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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If the lower price of the Google Pixel Buds A Series is appealing to you, they offer good value for daily casual listening and have the convenience of being wireless with a compact charging case, making them very portable. However, the Rode NTH-100M, while typically costlier, might provide superior sound quality and come with a built-in microphone, which is helpful for calls or recording. They are also likely to be more comfortable for long listening sessions and could offer better noise isolation, but they are less portable due to their bulk compared to earbuds. If you frequently engage in detailed audio work or need a microphone, the Rode might be your choice; if you prioritize convenience and portability for everyday use and want to save money, consider the Google Pixel Buds A Series. 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
- Good for exercise
- Good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Rode NTH-100M
- Very good for music
- Best in class for phone calls
Key differences
Music
6.4
8.2
The Rode NTH-100M is very good for music, while the Google Pixel Buds A Series is only fair.
Phone Calls
8.5
9.5
The Rode NTH-100M is best in class for phone calls, while the Google Pixel Buds A Series is very good.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.4
7.6
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Rode NTH-100M is good.
Noise Reduction
4.6
5.3
The Rode NTH-100M and Google Pixel Buds A Series are both poor for noise reduction, though the Rode NTH-100M is somewhat better.
Battery
5.0 Hours
N/A
The Google Pixel Buds A Series has 5 hours of battery life. The Rode NTH-100M does not have a battery.
Cost
$58
$189
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The Google Pixel Buds A Series has a price of $58 and the Rode NTH-100M costs $189.
Build Quality
7.4
8.5
The Rode NTH-100M has very good build quality, while the Google Pixel Buds A Series has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Gaming
8.6
8.9
The Rode NTH-100M and Google Pixel Buds A Series are both very good for gaming.
TV and Video
7.8
7.7
The Google Pixel Buds A Series and Rode NTH-100M are both good for TV and video.
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How the Google Pixel Buds A Series and the Rode NTH-100M compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Google Pixel Buds A Series | Rode NTH-100M |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$58 | $189 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Rode | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2021 | January 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.4/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8.5/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.7/10 | 9/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.8/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.4/10 | 4.2/10 | |
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 | 5.3/10 | |
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 | 10/10 | |
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 | 349.2 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Boom | |
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."
Rode NTH-100M
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Dig into reviews and images
PC Gamer
Kizito Katawonga | March 2023
"The NTH-100M is a closed-back headset aimed at professional audiophiles—streamers, podcasters and content creators included—looking for masterful audio and a detachable 'broadcast-grade' microphone."
Get a great deal on the Google Pixel Buds A Series or the Rode NTH-100M
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 Rode
Rode is an Australian audio equipment manufacturer. Rode was founded in 1967 as Freedman Electronics, transitioning into its modern brand in 1990, and it’s mainly known for their high-end microphones and audio production equipment. In 2022 they entered into the headphone market with their NTH-100 closed back headphone which was received with very good reviews from the community.
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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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