Google Pixel Buds A-Series Review: AirPods for Android

AirPods are the best-selling wireless headphones of all time because they’re convenient. They pair instantly with your iPhone, iPad, or MacBook, and sound fine for most purposes. It’s why people still buy them in droves, even if the acoustics, fit, and battery life have been dwarfed by similarly priced competitors. Well, Android owners, you finally have an option that matches Apple’s convenience: Google’s new Pixel Buds A-Series.

The $100, no-frills buds pair instantly with your phone and are extremely simple to use, though they sacrifice some features from pricier buds. But when you have a comfortable fit, good sound, and an AirPods-beating sweat-resistance rating for workouts at a reasonable price, you don’t really need much else. The A-Series are the best starter buds for most people and a no-brainer for those on Android.

Sleek and Slender

Photograph: Google

In many ways, the A-Series are identical to the higher-tier Pixel Buds from 2020 that Google still sells. Like the company’s Pixel smartphones, the A indicates this model is the affordable option with pared-down features.  

They still come in an oval-shaped and matte-white case that feels like standard issue for Stormtroopers. Flick open the top hatch and familiar round earbuds come into view, this time in either white or a classy olive green. A tiny G on each earbud lets you know who made them. 

Elephant trunk–like earfins pop out of the top of each bud to keep them secure in your ears, and I’ve seen some reviewers complain that they’re not removable. That doesn’t bug me. The earbuds are so small they’re essentially one-size-fits-all, and the earfins are flexible enough for a uniform fit in any ear. 

The buds are technically smaller and lighter than the Pixel Buds that came before but only by a few milligrams. They’re lightweight enough to stay comfortable during rigorous movement. In fact, they’re some of the most comfortable and stable earbuds I’ve tested in awhile, easily holding up to long runs, drumming sessions, and various play sessions with my dogs.

Open the case, pull a bud out, and phones running Android version 6. 0 and up will recognize the earbuds, instantly download the Pixel Buds app, and pair with them. I was listening to music in literal seconds the first time I popped them in. It’s worth noting that this quick pairing Bluetooth feature for Android has been available on many recent buds from Samsung, among others, and it’s always a joy to see it work. This is the first time I’ve encountered it in a pair this cheap, and it was flawless.

Several owners complained of Bluetooth connectivity issues with the audio cutting out on the previous Pixel Buds, which sometimes occurs due to interference or weak signal, so you’ll be happy to hear I didn’t run into this problem with the A-Series. I was able to walk 20 to 30 feet away from my phone in my backyard before things got choppy, which isn’t out of the ordinary.

Touch controls on the outside of each bud work well and do exactly what you expect. Tap for play or pause, double-tap to change songs, tap and hold to activate Google Assistant, and so on. Unfortunately, there’s no way to adjust volume without pulling out your phone. Touch buttons usually bug me during workouts because my sweaty hair often triggers them to switch songs or pause music mid-run, but that didn’t happen anywhere near as often on these IPX4-rated buds. They only accidentally paused my tunes once or twice.

Shockingly Detailed Sound

Photograph: Google

Acoustically, the new A-Series is very similar to its pricier sibling. The 12-mm dynamic drivers inside do well to provide plenty of bass but never feel mushy or fuzzy down low. It feels odd to say this, given that I don’t have a standard pair of headphones I wear every day, but the sound signature feels very natural. It reminds me of the many great pairs of wired in-ears from Sony, Shure, and others I’ve tried over the years.

They’re relatively flat, with a slight dip in the mids, and aren’t super hyped down low or up high. I’d go so far as to say they’re shockingly detailed for the price. I’ve been working on the drum part for Toto’s Rosanna for a jazz organ trio I’m a part of, and I routinely heard small details I missed in the song on previous listens. That’s a fun experience on any headphones, let alone ones that cost $99. Needless to say, if you’re coming from a crappy pair of wired in-ears, these will almost certainly be a musical upgrade.

Cute headphones in Mytishchi: 1586-items: free shipping, 86% discount [link]

Affiliate programHelp

Clothing and footwear

Building materials

Building materials

Textile and leather

Textile and leather

Health and beauty

Health and beauty

Food and drink

Food and drink

Children’s goods

Children’s goods

Furniture and interior

Furniture and interior

Electrical engineering

Electrical engineering

Agriculture

Agriculture 90 003 Water, gas and heat

Water, gas and heat

Trade and warehouse

Trade and warehouse

All categories

LoginFavorites

-73%

1 490

5470

Children’s headphones Luminous Bluetooth Cat Ear Wireless Girls Boys Kids Smartphone ios Android Purple

IN STORE

-87%

1 130

8490

066 headphones hoco kitten with ears for girls and boys , premium children gift case compatible ios android

IN STORE

-46%

859

1587

Headphones wireless kids with ears, purple, luminous headphones , cat ears, for children, girls, cat

IN STORE

-75%

763

2999

Luminous headphones wireless children’s with cat ears UNIQ, pink. Bluetooth for boys, girls, children.

