A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Apple AirPods Max offer superior noise isolation, which makes them a great choice for air travel and environments where you want to block out external noise, but they are significantly heavier and more expensive. They have a premium build quality and are optimized for Apple devices, featuring both wireless and wired connections, and even though they are not ideal for exercise due to their size and weight, they do offer a high overall sound quality. On the other hand, the Google Pixel Buds A Series are more portable and comfortable for extended use, with a better battery life and a fit that's suitable for exercise. While less expensive, they provide lower noise isolation compared to the AirPods Max, and though they are optimized for Android devices, they cater less to an immersive experience for activities like air travel. Ultimately, your choice should depend on your primary use case, device ecosystem, and budget. 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 Max
- Good for music
- Excellent for air travel
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
7.3
6.4
The Apple Airpods Max is good for music, while the Google Pixel Buds A Series is only fair.
Gaming
5.5
8.6
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is very good for gaming, while the Apple Airpods Max is poor.
Phone Calls
6.6
8.5
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is very good for phone calls, while the Apple Airpods Max is only fair.
TV and Video
5.7
7.8
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is good for TV and video, while the Apple Airpods Max is poor.
Noise Reduction
10.0
4.6
The Apple Airpods Max is best in class for noise reduction, while the Google Pixel Buds A Series is poor.
Battery
21.0 Hours
5.0 Hours
The Apple Airpods Max has 21 hours of battery life. The Google Pixel Buds A Series has 5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$549
$58
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Apple Airpods Max has a price of $549 and the Google Pixel Buds A Series costs $58.
Build Quality
9.0
7.4
The Apple Airpods Max has excellent build quality, while the Google Pixel Buds A Series has good build quality.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.0
8.4
The Google Pixel Buds A Series and Apple Airpods Max are both very good for podcasts and audiobooks.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Apple Airpods Max and the Google Pixel Buds A Series compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods Max | Google Pixel Buds A Series |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$549 | $58 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2020 | June 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.4/10 | 6.4/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 6.6/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.5/10 | 8.7/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.2/10 | 7.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 21 Hours | 5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 1.3 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 24 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 10/10 | 4.6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Medium | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 385.5 Grams | 5.1 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Apple Airpods Max
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Adam Molina | July 2023
"Objectively, the AirPods Max is a spectacular pair of headphones. I appreciate the smart features like auto-pause and the transparency mode are super practical. It also sounds great, is well-built, and has solid battery life."
Google Pixel Buds A Series
See more
Dig into reviews and images
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 Max 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.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
Compare Apple Airpods Max vs. Sennheiser IE600
VS
Compare Apple Airpods Max vs. Master & Dynamic MW75-Neuro
VS
Compare Apple Airpods Max vs. AKG K712 Pro
VS
Compare Google Pixel Buds A Series vs. JBL Live Free NC+
VS
Compare Google Pixel Buds A Series vs. JBL Tune Flex
VS
Compare Google Pixel Buds A Series vs. Koss Porta Pro (with mic)
VS
FAQs
FAQs about earbuds and headphones
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.
By the numbers
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
123,500
Recommendations made
18,525
Consumer hours saved
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.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
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.
Featured in
