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What we think
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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Google Pixel Buds A Series are less expensive and offer decent sound quality, comfort, and mic quality; they also feature a low latency mode which makes them good for gaming and have optimized features for Android devices. However, if you prioritize premium sound quality, better noise isolation, and active noise cancelling for more immersive listening and travel needs, the Sony WF1000XM4 would be the better choice, although they come at a higher price and may not be as suitable for lengthy gaming sessions due to their lower gaming score. Both options offer similar battery life and are sweatproof, making them suitable for exercise. 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 TV and video
- Good for exercise
Advantages of the Sony WF1000XM4
- Excellent for music
- Very good for air travel
- Best in class for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
6.4
9.0
The Sony WF1000XM4 is excellent for music, while the Google Pixel Buds A Series is only fair.
Gaming
8.6
5.6
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is very good for gaming, while the Sony WF1000XM4 is poor.
Phone Calls
8.5
6.7
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is very good for phone calls, while the Sony WF1000XM4 is only fair.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.4
10.0
The Sony WF1000XM4 is best in class for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Google Pixel Buds A Series is very good.
TV and Video
7.8
6.0
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is good for TV and video, while the Sony WF1000XM4 is only fair.
Noise Reduction
4.6
8.3
The Sony WF1000XM4 is very good for noise reduction, while the Google Pixel Buds A Series is poor.
Battery
5.0 Hours
9.0 Hours
The Google Pixel Buds A Series has 5 hours of battery life. The Sony WF1000XM4 has 9 hours of battery life.
Cost
$58
$220
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Google Pixel Buds A Series has a price of $58 and the Sony WF1000XM4 costs $220.
Build Quality
7.4
8.9
The Sony WF1000XM4 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 Sony WF1000XM4 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Google Pixel Buds A Series | Sony WF1000XM4 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$58 | $220 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Sony | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2021 | July 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.4/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8.5/10 | 6.7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.7/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.8/10 | 6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.4/10 | 6.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | 9 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.3 Hours | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 24 | 24 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 4.6/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | No | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 8.5/10 | 5.4/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 7.4/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.2/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5.1 Grams | 6.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
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."
Sony WF1000XM4
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Dig into reviews and images
What HiFi?
What HiFi? | March 2023
"The headphones deliver a satisfying user experience, class-leading battery life, some of the best noise-cancelling we’ve heard in this category, and absolutely stunning sound quality."
Get a great deal on the Google Pixel Buds A Series or the Sony WF1000XM4
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.
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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
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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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