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I haven't packed bulky, over-ear headphones in a year thanks to these Pixel earbuds

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For as long as I can remember, I've preferred headphones over earbuds for travel. Yes, they're bulkier, but the added weight has always been worth it for the superior sound quality and noise cancellation -- if not the battery life.

Also: The viral wireless audio dongle for in-flight entertainment just got a big upgrade - and I love it

Last year, however, Google introduced a pair of earbuds that not only replaced the headphones in my backpack but did so without compromising any essential features. That made the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 easily one of my favorite products of late.

This hardware is near-perfect for me

Prakhar Khanna/ZDNET

Google claims the Pixel Buds Pro 2 were designed "to be the most comfortable earbuds," and it's one of those rare instances where the marketing material matches reality. While comfort levels can vary from person to person because not all ear shapes are the same, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 are, without question, the most comfortable earbuds I've ever used. They're smaller, lighter, and provide a snug fit that stays secure in your ears -- even when you work out.

Also: Spotify vs. Apple Music: I've used both music streaming services, and my choice is clear

Most earbuds of this size and design compromise at least one of the following features: controls, sound quality, active noise cancellation (ANC), or battery life. But the Pixel Buds Pro 2 are different. Here's how.

Starting with controls, the earbuds support almost all kinds of playback, ANC, volume, and more controls with tap and swipe gestures:

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