The OnePlus Buds Z2 cost just $99, but this puts the earbuds in a really competitive category that includes Google's Pixel Buds A-series. Earphones are a popular accessory among smartphone owners and they come in different shapes and sizes. Lately, earbuds have become the preferred type of earphones, but with the features continually improving and the price constantly reducing, it can be difficult to choose the right pair.

While buyers are spoilt for choice, they still have to weigh the pros and cons of the earbuds they are considering. For example, some earbuds work better with certain devices than others, and this especially tends to be the case when they are made by the same company. The OnePlus Buds Z2 and the Pixel Buds A-series may both sell for $99, but they are very different sets of earbuds.

Related: Do AirPods 3 Work With Android? What You Have To Know

The design is one of the major differences between the OnePlus Buds Z2 and the Pixel Buds A-Series. The Buds Z2 feature a long protruding stem that sticks out of the ears while Google's earbuds are round and sport a stabilizer arc to help keep them secure. Both have silicone ear tips that provide a secure fit and help to keep the noise out. Apart from their appearance, weight can also determine how comfortable they are. Each Pixel Buds A earbud weighs 5.06 grams compared to each OnePlus Buds Z2 weighing 4.6 grams. Google's earbuds are also rated IPX4 for sweat and water resistance, but OnePlus' earbuds have an IP55 rating making them resistant to dust, water and sweat. When it comes to the Buds Z2, buyers can choose between Obsidian Black or Pearl White, while the Pixel Buds A come in Clearly White and Dark Olive. There are also some similarities between the two earbuds, however, including Fast Pair support, Find My Device (Find My Buds on the OnePlus), in-ear detection, and compatibility with Android and iOS devices.

Similar Features, But A Different Design

OnePlus Buds Z2 offers more for $99

The Pixel Buds A-series come with 12mm dynamic drivers, dual beamforming microphones for clearer calls, and a motion-detection accelerometer. They do lack active noise cancellation but there is an Adaptive Sound feature that automatically adjusts the volume based on the environment. Google has also added hands-free Google Assistant which means users don't have to use the touch controls on the earbuds to call up the voice assistant. By simply saying the wake word followed by a command, the Pixel Buds will be able to provide directions, real-time translations, or read notifications. The OnePlus Buds Z2 comes with smaller 11mm drivers and a single beamforming microphone. However, there is a feedback mic and feedforward mic for active noise cancellation (up to 40dB noise reduction). They also have a transparency mode so users can be aware of sounds around them. While the OnePlus earbuds also come with support for Dolby Atmos and a low-latency game mode, these features are exclusive to select OnePlus phones.

Both pairs of earbuds offer up to five hours of battery, but the OnePlus Buds Z2 can last up to seven hours on a charge when ANC has been turned off. With the charging case, battery expectations increase to up to 24 hours for the Pixel Buds A and 27 hours (38 hours with ANC off) for the OnePlus Buds Z2. There is also support for fast charging on the Buds Z2 with a 10-minute charge resulting in up to two hours of listening. The charging case for both sets of earbuds is equipped with a USB-C port and lacks wireless charging support.

At $99, both earbuds are good in their own right. The Pixel Buds A-series may be the choice favored by those who prefer an original design over the OnePlus Buds Z2's more generic look. Although the OnePlus earbuds offer more features and better water resistance, some of those additional features, like Dolby Atmos support and the low-latency game mode, are only available to those with a compatible OnePlus device.

Next: Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro Vs. AirPods Pro: Should You Spend $169 Or $249?

Source: OnePlus, Google Store