Google's latest affordable earbuds have lived on my test bench for the last few days, and I've been incredibly impressed. The Pixel Buds 2a are a great-sounding, comfortable pair of buds that are truly tiny, while offering some flagship features that rival 'buds this price could only dream of.
At $129, they're also the same price as the AirPods 4 — the model without ANC. Put the two side by side and you'll be left thinking, "With all the quality features and build quality that's gone into the buds 2a, why do Apple's buds feel wanting?"
Pixel owners are getting the better deal here — and it highlights just how strange the AirPods 4 are.
Where are all the AirPods' features?
The AirPods 4 features list is fairly thin on the ground, especially when you choose the $129 non-ANC version. The only feature you get if you buy the cheapest AirPods is Spatial Audio, which works on your best iPhone, iPad, Mac and even your Apple TV. There's also the magical pairing that connects the buds to your Apple account, but that's a one-time time-saving feature and not a feature you'll repeatedly use.
Beyond that? There's no Find My, no ANC, no useful adaptive sound modes that you get with the most recent AirPods Pro 3. They're a very simple pair of buds as a result, and it can be very easy to ask where the 120 bones you've spent have actually gone.
As a result, the Buds 2a feel like a more rounded product for the money that you're spending.
The Google Pixel Buds 2a, on the other hand, are a far more fully featured pair of earbuds. They've got spatial audio (although it does only work with Pixel devices), ANC, hearing wellness features, Gemini integration... the list goes on.
As a result, the Buds 2a feel like a more rounded product for the money that you're spending. The obvious fly in the ointment is that most of those features only work with Pixel devices — but given the AirPods features only work with Apple devices, it's a fair trade. They even echo the AirPods connection, albeit with other Google devices.
The noise cancellation of the Google Pixel Buds 2a is good. It's not as good as those that top the list of the best noise-canceling earbuds, but it's going to be more than enough to get you through a workday at the office and your commute.
And we're lucky to have it. Because if you want AirPods 4 with ANC, you're going to spend $50 more and even then it won't match the Buds 2a's performance, as the open fit lets a bunch of noise in when you don't want to hear it.
Pixel Buds have the better fit and, importantly, sound
This is where things are going to get more controversial. I'm simply not a fan of the fit of the AirPods 4, with their strange openings and odd shape. They're loose in my ear, and I find that they fall out more often than not.
It means that the sound leaks more, the passive sound isolation is bad, and the sound isn't as good. I should say that there are some people who like this more open fit — but I am not one of them.
The Google Pixel Buds 2a, on the other hand, fit like a little in-ear glove. They've got Google's twist to fit and silicon fitting parts, and the tiny buds slip into my ear with little to no effort at all. Despite the ease of fit, they don't fall out — they're a comfortable, secure pair of buds. It's a great fit.
But what matters most of all is the sound quality, and the Pixel Buds 2a are the clear winners there.
But what matters most of all is the sound quality, and the Pixel Buds 2a are the clear winners there.
I can't tell you that the Pixel Buds 2a are hifi quality earbuds that pack in game-changing sound that beats out everything else, whether they cost $100 or $300. I can tell you that they sound good, though. They've got a solid soundstage for a more immersive feel. The highs are well defined, there's some nice detail on display and the bass is dynamic. They're a great audio experience that pretty much everyone is going to say, "yeah, they sound pretty good" to.
The same cannot be said of the AirPods 4. My experience of them is thus: Solid bass extension, but lacking in response. A sound that gets easily mixed up. Highs that can get sibilant. They're fine, but there is some very strong competition at this price point, not least from the Pixel Buds 2a.
Final thoughts
If you've got a Pixel phone and you're looking for a great way to save some money on a pair of earbuds, then the Pixel Buds 2a are a great way to do it. You get buckets of features that will work great with your Pixel devices, and you don't have to break the bank to do it.
Things get slightly trickier if you're a user of a different Android device, where competition from the likes of the Sony WF-C710N is much stronger. But they're still a compelling earbud option nonetheless.
For iPhone users, the question isn't "which AirPods should you get" anymore. There are so many buds out there, even the Pixel Buds 2a, that show you can get much better performance for your money. So, the best earbuds for your iPhone might actually be made by Google. There's something I never thought I was going to say.
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