TO STORE

-66%

4 207

12282

Bluetooth headset for children / stereo / bluetooth / with microphone / MP3 player / wireless / wired / overhead / for phone / smartphone a/tablet/laptop/computer/ children/pink/KBT-100/Gift for baby girl/daughter/granddaughter/niece

TO STORE

Bluetooth headset for children / stereo / with microphone / MP3 player / wireless / wired / overhead / for phone / smartphone / tablet / laptop / computer / children / lilac / KBT-100 / Gift for girl / daughter / granddaughter /niece

DETAILS

Luminous cute earphones cat ear wireless earphones with mic can be closed LED Children’s stereo headphones for girls music bluetooth earphones ,gift for gamer

DETAILS

New Kids Wireless Headphones with Cute Cat Ears Bluetooth Headphones for Girls Hi-Fi Stereo Headphones with Mic Music Kids

Bluetooth headphones , headset V5. 0, flashing wireless headphones , foldable stereo gaming headphones, kids 90 066 headphones for girls with microphone, Cute

READ MORE

Headphones Baby Wireless Bluetooth Luminous Cat Ears/Microphone/Party Cat/Computer/Phone/Smartphone/iPhone/iphone/Gaming/Wireless Stereo Headset/Girls/Gift child/friend/daughter /sister/nephew/godson/violet

DETAILS

Headphones wireless children’s with ears, headphones purple, wireless headphones with ears, children’s luminous earphones , earphones with cat ears, earphones for children, earphones for girls, earphones cat

DETAILS

Luminous wireless children earphones with UNIQ cat ears, black. Bluetooth headphones for boys, girls, children.

MORE DETAILS

Children’s headphones with cat ears, wireless, large luminous for girls and children, with microphone and light / Bluetooth headset for phone and PC

DETAILS

Kids headphones , wireless headphones bluetooth for children Headphones unicorn for girls Headphones Bluetooth

DETAILS

Luminous headphones wireless children’s with cat ears UNIQ, pink. Bluetooth headphones for boys, girls, children.

DETAILS

Bluetooth headset for children/stereo/with microphone/MP3 player/wireless/wired/overhead/for phone/smartphone/tablet/laptop/computer/children/lilac/KBT-100/Gift for girl/daughter/granddaughter/ niece

MORE DETAILS

Bluetooth headset for children / stereo / bluetooth / with microphone / MP3 player / wireless / wired / overhead / for phone / smartphone / tablet / laptop / computer / children / lilac / KBT-100 / Gift for girl / daughter / granddaughter/niece

DETAILS

Bluetooth headset for children/stereo/bluetooth/with microphone/MP3 player/wireless/wired/overhead/for phone/smartphone/tablet/laptop/computer/kids/pink/KBT-100/Gift for girl /daughter/granddaughter/niece

DETAILS

-20%

664

831

5.0 stereo wireless headphones headphones Bluetooth kids headphones for girls music colored noise canceling headphones portable audio accessories

DETAILS

-28%

784

1089

Wireless Headphones for Girls with Cute Cat Ears Bluetooth Headphones with Mic Noise Canceling Kids Stereo Music Kids Gifts

MORE DETAILS

Headphones wireless earphones for children with microphone. For phone computer PC with light, for children, girls with ears

DETAILS

Headphones wireless with ears, luminous children’s headphones ProShelf, Bluetooth headphones for girls, for boys, headphones with cat ears

Bluetooth headset for children/stereo/with microphone/MP3 player/wireless/wired/overhead/phone/smartphone/tablet/laptop/computer/children/lilac/KBT-100/Gift for girl/daughter/granddaughter/niece

DETAILS

Headphones Wireless for Children with Cute Kitty Ears Design: full-size, Device type:

DETAILS

2 page of 39

Cute headphones

9 0000 Y12 cute cartoon 3.5mm wired earphones cat ear headphones , Retractable Gaming Headphones, Cute Cat Ear Headphones for Girls

Overview

Details

Inquire

Add to Cart

Start Chat

Order

Trade Assurance

Alibaba.com Integrated Order Protection Service

Product Quality

Timely Delivery

Learn more about shipping and other trade services.

Item Specifications

Color: 6, Connectors: 1

3.5mm

Support

Custom Emblem

500pcs(MOQ)

Custom lysed packaging

1000 pcs. (MOQ)

Graphic settings

500pcs(MOQ)

Name:	baoend
Personal pattern:	Yes
Wireless Type:	Other
Color:	Black/White/ blue/green/pink/orange
Net weight:	24 kg
Gross weight:	26.3 kg
Other
Active Noise Cancellation:	N/A
Memory Card Support:	N/A
Accessory:	Audio cable
Wireless:	No
Volume Control:	Yes
Function:	Headphone Jack, Microphone
Game Atmosphere Light:	Single color
Box size:	69*54*53 cm
Style:	Headphones
Models :	Y12
Speaker:	40mm
Control Buttons:	No
Application:	Portable Media Player,Mobile Phone,Gaming,Sports Goods,Professional,HiFi Headphones
Item Origin:	Guangdong, China
Battery Indicator:	LED
Qty/ctn:	60pcs
Product size:	22.