55

Pixel Buds A Earbuds

In-ear TWS · 5h/24h · AAC · BT 5.0

$70

MSRP

66

Ear (a) Earbuds

In-ear TWS · ANC · 9.5h/42.5h · LDAC · BT 5.3

$60

MSRP

Our verdict

The Ear (a) Earbuds takes the performance lead with a 20% higher overall score, driven by its more shader cores, more of memory, and higher TFLOPS of compute power. In gaming benchmarks at 1440p, it delivers roughly 0% more frames per second across demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Alan Wake 2.

However, the Ear (a) Earbuds tells a compelling value story. At $60 versus the Pixel Buds A Earbuds's $70 price tag, it costs 17% less while delivering performance that's only 20% behind. Its of memory is still more than enough for 1440p and even 4K gaming in most titles.

Our recommendation: for the majority of gamers targeting 1440p or even 4K with upscaling enabled, the Ear (a) Earbuds is the smarter purchase. The Pixel Buds A Earbuds only makes sense if you need the absolute maximum performance for native 4K ray tracing, professional 3D rendering, or AI workloads where the extra VRAM and compute power provide a tangible advantage.

Performance winner

Ear (a) Earbuds

20% faster overall

Best value for money

Ear (a) Earbuds

11% better value per dollar

Pixel Buds A Earbuds best for

Value for money

11% better value per dollar

Audio

Driver Size
12mm
11mm
Frequency Response
20Hz - 20kHz
20Hz - 20kHz
Form Factor
In-ear TWS
In-ear TWS

Battery

Battery Life (ANC On)
5h
9.5h
Total with Case
24h
42.5h
Fast Charge
15min → 2h
10min → 10h

Comfort

Weight
5.1g
4.8g
IP Rating
IPX4
IP54
Wireless Charging
No
No

Connectivity

Bluetooth
5.0
5.3
Codecs
AAC, SBC
LDAC, AAC, SBC
Multipoint
No
Yes (2 devices)

Noise Cancellation

Active Noise Cancellation
No
Yes
Transparency Mode
No
Yes

Frequently asked questions

Is the Pixel Buds A Earbuds worth $10 more than the Ear (a) Earbuds?

It depends on your needs. The Pixel Buds A Earbuds scores 66 overall vs 55 for the Ear (a) Earbuds. If you need the extra performance for demanding tasks, the premium is justified. For most users gaming at 1440p or below, the Ear (a) Earbuds offers better value.

Which GPU is better for 1440p gaming, the Pixel Buds A Earbuds or Ear (a) Earbuds?

The Ear (a) Earbuds delivers higher frame rates at 1440p, but both GPUs handle 1440p gaming well. The Ear (a) Earbuds provides more headroom for ray tracing and future titles, while the Pixel Buds A Earbuds still maintains smooth gameplay in current games.

Can the Pixel Buds A Earbuds handle 4K gaming?

The Pixel Buds A Earbuds can handle 4K gaming in less demanding titles and with upscaling technologies like DLSS or FSR. For native 4K at ultra settings in demanding games, the Ear (a) Earbuds is the better choice with its higher performance ceiling.

Which should I buy, the Pixel Buds A Earbuds or Ear (a) Earbuds?

Choose the Ear (a) Earbuds if you want the best value for money and primarily game at 1080p or 1440p. Choose the Pixel Buds A Earbuds if you need maximum performance, play at 4K, or do professional workloads like video editing and 3D rendering.

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