I solved the Pixel Buds Pro 2’s biggest problem

I’ve never got on with the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2. I like the design, the sound is good, and the battery life is solid, but it’s the fit which has always bothered me.

I decided to do something about it, and in doing so, I’ve dramatically improved them.

What’s the problem?

Just the tip

The problem with the Pixel Buds Pro 2 has always been the fit of the tips. For some reason, regardless of the size I chose, they were either too tight or too loose.

The medium tips are usually exactly right on every other pair of in-ear true wireless earbuds I own. Yet, with the Pixel Buds Pro 2 the medium has an annoying way of working its way out of my ears unless I stay stock still, like a statue, all the time.

They’re either too small, or the material used is not grippy enough. The large versions work their way out because they’re too big.

It means I’m constantly fiddling with them, and the noise cancellation doesn’t work as well as it should. I end up not wearing them because they’re so irritating.

Time to change the tips

But that’s not easy

The solution to this is to buy an alternative set of earbud tips, which is the easiest way to potentially alleviate the issue. Unfortunately, it’s not as easy as it sounds.

There is a pair of Comply foam tips available for the Pixel Buds Pro 2, but in my experience, I never get on very well with foam tips. They can get a bit sweaty, and can be quite solid which results in ear fatigue during long listening periods.

I like silicone ear tips, so it was time to look for a compatible set to replace the standard Google ones. However, finding ones listed as true alternatives for the Pixel Buds Pro 2 is harder than it should be, and it’s likely due to the shape of the Buds Pro 2’s nozzle.

Nozzle problems

Oval not round

The nozzle, which is the section over which you put the silicone or foam tip, is oval on the Pixel Buds Pro 2, and not round like the vast majority of other earbuds. It means generic ear tips may not fit.

A search online revealed other people have had the same problem, and two names usually came up when people talked about successes: the SpinFit Omni and Azla SednaEarfit Max. Both are available from Amazon.

There was never a unanimous decision about fit or suitability, so I ordered both. Interestingly, the Azla earbuds can be purchased in packs of several sizes, but the SpinFit only come in one size. I chose medium for both, because that’s my safe space.

Trying them out

Fitment problems

I tried the SpinFit Omni ear tips first. They have a unique design where the inner section is quite solid, so it needs a lot of wrangling to get it over the Pixel Buds Pro 2’s nozzle.

The silicone is very thin and sticky, almost like a dry contact lens, and you have to be careful not to rip it while forcing it on.

It’s worth it though. The sticky SpinFit tips keep the Pixel Buds Pro 2 securely in my ears, no matter whether I’m exercising, moving around, or moving my face when eating.

They’re very secure, and feel soft and comfortable in my ear.

The Azla SednaEarfit Max are much easier to put on the Pixel Buds Pro 2, as the inner section isn’t as solid as the SpinFit’s. The silicone isn’t as sticky, and is more like a traditional ear tip you get in other in-ear earbuds.

When fitted, they aren’t quite as secure as the SpinFit’s either. However, I haven’t noticed any change in performance.

That said, they feel more durable, I like the use of medical grade silicone, and they have a wax guard inside, which is missing from the SpinFit Omnis.

It’s also worth mentioning that the Pixel Buds Pro 2 still happily fit and charge inside the case when equipped with the Azla SednaFit Max (the MS/M/ML options) and the medium SpinFit Omnis, as you can see in the photos above.

Both are better than standard

A worthwhile investment

While it’s hard to decide which one is better, both are a big improvement over the ear tips that come with the Pixel Buds Pro 2.

Forced to pick, I’d likely choose the SpinFit Omni, purely because of the super sticky material, but I’ve been happy with both.

Now I’ve been able to use them more, what is the sound like many months after they were released?

I mostly use an Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max for music and podcasts, and this is not the ideal pairing.

The problems mostly arise with reconnecting to the phone if you have to remove them from your ears. I’ve also had to manually force the initial connection a few times too.

Use them with the Pixel 10 Pro XL, and things are much better, including the ability to tune the sound and activate different functions, making the Pixel Buds Pro 2 better for Android devices. Does that make them a must-buy?

How do they sound?

Time to grab a deal

I like the compact dimensions, and now I’ve got the fit right, I have worn them comfortably.

However, I don’t think the active noise cancellation is as effective as the Apple AirPods 2 Pro or the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro. It’s far more subtle, dulling the background sound rather than working hard to remove it.

This subtlety is repeated in the audio performance, which at its baseline doesn’t pump the bass or emphasize the vocals, keeping the sound linear. It can result in a rather flat, emotionless experience.

The Pixel Buds Pro 2 benefit from experimenting with an EQ or alternative listening modes, rather than leaving them standard.

Feeling the need to buy different ear tips for a new pair of wireless earbuds dulls the excitement of picking up the Pixel Buds Pro 2, but there are several decent deals around which will help offset this requirement.

At $180 from Amazon, Best Buy, and Google, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 represent good value, even when you then have to spend another $10 to $20 on better ear tips.

If you haven’t already got them, it’s a good time to buy. Alternatively, take a look at the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro, where I’ve never had any problems with the fit.