A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Google Pixel Buds A-Series are less expensive and offer good sound quality, comfortable fit, and are especially suited for exercise due to their sweatproof certification. They also feature low latency for gaming and are optimized for both Android and Apple devices. In contrast, the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones provide superior sound quality, better noise isolation for air travel, and active noise cancelling for a quieter listening experience. They are heavier and bulkier, making them less portable, but they have a premium build quality, a longer battery life, and support for a higher-quality lossless codec (LDAC). If you prioritize saving money and need earbuds for active use, go for the Pixel Buds A-Series; if you want top-tier sound with noise cancellation for travel or focused listening, the WH-1000XM5 may be worth the premium price. 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
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Sony WH-1000XM5
- Very good for music
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
6.4
8.2
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is very good 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 WH-1000XM5 is poor.
Phone Calls
8.5
5.5
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is very good for phone calls, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.4
6.0
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is only fair.
TV and Video
7.8
5.8
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is good for TV and video, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is poor.
Noise Reduction
4.6
9.1
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is excellent for noise reduction, while the Google Pixel Buds A Series is poor.
Battery
5.0 Hours
40.3 Hours
The Google Pixel Buds A Series has 5 hours of battery life. The Sony WH-1000XM5 has 40.3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$58
$398
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Google Pixel Buds A Series has a price of $58 and the Sony WH-1000XM5 costs $398.
Build Quality
7.4
8.8
The Sony WH-1000XM5 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 WH-1000XM5 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Google Pixel Buds A Series | Sony WH-1000XM5 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$58 | $398 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Sony | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2021 | May 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.4/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8.5/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.7/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.8/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.4/10 | 6.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | 40.3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.3 Hours | 3.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 24 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 4.6/10 | 9.1/10 | |
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 | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 7.4/10 | 8.8/10 | |
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 | 249.4 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."
Sony WH-1000XM5
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Headphonesty
Kazi Mahbub Mutakabbir | February 2023
"The Sony WH-1000XM5 are the best Sony Bluetooth headphones so far and one of the most well-rounded Bluetooth headphones around. Look no further if you need class-leading ANC with a mostly inoffensive sound signature. Just be ready to pony up the price premium."
Get a great deal on the Google Pixel Buds A Series or the Sony WH-1000XM5
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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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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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.
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