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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Google Pixel Buds A Series are significantly less expensive than the Grado GT220 and offer a comfortable fit, better mic quality for calls, low latency mode for gaming, optimized experience for Android devices, and are sweatproof, which makes them suitable for exercise. They also have an advantage in portability and slightly longer standalone battery life. However, the Grado GT220 provides superior overall sound quality and build quality which may enhance your listening experience, especially for music. They also come with wireless charging and a significantly longer battery life with the charging case. The Grado's do not offer a low latency mode, making them less ideal for gaming. If budget is a concern and you're looking for versatile earbuds with good call quality, the Pixel Buds A Series is a strong option. If sound and build quality are your priority and you're willing to invest more, the Grado GT220 could be the right choice. 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 Google Pixel Buds A Series
- Very good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
- Good for exercise
Advantages of the Grado GT220
- The Grado GT220 has no clear advantages over the Google Pixel Buds A Series.
Key differences
Gaming
8.6
5.1
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is very good for gaming, while the Grado GT220 is poor.
Phone Calls
8.5
6.9
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is very good for phone calls, while the Grado GT220 is only fair.
TV and Video
7.8
5.5
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is good for TV and video, while the Grado GT220 is poor.
Noise Reduction
4.6
5.3
The Grado GT220 and Google Pixel Buds A Series are both poor for noise reduction, though the Grado GT220 is somewhat better.
Cost
$58
$259
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Google Pixel Buds A Series has a price of $58 and the Grado GT220 costs $259.
Build Quality
7.4
8.8
The Grado GT220 has very good build quality, while the Google Pixel Buds A Series has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
6.4
6.3
The Google Pixel Buds A Series and Grado GT220 are both only fair for music.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.4
8.8
The Grado GT220 and Google Pixel Buds A Series are both very good for podcasts and audiobooks.
Battery
5.0 Hours
5.5 Hours
The Google Pixel Buds A Series has 5 hours of battery life. The Grado GT220 has 5.5 hours of battery life.
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How the Google Pixel Buds A Series and the Grado GT220 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Google Pixel Buds A Series | Grado GT220 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$58 | $259 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Grado | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2021 | September 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.4/10 | 6.4/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8.5/10 | 7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.7/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.8/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.4/10 | 6.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | 5.5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.3 Hours | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 24 | 36 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 4.6/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | No | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | No | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 8.5/10 | 6/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 7.4/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.2/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5.1 Grams | 5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
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."
Grado GT220
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Dig into reviews and images
Major HiFi
Alex Schiffer | October 2020
"With its superb and functional interface and its highly satisfying imaging, Grado has shown a new talent for delivering a solid true wireless system, and with future improvements, has the potential to really be one of the best."
Get a great deal on the Google Pixel Buds A Series or the Grado GT220
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.
About Grado
Grado Labs is a small, family-owned, business based in Brooklyn New York that specializes in high-end, boutique, dynamic headphones and turntable cartridges. They boast a particular house sound, that is to say their products have a particular sound signature unique to Grado, that some audiophiles seem to really like and are unable to find anywhere else. Their high-end headphones are all hand made, completely in house, from a variety of exotic woods and materials going so far as to making one of their most popular products out of hemp.
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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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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