The Google Pixel Buds A-Series Truly Wireless are the more wallet-friendly sibling of the Google Pixel Buds 2020 Truly Wireless. These headphones have the same rounded look as their predecessor and a similar overall sound. However, they lack a few features, like auto-pause, volume control, and wireless charging. You can adjust their sound thanks to their 'Bass Boost' feature, but you won't find as many customization options as other premium models on the market. Their 5.5-hour battery life isn't the most impressive, either, even with an extra 3.8 charges in their case.
Our Verdict
The Google Pixel Buds A-Series are fair for neutral sound. They have a somewhat neutral sound profile but an underemphasized bass range. A dip in the mid-treble also dulls sibilants like cymbals a bit. Since they're in-ears, their passive soundstage also doesn't feel very immersive or spacious. On the upside, they have fairly consistent audio delivery once you achieve a good fit.
- Comfortable, well-built design.
- Consistent audio delivery.
- Sub-par battery life.
- Lacks robust sound customization features.
The Google Pixel Buds A-Series are okay for commute and travel. Thanks to their small size, they fit into most pockets and bags, which makes it easy to take them with you on the go. They also have a comfortable fit and feel well-built. However, they don't block out background noise like the low rumble of bus or plane engines. Their 5.5-hour continuous playback time may also not be enough for long trips.
- Comfortable, well-built design.
- Consistent audio delivery.
- Don't really block out background noise.
- Sub-par battery life.
The Google Pixel Buds A-Series are great for sports and fitness. They're portable enough to take on the go, and their IPX4 rating for water resistance keeps them safe from light exposure to the elements. A lightweight and comfortable design is great for longer workout sessions, but depending on your ear shape, you may have trouble attaining a stable in-ear fit.
- Comfortable, well-built design.
- Consistent audio delivery.
- Sub-par battery life.
The Google Pixel Buds A-Series are acceptable for office use. They have a comfortable and breathable fit suitable for long days at your desk. However, they have trouble blocking out ambient noise like office chatter, and their 5.5-hour battery life may not be enough to get you through your workday without pausing to recharge them. They also lack multi-device pairing.
- Comfortable, well-built design.
- Consistent audio delivery.
- Don't really block out background noise.
- Sub-par battery life.
These Bluetooth-only headphones aren't recommended for wireless gaming. While you can game with them on a mobile device or Bluetooth-enabled PC, their high audio latency makes them less than ideal for this use.
These Bluetooth-only headphones can't be used wired.
They're passable for phone calls. They have an integrated mic, which does a satisfactory job of recording your voice. While your voice is clear to whoever's on the other end of the line, it also sounds thin and lacks depth. The mic also struggles to separate speech from ambient noise, so if you're taking an important call, it's better to do so from a quiet environment.
- Satisfactory recording quality.
- Comfortable, well-built design.
- Consistent audio delivery.
- Mediocre noise handling.
- Don't really block out background noise.
- Sub-par battery life.
Changelog
- Updated Oct 02, 2023: Cleaned up the review text for clarity and consistency. No changes in test results.
- Updated Aug 01, 2022: Due to user feedback, we've retested 'Stability' and dropped the score from 8.0 to 7.5. Although they have stability wings, their stability relies on how well they fit your ear shape. Upon retesting, we noticed that one bud was stable in the ear, but the other one would fall out during high-intensity movements. That said, if you can achieve a good seal, they shouldn't move around or fall out.
- Updated Aug 04, 2021: Review published.
- Updated Jul 29, 2021: Early access published.
Check Price
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The Google Pixel Buds A-Series come in a couple of color variants: 'Clearly White' , 'Charcoal', 'Sea', and 'Dark Olive'. We tested the 'Clearly White' variant and you can see our model's label here. If you come across another variant of these headphones, please let us know in the forums below, and we'll update our review.
Popular Headphones Comparisons
The Google Pixel Buds A-Series are very similar headphones to the Google Pixel Buds 2020 Truly Wireless, although they're more barebones in design. These in-ears lack volume control and an auto-off feature. Their carrying case also doesn't support wireless charging. They still perform very similarly to the Pixel Buds 2020, with a somewhat neutral sound profile and an unimpressive battery performance.
Check out our recommendations for the best wireless Bluetooth earbuds, the best earbuds and in-ear headphones, and the best true wireless earbuds.
The Google Pixel Buds A-Series Truly Wireless and the Beats Studio Buds True Wireless are similarly performing headphones. Both headphones are comfortable and well-built. The Google earbuds' sound profile is more neutral, which some users may prefer, and their mic offers better overall performance. However, the Beats have ANC and can isolate you from more ambient noise. They also leak less audio, and you can use one bud while the other one charges.
The Google Pixel Buds A-Series Truly Wireless are the budget-friendly sibling of the Google Pixel Buds 2020 Truly Wireless but perform very similarly. Both headphones have a comfortable and well-built design with balanced sound profiles. However, the Pixel Buds 2020 have a higher total battery life and offer volume control. They also support wireless charging.
The Google Pixel Buds Pro are a more premium alternative to the Google Pixel Buds A-Series Truly Wireless. The Pro are better for most people, thanks to their effective ANC that blocks out background noise. They also offer more control over the sound profile. That said, the A-Series have a more comfortable and stable fit.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro are slightly better in-ears than the Google Pixel Buds A-Series Truly Wireless. The Samsung have ANC and can block out a decent amount of ambient noise around you, have a companion app with EQ presets so that you can adjust their sound, and leak less audio. You can also use one bud while the other charges.
Our How We Test Headphones article takes you behind the scenes in our lab. You'll learn how we choose and purchase products and dive into the details of our review philosophy, from testing and scoring to writing and editing.
You can also discover how we produce recommendations like this one so that you can find the best headphones (or earbuds!) for your needs.
Test Results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
