Google Pixel Buds 2a: Pixel Buds 2a in-ear earbuds with a USB-C charging case; the Fog, Berry, Iris and Hazel colours share the same hardware. The Pixel Buds A-Series and Pixel Buds Pro 2 are separate models.
Sony WH-1000XM5: WH-1000XM5; colours vary by region: black, silver, midnight blue, pink and platinum. The later WH-1000XM6 is a separate product.
| Specification | Google Pixel Buds 2a | Sony WH-1000XM5 |
|---|---|---|
| Release year | 2025 | 2022 |
| Type | In-ear true wireless; wing-tip stabiliser, four ear-tip sizes (XS, S, M, L) Google | — |
| Processor | Google Tensor A1 in each earbud Google | — |
| Driver | 11 mm dynamic driver Google | 30 mm dynamic driver, closed back, neodymium magnet Sony |
| Noise cancelling | Active noise cancellation (Silent Seal 1.5); transparency mode; active in-ear pressure relief Google | Active noise cancelling; Integrated Processor V1 and HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN1; 8 microphones in total (4 noise-sensing per earcup) Sony |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.4; pairs with Bluetooth 4.0+ devices Google | — |
| Calls | Two microphones per earbud; Bluetooth super wideband; Clear Calling; wind-blocking mesh Google | — |
| Battery | ANC on: 7 hours (20 hours with case); ANC off: 10 hours (27 hours with case); 5 minutes of charging gives 1 hour Google | 30 hours of music with noise cancelling on, 40 hours off; 24/32 hours of calls Sony |
| Charging case | USB-C charging; no wireless charging listed Google | — |
| Durability | Earbuds IP54, case IPX4 Google | — |
| Sensors | Capacitive touch controls; IR proximity sensor for in-ear detection; Hall sensor in the case Google | — |
| Size and weight | Earbud 23.1 × 16.0 × 17.8 mm, 4.7 g; case 50.0 × 24.5 × 57.2 mm, 47.6 g with earbuds Google | — |
| Updates | Automatic security updates for at least three years from first availability on the US Google Store Google | — |
| Colours | Fog, Berry, Iris, Hazel Google | — |
| Frequency response | — | Bluetooth: 20 Hz–20 kHz (44.1 kHz), 20 Hz–40 kHz with LDAC (96 kHz/990 kbps); wired: 4 Hz–40 kHz Sony |
| Bluetooth and codecs | — | Bluetooth 5.2; SBC, AAC, LDAC; A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP; multipoint (two devices) Sony |
| Call microphones | — | 4 beamforming microphones; AI-based noise reduction, wind noise reduction Sony |
| Charging | — | Full charge in about 3.5 hours via USB; about 3 hours of playback from 3 minutes with a USB-PD adapter Sony |
| Controls and sensors | — | Touch panel on the right earcup; NC/Ambient button on the left; wear sensor; Speak-to-Chat Sony |
| Spatial audio | — | DSEE Extreme upscaling; 360 Reality Audio support Sony |
| Impedance and sensitivity | — | 48 Ω when on, 16 Ω when off; 102/100 dB/mW Sony |
| Weight and in the box | — | About 250 g; soft collapsible carrying case, 1.2 m L-shaped cable (3.5 mm), USB charging cable Sony |
| App | — | Sony Sound Connect: equaliser, shortcut settings, listening history, Safe Listening Sony |