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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If budget is a concern and you're looking for convenience with decent sound for casual listening or making calls, the Google Pixel Buds A Series is a solid choice thanks to their wireless design and tight integration with Android devices. However, if you prioritize audio quality and can afford a more premium product, the HifiMan Edition XS may offer superior sound and comfort, especially for home use where portability is not a concern. Keep in mind, the HifiMan headphones will likely require additional audio equipment like an amplifier to perform at their best, adding to the overall cost. 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
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the HifiMan Edition XS
- Very good for music
- Best in class for TV and video
Key differences
Music
6.4
8.8
The HifiMan Edition XS is very good for music, while the Google Pixel Buds A Series is only fair.
Gaming
8.6
7.4
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is very good for gaming, while the HifiMan Edition XS is good.
Phone Calls
8.5
5.0
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is very good for phone calls, while the HifiMan Edition XS is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.4
7.9
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the HifiMan Edition XS is good.
TV and Video
7.8
9.5
The HifiMan Edition XS is best in class 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 Edition XS 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 Edition XS does not have a battery.
Cost
$58
$269
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Google Pixel Buds A Series has a price of $58 and the HifiMan Edition XS costs $269.
Build Quality
7.4
8.5
The HifiMan Edition XS has very good build quality, while the Google Pixel Buds A Series has good build quality.
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How the Google Pixel Buds A Series and the HifiMan Edition XS compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Google Pixel Buds A Series | HifiMan Edition XS |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$58 | $269 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | HifiMan | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2021 | December 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.4/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8.5/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.7/10 | 7.5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.8/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.4/10 | 4.4/10 | |
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 | No | |
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 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.2/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5.1 Grams | 421 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
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."
HifiMan Edition XS
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Headphonesty
Eric D Hieger | January 2023
"The Edition XS easily compete with headphones in their price range with a very high price-to-performance ratio. The XS are an amazing value and offer performance not far off from headphones more than twice their cost. These will be a mind-blowing revelation for enthusiasts and music lovers who have only heard standard big-brand mainstream headphones."
Get a great deal on the Google Pixel Buds A Series or the HifiMan Edition XS
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.
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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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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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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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