Customer Ratings & Reviews

I’m really enjoying these pixel buds 2a so far. I have an original pixel buds without ANC and unfortunately the batteries started to get so bad I can barely use them. So I figured now's as good as any to upgrade and I’m really impressed with the new fit and features in the buds 2a. PROS: First thing I noticed was before I could figure out how to turn on pairing, my android phone (and pixel buds app) was already asking me if I want to set up my new pixel buds 2a. I really love when google products do that and I don’t have to find the pair button and figure out how long to hold it. You just open the lid of the case and the app knows they’re there. Once I put the buds on, I was impressed with the comfort difference from the older pixel buds. I am a bit of a headphones collector and have a lot of bluetooth headphones from a lot of the big brands and the fit is always what makes me come back to one pair more than another. If I know I’m going to have the headphones in for more than an hour, I will sacrifice features for fit. But luckily I don’t have to do that with these buds. The ear tips felt good but I tested others and ultimately ended up with two different sizes in each ear. (something I usually end up doing with most brands.) I’m really happy to see 4 size options instead of 3 as well. This allows for people with very narrow ears to still find a comfortable fit without too much pressure pain. The audio quality was the next thing I noticed after getting all the setup and updates done. I turned on ANC and felt the world click off as I sat on my porch in silence. I turned on some music and noticed a really full and rounded sound. I jumped into the 5 band EQ and made adjustments to my liking. I think for this price, and not being the pro level buds, these have a surprisingly good sound. Podcasts are clear, music is full and the base is strong. Combined with ANC on, you can really get lost in the sound. And I really do enjoy that feeling of ANC clicking on and I gotta say, for a lower budget bud, the ANC is really impressive here. It does a fabulous job of knocking out lower end rumbles, better than high frequencies, but still a really solid noise canceling. Especially for the price. Google says this is thanks to the Tensor A1 chip which also allows the buds to work with gemini and provide better battery life. Which was the last big thing I noticed in my initial first test. The battery life is really good. And I don’t mean in hours, although google does say 7 hours of ANC and 20 hours from the case, but in real world use, you’re not really doing the math. To me, a good battery means I’m done with the headphones before the battery is. Meaning if I want to go mow the lawn or do a workout or go for a run, I’ll be done with that activity before the battery is done. And I got that from these buds. All of my day to day uses were never interrupted with a low battery. This is also in part due to taking them out and putting them in the case from time to time as well, providing little top ups. Maybe a went for a run, but then put them in the case while I showered then took them out to listen to music while I did laundry and so on. What this doesn’t cover, is long distance travel or maybe an all day wear need. But I think generally speaking, you’ll need to take them out of your ears for at least one reason or another in any given 7 hour time. And remember, you can turn off ANC to get even longer battery life in a pinch. CONS: So what about the cons? Honestly, I haven’t really hit any big ones yet. I think my biggest complaint is that there is no wireless charging on the case, BUT Google says this is the first pixel buds case to have a replaceable battery. Which is something. I assume the ability to change the battery is why it’s not wireless charging, but I don’t know for sure on that. What I do know is, in my experience, the batteries in the headphones go bad faster than the case, but I still appreciate this feature of changing the battery more than the con of no wireless charging. To be honest, the wireless charge usually didn’t work great on my older pixel buds anyway and I tend to just plug them in for a faster and safer charge. I guess another con could be the fit for some people. I think the twist option is really nice and I like that the buds fit both ways, but I do think some people with sensitive ears or maybe odd shapes may find the support fin to be a little uncomfortable. I find I get the best air seal when I twist them tighter (counter clockwise) so I tend to wear them that way always, but I do feel a little irritation on my right ear after an hour or so. And since I’m fishing for another con, this is really nitpicky but the tap controls to turn ANC on and off only toggle between ANC and Transparency mode. It does not include simply turning them both off. For battery reasons, I often will turn ANC and transparency off. As of right now, you can only do that through the app. Although I hope an update would add the 3rd setting to the rotation. OVERALL: So overall I have to give these buds a high score. I think google does a great job integrating into the android ecosystem and for all their flaws, they still make good products and are easy for anyone to understand. The buds sound great, there’s plenty of EQ and setting tweaking and for an “a” series, they still have ANC and great battery life. Google is clearly trying to put more into their lower tier products and I think for the average user, these pixel buds 2a are the best bang for the buck for any android user. Bonus, they don’t have some weird awkward stem hanging out the bottom of your ear screaming out for attention. They sit snug and small in your ear and go about their work delivering great sound. I would recommend for sure

