Some days, my earbuds stay in my ears for far too long. Morning walks, work calls, gym sessions and then late-night lo-fi music all with the same pair. That’s why I spent weeks using both the Pixel Buds 2a and the Beats Studio Buds+ side by side.
For one week, I used the Pixel Buds 2a for calls and daily use, the next week I took the Beats Studio Buds+ with me to the gym and outdoor walks. Both promise good ANC, great sound and smooth Android support, but when you actually use them, they feel quite different.
I have put both the earbuds through everyday use, from work calls and workouts to travel and late-night listening, to figure out which one makes more sense in real life usage. If you’re confused which one to choose between Pixel Buds 2a vs Beats Studio Buds+, let me help you to decide which one is right for you.
Specifications: Pixel Buds 2a vs Beats Studio Buds+
| Specifications | Pixel Buds 2a | Beats Studio Buds+ |
|---|---|---|
| ANC/ Transparency | Yes (Silent Seal 1.5) | Yes (Active/Transparency) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | Class 1 Bluetooth |
| Processor/ Chip | Google Tensor A1 | Custom Beats Proprietary Platform |
| Codec Support | AAC, SBC, LC3 | AAC, SBC |
| Fast Charging | ✓ | ✓ |
| Water Resistance | IP54 (Buds) | IPX4 (Buds) |
| Price | $129 USD | $169 USD |
| Color | Iris and Hazel | Black/Gold, Ivory, Transparent |
| Multipoint Connectivity | ✓ | ✕ |
| App Support | Pixel Buds App | Beats App |
| USB-C charging | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dimensions | 50.0 x 24.5 x 57.2 mm | 72.0 x 51.0 x 25.5 mm |
Design, Comfort and Fit
After using both for some hours of work, the difference is very clear. The Pixel Buds 2a have a softer, rounded shape that sits in your ear comfortably. They uses twist-to-adjust stabiliser with a small silicon wing that keeps them steady without poking you. I found them incredibly comfortable for long video calls, where I forgot that I was wearing them.
What really makes the Pixel Buds 2a special for all-day wear is the spatial vent. If you’ve ever felt that plugged-up pressure in your ears while wearing earbuds, you’ll love these. The vent lets your ears breathe and equalises the pressure, which makes your own voice sound more natural when you’re talking. These buds are also light, as they weigh just 4.7 grams each.
On the other hand, the Beats Studio Buds+ feel smaller and more comfortable. They don’t have wings or stabilisers, but their no-stem design allows them to fit very comfortably and the buds weigh 5.0 grams each.
During my morning walk, the Beats felt like they had a better grip even when I started sweating. They come with four sets of ear tips: XS, S, M and L, which is a lifesaver if you have smaller ears and usually struggle to get a good vacuum seal in your ears.
The Pixel Buds 2a come with an IP54 rating for the buds and an IPX4 rating for the charging case. While the Beats Studio Buds+ have an IPX4 rating for the earbuds only and the case has no official water resistance, I wouldn’t get it near water, so I suggest you keep it dry.
The Pixel Buds 2a have a pebble shape design that comes in two colour options: Iris and Hazel, while the Beats Studio Buds+ comes in 3 colour options: Black/Gold, Transparent and Ivory.
Pixel Buds use gentle taps, which is great for avoiding ear pressure. While Beats Buds, on the other hand, use physical buttons, which I actually prefer at the gym because you can click them even with sweaty fingers or with lifting gloves.
ANC comparison
The Pixel Buds 2a come with Google’s brand-new Silent Seal 1.5 technology. This is actually a big deal because it uses the same Google Tensor A1 chip that is found in their more expensive Pro Models to block the noise.
It does a great job with low-frequency sounds, like an air conditioner. However, because of the Spatial vent that lets air in for comfort, it can sometimes let high-pitched sounds slip through it.
Pixel Buds 2a also has a solid transparency mode, which is great for quick conversations without even taking the buds out.
The Beats Studio Buds+, on the other hand, offer stronger overall noise cancellation. Beats updated this model with 3x larger microphones and a more powerful processor specially to target the noise.
