86
Rolling StoneTier 2 outlet, weighted 75%Oct 23, 2025
“Google’s Pixel 2a earbuds are a great value at $129.”
By Jonathan Zavaleta · Unrated, scored from textFull review
Headphones
Google Pixel Buds 2a
Google · From $129
Release date Oct 9, 2025
78
Recommended
Based on 11 Critic Reviews
7 with a published score, 4 scored from text · How it works
Latest review May 30, 2026
1 Rave8 Positive2 Favorable
Critics' Take
Critics like the small, comfortable fit and the addition of active noise cancellation at $129, and several call them a solid value for Pixel owners. Sound and noise cancelling are described as decent rather than class leading, and reviewers note missing perks such as wireless charging, on-bud volume control and iOS features. Several say the Pixel Buds Pro 2 or rival budget buds are better picks unless the 2a is discounted.
What critics loved
- Small, comfortable fit
- Active noise cancellation added at this price
- Improved battery life over the A-Series
- Hands-free Gemini on Pixel phones
Common gripes
- No wireless charging
- No on-bud volume control
- ANC and call quality trail the Pixel Buds Pro 2
- Many features need a Pixel phone
- Price rose $30 over the A-Series
Critic Scorecard
11 reviewsSort:
Weighted by outlet tier:Tier 1 outlet, weighted 100%100%Tier 2 outlet, weighted 75%75%Tier 3 outlet, weighted 40%40%Tier 4 outlet, weighted 20%20%
84
Android FaithfulTier 4 outlet, weighted 20%Oct 8, 2025
“It's everything earbuds at this price should be: comfortable to wear, effective at blocking out the overstimulating world, and enough battery life that you can forget them in a bag for a few days.”
Outlet shows four heart icons rather than a numeric score, so no rating is recorded.
By Florence Ion · Unrated, scored from textFull review
82
EngadgetTier 1 outlet, weighted 100%Oct 8, 2025
“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.”
By Billy Steele · Rated 82/100Full review
82
GizmodoTier 2 outlet, weighted 75%Oct 8, 2025
“If you’re buying any A-series Google device, you’re in search of value, and this year, for $30 more you get ANC and a much-improved battery life.”
By James Pero · Rated 4/5Full review
78
TechGearLabTier 3 outlet, weighted 40%May 30, 2026
“All that said, we think these little buds are impressive for the price”
Page also carries TechGearLab's 'Best Value Buds for Android' Best Buy Award (not an Editors' Choice).
By Rachael Lamore · Rated 76/100Full review
78
Android HeadlinesTier 3 outlet, weighted 40%Nov 13, 2025
“I wouldn't say Google changed the game or anything here, but it did deliver a really solid pair of budget earbuds.”
Page shows star icons but the exact score was not readable, so no rating is recorded.
By Justin Diaz · Unrated, scored from textFull review
Show 5 more reviews ▾Show fewer ▴
76
Android CentralTier 2 outlet, weighted 75%Oct 8, 2025
“The Google Pixel Buds 2a are a nice set of midrange earbuds that aim to bring Pixel Buds Pro 2 features down to a lower price point.”
By Brady Snyder · Rated 3.5/5Full review
76
SoundGuysTier 3 outlet, weighted 40%Nov 20, 2025
“The Google Pixel Buds 2a are the perfect affordable companion to a Pixel phone.”
By Christian Thomas · Rated 7.4/10Full review
75
TechRadarTier 2 outlet, weighted 75%Dec 29, 2025
“The Google Pixel Buds 2a solve a slew of problems the company's past earbuds have faced, but they don't go far enough.”
By Tom Bedford · Rated 3.5/5Full review
74
Expert ReviewsTier 3 outlet, weighted 40%Oct 16, 2025
“The Google Pixel Buds 2a aren’t the most feature-rich option in their price range – nor do they have markedly better audio quality than the competition.”
By Ben Johnston · Rated 4/5Full review
71
9to5GoogleTier 2 outlet, weighted 75%Oct 8, 2025
“These are a decent-enough buy at $130, but at $99 or less, their place in the market suddenly makes a lot more sense.”
By Will Sattelberg · Unrated, scored from textFull review
78
TechGearLabTier 3 outlet, weighted 40%May 30, 2026
“All that said, we think these little buds are impressive for the price”
Page also carries TechGearLab's 'Best Value Buds for Android' Best Buy Award (not an Editors' Choice).
By Rachael Lamore · Rated 76/100Full review
75
TechRadarTier 2 outlet, weighted 75%Dec 29, 2025
“The Google Pixel Buds 2a solve a slew of problems the company's past earbuds have faced, but they don't go far enough.”
By Tom Bedford · Rated 3.5/5Full review
76
SoundGuysTier 3 outlet, weighted 40%Nov 20, 2025
“The Google Pixel Buds 2a are the perfect affordable companion to a Pixel phone.”
By Christian Thomas · Rated 7.4/10Full review
78
Android HeadlinesTier 3 outlet, weighted 40%Nov 13, 2025
“I wouldn't say Google changed the game or anything here, but it did deliver a really solid pair of budget earbuds.”
Page shows star icons but the exact score was not readable, so no rating is recorded.
By Justin Diaz · Unrated, scored from textFull review
86
Rolling StoneTier 2 outlet, weighted 75%Oct 23, 2025
“Google’s Pixel 2a earbuds are a great value at $129.”
By Jonathan Zavaleta · Unrated, scored from textFull review
74
Expert ReviewsTier 3 outlet, weighted 40%Oct 16, 2025
“The Google Pixel Buds 2a aren’t the most feature-rich option in their price range – nor do they have markedly better audio quality than the competition.”
By Ben Johnston · Rated 4/5Full review
Show 5 more reviews ▾Show fewer ▴
84
Android FaithfulTier 4 outlet, weighted 20%Oct 8, 2025
“It's everything earbuds at this price should be: comfortable to wear, effective at blocking out the overstimulating world, and enough battery life that you can forget them in a bag for a few days.”
Outlet shows four heart icons rather than a numeric score, so no rating is recorded.
By Florence Ion · Unrated, scored from textFull review
82
EngadgetTier 1 outlet, weighted 100%Oct 8, 2025
“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.”
By Billy Steele · Rated 82/100Full review
82
GizmodoTier 2 outlet, weighted 75%Oct 8, 2025
“If you’re buying any A-series Google device, you’re in search of value, and this year, for $30 more you get ANC and a much-improved battery life.”
By James Pero · Rated 4/5Full review
76
Android CentralTier 2 outlet, weighted 75%Oct 8, 2025
“The Google Pixel Buds 2a are a nice set of midrange earbuds that aim to bring Pixel Buds Pro 2 features down to a lower price point.”
By Brady Snyder · Rated 3.5/5Full review
71
9to5GoogleTier 2 outlet, weighted 75%Oct 8, 2025
“These are a decent-enough buy at $130, but at $99 or less, their place in the market suddenly makes a lot more sense.”
By Will Sattelberg · Unrated, scored from textFull review
Quick Facts
- Noise cancellation
- Active noise cancellation and transparency mode
- Chip
- Google Tensor A1
- Bluetooth
- 5.4 with multipoint
- Codecs
- SBC and AAC
- Battery life
- Up to 10 hours (ANC off), about 7 hours (ANC on); 20 hours with case
- Water resistance
- IP54 earbuds, IPX4 case
- Weight
- 4.7 g per bud, 47.6 g case
- Charging
- USB-C only, no wireless charging
- Price
- $129