"

Volume  

2.58 in³
4.8 in³
Show Text 

Build Quality 
 

8.0
7.5

Build Quality Picture  

Apple AirPods (1st generation) Truly Wireless Build Quality Picture
Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless Build Quality Picture
Show Text 

Stability 
 

6.5
7.5

Stability Picture  

Apple AirPods (1st generation) Truly Wireless Stability Picture
Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless Stability Picture
Show Text 

Headshots 1  

Angled Picture  

Apple AirPods (1st generation) Truly Wireless Angled Picture
Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless Angled Picture

Side Picture  

Apple AirPods (1st generation) Truly Wireless Side Picture
Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless Side Picture

Headshots 2  

Front Picture  

Apple AirPods (1st generation) Truly Wireless Front Picture
Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless Front Picture

Rear Picture  

Apple AirPods (1st generation) Truly Wireless Rear Picture
Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless Rear Picture

Top  

Top Picture  

Apple AirPods (1st generation) Truly Wireless Top Picture
Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless Top Picture

In The Box  

In The Box Picture  

Apple AirPods (1st generation) Truly Wireless In The Box Picture
Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless In The Box Picture
Show Text 
Sound

Sound Profile 
 

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool

Bass Amount 
 

-7.73 dB
-9.99 dB

Treble Amount 
 

0.61 dB
-2.54 dB
Show Text 

Frequency Response Consistency 
 

6.4
8.2

Consistency L  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Consistency R  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Avg. Std. Deviation 
 

0.8 dB
0.36 dB
Show Text 

Raw Frequency Response 
 

Raw FR L  

See details on graph tool

Raw FR L  

See details on graph tool

Raw FR R  

See details on graph tool

Raw FR R  

See details on graph tool

Bass Accuracy 
 

6.0
2.7

Bass  

See details on graph tool

Bass  

See details on graph tool

Std. Err. 
 

5.27 dB
9.98 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

64.42 Hz
53.39 Hz

Low-Bass 
 

-10.94 dB
-16.45 dB

Mid-Bass 
 

-0.79 dB
4.33 dB

High-Bass 
 

1.62 dB
9.24 dB
Show Text 

Mid Accuracy 
 

7.9
7.2

Mid  

See details on graph tool

Mid  

See details on graph tool

Std. Err. 
 

2.78 dB
3.68 dB

Low-Mid 
 

1.7 dB
5.62 dB

Mid-Mid 
 

0.55 dB
1.95 dB

High-Mid 
 

3.62 dB
0.64 dB
Show Text 

Treble Accuracy 
 

7.2
7.0

Treble  

See details on graph tool

Treble  

See details on graph tool

Std. Err. 
 

4.18 dB
3.99 dB

Low-Treble 
 

4.46 dB
3.38 dB

Mid-Treble 
 

4.26 dB
3.81 dB

High-Treble 
 

0.57 dB
-4.88 dB
Show Text 

Peaks/Dips 
 

7.3
5.2

Peaks/Dips Graph  

See details on graph tool

Peaks/Dips Graph  

See details on graph tool

Peaks 
 

1.83 dB
3.65 dB

Dips 
 

1.13 dB
2.08 dB
Show Text 

Imaging 
 

8.4
6.7

Group Delay  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Phase Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Weighted Group Delay 
 

0.31
1.08

Weighted Amplitude Mismatch 
 

1.04
2.68

Weighted Frequency Mismatch 
 

1.5
2.02

Weighted Phase Mismatch 
 

5.76
4.96
Show Text 

Passive Soundstage 
 

2.6
2.8

PRTF  

Apple AirPods (1st generation) Truly Wireless PRTF
Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless PRTF

PRTF Accuracy (Std. Dev.) 
 

N/A
N/A

PRTF Size (Avg.) 
 

N/A
N/A

PRTF Distance 
 

N/A
N/A

Openness 
 

9.7
9.6

Acoustic Space Excitation 
 

3.4
2.9
Show Text 

Virtual Soundstage 
 

0.0

Virtual Soundstage  

Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless Virtual Soundstage

Head Modeling 
 

No

Speaker Modeling 
 

No

Room Ambience 
 

No

Head Tracking 
 

No

Virtual Surround 
 

No App
Show Text 

Weighted Harmonic Distortion 
 

7.9
6.5

Weighted Harmonic Distortion  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

WHD @ 90 
 

0.177
0.366

WHD @ 100 
 

0.128
0.888
Show Text 

Test Settings 
 

Firmware 
 

Unknown

Power 
 

On

Connection 
 

Unknown

Codec 
 

SBC, 16-bit, 48kHz

EQ 
 

No EQ

ANC 
 

No ANC

Tip/Pad 
 

Default

Microphone 
 

Integrated
Show Text 
Isolation

Noise Isolation 
 

1.3
1.0

Noise Isolation  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Isolation Audio 
 

