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Updated January 10, 2024·
Without access to specific details about the Google Pixel Buds A Series and the Sennheiser HD 400S, I will provide advice based on general knowledge about these types of products. If portability and the convenience of having no cables are top priorities for you, then the Google Pixel Buds A Series, being true wireless earbuds, would be a suitable choice. However, if you prioritize sound quality and are okay with the presence of a cable, the Sennheiser HD 400S might provide a more robust audio experience, as over-ear headphones often offer better acoustic performance. Keep in mind that while earbuds are often more comfortable to wear during physical activity, they might not match the noise isolation provided by over-ear headphones. Ultimately, consider whether wireless convenience or audio fidelity is more important to you, and whether the price difference between the two options justifies the tradeoff. 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
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Sennheiser HD 400S
- Good for music
Key differences
Music
6.4
7.1
The Sennheiser HD 400S is good for music, while the Google Pixel Buds A Series is only fair.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.4
7.6
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sennheiser HD 400S is good.
Noise Reduction
4.6
5.3
The Sennheiser HD 400S and Google Pixel Buds A Series are both poor for noise reduction, though the Sennheiser HD 400S is somewhat better.
Battery
5.0 Hours
N/A
The Google Pixel Buds A Series has 5 hours of battery life. The Sennheiser HD 400S does not have a battery.
Cost
$58
$50
$0
$20
$40
$60
$80
$100
The Google Pixel Buds A Series has a price of $58 and the Sennheiser HD 400S costs $50.
Build Quality
7.4
8.5
The Sennheiser HD 400S 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
8.6
The Sennheiser HD 400S and Google Pixel Buds A Series are both very good for gaming.
Phone Calls
8.5
8.2
The Google Pixel Buds A Series and Sennheiser HD 400S are both very good for phone calls.
TV and Video
7.8
7.6
The Google Pixel Buds A Series and Sennheiser HD 400S are both good for TV and video.
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How the Google Pixel Buds A Series and the Sennheiser HD 400S compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Google Pixel Buds A Series | Sennheiser HD 400S |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$58 | $50 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Sennheiser | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2021 | January 1, 2019 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.4/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8.5/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.7/10 | 8.7/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.8/10 | 7.7/10 | |
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 | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | No | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 7.4/10 | 8.5/10 | |
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 | 213 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
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."
Sennheiser HD 400S
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Headphone Dungeon
Jim | August 2022
"Sennheiser has done it again. The HD 400S performs well beyond its price range and is one of the better budget model headphones I’ve tried. It has very few bells and whistles and offers a simple means of listening that still delivers amazing clarity and quality. If you need a good first pair of headphones or need something that you can take out of the house, then the HD 400S is definitely for you."
Get a great deal on the Google Pixel Buds A Series or the Sennheiser HD 400S
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 Sennheiser
A family-owned company, Sennheiser is a German, high fidelity, audio equipment manufacturer founded in 1945. Their consumer audio division is now owned by the Swiss hearing aid and cochlear implant manufacturer Sonova. Sennheiser offers a wide variety of, very high quality, audio equipment solutions, from headphones to earbuds, full sets of monitoring speakers, amplifiers and microphones. They also make what is widely regarded as the best, and most expensive, headphones in existence, the HE-1 Orpheus, costing a whopping $59,000 dollars.
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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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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
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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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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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