Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 vs. Pixel Buds: Which should you buy?

Google Pixel Buds (2020)

The Pixel Buds are some of the most convenient true wireless earbuds on the market due to their compact size. They may not sound the greatest but they feature wireless charging and fantastic integration with Android and Google Assistant.

Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2

If sound and battery life are on the top of your list, the Momentum True Wireless 2 are going to be tough to beat for a set of true wireless earbuds.

When you think about true wireless earbuds, you probably think about convenience. If you want the ultimate convenience, go with the Pixel Buds. They feature a much more compact charging case that supports wireless charging and overall smaller buds.

However, if you don't mind a slightly larger footprint and a higher price point, the Momentum True Wireless 2 (TW2) are fantastic in terms of sound and are worth choosing over the Pixel Buds if you're okay with slightly less convenience.

How much are you willing to pay for convenient sound?

The biggest reason to choose the Momentum TW 2 over the Pixel Buds is sound quality. The Momentum TW 2 completely destroy the Pixel Buds when it comes to sound quality. They feature a consumer-friendly, bass-forward sound that sounds "boomy." Otherwise, the sound is balanced with a decently wide soundstage and good dynamic range.

The Pixel Buds feature a similar sound signature with boosted bass, but they're worse when it comes to detail, dynamic range, and soundstage. In fact, the Pixel Buds can sometimes sound hollow, depending on the track.

In terms of battery life, the Momentum TW 2 take the cake again. They last up to seven hours before needing to recharge. Their charging case nets you an additional 21 hours of juice, giving you a total of 28 hours of battery life.

The Pixel Buds will give you five hours on their own, and their charging case will give you an additional 19 hours of juice. While not as good as the Momentum TW 2, 24 hours with the Pixel Buds is still very respectable, especially considering the size of their case. Both the Pixel Buds and Momentum TW 2 charge over USB-C, but the Pixel Buds take it a step further. The Pixel Buds feature Qi wireless charging, making them much more convenient when it comes to charging.

Something the Momentum TW 2 have that the Pixel Buds don't is active noise-cancelation (ANC). This means that the Momentum TW 2 use internal mics to block out the environment around you, letting you dial in and focus in on what you're listening to. Their ANC is really good, especially for true wireless earbuds. They'll block out most consistent noises such as engine noises, but struggle a bit with inconsistent / higher pitched noises. However, that's pretty normal for ANC earbuds.

The Pixel Buds don't feature ANC at all and rely on passive isolation to block out the outside noise. Their isolation is good, but you'll need to crank up the volume in louder environments to really focus in on your music.

Comfort is solid on both sets of earbuds. It's unlikely that you'll experience any sort of discomfort with either set of earbuds, although some people might have an issue with the Pixel Buds after wearing them for 3-4 hours. This is due to the integrated wing that pushes up against your ear. The wing is not adjustable at all, although that won't be an issue for most people.

The Momentum TW 2 feature a smartphone app that has a built-in EQ, which will let you tweak the way they sound. They work just as well on Android as they do with iOS, but they don't feature specific integrations with one single platform.

On the other hand, the Pixel Buds integrate super well with Android and the Google Assistant. Of course, you'll have access to hands-free Assistant by simply saying the trigger word, but you'll also be able to access the Assistant via a tap and hold gesture on either earbud. You'll also get one-tap pairing when pairing to an Android phone. Another tap will install the Pixel Buds app, which includes a nifty find my buds feature and a battery life indicator.

Bottom line: Sennheiser Momentum TW2 vs. Pixel Buds

In the end, the answer is pretty clear. The Pixel Buds will probably be right for most people. Not only do they cost much less than the Momentum TW2, they're more compact and convenient to carry. Their sound quality is good enough for most, especially if you're not looking for super accurate sound.

However, if you're looking for true wireless earbuds with the best sound quality, regardless of size, weight, and price, the Momentum TW 2 are your best bet. Their charging case is quite a bit bigger versus the Pixel Buds, but that comes with some extra battery life.