Google bundles a pair of USB-C earbuds in the box with every Pixel 3 and 3 XL purchase, and the sound quality on offer is pretty decent, all things considered. However, if you’re looking for something with a bit more oomph, the Libratone Q Adapt would be our recommendation.
- Best overall Libratone Q Adapt
- A great alternative Essential HD earphones
- Blissful isolation Xiaomi Mi ANC Earphones
- Fun with magnets Acessorz Magnetic Earbuds
- Best on a budget Ecoker Stereo Earbuds
- Premium pick Pioneer Rayz Pro Smart Headphones
- Great over-the-ear option AIAIAI TMA-2 MFG4
- Minimalist design AIAIAI Pipe 2.0
- Retro design AIAIAI Tracks 2.0
Best overall — Libratone Q Adapt
Libratone’s Q Adapt is designed specifically for Google devices, with the earbuds offering a neutral sound signature and durable design. You get a four button in-line remote that lets you adjust the level of noise isolation, invoke Google Assistant, take calls, control music playback, and adjust volume.
There are four levels of noise isolation, with the lowest setting allowing most outside noises to filter in, with the highest filtering out all background noise. The braided cable ensures the earbuds don’t get damaged during everyday use, and the IPX4 rating makes them ideal for working out.
Pros:
- Terrific sound
- Adjustable noise isolation
- Comfortable fit
Cons:
- Pricey
- Doesn’t work on all phones
- App could use some work
Simply the best
Libratone Q Adapt
$120 at Amazon
The best-sounding USB-C earbuds for the Pixel 3.
Libratone’s Q Adapt are one of the best options right now for USB-C earbuds. They’re rated IPX4 for water-resistance (so they’re good for workouts), and come with a dedicated button for Google Assistant. You also get a variety of eartips and the ability to select the level of noise isolation.
A great alternative — Essential HD earphones
Essential was one of the first to roll out USB-C earbuds, and after a year they’re still going strong. The earbuds feature large 9.2mm drivers that deliver decent sound quality, and the premium design combined with the tangle-free cable and bundled carrying case make them an attractive option.
The single button on the in-line remote can be used to invoke Assistant with a long press, or control music playback and take calls with a short press. That said, there’s no option to adjust volume. For $62, you could do a lot worse in this space, and the fact that Essential’s earbuds work with all USB-C phones give them an added advantage.
Pros:
- Wide compatibility
- Premium design
- Decent sound quality
Cons:
- In-line remote has one button
- Pricey
- More affordable alternatives available
Runner-up
Essential HD earphones
$62 at Amazon
Premium design on a budget.
The Essential HD earphones combine great sound quality with a tangle-free design that makes them easy to carry. The single-button in-line remote can be used to receive phone calls or invoke Google Assistant, and they’re certified for hi-res audio.
Blissful isolation — Xiaomi Mi ANC Earphones
Like the rest of Xiaomi’s portfolio, the Mi USB-C earbuds deliver excellent value for money. They have a durable build quality and deliver a neutral sound signature, but what makes them truly stand out is the noise isolation. They’re one of the best earbuds in this space for noise cancelling, and they work just as well as products that cost three times as much.
The three button in-line remote lets you take calls, control music playback, adjust volume, and invoke Assistant. The durable design ensures the earbuds last for years on end, and the quality of materials used is top-notch. Overall, you’re getting great value for what you pay.
Pros:
- Excellent noise isolation
- Robust build quality
- Great value
Cons:
- Underwhelming bass
- Availability issues
- Third-party tips don’t work
Tune everything out
Xiaomi Mi ANC Earphones
$51 at Amazon
Excellent sound isolation and Hi-Res audio.
Xiaomi’s USB-C earbuds continue to be a great option in this space. Like the Essential HD, Xiaomi’s earbuds are also certified for hi-res audio, and they also feature a titanium-plated metal chamber. The cable is more durable, however, and you get much better noise isolation.
Fun with magnets — Acessorz Magnetic Earbuds
Acessorz’s USB-C earbuds stand out for being one of the most affordable USB-C earbuds around. That doesn’t mean you lose out on the sound quality, as they have 8.6mm drivers and a high-resolution DAC that results in your music sounding crisp, clear, and far better than you’d expect for something that costs this little.
But what’s particularly interesting about them is the fact that they have magnetic connectors at the end of each eartip, allowing them to clasp together when not in use. There’s also a three button in-line remote that lets you adjust volume, control music playback, and take calls, and the built-in mic is pretty good.
Pros:
- Magnetic connectors
- Hi-res DAC
- Wide compatibility
Cons:
- Durability issues
- Plain design
- Six-month warranty
Feel the pull
Acessorz Magnetic Earbuds
$17 at Amazon
Robust features at a low price.
These Acessorz earbuds are the most affordable option on our list, but don’t let the small price tag fool you. You get a high-resolution DAC, passive noise canceling, inline remote control, and the magnetized surface on the back of the earbuds mean they’ll clasp safely together when not in use.
Best on a budget — Ecoker Stereo Earbuds
Another great affordable option in this space comes from Ecoker. The earbuds form a tight seal around your ear, isolating all background noise. And unlike some USB-C earbuds on this list, Ecoker’s option works with all phones that have a USB-C port.
