The Google Pixel Buds are £159 wireless headphones

Hot on the heels of the new Google Home Mini and Max smart speakers, Google has also unveiled a pair of portable wireless earphones.

Designed to partner its second-generation of Pixel smartphones, the Google Pixel Buds are wireless in-ears with built-in Google Assistant.

The Google Pixel Buds come with their own charging case that can pair the headphones with any phone using the Android Nougat - or Oreo when it arrives - operating system.

Google says a single charge should be enough for around 5 hours of playback, while the charging case should be able to prolong the life for a full 24 hours.

All the controls for volume and playback are found on the right earbud, and there's a cord between the two buds to keep them together. So they're not truly wireless, like the Sony WF-1000X, say.

The finishes - Just Black, Clearly White and Kinda Blue - have been designed to match those of Google's new Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL smartphones.

With a price of £159, it'll be interesting to hear how they stack up against their rivals, including the Apple Airpods, when they go on sale on the 22nd November.

Read more:

Google Pixel Buds hands-on review

13 truly wireless earphone alternatives to the AirPods

Best wireless earphones

Sony WF-1000X review

Apple AirPods review

Best in-ear headphones

Andy Madden

Andy is Deputy Editor of What Hi-Fi? and a consumer electronics journalist with nearly 20 years of experience writing news, reviews and features. Over the years he's also contributed to a number of other outlets, including The Sunday Times, the BBC, Stuff, and BA High Life Magazine. Premium wireless earbuds are his passion but he's also keen on car tech and in-car audio systems and can often be found cruising the countryside testing the latest set-ups. In his spare time Andy is a keen golfer and gamer.