Wow, have these little guys surprised me. The design language has not changed all that much from that classic minimalist, twist-in design. The case looks and feels the same, although a bit smaller. It is oddly satisfying to hold the eggshell-like case, which fits comfortably in any pocket. The buds are super comfortable to wear, and they stayed on no matter how much I shook my head thanks to their fin-stabilizer design. I dare say they might be more comfortable than their more advanced brothers. I am glad that these buds are rated IP54 so a bit of rain or sweat will not be any issue. Also, the case itself is rated IPX4, which is certainly welcome. Having a Pixel phone, the buds were recognized immediately with no fuss. In other phones you may need the app. The same with my Pixel Tablet. Featuring Bluetooth 5.4, they stayed connected at decent distances and throughout my apartment. I did notice some very slight sync and lag issues, especially when gaming. The case does not support wireless charging, only via USB-C, which may matter to some, but I found it a non-issue. The buds’ battery can last for quite some time. It was after almost 4 days using them about 4 hours a day before I had to charge them -that’s with ANC/Ambient on. They also have quick charge where 5 minutes in the case add 1 hour of playtime. In addition, the case’s battery can be replaced! The noise cancellation is very good. I used them on the subway on my commute, and they were very good at muting lower frequencies like engines. Some higher frequencies did come through. It was certainly enough to enjoy my content. The Transparency mode is decent, but I did notice that it does amplify certain frequencies to an annoying level. The controls are a bit disappointing. While I can control playback, calls, ANC/Transparency mode, and the assistant, there is no volume control or swiping at all. I have to either use my device, smart watch, or ask the assistant. It’s not very convenient. The buds do feature auto-pause/play when taking/putting them on. The call quality is excellent in my experience. I was able to hold a clear conversation regardless of the noise around me. What really impressed me was the audio coming out of the 11mm dynamic drivers. The sound is warm and full. The bass is clear with a nice subwoofer feel when it is needed. The mids allow for vocals and instruments to come through. The treble adds clarity and sparkle. The sound separation is good and there is decent imaging. While the buds may not win any audio awards, it is quite enjoyable no matter the content. I feel that this is a very good deal, especially if you are into the Pixel ecosystem. Sure there are some corners cut, but again, the sound is great, the ANC/Transparency mode performs well, and they are super portable -all at a price that won’t break the bank.

It seems to me, the main point to discuss when writing a review of the Pixel Buds 2a, is what are you missing by purchasing these lower cost buds compared with the higher cost Pixel 2 Pro Buds? Since I had a friend who bought the Pro model, I was able to compare these with those. Just looking at them, the case of the 2a is slightly smaller than the Pro model. The buds though look exactly the same. I love that just like the Pro model, these buds are easy to remove and return to their case. The magnets on some other brands, since the buds are smooth and the magnet on the case is so strong, that removing them can be frustrating. More than once they’ve fallen out of my hands and rolled around on the floor, NOT a problem with these. Also, just like the 2 Pro, you insert the buds in your ears and give them a slight counterclockwise twist to secure them. Both models work flawlessly with Pixel phones. I just opened the case, and my Pixel 10 phone immediately found the buds and paired them within five seconds. Very cool. Most important though is how do they SOUND, compared to the Pro model? To my ears, they sound equally as good which means they sound great. Also, the 2a buds are the first of the Pixel 'a' series which include noise cancellation. I compared this with the Pro model, not quite the cancellation of the more expensive ones, but still very good and noticeable. Other differences, The 2a does not support wireless charging. You can replace the battery in the 2a case if you happen to have a Torx 51P screwdriver lying around the house. The 2 Pro battery is not replaceable. Speaking of battery, the battery life is approximately 7 hours; an hour less than the Pro battery life. So should you purchase the Pixel 2 Pro, or save some money with the 2a model? Since the sound is pretty much the same and the fit is exactly like the Pro model, I’d say you absolutely can unless you’d really miss the wireless charging feature. Bottom line, either the Pixel 2 Pro or the Pixel 2a will give you great sound.

The Google Pixel Ear Buds 2a come with an eye-catching booklet that showcases the features, but there is a lot of fine print on the last page that can only be read with a magnifying glass. More than half of the last page is blank, so the print could have been at least twice as large, if Google really wanted it to be read. For instance, the ear buds are described as water and sweat resistant and a little water is OK, but the fine print says to be sure and dry them if they get wet, because liquid damage voids the warranty. They have an “all day battery” - but only if they spend some of that time in the charging case, the volume is 50% or less and all the extra features are disabled. Also, some of the stated features, like stereo spatial audio, are only available when paired with select Google Pixel devices. The available colors are hazel and iris. Hazel should be a greenish brown and iris should be purple. The ones I received were dark gray. I’m not sure if I got an oddball set, or if dark gray is hazel. They come in a charging case. Once the case is charged, the case charges the ear buds. The charge level of both the ear buds and the case can be seen in the app. When the light on the case turns from white to amber, it’s time to put it on the charger. The ear buds paired quickly with both my android (not a Google Pixel) phone and PC. However, the following day they had lost the PC connection and I also lost Bluetooth connection to the soundbar that was set as the default sound device. It’s a touchy soundbar, and it took over an hour to get it back in business. I won’t be using the ear buds with the PC - just the phone. Some of the features are controlled in the app. The ear buds can be set in the active noise cancellation mode to block external noise or the transparency mode where external sounds are muted. The left ear bud can be different from the right. There is an equalizer to adjust treble, bass and balance. There is a “Hearing Wellness” section that notifies if the accumulated listening volume is above the recommended limit and a “Find Device” feature to ring either the left or right ear bud. The ring only works if the ear bud(s) is out of the case. The ring isn’t very loud. I couldn’t hear it in the adjacent room. According to the website, there will be a reminder to clean the ear buds in 3 months. The ear buds are lightweight. There are 3 sizes of ear tips. The medium tip is installed and can be swapped out for XS, S or L. Set up will either tell you that the fit is good or suggest a different size. A different size might be needed for each ear. A tone sounds when an ear bud is inserted correctly. Each ear bud has a stabilizer fin that engages with the ear when the ear bud is turned counterclockwise. The fin holds the ear bud in place while exercising, gardening, etc. It can be disengaged by turning clockwise for a more relaxed fit when inactive. If the fin should break off, it cannot be replaced independently. When in use, touching an ear bud lowers the volume; tapping turns sound off and on; two taps goes back to the beginning of a song. Those functions can also be done using Gemini. It is possible to make and answer calls and use Gemini with the Google Pixel 2a Ear Buds with the help of the “Digital Assistant”. I don’t get many calls or texts, so I wasn't able to test that feature. The volume did decrease for a moment when I got a message or email notification. The sound is clear and the ear buds are moderately comfortable. They are an improvement over the bulky headphones I was using. The noise cancellation isn’t quite as effective, but the convenience difference makes the ear buds a far better choice for me. With the stabilizer fin seated correctly and with the correct tip installed, I didn’t have any problem keeping them in when active.

