Google Pixel Buds 2a vs OnePlus Buds 4: Which wireless earbuds win?

Sometimes when it comes to personal audio products, the midrange really hits the sweet spot. Sure, you could spend $299 on Bose’s ridiculously effective active noise cancellation (ANC) by purchasing the QuietComfort Ultra headphones (2nd generation), or enjoy high-fidelity audio with the equally expensive Technics EAH-AZ100, but maybe you just want to. enough out of your wireless headphones, don’t the most.

For those people, luckily there are plenty of options in the mid-range, including the recently released Google Pixel Buds 2a and the slightly older (by a few months) OnePlus Buds 4. Both wireless earbuds sell for the same $130, but having tested both pairs, I can tell you now that there are some notable differences you should be aware of before purchasing. If you’re looking for a mid-range product, here’s what you need to know if these are the two pairs of wireless earbuds you have on your radar.

Google Pixel Buds 2a vs OnePlus Buds 4: Sound

One of the biggest differences you’ll notice is in the sound department, or at least, that was an area that caught my attention. I’ve never been very impressed with the sound of Google’s A-series Pixel Buds (the same goes for the Pixel Buds Pro, which I also tested), but I don’t dislike the tuning either.

While some people may describe the Pixel Buds 2a’s sound as “well-balanced,” I find that these wireless earbuds can sound a little flat at times. They still do their part, but sometimes I want more, especially in the low end, which is exactly where the OnePlus Buds 4 shine. Unlike Google’s Pixel Buds 2a, the OnePlus Buds 4 have great bass, making electronic music and other bass-heavy tunes feel bigger and more bombastic. I suspect this is the OnePlus Buds 4 dual-driver setup at work.

You won’t always need a lot of bass, depending on the genres of music you listen to, but it’s still nice to have, and I think the emphasis on bass gives the OnePlus Buds 4 an edge. OnePlus’ mid-range wireless earbuds make the soundstage feel wider without being drowned out by oversimulated bass, and for that reason, they’re my pick in this round.

Winner: OnePlus Buds 4

Google Pixel Buds 2a vs OnePlus Buds 4: ANC

I’ll be honest. Neither of these wireless headphones are the best ANC wireless headphones I’ve used, but they still cancel noise, and that’s worth noting in the mid-range world. However, sometimes noise canceling isn’t just about ANC; It’s really about the fit of the headphones in your ears, and this is where things get interesting in the showdown.

While I don’t love the sound fit of the Google Pixel Buds 2a, one thing I really like is the overall shape and fit of these wireless earbuds. That’s not just because they don’t have a stem; It’s because they come with a “stabilizer”, which is really just a piece of plastic on the outside that can be rotated to adjust the fit in your ears. In addition to improving the fit, I suspect this little plastic edge also blocks additional sound while listening.

Is it cheating to use passive noise cancellation in the ANC category? Maybe, but the fact of the matter is that the Pixel Buds 2a have a slight advantage here. In fact, according to Google, the Pixel Buds 2a have 1.5 times more ANC than the first generation Pixel Buds Pro, which is a notable

Having used both of these wireless earbuds on the New York subway, you can trust me on this one.

Winner: Google Pixel Buds 2a

Google Pixel Buds 2a vs OnePlus Buds 4: Fit and feel

One of the most overlooked parts of a pair of wireless headphones actually has nothing to do with how they sound, but how they feel. Wireless headphones can be cumbersome to use for long periods, so the more attention paid to ergonomics, the better. There’s a pretty big difference in these two pairs of wireless earbuds in terms of how they look and also how they feel, and while neither are uncomfortable, the subtleties can make all the difference for you.

As I mentioned before, the Pixel Buds 2a truly embody the “buds” part of wireless earbuds. Unlike the OnePlus Buds 4, they don’t have a stem, meaning they’re just buds with a tip that sits in your ears. Whether you appreciate that choice aesthetically will be a matter of preference, but one thing is for sure, and that is the fact that the stemless design makes them feel more stable in your ears.

