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Earbud comparison

Apple AirPods 4 vs Pixel Buds 2a

Compare sound, battery life, fit, controls and connections.

Compared products
01Selected
Apple AirPods 4

Apple AirPods 4

  • In-ear design uses sealing ear tips.
  • 4.3 g.
  • Up to 5 hours per charge.
  • Uses USB-C for charging.
  • No noise cancellation for listening.
KSh 19,500In Stock
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02
Pixel Buds 2a

Pixel Buds 2a

  • In-ear design uses sealing ear tips.
  • 4.7 g per earbud.
  • Bluetooth 5.4 connection.
  • Noise cancellation for listening.
  • Touch controls for everyday use.
KSh 21,500In Stock
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2 spaces available

CMF Ear (3) B173KSh 21,500
JBL LIVE BUDS 3KSh 19,000
Google Pixel Buds ProKSh 18,000
Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 ProKSh 18,500
Sony WF-1000XM4KSh 29,500
Apple AirPods Pro 2KSh 28,500
Sony WF-1000XM5KSh 27,000
2 of 4 products

Our quick verdict

The Pixel Buds 2a has active noise cancellation, lasts longer between charges (up to 10 hours) and has an ambient mode to hear your surroundings, while the Apple AirPods 4 has virtual surround sound.

Connections

Apple AirPods 4
Bluetooth 5.3 connection
Pixel Buds 2a
Bluetooth 5.4 connection

Noise cancellation

Apple AirPods 4
No noise cancellation
Pixel Buds 2a
Noise cancellation

Weight

Apple AirPods 4
32.3 g for the case
Pixel Buds 2a
47.6 g for the case

Fit

Apple AirPods 4
Open-fit design
Pixel Buds 2a
Silicone ear tips, XS/S/M/L

Controls

Apple AirPods 4
Press once to play or pause media
Pixel Buds 2a
Capacitive touch controls

Key differences

The main differences to help you choose.

Apple AirPods 4

  • Virtual surround sound.
  • Lower price: KSh 19,500 (vs KSh 21,500).
  • Lighter charging case: 32.3 g versus 47.6 g.
  • Supports spatial audio.

Pixel Buds 2a

  • Active noise cancellation.
  • Longer rated battery life: up to 10 hours (vs 5 hours).
  • Transparency / ambient mode.
  • Newer Bluetooth 5.4 (vs 5.3).
  • Ambient mode to hear your surroundings.

What matters most to you?

Choose any priorities

How each product answers the questions buyers ask most. Tick a topic to add it, untick one to hide it.

More topicsFewer topics
6 priorities selected.
How each product answers the selected priorities
PriorityApple AirPods 4Pixel Buds 2a
Weight4.3 grams4.7 g per earbud
Battery lifeUp to 5 hours per charge; up to 30 hours with the caseUp to 10 hours / 27 hours with case (ANC off)
ConnectionsBluetooth 5.3Bluetooth 5.4
Water resistanceIP54 water and dust resistanceIP54 water and dust resistance
Charging5 minutes in the case provides around 1 hour of listening time5 minutes provides up to 1 hour with ANC
SoftwareBuilt into supported Apple operating systemsWorks with the Google Pixel Buds app

Detailed comparison

Explore the full specifications, section by section.

General

General specifications comparison
SpecificationApple AirPods 4Pixel Buds 2a
BrandAppleGoogle
ModelAirPods 4Pixel Buds 2a
Announced20242025
TypeTrue Wireless In-Ear EarbudsTrue Wireless In-Ear Earbuds
ColorWhiteFog, Berry, Iris, Hazel

Design

Design specifications comparison
SpecificationApple AirPods 4Pixel Buds 2a
Weight4.3 grams4.7g per earbud; 47.6g case with earbuds
Dimensions30.2 mm x 18.3 mm x 18.1 mmEarbud 23.1 x 16.0 x 17.8mm; case 50.0 x 24.5 x 57.2mm

Battery & Charging

Battery & Charging specifications comparison
SpecificationApple AirPods 4Pixel Buds 2a
Battery LifeUp to 5 hours of listening time on a single chargeUp to 10 hours / 27 hours with case (ANC off); 7 hours / 20 hours with case (ANC on)
Fast Charging5 minutes in the case provides around 1 hour of listening time5 minutes provides up to 1 hour with ANC
Charging PortUSB-CUSB-C (case)
Wireless ChargingNoNo