These are my first Pixel Buds and they really impressed me the week I used them. I just want to get it out of the way that I had some really annoying issues pairing these with any of my devices when I first got them. Holding the pairing button for exactly 30 seconds solved the issue and they have worked flawlessly ever since, but that was certainly annoying. (This is including my Pixel phone) This may not happen in your case as they should just connect automatically with a pop-up prompt on Pixels. What I like the most about these is the comfort - they are light and very easy to put in. I used the stock eartips but there are other sizes as well. In terms of sound quality I didn’t find myself needing ANC/noise cancellation that much but it's obviously really good to have.. All types of media sound really great out the box - didn’t have to tweak EQ. The bass is deep and most* details especially at half volume still come out plenty clear. You can also use transparency mode if you want to hear your environment which again works perfectly. Battery life is another area where I’m totally happy - On average I got about 10-20 hours of listening time on a charge and that’s because I didn’t always keep ANC on as previously mentioned. The charging case also lasts a good bit - I only had to charge it after my 5th consecutive day of listening. I also really like the size of the case as it's perfectly portable and easy on the pocket. Lastly I wanted to mention the touch controls, I hated them as I do on most earbuds. Too easy to activate when I just want to adjust the buds in my ears. I just turned the feature off. Overall I’m really happy with the Pixel Buds 2a and they are something I’d easily recommend! I usually main the really expensive earbuds from the fruit company and these still stack up really well! Hopefully you won't have issues with pairing. Great price as well (even better if they are ever on sale!)

I’ve been using the Google Pixel Buds 2a for a bit now, and honestly, they’ve really impressed me. Right out of the box, the fit was spot on super comfortable and light enough that I can wear them for long walks or at my desk without feeling like my ears were weighing me down. They always stay put which I truly appreciate as someone who previously suffered from buds falling out. The usability of these earbuds was stellar, too. Pairing with my Pixel 10 Pro couldn’t have been easier. I cracked open the case and they popped up on my screen, connected, and were ready to go so there were no hiccups or annoying bluetooth pairing steps. It all felt seamless. The overall sound and noise cancellation was also really impressive. The buds cut down background noise nicely for calls or music without making things sound muffled. When I switch over to transparency mode, it feels pretty natural I can still hear what’s going on around me without having to take the buds out. This combined with their comfort made it easy to have them in as I went about my day. And then there is the Gemini integration...that’s been the fun surprise. Having it built right in makes things feel easy to engage with. I’ve been using it to send texts, get quick info, or start outing ideas while on my morning walks. It’s slick and actually useful, not just a gimmick and something I have grown to use as a daily feature. My only real criticism with these were that I wished the battery life lasted a bit longer. I was able to get a good few hours per charge but not the full all-day Expereince I had expected. Might have had something to do with my intense use of Gemini. Pros: • Super comfortable and secure fit • Instant pairing with Pixel 10 Pro • Surprisingly solid ANC for the size • Gemini integration is genuinely handy Cons: • Battery life’s decent but not amazing • ANC won’t replace high-end over-ears

Pixel Buds 2a come with a really good noise cancellation feature for the price. One of the things that I really like about the earbuds is that you can turn the noise cancellation feature on and off in case you are in an area where safety is a concern. The first time I put on the earbuds, I had a tower fan sitting right next to me. I never really noticed the noise of the tower fan before because I always have it on. As soon as I put the earbuds in my ears, whoa, I couldn’t believe my ears! I can’t tell you the experience of pairing them with other phones, but since I have the Google Pixel 10 Pro, my experience was very seamless. When I flipped the case open, my phone recognized them right away and walked through the pairing process. The sound quality is really good for the price range of the earbuds. I have tried other earbuds with more immersive sound, but they also come with more than double the price tag of the Pixel Buds 2a. But another feature that makes these earbuds a standout compared to other brands is the built-in Gemini feature, in a simple tap. Being a part of the Google Pixel family, the Pixel Buds 2a are automatically included in the Find My Device app. Now, the ring started very low and escalated slowly. If you turn on the Nearby device on your phone, it will tell you if they are nearby. Lastly, I love the magnetic feature and the letter “G” on the earbuds. I am not the most coordinated person, so sometimes my brain struggles to figure out how to put them in. But once I saw the letter “G”, it really helped me orient them right away! I love my Pixel Buds 2a!

