Headphones · 2025 · Google

Google Pixel Buds 2a

The Pixel Buds 2a are Google’s affordable in-ear earbuds. They offer a Tensor A1 chip, active noise cancellation, transparency mode, Bluetooth 5.4 and 7 hours of battery with ANC on. Testing found comfort and battery life adequate; opinions are split on noise cancelling and call quality.

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.

Specifications

SpecificationValue
TypeIn-ear true wireless; wing-tip stabiliser, four ear-tip sizes (XS, S, M, L)
ProcessorGoogle Tensor A1 in each earbud
Driver11 mm dynamic driver
Noise cancellingActive noise cancellation (Silent Seal 1.5); transparency mode; active in-ear pressure relief

Pressure relief adjusts pressure in the ear canal to reduce the blocked feeling of a sealed in-ear design.

ConnectivityBluetooth 5.4; pairs with Bluetooth 4.0+ devices

Full features need an Android 6.0+ phone and a Google account; on iPhone basic listening works but app settings are unavailable.

CallsTwo microphones per earbud; Bluetooth super wideband; Clear Calling; wind-blocking mesh

Super wideband carries a wider audio range on calls with compatible Pixel phones.

BatteryANC on: 7 hours (20 hours with case); ANC off: 10 hours (27 hours with case); 5 minutes of charging gives 1 hour
Charging caseUSB-C charging; no wireless charging listed
DurabilityEarbuds IP54, case IPX4

IP54 protects against dust and splashing water; the earbuds are not designed to be submerged.

SensorsCapacitive touch controls; IR proximity sensor for in-ear detection; Hall sensor in the case
Size and weightEarbud 23.1 × 16.0 × 17.8 mm, 4.7 g; case 50.0 × 24.5 × 57.2 mm, 47.6 g with earbuds
UpdatesAutomatic security updates for at least three years from first availability on the US Google Store
ColoursFog, Berry, Iris, Hazel

From the manufacturer

Google presents the Pixel Buds 2a with active noise cancellation new to the A series and the same Tensor A1 audio chip as the Pixel Buds Pro 2. Google Store

Strengths and limitations

  • In SoundGuys’ standard test the battery lasted 6 h 46 min with ANC on, close to Google’s 7-hour figure. SoundGuys praised long-term comfort and the twist-to-fit wing tip. TechRadar found the noise cancelling subtle and the sound unremarkable, and the app’s fit test failed for its reviewer.

    SoundGuys and TechRadar reviews; full text could not be read, findings from search excerpts were used. Fit varies between people.

    SoundGuys: Google Pixel Buds 2a review

Owner experiences and issues

  • On Best Buy Canada the most repeated criticisms are fit and call quality: Hapyfish and Parker say callers struggle to hear them and Kbarnes says they sound muffled. AliciaW says the wing tip pressed into the inner ear and returned them; Cody says the right bud fails the fit test. Two separate people report noise from one earbud after under a month or close to a year of use: Cody hears a hum with ANC on and L hears crackling when moving their head. Cole says one bud kept dropping its connection and played static on day one. EVANG says the case plastic wore and discoloured within four days, and user615987 finds the noise cancelling weaker than old Bose earbuds. DMP and Bhoys find setup with a Pixel phone and battery life trouble-free.

    Best Buy Canada Hazel (186 reviews) and Fog (83 reviews) listings; low-rated and longer reviews were scanned first. Promotional syndicated Best Buy US reviews and Canadian buyer reviews together; Cole’s two reviews and AliciaW’s two reviews were each counted as one person. Individual reports; no failure rate was drawn.

    Best Buy Canada: Google Pixel Buds 2a customer reviews (Hazel and Fog)

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Sources

  1. Google Store: Pixel Buds 2a tech specs
  2. SoundGuys: Google Pixel Buds 2a review
  3. TechRadar: Google Pixel Buds 2a review
  4. Best Buy Canada: Google Pixel Buds 2a customer reviews (Hazel and Fog)