55

Pixel Buds A Earbuds

In-ear TWS · 5h/24h · AAC · BT 5.0

$70

MSRP

76

Headphone 1 Headphones

Over-ear · ANC · 40h · LDAC · BT 5.3

$150

MSRP

Our verdict

The Headphone 1 Headphones takes the performance lead with a 38% 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 Headphone 1 Headphones tells a compelling value story. At $150 versus the Pixel Buds A Earbuds's $70 price tag, it costs $80 less while delivering performance that's only 38% 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 Headphone 1 Headphones 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

Headphone 1 Headphones

38% faster overall

Best value for money

Headphone 1 Headphones

2% better value per dollar

Pixel Buds A Earbuds best for

Value for money

2% better value per dollar

Audio

Driver Size
12mm
40mm
Frequency Response
20Hz - 20kHz
20Hz - 40kHz
Form Factor
In-ear TWS
Over-ear

Battery

Battery Life (ANC On)
5h
40h
Total with Case
24h
N/A
Fast Charge
15min → 2h
10min → 3h

Comfort

Weight
5.1g
240g
IP Rating
IPX4
None
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 Headphone 1 Headphones worth $80 more than the Pixel Buds A Earbuds?

It depends on your needs. The Headphone 1 Headphones scores 76 overall vs 55 for the Pixel Buds A Earbuds. If you need the extra performance for demanding tasks, the premium is justified. For most users gaming at 1440p or below, the Pixel Buds A Earbuds offers better value.

Which GPU is better for 1440p gaming, the Pixel Buds A Earbuds or Headphone 1 Headphones?

The Headphone 1 Headphones delivers higher frame rates at 1440p, but both GPUs handle 1440p gaming well. The Headphone 1 Headphones 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 Headphone 1 Headphones is the better choice with its higher performance ceiling.

Which should I buy, the Pixel Buds A Earbuds or Headphone 1 Headphones?

Choose the Pixel Buds A Earbuds if you want the best value for money and primarily game at 1080p or 1440p. Choose the Headphone 1 Headphones if you need maximum performance, play at 4K, or do professional workloads like video editing and 3D rendering.

Related comparisons