Apple - AirPods 4 with ANC vs Google - Pixel Buds A-Series
Between the AirPods 4 with ANC and Pixel Buds A-Series, the AirPods 4 with ANC comes out ahead in active noise cancellation and spatial audio, while the Pixel Buds A-Series wins on battery — with case and driver size. Overall, the AirPods 4 with ANC scores 58.3 and the Pixel Buds A-Series scores 65.4 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The Pixel Buds A-Series edges ahead on the Mars Score (58.3 vs 65.4), but the 7.1-point gap is small enough that the right pick comes down to which spec advantages matter to you.
Pick the AirPods 4 with ANC if audio quality and feature breadth (ANC, codecs, multipoint) are the lead criteria for your purchase. The biggest gaps in its favor are active noise cancellation, spatial audio, weight per bud, among others.
Pick the Pixel Buds A-Series if you care most about battery — with case and driver size. Its strongest claims are battery — with case, driver size.
Both ship with comparable battery — buds, multipoint, so those specs don't separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: the Pixel Buds A-Series is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.
Why Apple - AirPods 4 with ANC wins
- ▲Has Active noise cancellation.
- ▲Has Spatial audio.
- ▲Weight per bud — 0.80 g less. 4.3 vs 5.1.
- ▲Water resistance: IP54 (vs IPX4).
Why Google - Pixel Buds A-Series wins
- ▲Battery — with case — 20.00% more. 24 h vs 20 h.
- ▲Driver size — 20.00% more. 12 mm vs 10 mm.
Spec comparison
Design
| Spec | Apple - AirPods 4 with ANC | Google - Pixel Buds A-Series |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | openlead | in-ear |
| Weight per bud | 4.3 glead | 5.1 g |
| Water resistanceⓘ | IP54lead | IPX4 |
Audio
| Spec | Apple - AirPods 4 with ANC | Google - Pixel Buds A-Series |
|---|---|---|
| Driver sizeⓘ | 10 mm | 12 mmlead |
| Active noise cancellationⓘ | truelead | false |
| Transparency mode | truelead | false |
| Spatial audioⓘ | truelead | false |
Battery
| Spec | Apple - AirPods 4 with ANC | Google - Pixel Buds A-Series |
|---|---|---|
| Battery — buds | 5 h | 5 h |
| Battery — with case | 20 h | 24 hlead |
| Wireless case chargingⓘ | truelead | false |
Connectivity
| Spec | Apple - AirPods 4 with ANC | Google - Pixel Buds A-Series |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetoothⓘ | 5.3lead | 5.0 |
| Codecs | AAC,SBC | AAC,SBC |
| Multipointⓘ | false | false |
| In-ear detection | truelead | false |
Frequently asked
Which has longer battery, AirPods 4 with ANC or Pixel Buds A-Series?+
Pixel Buds A-Series lasts 5h per charge vs 5h.
Do AirPods 4 with ANC or Pixel Buds A-Series support multipoint?+
Neither supports multipoint.
Which has ANC, AirPods 4 with ANC or Pixel Buds A-Series?+
AirPods 4 with ANC has ANC; Pixel Buds A-Series does not.
Spec-level deep dives
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