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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're considering the Google Pixel Buds A-Series versus the Sony WH-CH520 and price is a concern, remember that with a higher price, the Pixel Buds A-Series may offer distinct features such as a more compact design perfect for active use, potentially better integration with Android devices, and possible access to Google Assistant features directly from the earbuds. On the other hand, the Sony WH-CH520, while more affordable, may provide a different fit as they are headphones, possibly longer battery life, and potentially additional comfort for extended listening sessions. Carefully consider your priority between price, portable convenience, device ecosystem compatibility, and listening comfort. 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
- Good for exercise
Advantages of the Sony WH-CH520
- Good for music
- Very good for TV and video
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
6.4
7.6
The Sony WH-CH520 is good for music, while the Google Pixel Buds A Series is only fair.
Phone Calls
8.5
6.7
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is very good for phone calls, while the Sony WH-CH520 is only fair.
Battery
5.0 Hours
52.0 Hours
The Google Pixel Buds A Series has 5 hours of battery life. The Sony WH-CH520 has 52 hours of battery life.
Cost
$58
$50
$0
$20
$40
$60
$80
$100
The Google Pixel Buds A Series has a price of $58 and the Sony WH-CH520 costs $50.
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Key similarities
Gaming
8.6
8.8
The Sony WH-CH520 and Google Pixel Buds A Series are both very good for gaming.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.4
8.0
The Google Pixel Buds A Series and Sony WH-CH520 are both very good for podcasts and audiobooks.
TV and Video
7.8
8.2
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sony WH-CH520 to be very good for TV and video, while the Google Pixel Buds A Series is good.
Noise Reduction
4.6
4.6
The Google Pixel Buds A Series and Sony WH-CH520 are both poor for noise reduction.
Build Quality
7.4
7.0
The Google Pixel Buds A Series and Sony WH-CH520 both have good build quality.
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How the Google Pixel Buds A Series and the Sony WH-CH520 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Google Pixel Buds A Series | Sony WH-CH520 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$58 | $50 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Sony | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2021 | April 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.4/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8.5/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.7/10 | 8.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.8/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.4/10 | 6.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | 52 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.3 Hours | 1.9 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 | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 4.6/10 | 4.6/10 | |
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 | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 7.4/10 | 7/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.2/10 | 10/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5.1 Grams | 147.41 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-CH520
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Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | September 2023
"If you’re looking for headphones that simply do what you ask them to: the Sony WH-CH520 is a decent option, even if it isn’t very exciting. Sony’s WH-CHXXX line fits this role quite well, and the WH-CH520 offers a decent raft of quality-of-life updates over its predecessor that should keep listeners happy. If the Sony WH-CH520 were a car, it’d be the boring-but-safe commuter compact."
Get a great deal on the Google Pixel Buds A Series or the Sony WH-CH520
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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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