When it comes to wireless earbuds around $100, Google and Amazon have two of the best options with the Pixel Buds A-Series and Echo Buds (2nd Gen). Both earbuds manage to deliver excellent features and specs for their respective prices, making the decision of which to buy a pretty tricky one.

The market for true wireless earbuds — specifically budget earbuds — has never been stronger. Flagship products that cost $200, $300, or more are certainly fun to gawk at, but earbuds for $100 or less are where things get really interesting. Today, it's incredibly easy to have a modest budget and still purchase a pair of buds that'll deliver on just about every front.

Related: Pixel Buds A-Series Vs. Pixel Buds 2

This is the case with the Pixel Buds A-Series and Echo Buds (2nd Gen) — available for $99 and $119, respectively. At those prices, both earbuds offer very similar experiences on a few key fronts. While Google and Amazon's aesthetics vary a decent amount, Pixel Buds A-Series and Echo Buds (2nd Gen) both stand out as sleek, compact earbuds that will likely appeal to a wide array of shoppers. The earbuds form secure in-ear seals, come with customizable tips, charge via USB-C, support tap gestures for music playback, and are backed by an IPX4 water-resistance rating. And, unsurprisingly, the earbuds also come with hands-free access to voice assistants — Google Assistant on Pixel Buds A-Series and Alexa on the Echo Buds (2nd Gen).

ANC Is The Big Draw To Echo Buds (2nd Gen)

Amazon Echo Buds in white next to bag

If there's one reason to buy Amazon Echo Buds (2nd Gen) over Google's Pixel Buds, it's for active noise cancellation. This allows the Echo Buds to block out background sound so users can focus on just their music — ideal when at a noisy coffee shop, on a train, or anywhere else where there's a lot of ambient sounds. While it may not be the very best ANC available on a pair of earbuds, it's a feature the Pixel Buds A-Series don't have at all. The other advantage of Echo Buds (2nd Gen) isn't quite as dramatic, though it could make a difference to some shoppers. In addition to including four sizes of ear tips, Echo Buds (2nd Gen) also include two sizes of wing tips that can be added/removed as users see fit. Pixel Buds A-Series also come with wing tips, though they're built into the earbuds and can't be taken off. Some might find that makes the Pixel Buds uncomfortable after prolonged use, though it'll ultimately come down to each person's personal preference and ear shape. With Echo Buds, there's at least the option to take them off.

The strengths of Pixel Buds A-Series lie with battery life and smart features. According to Google, Pixel Buds A-Series deliver up to 5 hours of continuous listening time and total battery life of 24 hours with the included charging case. While Echo Buds (2nd Gen) also promise up to 5 hours of continuous playback, total battery is capped at just 15 hours. That's a substantial difference between the two, especially considering how similar they are in size. Also, while Pixel Buds and Echo Buds both deliver great audio for their prices, Pixel Buds A-Series take the lead thanks to the Adaptive Sound feature. This automatically adjusts playback volume based on the environment, such as increasing the volume if someone starts washing the dishes or mowing the lawn. It's a fairly small feature on paper but, for real-world use, it's one of the Pixel Buds' best features.

In the end, these are two top-notch earbuds that are easy recommendations for different types of users. For someone that wants the best possible battery life and an elevated listening experience, Pixel Buds A-Series are hard to ignore. Plus, at $20 cheaper than the Echo Buds, they're also the better pick for budget-conscious shoppers. For someone that can't live without ANC, however, it's worth spending a bit more for the Echo Buds (2nd Gen).

Next: Don’t Buy AirPods Pro — Get These $130 Earbuds Instead

Source: Google