Sometimes, when it comes to personal audio products, midrange really hits the sweet spot. Sure, you could spend $299 on Bose’s ridiculously effective active noise cancellation (ANC) by buying the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen), or ball out on hi-fi audio with the equally expensive Technics EAH-AZ100, but maybe you just want enough out of your wireless earbuds, not the most.
For those folks, there are luckily lots of options in the midrange, including the recently released Google Pixel Buds 2a and the slightly older (by a few months) OnePlus Buds 4. Both of these wireless earbuds retail for the same $130, but having tested both pairs, I can tell you right now that there are some notable differences you should be aware of before buying. If you’re in the market for midrange, here’s what you need to know if these are the two pairs of wireless earbuds on your radar.
Google Pixel Buds 2a vs. OnePlus Buds 4: Sound
One of the biggest differences you’re going to notice is in the sound department—or at least, that was one area that jumped out to me. I’ve never been super impressed with the sound of Google’s A-series Pixel Buds (same goes for the Pixel Buds Pro, which I’ve also tested), but I don’t actively dislike the tuning either.
While some people may describe the Pixel Buds 2a sound as “well-balanced,” I find that these wireless earbuds can sound a little flat at times. They still pull their weight, but sometimes I want more, especially in the low end, which is exactly where the OnePlus Buds 4 shine. Unlike Google’s Pixel Buds 2a, the OnePlus Buds 4 go big on bass, making electronic music and other low-end-heavy tunes feel bigger and more bombastic. I suspect this is the OnePlus Buds 4 dual-driver setup at work.
You’re not going to always need a lot of bass, depending on what genres of music you listen to, but it’s still nice to have, and I do feel like the emphasis on the low end gives the OnePlus Buds 4 an edge. OnePlus’ midrange wireless earbuds make the soundstage feel wider without being drowned out by over-simulated low end, and for that reason, they’re my pick in this round.
Winner: OnePlus Buds 4
Google Pixel Buds 2a vs. OnePlus Buds 4: ANC
I’ll be honest. Neither of these wireless earbuds are the best ANC wireless earbuds I’ve ever used, but they still do cancel noise, and that’s noteworthy in the midrange world. Sometimes, canceling noise isn’t all about ANC, though; it’s actually about the fit of the earbuds in your ears, and this is where things get interesting in the showdown.
While I don’t love the Google Pixel Buds 2a sound tuning, one thing I really do like is the general shape and fit of these wireless earbuds. That’s not just because they’re stemless; it’s because they come with a “stabilizer,” which is actually just a piece of plastic on the outside that can be twisted to adjust the fit in your ears. On top of making the fit better, I have a suspicion that this little plastic rim also blocks out additional sound while you’re listening.
Is it cheating to use passive noise cancellation in the ANC category? Maybe, but the fact of the matter is, the Pixel Buds 2a have a slight edge here. In fact, according to Google, the Pixel Buds 2a have 1.5x the ANC of the first-gen Pixel Buds Pro, which is a notable
Having worn both of these wireless earbuds on the subway in New York, you can trust me on this.
Winner: Google Pixel Buds 2a
Google Pixel Buds 2a vs. OnePlus Buds 4: Fit and feel
One of the most overlooked parts of a pair of wireless earbuds actually has nothing to do with how they sound but everything to do with how they feel. Wireless earbuds can be a pain to wear for long periods, so the more attention to ergonomics, the better. There’s a pretty big difference in these two pairs of wireless earbuds in how they look and also how they feel, and while neither is uncomfortable, the subtleties may make all the difference for you.
As I mentioned before, the Pixel Buds 2a really embody the “buds” part of wireless earbuds. Unlike the OnePlus Buds 4, they don’t have a stem, meaning they’re just buds with a tip that you put in your ears. Whether you appreciate that choice aesthetically will be a matter of preference, but one thing is certain, and that’s the fact that the stemless design does make them feel more stable in your ears.