As a long time owner of the original Pixel Buds A, I was really looking forward to the feature rich updated Pixel Buds 2A. Though many improvements and important features have been made, I came away disappointed, which I will explain later. In the box you get the earbuds, charging/storage case and a quick start guide If you have a pixel phone, as I do, then simply taking the earbuds out of the case will connect with your phone and take you to the setup menu.where you can : 1) Add to Find Device which locates your earbuds if they are lost 2) Setup touch controls which can turn ANC on and off 3) Do an ear tip seal check for maximum ANC 4) Set equalizer and balance 5)Check on your Hearing Wellness. This feature lets you know the decibels that your buds are currently producing and your exposure over the past 24 hours and 7 days. It can also notify you if your exposure exceeds recommended levels. This is the first time I have seen this feature and I think it should be incorporated into every earbud and headphone. 6) Setup Audio Switch which will automatically switch audio sources as long as each device is linked to the same Google account. Sound quality is subjective but to me the sound is excellent. A Big improvement over the original Pixel Buds A. I was impressed with the clarity and quality of the sound both with music and podcasts. Calls were also very clear even outdoors with some wind. Google has put wind blocking mesh inside and works with AI to reduce outside noises. You can also access Gemini without having to take out your phone. The Pixel Buds 2A are smaller and lighter than the original. They also have a longer battery life with 7 hours for the buds and an additional 2 hours from the case. So why am I disappointed. The original Pixel Ear Buds were the most comfortable earbuds that I have ever worn, and I have had many brands. So comfortable that I would often fall asleep with them in my ears. The Pixel Buds 2A are not only less comfortable for me, but I have difficulty getting a proper seal for good ANC. Despite trying all of the different size ear tips I could not get a good seal without holding the ear buds with my hands. And trying to twist and push them in so hard is uncomfortable to say the least. I have never had this issue with any other brand of earbud. Google says that it used over 45 million ear scans to design these earbuds, but I guess they didn't use mine. I am not sure if it's the shape of the earbud or if the stem that holds the ear tip is shorter than the original so it doesn't go deep enough into the ear canal to form a good seal. So, the bottom line is that these are great earbuds with quality sound and many advanced features. However, since I cannot get a proper seal in order to achieve good ANC I cannot recommend them to everyone. If you are among the lucky who don't have the same issue I do, then I would recommend them.

The original Google Pixel Bud A’s have been my longtime favorite. However, the new Pixel Bud 2a’s might have just stolen that title! They are a solid choice if you want wireless earbuds with active noise canceling (ANC) that just work. For the price, the ANC is impressive, blocking out a fair amount of background sounds during commutes, at work, or at home. Comfort is great. I can wear them for hours without any irritation, and they stay put even when I’m moving around. The Pixel Buds are truly one of the most comfortable wireless earbuds I’ve found to date. Connectivity is quick and reliable, especially with my Google Pixel – but I suspect they work just as easily with any mobile device. The case is super portable and fits easily in my pocket without adding much bulk. Battery life is good, claiming to last about seven hours with noise canceling on, and the case gives a few extra charges. Sound quality is clear and balanced, with enough bass for most music styles. However, considering the price point, there are a few features missing that you might care about. The case doesn’t support wireless charging, and there aren’t volume controls on the earbuds themselves. Overall, the Pixel Buds 2a are comfortable, reliable, and now include some decent ANC. Still one of the best deals around!

I have used prior iterations of the the Pixel Buds, and have been pleased with the sound. This 2a model has some important features new features that raise the bar. First, and this is important to me, is battery life. After almost a week of use, I have not yet managed to run the battery down. Mind you, that is with some recharging inside the case between uses, but not much. I have used the buds with noise cancelling enabled which somewhat lessens battery life, but I think that 7 hours of continuous use while out of the case is very good battery life, with about 20 hours life held in the case for re-upping. Second, the Active Noise Control feature is certainly welcomed. I found it effective in lessening background noise while listening to music. It certainly enhances the overall listening experience. I found the sound to be well balanced, with no undue emphasis of either bass or treble. And there was plenty of bass because the buds made a perfect seal in my ear. There are multiple tips furnished to help each user find the best seal. A good seal is essential for full enjoyment of these buds. Comfort was excellent. I wore these buds for hours on end and never experienced any discomfort. More importantly, they never fell out of my ear. The Active Noise Control has three modes: Noise Cancellation, Off and Transparency. I much preferred leaving the ANC on at all times. If I turned it off, the sound field seems to collapse. The Noise Cancellation and Transparency modes, to me, sounded identical - both equally balanced and neutral These buds are excellent in almost every way, but I deducted a star because telephone callers sometimes complained that I sounded distant when we conversed while I was using the Buds. My personal listening experience was completely positive, and I highly recommend these buds.

