- Get link
- X
- Other Apps
Google bundles a pair of USB-C earbuds in the box with every Pixel 3 and Pixel 4 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 Razer Hammerhead USB-C would be our recommendation.
Best Overall — Razer Hammerhead USB-C
Kicking off this list, we have the Razer Hammerhead USB-C. These earbuds come from the same Razer responsible for high-end gaming laptops, and its excellent level of craftsmanship and attention-to-detail shines through here.
The Hammerhead earbuds come equipped with a custom-tuned DAC and 10mm drivers, resulting in great sound quality whether you're gaming or watching a movie. We also dig the flat cable to prevent unwanted tangling, along with the aluminum chassis to keep everything feeling nice and sturdy. Add that together with multiple ear tip sizes, a free carrying case, and that stark green paint job, and you end up with one heck of a package.
Pros:
- Flat cable design
- Aluminum chassis
- Custom-tuned DAC
- Multiple ear tip sizes
- Comes with a free carrying case
Cons:
- Short cable
Best Overall
Razer Hammerhead USB-C
So much to like
Overall, the Razer Hammerhead deliver an excellent USB-C headphone experience. They look, sound, and feel great.
Best Alternative — Essential HD Earphones
Essential as a company may no longer be a thing, but its Essential HD Earphones continue to be some of the best in the USB-C space. 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. 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 some others don't come with.
Pros:
- Wide compatibility
- Premium design
- Good sound quality
- Included carrying case
Cons:
- In-line remote has one button
- Pricey
Best Alternative
Essential HD Earphones
Another great option
If you want USB-C earphones on a budget, the Essential HD are a great pick. The design is ultra-premium and sound quality is good.
Best Affordable — Samsung EO-IC100BBEGUS
If you're shopping for a pair of USB-C earbuds and want to spend as little as possible, look no further than these ones from Samsung. The product name may not be the most attractive, but at the core, these are darn good buds!
With AKG tuning, these earbuds kick out balanced audio for "pro-grade sound quality." The lightweight design is also great for long listening sessions, with the fabric cable helping to keep tangles at bay. You even get a built-in microphone for phone calls and in-line playback controls, making this a fully-fledged headphones experience.
Pros:
- Cheapest on the list
- AKG audio tuning
- Comfortable, lightweight design
- Cable doesn't tangle easily
Cons:
- Sound quality is fine
Best Affordable
Samsung EO-IC100BBEGUS
$15 at Amazon $20 at Walmart $17 at Newegg
Spend as little as possible
Another great budget option are these Samsung earbuds. The value is fantastic, and the sound quality is shockingly good.
Best Premium — 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 3/4. 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
- Noise isolation
- Auto pause feature
Cons:
- Sub-par call quality
- High price
Best Premium
Pioneer Rayz Pro Smart Headphones
Durable design with exquisite sound.
As far as high-end earbuds go, this option from Pioneer is fantastic — offering booming sound a helpful auto pause feature.
Best ANC — Xiaomi Mi ANC Earphones
Active noise canceling isn't something we see that often with USB-C earbuds, but it's a feature you get with the Xiaomi Mi ANC Earphones. The noise canceling feature can block noises above 25db, allowing you to focus on your music and not annoying background sounds.
ANC is definitely the big draw here, but that's not all the Mi ANC Earphones have going for them. Also included here are easy-to-use playback controls, hi-res audio, and a very good price, although the design could be flashier.
Pros:
- Hi-res sound
- Active noise canceling
- Playback controls
Cons:
- Bland design
Best ANC
Xiaomi Mi ANC Earphones
Block out background noise
Noise canceling is an excellent feature, and with the Mi ANC Earphones, you get it at an excellent price.
Best from Google — Google Pixel USB-C Earbuds
Google's own Pixel USB-C earbuds are simply designed but that doesn't take away from their excellent sound quality or ease of use. The company designed them to be used with Pixel phones (though they work perfectly with any phone with a USB-C port) so you'll have quick access to Google Assistant through the three-button remote.
While the Pixel earbuds lack noise isolation, Google's innovative design makes them easy to adjust for any ear shape and size.
Pros:
- Inexpensive
- Comfortable fit
- Good sound quality
- Made by Google itself
Cons:
- Low on bass
Best from Google
Google Pixel USB-C Earbuds
$22 at Amazon $23 at Walmart $34 at Newegg
A great budget pick for Pixel owners
Google's own USB-C earbuds are a really solid option. They're very affordable, are comfortable to wear, and sound pretty good.
Bottom Line
Out of all the headphones on this list, one of our favorites is the Razer Hammerhead USB-C. The price tag isn't necessarily cheap, but you get a lot for your money.
A good set of headphones should sound good, and that's something the Hammerhead excel at. Sound quality is very strong, all thanks to the custom DAC and 10mm drivers.
That great sound is made even better thanks to the design, which is both eye-catching and functional. The green cable looks outstanding, and thanks to the flat nature of it, it's nearly impossible to get tangled up.
Credits — The team that worked on this guide
Joe Maring is a Senior Editor for Android Central and has had a love for anything with a screen and CPU since he can remember. He's been talking/writing about Android in one form or another since 2012, and often does so while camping out at the nearest coffee shop.