Available in four different colors, these earbuds take standard resolution 16-bit audio and convert it into a lossless 24-bit type, which ensures your music and podcasts sound great. The 8.6mm drivers are encased in an aluminum housing and deliver crystal-clear sound. Overall, these are some of the best-sounding USB-C earbuds you’ll find on a budget.
Pros:
- Great value
- Fantastic sound
- Wide compatibility
Cons:
- Long-term durability
- Boring design
- Mushy buttons
More for less
Ecoker Stereo Earbuds
$24 at Amazon
Big on sound, light on the wallet.
These USB-C earbuds upscale your music, which means your music, podcasts, and more should sound great. You’ll also find noise cancelation, easy-to-use in-line controls for managing your music playback, and a 12-month warranty to protect your purchase.
Premium pick — Pioneer Rayz Pro Smart Headphones
Pioneer’s Rayz has been designed for iPhones, but the Rayz Pro comes with a Lightning to USB-C connector that lets you use the earbuds with your Pixel 3. You would want to go through the hassle because of the sheer number of features on offer: the earbuds have an auto pause feature where the music playback automatically pauses once you remove an earbud.
You get a dedicated button to invoke Assistant, the build quality is top-notch, and they deliver noise isolation that’s unrivaled in this segment. The companion app lets you adjust the sound signature as well as a host of other smart features, like the ability to automatically mute calls when you’re not speaking.
Pros:
- Universal compatibility
- Excellent sound
- Auto pause feature
Cons:
- Costly for what you get
- Sub-par call quality
- Plastic feel
Premium option
Pioneer Rayz Pro Smart Headphones
$150 at Amazon
Durable design with exquisite sound.
If you’re looking for something a bit more high-end, search no further than the Pioneer Rayz Pro Smart Headphones. For $150, Pioneer delivers adaptive noise cancelation, top-notch build quality, an AutoPause feature that stops the music when you remove the earbuds, and more.
Great over-the-ear option — AIAIAI TMA-2 MFG4
AIAIAI’s TMA-2 MFG4 is without doubt the best-sounding USB-C product in the market today. The over-the-ear headphones deliver fantastic sound, and the memory foam pads offer supreme comfort.
The out-of-the-box experience is pretty great, but what makes these even more unique is the ability to customize them down the road thanks to the modular design. They’re available in a variety of different configurations, and you can switch out just about every part of the headphones.
Pros:
- Comfortable fit
- Best sound quality
- Modular design
Cons:
- Bulky
- Expensive
- Fit issues
All-day comfort
AIAIAI TMA-2 MFG4
$180 at Google
Supreme comfort backed by outstanding sound quality.
For those that prefer over-the-ear headphones instead of earbuds, look no further than the AIAIAI TMA-2. These headphones sound absolutely fantastic and kick out rich bass with clear, powerful vocals, and crisp highs, and they can also be customized thanks to the modular design.
Minimalist design — AIAIAI Pipe 2.0
Made from lightweight and “highly resilient” materials, these earbuds from AIAIAI bring the best of Scandinavian design to a product category that has existed for decades. The sound quality is exquisite considering what they cost, and you also get seven sets of silicone buds in various sizes and colors.
AIAIAI has made a name for itself with its unique designs, and that’s immediately evident with the Pipe 2.0. The single button remote doesn’t let you adjust volume, and you can only buy the earbuds direct from AIAIAI, but the tradeoff is well worth it when you factor in the distinctive design.
Pros:
- Minimal design
- Outstanding sound
- Made for Pixels
Cons:
- Single button remote
- Fit issues
- Availability
Stand out
AIAIAI Pipe 2.0
$40 at AIAIAI
USB-C earbuds that look as good as they sound.
Want a pair of well-built, reliable earbuds that use USB-C and sound great? The AIAIAI Pipe 2.0 fit the bill beautifully. The rich Scandinavian design looks fantastic and combines the best bits of a lightweight body with a sturdy build that should last for many years to come.
Retro design — AIAIAI Tracks 2.0
If you want a pair of USB-C on-ear headphones that look like they were designed for the Walkman era, look no further than Tracks 2.0. The 40mm drivers deliver fantastic sound, and the understated design is contrasted very well with bright colors where the earcup meets the frame.
You also get a three-button remote for controlling music playback, adjusting volume, invoking Assistant, and taking calls. They’ve been designed for the Pixels, and at $60 they offer great value.
Pros:
- Made for Pixels
- Great design
- Powerful sound
Cons:
- Fragile construction
- Availability
- Design not for everyone
Old-school
AIAIAI Tracks 2.0
$60 at Google
Powerful sound backed by a no-nonsense design.
The Tracks 2.0 feature a very distinct, old-school design that we cannot get enough of. Along with the good looks, the Tracks 2.0 are also built incredibly well, have 40mm speakers to kick out powerful sound, and have a 3-button controller with a microphone.
Bottom Line
Out of all the headphones on this list, one of our favorites is the Libratone Q Adapt. The $120 price tag isn’t cheap, but you get a lot for your money between the great sound, an IPX4 rating, and Google Assistant button.
The Acessorz Magnetic Earbuds are another good choice for folks that don’t want to spend a ton of cash, and if you want an over-the-ear design, it’s hard to do better than the AIAIAI TMA-2 MFG4.