TLDR: In Ear Bluetooth wireless earphones with Microphones, Noise Cancelling, water resistant, last 7 hours on a charge, have a charging case allows 20 hours of use. Block or Not outside sounds, app allows 5 band equalizer control, invokes Gemini AI, and twists counter clockwise for tighter ear fit. These come nicely packaged in the charging case and are very lightweight. They are packed in a clever cardboard tiny box that is fully recyclable. I kept it since it slides open and close. Clever. I used the Hazel color version which is a flat dark gray, they are also available in Iris which is a pale blue/ light purple shade. Once in the ears it is easy to forget they are being worn and will become part of your being. The sound quality is very good with a strong bass effect and clear cymbals and voices; they do indeed block out most outside sounds when in that Block mode. For safety, that can be switched off and outside sounds will be heard such as when desired while walking in crowded streets, crossing the street or riding a bike or jogging among others. I did not test the water resistance or the heavy perspiration resistance but it is claimed that they are IP54 standard compliant for such resistance. Whatever that is. I believe it. It is now cold in my state and no one is perspiring much. The app has a Find Hub function where it will help you find a lost ear piece with a tap if your smartphone is an Android with OS of Android 9 or newer and your location history function is enabled on your phone. I enjoyed listening to music and news reports while wearing these 2as and when I used them for phone calls both my end of the conversation and the other person both were clear and very audible with no broken or unclear audio speech. I charge them in the supplied charging case by plugging in a USB-C cable from my charger for my Android phone or the one from my Chromebook which also uses USB-C. It is great and I am glad I have them.

They're lightweight and available in a clean white or darker color option. The spatial vent design helps reduce that "plugged ear" feeling while still maintaining decent passive noise isolation. The fit comfortable, They pair well with Android devices and they have a good quality sound. They are affordable

After using the Google Pixel Buds 2a for about a week now, I am very impressed with what they deliver, especially compared to ear buds near the same price point. There are better ear buds on the market for a significantly higher cost, but these will satisfy a lot of customers with their features and performance. These are definitely keepers for me. The Pixel Buds 2a are compact and lightweight, and the case they come in can be easily stashed in my front jeans pocket. They come with three different sized ear inserts, with the medium size already installed on the ear buds. For me, the medium size was perfect, and the Pixel Buds app verified that they created a good fir to my ear. These ear buds are easy to remove from and replace into the case--it can be a one-handed operation. Fitment in the ear requires a counter-clockwise twist for more secure and sealed fit. I have gone walking, running, and cycling with these ear buds in, and they don't budge when twisted in fully. As a side note, this is the first set of ear buds that I can wear with a full-face motorcycle helmet. I can put my helmet on and take it off with the ear buds staying firmly in place. This is huge for me, as I often use navigation on the bike or have to take an emergency call from my boss (more about call quality on the motorcycle later). I have worn them for several hours at a time with no ear discomfort. Even with the small size, the sound these ear buds put out is quite impressive. The bass is deeper, the treble is richer, and the overall sound is much crisper than any ear buds in the same price range--and I will argue that they are just as good as several ear buds in a much higher price range. The app comes with some pre-programmed sound settings and a 5-band equalizer, which provides a decent amount of sound customization. Noise cancellation is a big deal for some, and these ear buds do have a noise cancelling feature. You will not get a full immersice experience like you will with really expensive ear buds, but the Pixel Buds 2a do drown out a lot of background noise--and wearing them in the office provides a nice experience. I tried the noise cancellation on my motorcycle, and these ear buds do make the ride quieter, while still alllowing me to hear enough of what is going on around me to be safely aware. When mountain biking, the experience is the same. There is enough awareness to be safe, yet enough noise cancellation to hear what you want to hear from the ear buds. There is also a "transparency" feature, where the ambient sounds are amplified. This feature works somewhat well. When the ambient noise is at a constant level, the feature works well, but when the ambient noise has a lot of variation, the ear buds will initially amplify the environment when the noise first gets louder, and then it will adjust a few moments later. For example, when mountain biking and I turn my head so that the wind direction into my ears changes, the wind noise amplifies for a few moments before settling down. I actually find that mountain biking and motorcycling with the noise cancellation works a lot better, as it provides the perfect balance between awareness and ambient noise cancellation. I actually have yet to find a pair of ear buds--regardless of price--that does this "transparency" feature well. However, these are buds do it better than most. Integration with my Google Pixel phone is awesome. Pairing and installation was super easy, and the integration of "Hey Google" works really well. When on my motorcycle, I tested the "Hey Google" and the earbuds heard me without issue. I could request navigation, hear the top new stories, get stock market information, skip music tracks, adjust the volume, you name it. I actually called my wife while on the motorcycle and she said she couldn't even tell I was on my bike. That's just a snippet about the voice and call quality! I was also able to use "Hey Google" while on my mountain bike--but at faster speeds, I did have to slightly cup my ear with my hand for the earbuds to pick up my voice. No big deal. I do have the Pixel Buds 2a connected to both my computer and my phone. Switching between the two works well, and audio quality through both is really good. After using these ear buds for about a week, I am literally going to sell nearly every other pair of ear buds I have accumulated over the last few years. This set of ear buds does everything I want them to do--at worst well, and at best, exceptionally. What a great value - I highly recommend them.

