Google Pixel Buds 2a Review: ANC for £149

Introduction: ANC Arrives in the A-Series

Four years after the Pixel Buds A-Series, Google is reshuffling the deck. By adding active noise cancellation (ANC) and the Tensor A1 audio chip to its affordable range, the Mountain View giant aims to offer an almost premium experience without inflating the bill. Positioned at £149, the Pixel Buds 2a sit between the old A-Series (£99) and the Pixel Buds Pro 2 (£249), the true flagship of the catalogue.

On paper, the leap is significant: ANC Silent Seal 1.5, spatial audio, Bluetooth 5.4, multipoint, complete app with 5-band equaliser… The promises are numerous. But in practice, do these earbuds deliver? We tested them for several days to form an opinion.

Design and Build: Sobriety, Comfort and Attention to Detail

At Google, sobriety is a signature. And the Pixel Buds 2a are no exception. Our sage green model, so dark it borders on anthracite, sets a serious and discreet tone. Those who prefer colour can opt for the "iris" version, a softer pastel blue. The materials are simple — lightweight matte plastic — but the finish is exemplary. No play, no creaking, impeccable assembly: everything exudes design rigour.

The earbuds, at 4.7g each, slip effortlessly into the ear. Their shape hugs the ear well and locks in place thanks to a small stabilising wing. Insert them, rotate slightly, and they don't move. Even after several hours of listening, no discomfort, no excessive pressure. Real progress compared to the Buds A-Series, which were less stable and a bit more sensitive to movement.

For protection, Google announces IP54 certification for the earbuds (resistance to dust and light water splashes) and IPX4 for the case. So there's no fear of sweat or a few raindrops. The case, moreover, is a model of compactness: 50 × 24.5 × 57.2 mm for 47.6g with the earbuds inside. It opens with one hand and easily fits in a jeans pocket — it's slightly smaller than the Pixel Buds Pro 2 case.

Another welcome improvement: four pairs of silicone tips (XS, S, M, L) are now provided. The fit is better and passive isolation, essential for ANC effectiveness, benefits greatly.

Ergonomics and Controls: Total Comfort, But Still No Volume Control

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Installing the Pixel Buds 2a is simple and reassuring. The twist-lock system works perfectly, ensuring excellent hold. You can run, take the underground, or simply walk: they don't move. On this front, they equal the Buds Pro 2, and far surpass the Buds A-Series, sometimes a bit finicky on smaller ears.

However, Google maintains a flaw that's starting to date: it's impossible to adjust volume with a simple gesture. No tactile swiping here; you must use the voice assistant or go directly through the smartphone. Frustrating.

The touch surfaces are precise:

• One tap for play/pause
• Two taps to skip to next track
• Three taps to go back to previous
• Long press to activate ANC or call Gemini voice assistant

The whole thing is smooth and responsive, and customisation is possible via the Pixel Buds app. But we would have liked Google to add tactile volume control, now standard on the competition.

In terms of comfort, nothing to complain about: you can wear them all day without fatigue. The earbuds barely protrude from the ear and are quickly forgotten.

Features, Connectivity and App: The Google Ecosystem in Action

This is where the Pixel Buds 2a widen the gap with their predecessors. Bluetooth 5.4, Google Fast Pair, multipoint and Auto Switch ensure a nearly perfect connection experience. Open the case and a window instantly appears on your Android smartphone: just one touch to pair. Even better, the connection automatically shares between multiple devices linked to your Google account.

The Pixel Buds app, available on Android, centralises everything: noise reduction activation, equaliser, transparency mode, touch command settings, and even location of a lost earbud.

The new five-band equaliser is a real advancement for the A-Series range, previously deprived of any sound customisation. There are five presets, including a "Clarity" mode that effectively corrects the slight lack of treble in the default sound signature.

The Hearing Wellness section, which monitors your listening volumes, also shows Google's attention to daily use. And for Pixel smartphone owners, the Buds 2a integrate even better: Gemini can be triggered by voice to request a playlist, message, or weather info.

Noise Reduction, Transparency and Calls: Not "Pro", But Effective

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This is the big news, and Google doesn't hide it: Silent Seal 1.5 active noise reduction finally arrives in the A series. Combined with the Tensor A1 chip, it automatically adapts to ear shape and environmental sound intensity.

In practice, the Pixel Buds 2a do excellent work on continuous noise: engine, air conditioning, ventilation, train… The attenuation is clear, homogeneous and natural. However, on more abrupt or variable sounds, the result is understandably behind the Pixel Buds Pro 2, whose Silent Seal 2.0 system remains more effective.

The transparency mode surprises with its naturalness. It preserves the direction and depth of external sounds, without metallic effect or whistling. You can chat without removing your earbuds, which wasn't the case with the old Buds A-Series, lacking this mode.

For calls, the picture is more mixed. In a quiet environment, the voice is clear, precise, perfectly intelligible. But as soon as you're on the street or facing wind, the mics capture too many artefacts; the voice becomes distorted and loses naturalness. We're below the level of Buds Pro 2, among the best on the market for voice, but in the upper average for this price range.

In daily use, these Pixel Buds 2a still offer real acoustic comfort, whether for listening to music or isolating yourself for a moment in an open-space office. That's a good point for Google, which manages to make ANC accessible without too many compromises.

Audio Quality: A Warm and Lively Rendering

On the sound front, the Pixel Buds 2a rely on 11mm drivers and the Google Tensor A1 chip, already present in premium models. They support spatial audio, but without head movement tracking.

The result is convincing: excellent spatialisation, good instrument separation, and a wide, well-dimensioned soundstage. Vocals are warm, full, and well-centred. The bass is generous, but sometimes a bit too much: on certain tracks, it slightly bleeds into the midrange. Nothing dramatic, but a small adjustment via the equaliser is necessary to restore perfect balance.

The treble, however, lacks a bit of sparkle and edge. This is where the "Clarity" preset plays its full role, bringing back some light to the upper spectrum. The dynamics are good without reaching those of the best models on the market. You can easily distinguish the hammers of a piano or the sharp snap of a snare drum: the reproduction is clean and controlled.

Without equalling the Pixel Buds Pro 2, which are more precise and fuller, the Pixel Buds 2a rank amongst the most pleasant earbuds in their category. They maintain that Google sound signature: warm, slightly rounded, but never fatiguing.

Battery Life: Beyond Promises

Google announces 7 hours of listening with ANC activated and 20 hours total with the case. During our tests, the Buds 2a did better: approximately 7 hours 15 minutes of actual use at medium volume, with active reduction engaged. A very honourable performance for such compact earbuds.

Fast charging also makes its mark: 5 minutes in the case is enough to recover one hour of listening. The case charges only via USB-C; no wireless charging here. Compared to the Pixel Buds Pro 2 (8 hours listening with ANC), the gap is small, whilst the bill is much softer. And compared to the old Buds A-Series (only 5h15, without ANC), the progress is obvious.

In practice, you can listen to music or make calls all day without fear of running out. These Pixel Buds 2a establish themselves as very good nomadic companions.

Verdict

With the Pixel Buds 2a, Google successfully democratises ANC. These true wireless earbuds position themselves as an ideal alternative to premium models: more accessible, but far from simplified.

Their compact design, comfort, build quality, and good battery life make them particularly pleasant daily companions. The ANC is credible, transparency mode very natural, and sound rendering generally balanced.

Not everything is perfect: no tactile volume control, hands-free kit a bit lacking, sometimes timid treble. But for £149, the Pixel Buds 2a correct most of the flaws of the Buds A-Series and come dangerously close to the Pixel Buds Pro 2… without paying the premium price.