Connectivity

Connectivity specifications comparison
SpecificationApple AirPods 4Pixel Buds 2a
ConnectionBluetoothBluetooth
BluetoothBluetooth 5.3Bluetooth 5.4
ConnectorWireless audio connection—
Cable LengthNo audio cable included—
App SupportBuilt into supported Apple operating systems; no separate appGoogle Pixel Buds app on Android

Features

Features specifications comparison
SpecificationApple AirPods 4Pixel Buds 2a
Voice AssistantSiriGemini and Google Assistant
SensorsOptical in-ear sensor; Motion-detecting accelerometer; Speech-detecting accelerometer; Force sensorCapacitive touch, IR proximity and Hall sensors
Special FeaturesVoice Isolation, Siri (Hey Siri or Siri), Find My support, quick-press controlsGoogle Tensor A1; Clear Calling; Google Fast Pair

Audio

Audio specifications comparison
SpecificationApple AirPods 4Pixel Buds 2a
DriversCustom high-excursion Apple driverCustom-designed 11mm dynamic drivers
Active Noise CancellationNoActive Noise Cancellation with Silent Seal 1.5
Transparency / Ambient ModeNoYes
Spatial AudioPersonalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking—
MicrophonesDual beamforming microphones; Inward-facing microphoneTwo microphones per earbud
Audio FeaturesCustom high dynamic range amplifier; Voice Isolation; Adaptive EQ; Vent system for pressure equalization; H2 headphone chipGoogle Tensor A1; active in-ear pressure relief; five-band EQ

Charging Case

Charging Case specifications comparison
SpecificationApple AirPods 4Pixel Buds 2a
Case TypeCharging Case (USB-C)Charging case
Case Battery LifeUp to 30 hours of listening timeIncluded in total battery figures above
Case ChargingWorks with USB-C connectorUSB-C
Case Charging PortUSB-CUSB-C
Case Wireless ChargingNoNo
Case Dimensions46.2 mm x 50.1 mm x 21.2 mm50.0 x 24.5 x 57.2mm
Case Weight32.3 grams47.6g with earbuds
Case FeaturesStandard charging caseProtective charging case

Design & Controls

Design & Controls specifications comparison
SpecificationApple AirPods 4Pixel Buds 2a
ControlsPress once to play or pause media; Press once to answer a call or mute or unmute; Press once for camera remote; Press twice to end a call; Press twice to skip forward; Press three times to skip back; Press and hold for Siri; Say "Hey Siri" or just "Siri"to do things like play a song, make a call, or get directionsCapacitive touch controls
Water & Dust ResistanceDust, sweat, and water resistant (IP54)IP54 earbuds; IPX4 case
Ear Tips / Ear CushionsOpen-fit designSilicone ear tips, XS/S/M/L

What's in the Box

What's in the Box specifications comparison
SpecificationApple AirPods 4Pixel Buds 2a
Headphones / EarbudsAirPods 4Pixel Buds 2a earbuds
Charging CaseCharging Case (USB-C)Charging case
Charging CableUSB-C charge cable sold separatelyNot included
Audio CableNot includedTrue wireless design
Ear Tips / AccessoriesOpen-fit designSilicone ear tips, XS/S/M/L
DocumentationDocumentationQuick start guide and safety documentation

Similarities

  • Both are rated IP54.
  • Both charge over USB-C.
  • Both have built-in microphones for calls.
  • Both connect over Bluetooth.
  • Both use In-ear design uses sealing ear tips.

In summary

For most buyers the Pixel Buds 2a is the better buy; the Apple AirPods 4 makes sense if you want virtual surround sound.

Back to compared products ↑

In-stock alternatives

JBL LIVE BUDS 3For Apple AirPods 4JBL LIVE BUDS 3View product ↗Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 ProFor Apple AirPods 4Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 ProView product ↗CMF Ear (3) B173For Pixel Buds 2aCMF Ear (3) B173View product ↗Marshall Motif II ANCFor Pixel Buds 2aMarshall Motif II ANCView product ↗

Related comparisons

Apple AirPods 4CMF Ear (3) B173Apple AirPods 4JBL LIVE BUDS 3Apple AirPods 4Google Pixel Buds ProApple AirPods 4Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro
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