I’ve been using the Google Pixel Buds 2a for a few weeks now, and honestly, they’ve surprised me in the best way. I wasn’t expecting much since they’re technically the “affordable” version of the Pixel Buds Pro 2, but they’ve ended up being the pair I grab the most — whether I’m working out, walking, or just zoning out with music. Right out of the box, these feel super lightweight — each earbud is under 5 grams, which makes a huge difference if you wear them for hours. The fit is snug without being jammed in your ear, and I like that Google ditched the old “wing tip” design from the older Pixel Buds. The new stabilizer fin is more subtle but still keeps the buds locked in. I’ve worn them during walks, workouts, and long Zoom meetings, and they stay comfortable. No soreness, no constant readjusting. The Hazel color looks slick and understated — kind of that “Google minimalism” vibe. The sound quality is honestly better than I expected at this price. The bass is fuller than the old Pixel Buds A-Series, and vocals come through really clear. I wouldn’t call them “audiophile-grade,” but for Spotify, YouTube Music, and calls, they’re more than enough. At normal volumes, everything sounds balanced. If you crank them all the way up, the bass can get a little boomy and mids lose a bit of sharpness, but that’s pretty normal for earbuds under $150. Both the buds and the case have IP54 water resistance, so they’re fine for sweaty workouts or getting caught in the rain. Just don’t take them swimming or shower with them. Where these shine is the Google integration. Pairing is instant if you’re on a Pixel or Android phone, and you get access to features like “Find My Device,” in-ear detection, and Google Assistant hands-free. The Clear Calling feature also lives up to its name — people said my voice sounded crisp even when I was walking outside with some background noise. One downside: you still can’t control volume on the earbuds themselves. You have to do it from your phone or your watch, which feels like something Google should’ve fixed by now. Battery life is very respectable. I get around 7 hours with ANC on and close to 10 hours without it, which is more than enough for a day’s use. The case adds another 20-25 hours, and a quick 5-minute charge gives you about an hour of playback. The case doesn’t support wireless charging though — just USB-C. Not a dealbreaker for me, but if you’re used to dropping your buds on a MagSafe pad, you might miss it. A few small gripes: - No wireless charging for the case - No volume control on the earbuds - ANC is good, not great (can’t match the Pixel Buds Pro or Apple AirPods Pro or Sony WF-1000XM5) - Sound loses a little detail at very high volumes But honestly, for the price, those are minor complaints. If I had to sum them up in one line: the Pixel Buds 2a are the best “everyday” earbuds for most Android users right now. They deliver great comfort, surprisingly good sound, solid ANC, and smart Google integration — all for around $129. They don’t feel cheap, and they don’t try too hard to be premium. They just hit that perfect middle ground. If you’re in the Google ecosystem, these are a no-brainer. If you’re coming from the older Pixel Buds A-Series, this is a real upgrade worth the jump.

Normally to get good sound with active noise cancelling (ANC) for earbuds, you’d have to spend a lot to get them. Google manages to bring ANC to their budget earbuds in the form of Pixel Buds 2a. The case is simple and straightforward. It doesn’t have wireless charging like its big brother but that’s fine. It also lacks some of the advanced features its big brother has. But again that is fine. Google designed the Buds 2a to have the basic essentials. The earbuds are uniquely designed and I am finding it tricky to put into my ears. The pre-installed tips are medium-sized and come with 3 other sizes - extra-small, small, and large. I’ve settled on small to fit my ears. Using a Google Pixel 10 Pro XL, the setup process is very easy. The first time you open up the case lid, the phone picks it up and starts the pairing process for you. After the pairing connection is made, it walks you through a couple of preference settings and any other optional settings. Settings and preferences are handled through the Connected Devices section. This may be different if you use a different Android phone (likely via the Pixel Buds app). In it, there are 3 ANC settings: on, off, and transparency. It’s a shame that there is no custom level of ANC for transparency. But for a budget ANC earbuds, I suppose that’s acceptable for now. Sound EQ has 5 adjustment values which is nice for fine tuning the sound profile. Some only give you a mere 3 which doesn’t help much for audio tuning. Sound is quite nice for budget earbuds. But getting them to sound good depends on how well they fit into your ears. In the short time I’ve used them and the music I’ve used for playback, I didn’t hear anything out of the ordinary, which is quite a surprise. I am definitely happy that people can purchase these earbuds and not worry about bad audio tuning. I wasn’t able to determine battery life for the earbuds. Unfortunately time constraints prevent me from being able to use them for long sessions. But the expected battery life means it is long enough to endure an extended trip like a long flight or train ride. At the end of the day, the Buds 2a is a great basic ANC earbuds that comes at an affordable price. You’re only missing the advanced features found in its higher tiered sibling. While there are other potential products that could provide the same functionality as the Buds 2a, there is a risk in purchasing from a brand that you may never heard of. If I am looking for earbuds that complement the smartphone, then the Buds 2a is the way to go. The Good: comfortable, 5 level EQ, good sound The Bad: tricky to put on, only 3 ANC modes The Ugly: trying to find that right fit with the included tip sizes Verdict: highly recommended for basic ANC earbuds