Overall Attenuation 
 

-2.64 dB
-1.44 dB

Noise Cancelling  

No
No

Bass 
 

-0.01 dB
-1.71 dB

Mid 
 

1.1 dB
2.84 dB

Treble 
 

-8.72 dB
-4.79 dB
Show Text 

Leakage 
 

7.3
7.4

Leakage  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Leakage Audio 
 

Overall Leakage @ 1ft 
 

37.73 dB
37.08 dB
Show Text 
Microphone

Microphone Style 
 

Integrated 
 

Yes
Yes

In-Line 
 

No
No

Boom 
 

No
No

Detachable Boom 
 

N/A
No

Mic  

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Recording Quality 
 

6.2
7.0

Microphone Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Recorded Speech 
 

LFE 
 

354.04 Hz
83.54 Hz

FR Std. Dev. 
 

2.83 dB
2.33 dB

HFE 
 

3,368.2 Hz
3,368.2 Hz

Weighted THD 
 

31.268
42.079

Gain 
 

28.6 dB
43.58 dB
Show Text 

Noise Handling 
 

6.2
6.1

SpNR  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Speech + Pink Noise  

Speech + Subway Noise  

SpNR 
 

14.85 dB
13.74 dB
Show Text 
Active Features

Battery 
 

7.1
6.4

Battery Type 
 

Rechargable
Rechargable

Continuous Battery Life 
 

4.8 hrs
4.6 hrs

Additional Charges 
 

5
4.5

Total Battery Life 
 

27 hrs
20.7 hrs

Charge Time 
 

0.5 hrs
0.9 hrs

Power-Saving Feature 
 

Yes
Auto-Off Timer

Audio While Charging 
 

Yes
No

Passive Playback 
 

No
No

Charging Port  

Lightning
USB-C
Show Text 

App Support 
 

5.5
0.0

App Picture  

Apple AirPods (1st generation) Truly Wireless App Picture
Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless App Picture

App Name  

N/A
No App

iOS  

Yes
No

Android  

No
No

macOS  

N/A
No

Windows  

N/A
No

Equalizer 
 

No
No

ANC Control 
 

No
No

Mic Control  

N/A
No

Room Effects 
 

No
No

Playback Control 
 

No
No

Button Mapping  

Yes
No

Surround Sound  

N/A

Surround Support 
 

No
Show Text 
Connectivity

Bluetooth 
 

6.9
7.9

Bluetooth Version 
 

4.2 + W1 chip
4.2

Multi-Device Pairing 
 

No
2 Devices

NFC Pairing 
 

No
No

Line Of Sight Range 
 

91 ft
76 ft

PC Latency (SBC) 
 

168 ms
185 ms

PC Latency (aptX) 
 

N/A
N/A

PC Latency (aptX HD) 
 

N/A

PC Latency (aptX-LL) 
 

N/A
N/A

iOS Latency 
 

136 ms

Android Latency 
 

116 ms
Show Text 

Non-Bluetooth Wireless 
 

0.0
0.0

Non-BT Line Of Sight Range 
 

N/A
N/A

Non-BT Latency 
 

N/A
N/A
Show Text 

Wired 
 

0.0
0.0

Cable Picture  

Apple AirPods (1st generation) Truly Wireless Cable Picture
Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless Cable Picture

Analog Audio 
 

N/A
No

USB Audio 
 

N/A
No

Detachable  

N/A
No

Length  

N/A
N/A

Connection  

N/A
No Wired Option

Wired Latency 
 

N/A

Analog/USB Audio Latency 
 

N/A
Show Text 

PC / PS4 Compatibility 
 

PC/PS4 Analog 
 

No
No

PC/PS4 Wired USB 
 

No
No

PC/PS4 Non-BT Wireless 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Xbox One Compatibility 
 

Xbox One Analog 
 

No
No

Xbox One Wired USB 
 

No
No

Xbox One Non-BT Wireless 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Base/Dock 
 

2.2
2.2

Type 
 

Charging Case
Charging Case

USB Input 
 

No
No

Line In 
 

No
No

Line Out 
 

No
No

Optical Input 
 

No
No

RCA Input 
 

No
No

Dock Charging 
 

Yes
Yes

Power Supply 
 

Lightning
USB-C
Show Text 

Apple AirPods (1st generation) Truly Wireless

Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless

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  1. Comparison

Apple AirPods (1st generation) vs Google Pixel Buds 2017 Wireless: Main Discussion

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