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 Google Pixel Buds A Series are significantly less expensive and provide a good balance for a variety of activities including music, calls, and especially gaming thanks to their low latency mode. They are also suitable for exercise and are optimized for Android devices. The HifiMan Arya Stealth, by contrast, offers superior sound quality for music and TV, with an exceptional soundstage. However, they're less portable, not designed for exercise or use during travel, and lack wireless capability. If budget is a concern and versatility is important, go for the Pixel Buds. If you're focused on high-fidelity music listening at home, the HifiMan Arya Stealth may be the better investment. 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 exercise
- Good for air travel
Advantages of the HifiMan Arya Stealth
- Best in class for music
- Excellent for TV and video
Key differences
Music
6.4
10.0
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is best in class for music, while the Google Pixel Buds A Series is only fair.
Gaming
8.6
7.1
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is very good for gaming, while the HifiMan Arya Stealth is good.
Phone Calls
8.5
5.1
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is very good for phone calls, while the HifiMan Arya Stealth is poor.
TV and Video
7.8
9.4
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is excellent for TV and video, while the Google Pixel Buds A Series is good.
Noise Reduction
4.6
2.5
The Google Pixel Buds A Series and HifiMan Arya Stealth are both poor for noise reduction, though the Google Pixel Buds A Series is somewhat better.
Battery
5.0 Hours
N/A
The Google Pixel Buds A Series has 5 hours of battery life. The HifiMan Arya Stealth does not have a battery.
Cost
$58
$599
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Google Pixel Buds A Series has a price of $58 and the HifiMan Arya Stealth costs $599.
Build Quality
7.4
9.0
The HifiMan Arya Stealth 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
8.4
8.1
The Google Pixel Buds A Series and HifiMan Arya Stealth are both very good for podcasts and audiobooks.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Google Pixel Buds A Series and the HifiMan Arya Stealth compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Google Pixel Buds A Series | HifiMan Arya Stealth |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$58 | $599 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | HifiMan | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2021 | November 1, 2018 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.4/10 | 10/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8.5/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.7/10 | 7.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.8/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.4/10 | 4.5/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.3 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 24 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 4.6/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | No | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 8.5/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 7.4/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.2/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5.1 Grams | 408.2 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
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."
HifiMan Arya Stealth
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Headphonesty
Eric D Hieger | October 2022
"The Arya can easily be end-game headphones for 99% of consumers, satisfying most audio desires. Priced well above USD$1000, the Arya are obviously and gloriously not for the mass market consumer; they are designed and built by enthusiasts for enthusiasts – especially those who view their expenses on this level of gear as investments."
Get a great deal on the Google Pixel Buds A Series or the HifiMan Arya Stealth
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 HifiMan
HiFiMAN is a Chinese, high-end, audio product manufacturer, with 20 years of experience, that specializes in amplifiers, digital audio players and planar magnetic headphones, some of which have become a staple in the audiophile community such as the entry-level Sundara, the midrange Edition X, and the very well-regarded, high-end, Arya.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
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
Compare HifiMan Arya Stealth vs. Sennheiser IE600
VS
Compare HifiMan Arya Stealth vs. Apple Airpods Max
VS
Compare HifiMan Arya Stealth vs. Master & Dynamic MW75-Neuro
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
122,600
Recommendations made
18,390
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