It didn't take long for me to ditch my over-the-ear noise cancelling headphones in favor of the Pixel Buds 2a. While I absolutely love my over-the-ears for their phenomenal sound quality and isolation, the Pixel Buds are among the best fitting, best sounding, best ANC IN-EAR buds I have ever tried. Flying frequently, I thought that over-the-ear noise cancelling headphones were the only way to get peace and quiet on a plane. However, they aren't the best for falling asleep against the window as vibrations would work their way into the headband effectively cancelling the ANC feature of my over-the-ears, or the headrest would dislodge a muff from an ear. With the in-ear buds, I don't have that concern on a plane anymore. The Pixel 2a buds have noise cancelling that is nearly as good as my Sony over-the-ear, the sound quality is impressive (and EQ-able from the app), the fit is well balanced and snug thanks in part to their "twist to fit" design (I don't fear them falling out if I fall asleep, or while hustling through an airport to catch a connecting flight), and the touch controls are responsive and on par with other touch commands for headphones (i.e. one-tap to pause/resume music or answer a call, long-press to start voice commands, etc.). That being said, there are a couple of disappointments moving from an over-the-ear to in-ear noise cancelling buds starting with battery life. These tiny buds can only hold so much juice--and they do a good job of providing 7-8hrs (my testing) battery life with ANC on about 80% of the time, which is less than your standard over-the-ear headphones. Fortunately, the storage case is also a battery pack that charges the buds fairly quickly--up to an hour for 5 minutes in the case is what Google claims...or 1.5 hours to fully charge the buds from the case. 1hr to fully charge the case. I also had some issues with noise bleed-thru that I don't have with over-the-ear headphones. Usually that comes from the "seal" of the earbud losing its "snugness" which just requires a little twisting or re-inserting of the bud affected, but I also feel like some noises sneak through that I shouldn't hear--usually things with a higher pitch/frequency. Nonetheless, constant noise (think lawnmower, airplane engine, crowds, etc.) is well cancelled. Price is about right for the quality and features. The Pixel Buds app shows you how much juice you have for each bud, plus the case. Location finding works just fine with the Google Find Hub in case you misplace your buds...or wonder if you left them back at the hotel by accident. The app lets you customize the touch controls, but again, you cannot use touch to control volume which is a disappointment for me. You can pair the buds to multiple devices and "real-time" switch between which device is active ("multipoint"--but you have to pair your buds to multiple devices first before multipoint works, of course). I definitely recommend these buds for everyday use.

These are my first Pixel buds. I have been looking for an Android ecosystem friendly pair of buds that would give me some additional functionality beyond just a Bluetooth connection. The Pixel Buds 2A come in at a reasonable price, but are they good. In a few words, I was shocked. These hit way above the quality line that I expected for being the lower priced option below the “Pro” line. First off, I anticipated that I would have to figure out the size of the tips for my ears, generally needing the large tip for my right ear and the medium for my left. This set was no different. The tips are silicone, and are pretty typical. The first thing I did notice that was pleasing to me was that these are very lightweight. Noticeably so in my ears, with them staying in and not feeling a dragging down sensation that gives me concern they might fall out. They are small too, so they are very low footprint in my ears. I paired them with my phone and the quick pair function built into Android was streamlined. Immediately I was pushed a firmware update which I appreciate. Quick update and I then opened my music app. Initially I had them in aware mode and it was fine, nothing hugely different from other experiences, especially in the budget friendly tier. What did amaze me though was when I went into ANC mode. The immediate and effective silence from these blew me away. I tested them with a YouTube track of aircraft cabin noise from my surround sound system to see how they would do, and there was no sound. I walked around outside and had no people noise that interrupted me, even without music playing. Such a good value already! So then I put on some music. There is no way these are not more expensive. The separation of lows, mids, and highs was crazy. The bass lines were clean and not overblown. The highs were bright but not overly so, giving me good feeling of voices and things like cymbals and brass. The mids pushed the lows and highs out of the way, but not too much giving me a broad soundstage that felt surround like. Without an immersion setting. It was wild. I didn’t think this would be the case at all. I’m now completely sold on Google’s tuning. These go toe to toe with competition I didn’t even think would be possible. Overall, I have no hesitation recommending these. The one caveat I would give is that if you plan to use these with the iOS ecosystem, they still sound amazing, but you can’t do things like update the firmware or tune the eq if you want. That takes an Android based device. Otherwise, if you just want a solid Bluetooth performing set of buds, these are it.

