This beans war

Silence is golden for Google's new top-end true wireless earphones. But can they go toe-to-toe with Apple's AirPods Pro?

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£179/stuff.tv/PBPro

Naturally Google's own Pixel phones play nicest with the Buds Pro, not even needing an app to start tweaking settings; but Fast Pair means all recent Android phones come a close second, letting you get connected with just a tap. It's on a par with Apple's effortless AirPod pairing.

These aren't the last word in critical listening, but with ANC on or off they deliver punchy and enveloping audio. High notes are clean without becoming sibilant as you crank the volume, and the bass has real impact but doesn't detract from the rest of the mix.

Google's Silent Seal algorithm adjusts the ANC automatically based on ambient noise. It does a great job of stripping out the low frequencies of public transport, and isn't caught out by sudden loud noises either.