Adding to that stability is a piece I mentioned previously called the “twist-to-adjust stabilizer” on the Pixel Buds 2a, which is just a plastic lip attached to the ear tips. It’s a small thing, but it does make the Pixel Buds 2a feel more secure when they’re in your ears and creates a tight seal. The Pixel Buds 2a also have the edge in the ear tip size department; Google’s wireless earbuds come with four different sizes, while the OnePlus Buds 4 come with three. Overall, it’s clear that Google paid a lot of attention to fit and feel, and I think that attention pays off in this case. The point here goes to Google.
Winner: Google Pixel Buds 2a
Google Pixel Buds 2a vs. OnePlus Buds 4: Features and battery life
While features aren’t always the most important piece of the puzzle, they can make a major difference depending on your priorities. If you’re really into AI, then the Pixel Buds 2a are your pick, since they allow for hands-free Gemini on an Android device and Gemini Live. If you’re more into sound-focused features like personalized EQ, the OnePlus Buds 4 are the clear winner here. Golden Sound, as OnePlus calls it, uses a companion app to test hearing in both your ears and then personalizes frequencies to your hearing.
Having tested Golden Sound for myself, I can say for certain there’s a big difference before and after the test, maybe even more so than comparable tuning tests from companies like Nothing. Both pairs of wireless earbuds have ANC, transparency modes for when you want to turn ANC off, but only the OnePlus Buds 4 currently have adaptive ANC, which adjusts levels based on noise in your environment. Speaking of ANC, the Pixel Buds 2a are rated for 7 hours with ANC activated, while the OnePlus Buds 4 are rated for 6, so Google has a slight edge here. Though the Pixel Buds 2a only have 20 hours of battery life in the case compared to OnePlus’ 24 hours. Neither pair has wireless charging.
Again, which pair of wireless earbuds speaks to you will be a matter of what your priorities are, but for me, I’d rather have more sound-focused features than AI features you’ll probably forget to use, so the OnePlus Buds 4 are getting my vote here, especially because Golden Sound works so well.
Winner: OnePlus Buds 4
Google Pixel Buds 2a vs. OnePlus Buds 4: Design
I’m going to make this one short. If you take one look at these wireless earbuds, you’ll notice a big difference. While the Pixel Buds 2a have a minimalist white case and matte plastic, the OnePlus Buds 4 have… gray. The case is gray; the buds are gray; there’s a lot of gray. They also come in “Zen Green,” but I’ve only seen the “Storm Gray” version in person. The Pixel Buds 2a, on the other hand, complement the minimalist white case with a pop of color (in my case, lavender), which I think looks pretty spiffy.
This is all going to be very subjective (maybe you want wireless earbuds that just don’t do a whole lot in the looks department), but the OnePlus Buds 4 objectively phone it in on design, so if you want something with a distinct look, Google’s Pixel Buds 2a are the obvious choice.
Winner: Google Pixel Buds 2a
Google Pixel Buds 2a vs. OnePlus Buds 4: Price
One of the main reasons you’d compare these two wireless earbuds is the price. Both pairs of wireless earbuds retail for $130, which makes them an obvious head-to-head, though OnePlus Buds 4 can be had for about $100 at the time of this writing, which gives them an edge. Obviously, which pair is worth it will depend on your priorities, but the OnePlus Buds 4 are a strong option and cheaper right now, so if you’re okay with the bland look and a different fit/feel, they’re the better value.
Winner: OnePlus Buds 4
Bottom Line
While Google’s Pixel Buds 2a excel in categories like ANC and comfort, OnePlus takes the lead in sound, features, and price point. If you’re in the market for a pair of wireless earbuds that you can pick up relatively cheaply, but don’t want to sacrifice sound, the OnePlus Buds 4 would be my recommendation, but that does come with a caveat. If you’re okay sacrificing sound for looks, Google’s Pixel Buds 2a are serviceable in the sound department and look a heck of a lot nicer. I suspect most will go for substance over style here, though, especially when the substance pick (OnePlus Buds 4 in this case) is actually cheaper.
