Kevin Ong looks forward to it. When he gets on the subway train for his one-hour commute from Queens to Manhattan, Ong pops in his Google Pixel Buds Pro 2, and the screeching brakes and loud conversations around him fade away. Active Noise Cancellation with Silent Seal 2.0™ uses a custom processor, algorithms, and speakers to minimize outside sound. The Tensor A1 chip provides ultra-low latency audio processing, adapting to the environment up to 3 million times per second. The result is Active Noise Cancellation that’s twice as strong as our previous generation earbuds.¹ And since Pixel Buds Pro 2 have all-day battery life² and a twist-to-adjust stabilizer for a comfortable fit, Ong doesn’t have to worry about them dying or getting uncomfortable during his commute. Sensors actively measure and relieve pressure in the ear canal, so you can stay comfortable. 

“At the end of the day, all I want to do is relax. I don’t need loud noises or pressure increasing my anxiety,” he says.

Ong isn’t alone in his response to noise. A growing body of research shows that noise isn’t just a nuisance – it’s also a health risk. Nearly one-third of the US population lives in areas where noise levels routinely exceed 45 decibels, which the World Health Organization says can put people at a greater risk of adverse health effects.³ Chronic exposure to loud sounds can trigger overreactions in the amygdala and endocrine system that can lead to inflammation, hypertension, and plaque buildup in arteries. Wearing Pixel Buds Pro 2 in noisy environments can help you focus on the sounds you want, while helping to direct your attention away from the din.

Starting in September 2025, Pixel Buds Pro 2 will feature Loud Noise Protection, which instantly dampens sudden loud sounds to help safeguard your hearing.⁴ So the blaring siren of a passing fire truck won’t be passed through to your ears at maximum volume.⁵

Pixel Buds Pro 2

Light ears ahead.

Music can help divert your attention from noise around you, and the Pixel Buds Pro 2 speakers have custom-designed 11-millimeter drivers and volume EQ to make music sound powerful yet nuanced.⁶ But, just as important as delivering great sound, Pixel Buds Pro 2 can also block sound. In fact, this is how Tom Baglee carves out a quiet zone for studying. A student at New Mexico State University, Baglee has found a way to get focused no matter where he is. “I’m easily distracted by background sounds,” says Baglee. “I’ll often put my Pixel Buds Pro in without music so I can get the silent environment I need to concentrate.”

After he’s done studying, Baglee likes to take walks around the campus and listen to his favorite music. It’s a good way to unwind after a long day, but he also needs to be alert to his environment. “I might run into friends or need to cross the road, so I don’t want to be completely unaware of my surroundings,” Baglee says. 

With Adaptive Audio, Baglee can hear what’s going on around him, even while his music is playing.⁴ It dynamically adjusts to the environment, decreasing the noise level to make everything a bit quieter and more comfortable, and will be available in September 2025. Or Baglee can use Transparency mode to completely hear the world around him, almost as if he weren’t wearing earbuds. 

It’s easy to activate and switch modes on the earbuds – just press and hold to toggle between Active Noise Cancellation, Adaptive Audio, and Transparency mode. 

For people who live in cities and struggle to process sensory information, being able to control how much noise gets filtered is particularly important. David Yarde, a brand strategist from Orlando, Florida, is on the autism spectrum and gets overwhelmed in situations with an abundance of auditory stimulation. 

“When I go to the grocery store, I hear everything from the freezer door opening and the sound of the refrigerator to the shopping cart wheels and the buzzing of the lights,” says Yarde.

Pixel Buds Pro 2 have become his go-to strategy for reducing surrounding sounds. 

At the store, he relies on Active Noise Cancellation with Silent Seal 2.0 to tune out loud noises. And when he’s at a networking event where he’s meeting new people, Yarde will turn on Transparency mode and play familiar music in the background. That helps him focus on the conversation and feel comfortable in his environment. 

The next time you’re navigating a big city, make sure you have Pixel Buds Pro 2 to help you tune in to what you like – and block out anything you don’t.