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The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize call and meeting quality or plan to use your earbuds during exercise, the Google Pixel Buds A-Series with better mic quality and sweat-proof certification would be your choice. For more regular phone use and seamless integration with Apple devices, the Apple AirPods (2nd generation) may suit you better, though they are known to be slightly more expensive. The Pixel Buds A-Series also offer low latency mode, making them suitable for gaming and watching videos without noticeable audio delay. Sound quality for music is slightly better in AirPods, but Pixel Buds offer better noise isolation and a longer battery life on a single charge. Both support AAC codec for high-quality audio and lack active noise cancelling, but only Pixel Buds A-Series offer app controls customization for a more personalized experience. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple Airpods (2nd generation)
- The Apple Airpods (2nd generation) has no clear advantages over the Google Pixel Buds A Series.
Advantages of the Google Pixel Buds A Series
- Very good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
- Good for exercise
Key differences
Music
5.8
6.4
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is only fair for music, while the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) is poor.
Gaming
4.8
8.6
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is very good for gaming, while the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) is poor.
Phone Calls
6.9
8.5
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is very good for phone calls, while the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) is only fair.
TV and Video
5.4
7.8
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is good for TV and video, while the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
4.6
The Google Pixel Buds A Series and Apple Airpods (2nd generation) are both poor for noise reduction, though the Google Pixel Buds A Series is somewhat better.
Battery
4.0 Hours
5.0 Hours
The Apple Airpods (2nd generation) has 4 hours of battery life. The Google Pixel Buds A Series has 5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$89
$58
$40
$60
$80
$100
$120
$140
$160
The Apple Airpods (2nd generation) has a price of $89 and the Google Pixel Buds A Series costs $58.
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Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.1
8.4
The Google Pixel Buds A Series and Apple Airpods (2nd generation) are both very good for podcasts and audiobooks.
Build Quality
7.6
7.4
The Apple Airpods (2nd generation) and Google Pixel Buds A Series both have good build quality.
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How the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) and the Google Pixel Buds A Series compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods (2nd generation) | Google Pixel Buds A Series |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$89 | $58 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2019 | June 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 5.9/10 | 6.4/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 4.9/10 | 8.7/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.5/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 5.8/10 | 7.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 4 Hours | 5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 0.5 Hours | 1.3 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 24 | 24 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 4.6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | No | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 7.6/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | Medium | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4 Grams | 5.1 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Apple Airpods (2nd generation)
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Google Pixel Buds A Series
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Sound Guys
Jasper Lastoria | October 2022
"For the person who doesn’t want to think about their earphones while using them, Google has created the Pixel Buds A-Series. For a reasonable price, Google packs in a bevy of features like touch controls and a good fit into this Android-friendly set of earbuds to make productivity and life easier."
Get a great deal on the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) or the Google Pixel Buds A Series
About Apple
Apple Inc. is an American technology company, founded in 1976, known for its wide range of premium products, including smartphones, computers, and audio solutions. Apple offers the very popular personal audio line AirPods, highly regarded for their wireless, smart capabilities and their seamless integration with the iPhone, iPad and Mac devices. They provide a high-quality sound, comfort and lifestyle features perfect for all users invested in their ecosystem.
About Google
Mainly known as the most popular search engine on the planet, Google is a multinational technology company that also offers a variety of audio-oriented products. Beside their smart speakers under the Nest product line, Google offers several models of true wireless earbuds under the Pixel line, some of which happen to be an affordable but very powerful option for those already in the Android ecosystem.
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Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
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