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Updated January 10, 2024·
To decide between the Google Pixel Buds A Series and the Philips SHP9500, consider your primary use. For portability and convenience, with the benefit of wireless freedom and in-ear comfort, the Pixel Buds A Series are preferable. They are also ideal for use during physical activities, like working out, due to their secure fit. However, they may have a shorter battery life compared to some over-ear models. If you're looking for a richer, more immersive sound experience and don't mind a larger, over-ear design, the Philips SHP9500 offers excellent sound quality, typically with better ambient noise isolation and comfort for long listening sessions, but they are not as portable and are likely tethered by a wire. Keep in mind that while the Pixel Buds have a higher price, they include features like touch controls and potentially a built-in microphone for calls, which may justify the cost difference. 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 Philips SHP9500
- Excellent for music
- Excellent for TV and video
Key differences
Music
6.4
9.2
The Philips SHP9500 is excellent for music, while the Google Pixel Buds A Series is only fair.
Gaming
8.6
7.2
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is very good for gaming, while the Philips SHP9500 is good.
Phone Calls
8.5
4.9
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is very good for phone calls, while the Philips SHP9500 is poor.
TV and Video
7.8
9.0
The Philips SHP9500 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 Philips SHP9500 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 Philips SHP9500 does not have a battery.
Cost
$58
$48
$0
$20
$40
$60
$80
$100
The Google Pixel Buds A Series has a price of $58 and the Philips SHP9500 costs $48.
Build Quality
7.4
8.5
The Philips SHP9500 has very good build quality, while the Google Pixel Buds A Series has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.4
8.0
The Google Pixel Buds A Series and Philips SHP9500 are both very good for podcasts and audiobooks.
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How the Google Pixel Buds A Series and the Philips SHP9500 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Google Pixel Buds A Series | Philips SHP9500 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$58 | $48 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Philips | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2021 | August 1, 2013 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.4/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8.5/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.7/10 | 7.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.8/10 | 9.1/10 | |
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 | 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 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.2/10 | 10/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5.1 Grams | 294.8 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."
Philips SHP9500
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Headphones Lab
Brian Stone | April 2020
"You can’t go wrong with the Philips SHP9500 for their price. Their audio quality is superb, and the fact that you can use them for just about anything you can think of makes them well worth your money"
Get a great deal on the Google Pixel Buds A Series or the Philips SHP9500
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 Philips
Philips is a Dutch conglomerate and electronics manufacturer with over 130 years of history. Philips makes the Fidelio audio line which includes several models of full-sized wired and wireless headphones, true wireless earbuds. soundbars and wireless speakers.
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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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