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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
It sounds like you're considering two different products—the Bowers & Wilkins Pi5 S2 and the Google Pixel Buds A-Series. If you're looking for superior sound quality and active noise cancellation, the Bowers & Wilkins option may be the better choice, though it will come at a higher price. However, if you're looking for a good set of earbuds for general daily use, including hands-free calls and interactions with Google Assistant, and you are conscious of your budget, the Google Pixel Buds A-Series would be more suitable. The Bowers & Wilkins may offer a more premium experience, but the Pixel Buds provide a solid experience at a more affordable cost without active noise cancellation. Consider what you value more: the enhanced audio and noise-canceling features or the saving of funds and smart features integration. 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 Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2
- Very good 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
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Gaming
5.3
8.6
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is very good for gaming, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
Phone Calls
5.0
8.5
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is very good for phone calls, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.6
8.4
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
TV and Video
5.6
7.8
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is good for TV and video, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
Noise Reduction
8.3
4.6
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is very good for noise reduction, while the Google Pixel Buds A Series is poor.
Cost
$149
$58
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has a price of $149 and the Google Pixel Buds A Series costs $58.
Build Quality
8.9
7.4
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has very good build quality, while the Google Pixel Buds A Series has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
6.7
6.4
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and Google Pixel Buds A Series are both only fair for music.
Battery
5.0 Hours
5.0 Hours
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has 5 hours of battery life. The Google Pixel Buds A Series has 5 hours of battery life.
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How the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and the Google Pixel Buds A Series compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 | Google Pixel Buds A Series |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$149 | $58 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bowers and Wilkins | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2023 | June 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.8/10 | 6.4/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.3/10 | 8.7/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 7.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | 5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 0.75 Hours | 1.3 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 19 | 24 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 4.6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.9/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Medium | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 6 Grams | 5.1 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2
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Dig into reviews and images
Major HiFi
Chris Golembeski | January 2023
"Bowers and Wilkins isn’t looking to make an obscure, premium wireless bud catered specifically towards audiophiles. Instead, it seems apparent that they’re going for the crown: a cool and popular look, an easy and comfortable fit, and an engaging stage with a great balance that is perfectly suited for mainstream listeners and audiophiles alike."
Google Pixel Buds A Series
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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 Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 or the Google Pixel Buds A Series
About Bowers and Wilkins
Bowers and Wilkins is a British audio equipment manufacturer with a focus on innovation and product development. It was founded by a couple of real-life James Bonds, the co-founders John Bowers and Roy Wilkins, who met while working for MI6 during World War II. The company keeps being favored by enthusiasts due to their sound quality, craftsmanship and signature aesthetics.
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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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.
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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.
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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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