Short answer: the Sony WF-1000XM6. It ranks #77 of 467 in-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 4.5/5, at $258. The Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 ranks #358, rated 3.6/5, at $189, $69 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
The Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 is the longer-running choice. Battery life is strong at 12 hours per charge and 48 with the case, and the earbuds weigh only 0 lbs (4.7 g) each. It is rated for 12 hours of battery against 8 for the Sony WF-1000XM6. Watch for: A 9.4 dB dip near 4 kHz pushes vocal presence back, and a 7.6 dB peak near 7.9 kHz can make sibilance and hi hats sound edgy.
The Sony WF-1000XM6 is the better-sounding option. These true wireless earbuds score 79.6 for preference in the median of 4 squig.link measurements, with a 1.37 dB deviation that tracks the target closely. It supports LDAC Bluetooth, which the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 lacks. Watch for: Presence from 3 to 6 kHz runs about 2.3 dB low and a 3.6 dB dip near 10.9 kHz trims air, so vocals and cymbals sound slightly reserved.
Buy the Sony WF-1000XM6. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $69 you would save on the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 does not close the gap.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 | Sony WF-1000XM6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $189.00 | $258.00 |
| Ranked | #358 of 467 in In-Ear Headphones | #77 of 467 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Harman Preference Score | 69 (median of 1 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 80 (median of 4 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.42 dB standard deviation | 1.37 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.52 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.06 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-3.6 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-2.6 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | True wireless | True wireless |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 11mm dynamic | 1 x 8.4mm dynamic |
| Weight | 0 lbs (4.7 g) per earbud | 0 lbs (6.5 g) per earbud |
| Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (48 with case, Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (24 with case, Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.3 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP54 | IPX4 |
| Frequency Response | - | 20Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
Related Headphone Comparisons
How Sony WF-1000XM6 compares with other leading options:
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- Kinera Freya 2.0 vs Sony WF-1000XM6
- Simgot EA1000 vs Sony WF-1000XM6
- Kiiboom Evoke vs Sony WF-1000XM6
- Rose Technics QT9 MK3 vs Sony WF-1000XM6
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Headphones In Full
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2: $189.00 TWS Amazon $189.00 eBay
Pros: Battery life is strong at 12 hours per charge and 48 with the case, and the earbuds weigh only 4.7 g each. Active noise cancelling, Bluetooth 5.4 and an IP54 dust and splash rating round out the feature list. In hobbyist measurements on squig.link the midrange from 200 Hz to 3 kHz stays within about 1 dB of target, so vocals sound natural.
Cons: A 9.4 dB dip near 4 kHz pushes vocal presence back, and a 7.6 dB peak near 7.9 kHz can make sibilance and hi hats sound edgy. Sub-bass sits about 4 dB under target below 60 Hz, so the deepest bass lacks weight. The Beats Fit Pro earns the same rating for noticeably less money.
Full Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 review and specifications →
| Released | 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancelling | Yes |
| Back | Closed |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (48 with case, Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Connection | True wireless |
| Deviation From Target | 2.42 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 11mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 69 (median of 1 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| IP Rating | IP54 |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-3.6 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.52 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0 lbs (4.7 g) per earbud |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Sony WF-1000XM6: $258.00 TWS Amazon $258.00 eBay
Pros: These true wireless earbuds score 79.6 for preference in the median of 4 squig.link measurements, with a 1.37 dB deviation that tracks the target closely. Active noise cancelling, LDAC and LC3 support, IPX4 water resistance and 8 hours per charge (24 with the case) make them a complete everyday package. Each earbud weighs only 6.5 g.
Cons: Presence from 3 to 6 kHz runs about 2.3 dB low and a 3.6 dB dip near 10.9 kHz trims air, so vocals and cymbals sound slightly reserved. The lower midrange is 1.2 dB thick, which adds a touch of warmth some listeners may find muddy. The wired Meze Alba matches its rating for less money.
Full Sony WF-1000XM6 review and specifications →
| Released | Feb 2026 (8 months ago) |
|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancelling | Yes |
| Back | Closed |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (24 with case, Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Connection | True wireless |
| Deviation From Target | 1.37 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 8.4mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 80 (median of 4 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-2.6 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.06 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0 lbs (6.5 g) per earbud |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons