Google's latest earbuds, the Pixel Buds Pro, are now available alongside their third-generation wireless earbuds, the Pixel Buds A-Series. While the Buds Pro come at a higher price of $200, the A-Series is a budget-friendly option, priced at $99. Here's a breakdown of how they compare and which one is the best fit for you.
Price, Specs, and Availability
Both earbuds are available at Amazon, Best Buy, or directly from the Google Store. The Pixel Buds Pro retail for $200, and the A-Series costs $99. However, the Pro buds are frequently on sale for less than their retail price.
Hardware and Battery Life
The Pixel Buds Pro and A-Series share a similar design aesthetic, with the debossed G logo on each earbud. However, the Pro buds are larger and heavier than the lightweight A-Series, and may not fit as comfortably in some ears.
The Pixel Buds A-Series feature a spatial vent to relieve in-ear pressure and let external sound in, while the Pixel Buds Pro have a more closed design. Instead, the Pro buds have a transparency mode that uses microphones to pipe sound from your environment into your ears while listening to your media. The Pixel Buds Pro also have a pressure monitoring feature to ensure comfortable wear, although Google has not elaborated on how this process works.
The A-Series come in Dark Olive and Clearly White, while the Pro buds come in Charcoal, Fog, Lemongrass, and Coral. The Pixel Buds A-Series have a battery life of five hours of playback, while the Pixel Buds Pro have a battery life of up to seven hours with active noise cancellation and up to 11 hours without ANC. Both pairs of buds can be charged twice from their cases, which charge via USB-C. The Pixel Buds Pro's case also supports wireless charging, while the A-Series does not.
Which one is right for you?
The Pixel Buds A-Series is an excellent budget-friendly option for those who value the spatial vent and a comfortable fit. While the battery life is shorter, the A-Series provides great sound quality for the price point.
For those who are willing to invest in a higher-end earbud, the Pixel Buds Pro offers features like active noise cancellation, transparency mode, and longer battery life. While the Pro buds are pricier, they deliver high-quality audio and comfortable wear.
Audio Quality, Connectivity, and Features
When it comes to earbuds, Google's Pixel Buds lineup offers two compelling options: the Pixel Buds A-Series and the Pixel Buds Pro. While both earbuds have a lot in common, they also have some significant differences in terms of audio quality, connectivity, and features. Let's take a closer look at what each earbud has to offer.
Audio Quality
At $99, the Pixel Buds A-Series provides excellent audio quality. Despite their slim design, these earbuds offer clear and full sound, with more bass than you would expect. However, the $200 Pixel Buds Pro doesn't offer a significant improvement in overall sound quality compared to the A-Series. Both earbuds support the AAC and SBC codecs, but they don't support higher bitrate standards like aptX or LDAC. While this may not matter if you mostly stream audio through services like Spotify or YouTube Music, if you're an audiophile seeking premium sound quality, neither of these earbuds would meet your expectations.
Also Read: Google Pixel 6a vs Pixel 5a
Connectivity
There have been reports of Bluetooth connectivity issues with the Pixel Buds A-Series, including audio skips, static, and outright disconnects. Although the connectivity is generally okay, it may become problematic if you're listening outside with your phone in a bag or back pocket. The Pixel Buds Pro, on the other hand, don't have these connectivity issues and provide more stable connectivity.
Features
Aside from improved fundamentals like battery life and connectivity, the Pixel Buds Pro offers an impressive feature set that distinguishes it from the A-Series. Both earbuds support Fast Pair on Android and have optional always-on "Hey Google" listening for hands-free Assistant access. However, the Buds Pro has more desirable features than the A-Series, including active noise cancellation and Bluetooth multipoint, which lets you connect to two audio sources at once (such as a phone and a laptop). Additionally, the Buds Pro's case can charge wirelessly, while the A-Series case is USB-C only.
Which one should you buy?
The Pixel Buds A-Series cost $99, while the Pixel Buds Pro cost twice as much at $200. If you're looking for decent-sounding earbuds and don't care much about the bells and whistles, the A-Series might be the right choice for you. However, if you want earbuds for noisy environments, the Pixel Buds Pro would be the better choice. With active noise cancellation and an excellent transparency mode, the Pro offers a way to filter out external sounds selectively. Moreover, the Buds Pro provides better battery life, premium features like Bluetooth multipoint, and more stable connectivity, making them a great investment for those looking for premium earbuds.
Spatial Vent Design
The Pixel Buds A-Series feature a unique vented hardware design that provides superior ear comfort and situational awareness. However, this design also means that external sound leakage is always present, which can be a problem if you're trying to block out distracting noises. Additionally, the lack of ANC means that the only way to filter out more of your surroundings is to increase the volume, which can be harmful to your ears.
Final Words
Both the Pixel Buds A-Series and Pixel Buds Pro have their pros and cons, depending on what you're looking for in a pair of earbuds. While the A-Series offers decent audio quality and comfortable design, the Pixel Buds Pro is an excellent choice for those who want premium features like active noise cancellation and Bluetooth multipoint. Ultimately, your choice will depend on your needs, preferences, and budget.