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 April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize call and meeting quality, as well as gaming, the Google Pixel Buds A Series would be the better choice due to their higher mic and gaming scores. They also have a low latency mode suited for smoother audio/video syncing, offer a wireless experience, and are optimized for both Android and Apple devices. On the other hand, if you're looking for a very budget-friendly option mainly for listening to music or watching TV and you don't mind a wired connection, the Sony MDREX15AP earbuds would serve you well with their excellent music and TV scores. However, keep in mind that the Sony earbuds lack features like low latency, sweatproof certification, and active noise cancelling which could be beneficial for travel, workouts, and noisy environments, all of which are present in the Pixel Buds. 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 Sony MDREX15AP
- Very good for music
- Excellent for TV and video
Key differences
Music
6.4
8.3
The Sony MDREX15AP is very good for music, while the Google Pixel Buds A Series is only fair.
Gaming
8.6
6.7
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is very good for gaming, while the Sony MDREX15AP is only fair.
Phone Calls
8.5
3.5
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is very good for phone calls, while the Sony MDREX15AP is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.4
5.4
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony MDREX15AP is poor.
TV and Video
7.8
9.3
The Sony MDREX15AP is excellent for TV and video, while the Google Pixel Buds A Series is good.
Noise Reduction
4.6
7.0
The Sony MDREX15AP is good for noise reduction, while the Google Pixel Buds A Series is poor.
Battery
5.0 Hours
N/A
The Google Pixel Buds A Series has 5 hours of battery life. The Sony MDREX15AP does not have a battery.
Cost
$58
$20
$0
$20
$40
$60
$80
$100
The Google Pixel Buds A Series has a price of $58 and the Sony MDREX15AP costs $20.
Build Quality
7.4
8.0
The Sony MDREX15AP has very good build quality, while the Google Pixel Buds A Series has good build quality.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Google Pixel Buds A Series and the Sony MDREX15AP compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Google Pixel Buds A Series | Sony MDREX15AP |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$58 | $20 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Sony | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2021 | March 1, 2014 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.4/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8.5/10 | 3.5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.7/10 | 6.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.8/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.4/10 | 4.6/10 | |
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 | 7/10 | |
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 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.2/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5.1 Grams | 3.1 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."
Sony MDREX15AP
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Make It Sound Great
Pete Anthony | June 2022
"At the ultra budget $10 price-point (and we’ve seen the no-mic version go for as cheap as $7), I’d say these are a decent option if you’re looking for a passable pair of earbuds for basic use that’s as cheap as possible. I wouldn’t say they feel or sound as good as some of the ultra-budget alternatives out there – of which there are a few at this point – but some might disagree. I will say though that the cable is a little bit nicer than those of that same competition."
Get a great deal on the Google Pixel Buds A Series or the Sony MDREX15AP
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 Sony
Sony is a multinational corporation, based out of Japan, with over 75 years of experience in the consumer electronics industry. In the audio market, Sony has been a trendsetter several times throughout its history. In 1979 they released the first-ever portable music player, the Sony Walkman, followed by the Discman 20 years later. Today, Sony is one of the leaders in the wireless headphone and earbud market, especially in terms of Active Noise Cancellation technology.
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 Sony MDREX15AP vs. Koss KSC75
VS
Compare Sony MDREX15AP vs. Apple Earpods
VS
Compare Sony MDREX15AP vs. Jlab Go Air Sport
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
93,500
Recommendations made
14,025
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