Beats Studio Buds+ claim that they have 1.6x better ANC than the original Studio Buds and when I use them in my gym, I can definitely feel that extra layer of silence. Beats calls the Studio Buds+ 2x improved in transparency.
Sound Profile
If you want to feel the beat during your workout, then Beats Studio Buds+ are the best option for you. They have that classic fun sound with a punchy and energetic bass that is great for a gym workout. They don’t have a manual EQ and they support Spatial Audio for Dolby Atmos, which creates a massive, multidimensional soundstage that makes you feel like the music is happening all around you.
The Pixel Buds 2a are balanced and relaxed. They use a large 11mm dynamic driver and the Google Tensor A1 to deliver what Google calls “round sound”. Its vocals are crisp and the mids are clear, which makes them much better for podcasts, YouTube videos or even acoustic music where you want to hear every detail.
Unlike the Beats, the Pixel Buds 2a give you much more control over the sound with a 5-band EQ and several presets like Heavy Bass or Vocal Boost, which are found in the Pixel Buds App.
Call/Mic Performance
This is where the Pixel Buds 2a really shine. Google uses AI-powered Clear Calling and the Tensor A1 chip to filter out wind and background noise. During my test calls next to a busy road, people on the other end said my voice sounded much clearer on these as compared to the Beats.
The secret is the hardware-software combo. Each bud comes with two microphones, which are protected by wind-blocking mesh covers, but the real magic is the Bluetooth Super Wideband support. This increases the clarity of your voice, making it sound more natural and less robotic.
The Beats Studio Buds+ have 3x larger microphones than the original version and they are good for indoor calls. They use upgraded Voice-targeting mics and a digital processor to actively filter out background noise.
Battery and Charging
The Beats Studio Buds+ comes with a massive 9 hours of listening time from buds alone with ANC off and the case holds three extra charges, bringing the total to 36 hours. Even if you turn on ANC or Transparency mode, you still get a very respectable 6 hours per charge and 24 hours of total case life.
The Pixel Buds 2a with ANC turned on will last about 7 hours and the case brings the total to 20 hours. If you turn off the ANC, the buds will lasts upto 10 hours, while the case will last up to 27 hours.
One of the cool sustainability features here in Pixel Buds 2a is that it comes with a replaceable battery, which is first for the A series. It means these buds could potentially last you many more years than normal earphones.
Both devices, Beats Studio Buds + and Google Pixel Buds 2a, use USB-C to charge and both support fast charging.
The Android Experience
Pixel Buds 2a feel like a part of your phone. They pair quickly when I open the case, with a notification popping up on my screen asking to connect. If you have a Pixel phone, the settings aren’t even in a separate app, they are right in the Bluetooth menu. For other Android users, the Pixel Buds app handles everything seamlessly.
One of my favourite features here is how they handle Google Assistant and Gemini. You don’t have to touch a button, just say “Hey Google” and you can ask Gemini to summarise your latest emails.
The Beats Studio Buds+ are surprisingly great on Android, too, which isn’t always the case with Apple-owned brands. They support Google Fast Pair and Find My Device, which is a huge relief. However, to customise your controls or even to update the firmware, you have to download the Beats App.
Price and Availability
The Pixel Buds 2a are priced at $129 USD, which can be purchased from Google’s official website/store, Best Buy and Amazon.
The Beats Studio Buds+ is priced at $169 USD and you can purchase them from the Apple Official Stores or from their Website and Amazon.
Final Verdict
If I had to choose just one for myself, I would pick the Pixel Buds 2a, because I take a lot of calls and I value comfort. The way they integrate with my Android phone is seamless and the clear calling feature is a lifesaver when I’m in a noisy environment.
You can choose Pixel Buds 2a if you constantly switch between Zoom calls, answering phone calls or talking to Google Assistant. The Tensor A1 chip and Clear Calling make these the best choice.
While you can choose Beats Studio Buds+ if you are someone who wants physical buttons instead of soft touches and want a IPX4 rating, which makes them a better workout companion.