Adding to that stability is a piece I mentioned earlier called the “twist-to-adjust stabilizer” on the Pixel Buds 2a, which is just a plastic edge attached to the ear tips. It’s a small thing, but it makes the Pixel Buds 2a feel more secure when they’re in your ears and creates an airtight seal. The Pixel Buds 2a also have the edge in the ear tip size department; Google’s wireless earbuds come with four different sizes, while the OnePlus Buds 4 come with three. Overall, it’s clear that Google paid a lot of attention to fit and feel, and I think that attention pays off in this case. The point here goes to Google.

Winner: Google Pixel Buds 2a

Google Pixel Buds 2a vs OnePlus Buds 4: Features and battery life

While features aren’t always the most important piece of the puzzle, they can make a big difference depending on your priorities. If you’re really into AI, then the Pixel Buds 2a are your choice as they enable hands-free Gemini on an Android device and Gemini Live. If you’re more into sound-focused features like the custom EQ, the OnePlus Buds 4 are the clear winner here. Golden Sound, as OnePlus calls it, uses a companion app to test hearing in both ears and then customizes the frequencies based on your hearing.

Having tried Golden Sound for myself, I can say with certainty that there is a huge difference before and after the test, perhaps even more so than comparable tuning tests from companies like Nothing. Both pairs of wireless earbuds have ANC, transparency modes for when you want to turn ANC off, but currently only the OnePlus Buds 4 have adaptive ANC, which adjusts levels based on the noise in your environment. Speaking of ANC, the Pixel Buds 2a last for 7 hours with ANC on, while the OnePlus Buds 4 last for 6, so Google has a slight advantage here. Although the Pixel Buds 2a only have 20 hours of battery life in the case, compared to 24 hours for the OnePlus. Neither has wireless charging.

Again, which pair of wireless earbuds speaks to you will depend on what your priorities are, but for me, I prefer to have more sound-focused features than AI features that you’ll probably forget to use, so the OnePlus Buds 4 are getting my vote here, especially since Golden Sound works so well.

Winner: OnePlus Buds 4

Google Pixel Buds 2a vs OnePlus Buds 4: Design

I’m going to make this brief. If you take a look at these wireless headphones, you will notice a big difference. While the Pixel Buds 2a have a minimalist white casing and matte plastic, the OnePlus Buds 4 have… gray. The case is gray; the buds are gray; There is a lot of gray. They also come in “Zen Green”, but I have only seen the “Storm Grey” version in person. The Pixel Buds 2a, on the other hand, complement the minimalist white casing with a pop of color (in my case, lavender), which I think looks quite stylish.

This will all be very subjective (maybe you want wireless earbuds that just don’t do much in the looks department), but the OnePlus Buds 4 objectively focus on design, so if you want something with a different look, Google’s Pixel Buds 2a are the obvious choice.

Winner: Google Pixel Buds 2a

Google Pixel Buds 2a vs OnePlus Buds 4: Price

One of the main reasons you would compare these two wireless headphones is the price. Both pairs of wireless earbuds sell for $130, making them an obvious matchup. The OnePlus Buds 4 can be had for around $100 at the time of writing this article.which gives them an advantage. Obviously which pair is worth it will depend on your priorities, but the OnePlus Buds 4 are a solid, cheaper option right now, so if you’re okay with the soft look and a different fit/feel, they’re the best value for money.

Winner: OnePlus Buds 4

Conclusion

While Google’s Pixel Buds 2a excel in categories like ANC and comfort, OnePlus takes the lead in sound, features, and price. If you’re looking for a pair of wireless earbuds that you can pick up for a relatively cheap price, but don’t want to sacrifice sound, the OnePlus Buds 4 would be my recommendation, but that comes with a caveat. If you’re okay with sacrificing sound for looks, Google’s Pixel Buds 2a come in handy in the sound department and look a hell of a lot better. However, I suspect most will opt for substance over style, especially when the substance selection (OnePlus Buds 4 in this case) is actually cheaper.