The Google Pixel Buds 2a Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds are Google’s mid-range wireless earbuds, the first model in the budget-tier Pixel Buds line to ship with active noise cancellation. The Buds 2a carry over the stem-free in-ear design from the original Pixel Buds A-Series and add the Tensor A1 chip that Google uses in the higher-end Pixel Buds Pro 2. Adaptive Audio automatically adjusts ANC levels based on the noise around you, and the new Silent Seal 1.5 ear tips deliver stronger passive isolation with a denser material that conforms to a wider range of ear shapes.
Premium earbuds with great active noise cancellation
Active Noise Cancellation is the biggest technological leap from the original A-series. The Tensor A1 Chip processes ambient noise at extremely high speeds, generating “anti-noise” that it inserts into your audio stream so the two frequencies collide and cancel each other out. Transparency mode lets ambient sound be heard when situational awareness is important, such as when you’re having a conversation or crossing a street. The Silent Seal 1.5 ear tip improves passive noise reduction with denser materials and a new angular design, which fits a wider range of ear canals.
Battery life runs 7 hours per charge with ANC on or 10 hours with ANC off, plus another two full charges in the case for 27 hours total off the wall with ANC and 32 hours without. A 5-minute quick charge in the case adds about an hour of listening time, useful for a top-up before a flight or commute.
The sound comes from 11mm dynamic drivers, and a custom 5-band EQ available in the Pixel Buds app if you want to customize your bass, mid, and high settings. Spatial audio with head tracking works on compatible Android devices and gives you more immersive sound during movies and supported music tracks.
Conversation Detection automatically pauses music when the wearer starts talking and resumes playback when the conversation ends, which is useful for quick exchanges at the office or with family. Multipoint Bluetooth pairs the buds to two devices at once, automatically switching between a phone and a laptop based on which device is playing audio. You can also use Find My Device support to help locate misplaced earbuds.
The Google Pixel Buds 2a are normally $129, but they’re currently down to $109 on Amazon. For that price, you get the buds, the wireless charging case, three sizes of Silent Seal 1.5 ear tips, a USB-C charging cable, and access to the Pixel Buds app for EQ, ANC controls, and firmware updates.