Google Pixel Buds 2a review: Affordable wireless earbuds that punch above their price
The Google Pixel Buds 2a prove you don't need to spend flagship money for premium sound and all-day comfort. Picture: Noel Campion.
The Google Pixel Buds 2a were a sleeper hit last year, and this is a long-term review. They offer a premium sound, smart features and everyday comfort without the flagship price tag. After using them for over three months, paired mainly with the Pixel Pro 10 XL, I keep going back to them between reviewing other earbuds.
Google has long favoured a clean, pebble-shaped aesthetic for its earbuds, and the Pixel Buds 2a continue that tradition. The charging case is one of the most compact I have used in recent memory. It slips into a jeans pocket without creating an awkward bulge and is light enough that you forget it is there. That small size sounds trivial on paper, but in daily use, it makes a real difference.
The matte finish feels smooth yet grippy, resisting fingerprints well. A subtle LED indicator and a discreet pairing button are all you see on the exterior, while USB-C charging sits neatly at the bottom. It is minimal, practical and unmistakably Google. Colour options add a bit of personality too, without venturing into anything overly flashy.
The Pixel Buds 2a feature soft silicone ear tips and small integrated stabilising fins that keep them in place without pressure. After experimenting with the included tip sizes, I found a fit that was both snug and barely noticeable.
An unexpected bonus is how comfortable they are for sleeping. Lying on a pillow with most earbuds tends to create discomfort or pressure, but these are among the few I can actually wear while drifting off to a podcast. For long listening sessions, commutes or late-night audio, they remain impressively unobtrusive.
Despite being an “a-series” product, the feature set feels anything but stripped back. Multipoint connectivity allows pairing with two devices simultaneously, which I used regularly between my Pixel Pro 10 XL and a laptop. Switching between calls and media is smooth and fuss-free.
Touch controls are responsive and customisable, letting you manage playback, calls and voice assistants with simple taps and swipes. Google’s voice assistant integration is fast and natural, and it feels like having a helpful digital companion ready in your ear.
Transparency and noise reduction modes are easy to toggle, making them versatile for both busy streets and quieter indoor use.
Battery performance is solid rather than class-leading, but comfortably sufficient for everyday use. The earbuds easily cover a full workday of mixed listening and calls, while the case extends total usage well beyond that. Quick top-ups via USB-C mean you are rarely left waiting long before heading back out the door.
The Pixel Buds integrate seamlessly with Android devices, particularly Pixel phones. Pairing is almost instant, and the companion settings offer EQ adjustments, touch-control customisation, and firmware updates. The interface is straightforward and clutter-free, which aligns with the product's overall philosophy. It is less about endless tweaking and more about getting the essentials right.
Sound quality is solid. They deliver a lively and balanced audio profile that works well across genres. Bass has real presence without overwhelming mids, vocals remain clear, and treble is crisp without becoming harsh.
For bass-heavy genres, the low end holds its own surprisingly well. At the same time, acoustic pieces and podcasts sound clean and detailed. There is good instrument separation and very little distortion, even at higher volumes. Considering the cost, they compete confidently with more expensive rivals. It is rare to find earbuds at this level that feel this musically capable straight out of the box.
One of the more forward-thinking aspects of the Pixel Buds 2a is the inclusion of a replaceable battery in the charging case. While most earbuds become effectively disposable once their batteries degrade, Google has taken a first step toward a more sustainable approach here.
The charging case's user-replaceable battery is a welcome addition. However, the batteries inside each earbud are not user-replaceable, meaning that if an earbud's battery dies, the bud itself becomes unusable. Hopefully, Google and other manufacturers will continue this momentum and eventually make the earbud batteries replaceable as well.
The Google Pixel Buds 2a are compact, comfortable and impressively capable for their price. With strong sound, smart features and excellent everyday usability, they have quietly become one of the most dependable and sleep-friendly earbuds I have used.
€149 store.google.com
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