The Pixel Buds Pro 2 have been the best earbuds for Pixel phone owners since they arrived last fall. With the Pixel Buds 2a ($129) though, there’s no longer a clear-cut buying decision. This more affordable model finally has active noise cancellation (ANC) as just one of its many updates. It makes sense, then, that the Pixel Buds 2a are more expensive than their predecessors, the Pixel Buds A-Series. Still, there are sacrifices to be made if you decide to save $60 by choosing them over the Pro 2.

What’s new on the Pixel Buds 2a?

The biggest upgrade on the Pixel Buds 2a is the addition of active noise cancellation. On the previous A-Series earbuds, Google opted to retain any ANC abilities for the pricier Pixel Buds Pro line. While the company continues to reserve its best ANC performance for that model, the Pixel Buds 2a will still deliver some level of relief. It’s nowhere near what the best noise canceling earbuds can muster, but in most circumstances, it’s better than nothing.

Another major change is the updated design. Google decided to keep its earbud aesthetic consistent, so the 2a mirrors the Pixel Buds Pro 2 with a tiny stature and the “twist-to-adjust stabilizer” instead of a “stabilizer arc.” The new version of the stabilizer is more of a hump than anything else, but it’s just enough to hold the earbuds in place. Overall, the combination of size and the stabilizer offer a comfortable fit, with balanced weight that never feels like you’re hauling something on the sides of your head.

What’s good about the Pixel Buds 2a?

In addition to the improved comfort, Google bolstered the sound quality on the Pixel Buds 2a as well. You still get spatial audio, albeit without head tracking, but these earbuds do well with non-immersive content too. Through a range of genres from metal to jazz, the 2a offered crisp, detailed sound while much of the competition in this price range struggles with clarity. Oftentimes a set of $130 earbuds will come off muffled, like in Turnstile’s “I CARE,” but the Pixel Buds 2a keep the kick drum punchy and the vocals clear.

Bass performance is another area where midrange earbuds tend to struggle, but the 2a holds its own with respectable performance here. Throughout Deftones’ private music, it maintained the low-end growl of Stephen Carpenter’s 7- and 8-string guitars. The tuning wasn’t just relegated to handling Abe Cunningham’s bass drum. And it’s not just raucous genres either: there’s plenty of deep tone in Ruston Kelly’s acoustic guitar on Pale, through the Window.

Another perk of the Pixel Buds 2a is their Hearing Wellness updates that help you maintain healthy listening habits. In the Pixel Buds app, you’ll see both current listening and exposure levels, as well as comparisons for the last 24 hours and seven days. You can also opt to receive volume level notifications so you’ll be aware when you exceed the exposure limit. The hearing health tools on the Pixel Buds Pro 2 are more comprehensive, but it’s nice to see level tracking on a set of mid-range earbuds. It’s certainly better than nothing.

Potential dealbreakers on the Pixel Buds 2a

Besides more robust ANC performance, there are several differences between the Pixel Buds 2a and the Pixel Buds Pro 2. Those are almost entirely the advanced features the pricier model offers, despite both sets having the same Tensor A1 chip. Of those, there are three major tools the 2a doesn’t have: Adaptive Audio, Loud Noise Protection and Conversation Detection. The first two are new additions to the Pixel Buds Pro 2 in recent weeks, but they provide automatic adjustments that either maintain audio performance or assist with hearing health.

You also won’t be able to use head gestures to answer calls or reply to texts like you can on the Pixel Buds Pro 2. And for Gemini users, the ability to converse with Google’s AI in noisy environments isn’t available on the 2a either. You can still talk to Gemini Live on these cheaper earbuds, but you’ll need to be mindful of ambient noise levels when doing so.

Another key difference between the 2a and Pro 2 is related to battery and charging. The biggest issue here is the Pixel Buds 2a’s case doesn’t support wireless charging. Battery life on the Pro model is eight hours with ANC off or 12 hours with it on. On the 2a, that’s seven hours and 10 hours respectively. During my tests with the Pixel Buds 2a, I easily got a full workday out of the earbuds with a mix of ANC and transparency mode. That’s what I’d consider “normal” use with the former setting for focus time and the latter for calls and keeping tabs on my mischievous cocker spaniel.

While the Pixel Buds 2a are equipped with what Google calls “AI-powered Clear Calling,” they don’t have the same beamforming microphones and voice accelerometer as the Pro 2. As a result, voice performance suffers on the more affordable model. It’s perfectly fine for casual conversations and last-minute work chats, but you’ll want something better for situations when you’re recording audio or leading the discussion.

Lastly, the Pixel Buds 2a don’t have onboard volume controls. This is the biggest dealbreaker for me. In the year 2025, it’s infuriating to have to reach for my phone or keyboard to adjust the volume of my music or podcasts (looking at you, AirPods 4). I understand Google had to sacrifice some features to sell the 2a for $129, but this is a basic one I really wish it had kept.

Wrap-up

You can certainly use the Pixel Buds 2a with an iPhone or Galaxy device, but like the Pixel Buds Pro, you’re going to get the best out of these if you have a Pixel phone. Like Google’s previous models, these were built to be a conduit to Gemini Live and you’ll sacrifice some of the main features if you use the 2a with a non-Pixel device.

If you do have a Pixel handset, there’s a lot to like here, including punchy sound, a comfy fit and respectable battery life. The limited hearing health tools are still handy and the addition of ANC is a welcome change. The best Google has to offer on Pixel Buds is still exclusive to the Pro 2, but the 2a is a perfectly capable audio companion for most Pixel phone owners.