There’s a handful of premium wireless earphones to choose from besides Apple’s legendary AirPods Pro. Recently, Microsoft’s Surface Earbuds debuted with a ton
There’s a handful of premium wireless earphones to choose from besides Apple’s legendary AirPods Pro. Recently, Microsoft’s Surface Earbuds debuted with a ton of consumer interest, and now that Google has brought its new Pixel Buds to Canada, I thought it would be apt to compare two of the most interesting earphones in recent months.
The Microsoft Surface Earbuds sports a unique and–depending on who you ask–obnoxious design. Its flat saucer touchpad juts out from the ear and easily catches the eye. The touchpads are also glossy, which creates a bright glare when light hits them just right.
There’s no debate when it comes to comfort: the Surface Earbuds’ otherworldly fit beats any earphone I’ve tried. Its swappable tips wrap around the entire length of the speaker grill, not just the end. Once you find the right tip for your ear, you can easily forget that you’re still wearing them when music isn’t playing.
The smaller Pixel Buds are more discreet. With earpieces just slightly larger than wired earphones, they can be tucked into the ears. Buyers can also choose the Almost Black colour option for added stealth. With that said, keep in mind that this compactness comes at the cost of a smaller battery.
Google claims that it shaped the Pixel Buds after scanning thousands of ears. And although the earpiece’s rounded contour and wingtips are plenty comfortable, it can’t match the gentle fit of the Surface Earbuds.
Water-resistance is an important consideration with peripherals that frequent the outdoors. The Surface Earbuds are IPX4 rated and can shrug off splashing water from any direction. Google’s Pixel Buds also have an IPX4 rating to handle sweat and rain with ease.
Winner: Microsoft Surface Earbuds
Sound quality is tantamount to an earphone’s prestige and can be affected by a plethora of variables: fit, tuning, and driver quality are just a few. Equally important is personal taste and the genre of music; rap fans may prefer punchier bass than those who enjoy country.