I’ve had a lot of different earbuds from a lot of different manufacturers, but never ones designed specifically for smooth integration with my Pixel phone. The release of the Pixel Buds 2A brings most of the advantages of the Pixel Buds Pro at a wallet-friendly price. The initial setup is amazingly simple. Unbox the buds, open the flip-top of the charging case, and press the button on the back of the case. A few seconds later, a pop-up appears on the phone telling you that the buds have connected to the phone and are now associated with your account. That was literally the easiest earbud setup I’ve ever experienced! What would normally take a few steps to open settings, go to Bluetooth settings, etc. is now handled by that single button press. This is how it should be! Once connected, you can tweak the settings for the buds in the Pixel Buds app. This is where you can set the behavior of long presses, turn on ANC, and choose the levels on the 5-band equalizer. The app is intuitive and makes it easy to find what you need, including links to videos with further instructions. Google touts its new “twist to fit” feature of the Pixel Buds 2A. It’s basically a rounded fin on the back of the ear bud. Twisting the bud counterclockwise allows the fin to nestle into the back of your ear, making for a more secure fit. Twisting clockwise will create a looser fit and presumably not seal as tightly in the ear canal. Personally, I prefer the tighter fit all the time. Part of the reason for my preference is that these are very comfortable to wear. The app also includes an ear seal fit check to ensure that you’re using the optimal ear tips and are wearing them properly. After choosing my EQ settings, I was ready for some music. The sound is clear and has a somewhat neutral signature. What I mean by that is that the bass is solid but not muddy and the highs are clear but not overly crisp. In other words, the sound signature is probably designed to appeal to most people. After listening to several different musical genres, I was very pleased with the sound these buds produced. Active noise cancellation works quite well, and it’s easy to toggle it on and off with a long press on your choice of earbuds. The other one can be set up to start your phone’s digital assistant. In addition to ANC, there is also a transparency mode, where the sounds around you are slightly amplified to overcome the fact that you’ve got something in your ears. This version sounds more real than what I’ve experienced on lots of other buds. Lastly, you can turn off all noise processing and just get the natural sounds that you get with buds in your ears. Call quality was surprisingly good. Unlike many other earbuds, callers could not tell I was using the buds. The sound on my end was just as good. Many buds focus on music quality at the expense of call quality, but I’m happy to report that the Pixel Buds 2A do not. That’s refreshing, especially at this price point. Speaking of price point, it’s also refreshing that Google is offering such a quality product at a reasonable price. I’ve been bothered by the recent trend of ever-higher prices for ear buds, so I hope this strikes a blow for more reasonable pricing. I don’t have the Pixel Buds Pro, but reviews I’ve read say that 2A buds provide most of the same performance for a lot less money. These are solid earbuds that won’t break the bank. A nice touch was the addition of a “find my buds” feature. This allows you to have the case start chirping, even if it’s closed. Not only that, but the app can also pinpoint the location of the case on a map. I expect that kind of tech to be on my phone, but it was impressive to find it on earbuds, especially at this price point. Lastly, the Buds 2A also support multipoint pairing, which I think is a must these days. This allows you to pair the buds with both your phone and laptop. Once that’s done, the buds will automatically switch to whichever device is putting out sound. It also prioritizes calls, so that if you’re listening to something on your laptop when a call comes in to your phone, it will prioritize the call and switch automatically to it. This is very convenient. Overall, I think the Pixel Buds 2A are an incredible value with performance beyond what you’d expect. These don’t feel like a step down from the Pro, so you can feel good about choosing these.

As long as I have the Pixel 10 Pro, I wanted to try some pixel buds to see if keeping in the same ecosystem is worth it. After trying the 2a's out, I'd say there's nothing really special about doing that specifically. That said, these are good buds. They sound great for the size and are very comfortable. You can twist them to have a looser or more snug fit and there are several ear tip sizes included. They never even tried popping out of my ears. Battery life is good. I get around 7 hrs of use on a charge. The charging case (which is just USB C not wireless) got me 2 more charges. The case charges in about an hour and a half and the buds in just under an hour to full. Setup was easy but a bit of a let down. I figured pixel to pixel would be a breeze but I had to go and set up Bluetooth the "old fashioned" way. I did also try these on a Z fold 5 and they popped right up on screen and basically set themselves up. Weird. The noise cancelling for ear buds is definitely noticeable. It blocks out quite a bit. Sound quality is good as well. Not big bass but decent and nice clear audio. The only thing I noticed is that if specifically using a pixel phone, a spacial audio toggle pops up in settings. I tried it out and didn't really notice anything special. I even tried specific videos on YouTube for it and couldn't tell. The app tells you how the touch controls work but are not customizable. As long as these don't have the swipe for volume, I'd like the option to change what some of the taps do. Play/pause and volume up/down are my main wants. These Pixel 2a buds sound good and are comfortable. Definitely worth a try at this price point.

The Google Pixel Buds 2a gives you all of the key functionality and just a few less perks at a cost that is nearly half that of the "pro" version. I applaud Google for creating a great product at this price point. One of the most important aspects of ear buds is the fit, and the Pixel 2a buds delivers. I have rather large ear canals and my wife has VERY small ear canals and she can never find buds that fit well. The Pixel Buds 2a come with four different tip sizes (XS, S, M, L). More importantly, the shape of the earbuds allow them to be more securely fitted to the ear. There is a little tab that twists into the ear and it is this, with the XS tips, that has allowed my wife to finally find ear buds that fit and are comfortable to her. The buds are also quite small which I like, slightly smaller than the Pro version. Likewise the pill case is also a little smaller and fits in a pocket more easily. Battery life is acceptable if not the best in class. I'm guessing they would last around 5-6 hours with noise cancellation active. Speaking of noise cancellation, it is quite good. When setting up the buds for the first time it runs through a calibration to make sure you are getting the best fit and will make suggestions if the ambient noise is too high, such as a larger tip or to make sure the buds are seated properly in the ear. Works with Google Gemini for hands free operation.