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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If active noise cancellation is a priority for you, the Apple AirPods Pro offer this feature, providing a more isolated listening experience which is beneficial during air travel and in noisy environments. However, if you're looking for something more budget-friendly, the Google Pixel Buds A Series are less expensive and offer a slightly superior overall sound quality and a higher score for calls and meetings. The Pixel Buds are also rated higher for gaming, thanks to their low latency mode. Both options are similar in battery life and portability, but the AirPods Pro better serve Apple users with specific optimizations, whereas the Pixel Buds are more geared towards Android users. 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 Pro
- 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
Gaming
5.1
8.6
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is very good for gaming, while the Apple Airpods Pro is poor.
Phone Calls
7.4
8.5
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is very good for phone calls, while the Apple Airpods Pro is good.
TV and Video
5.7
7.8
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is good for TV and video, while the Apple Airpods Pro is poor.
Noise Reduction
9.1
4.6
The Apple Airpods Pro is excellent for noise reduction, while the Google Pixel Buds A Series is poor.
Cost
$260
$58
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Apple Airpods Pro has a price of $260 and the Google Pixel Buds A Series costs $58.
Build Quality
9.0
7.4
The Apple Airpods Pro has excellent build quality, while the Google Pixel Buds A Series has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
6.8
6.4
The Apple Airpods Pro and Google Pixel Buds A Series are both only fair for music.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.3
8.4
The Google Pixel Buds A Series and Apple Airpods Pro are both very good for podcasts and audiobooks.
Battery
5.0 Hours
5.0 Hours
The Apple Airpods Pro has 5 hours of battery life. The Google Pixel Buds A Series has 5 hours of battery life.
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How the Apple Airpods Pro and the Google Pixel Buds A Series compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods Pro | Google Pixel Buds A Series |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$260 | $58 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2019 | June 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.9/10 | 6.4/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.4/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.2/10 | 8.7/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.7/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.1/10 | 7.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | 5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | 1.3 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 24 | 24 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 4.6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | No | 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 | 8/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | Medium | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5.4 Grams | 5.1 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Apple Airpods Pro
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Adam Molina | January 2023
"For just $50 USD more than the original model with the wireless charging case, this is definitely the pair of buds to get. The AirPods Pro (1st generation) sounds better than the originals and has a way better fit and active noise canceling to boot. If you have an iOS device, just get this."
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 Pro 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.
By the numbers
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Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
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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.
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.
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