Google’s A-series earbuds just got a lot more interesting. The new Pixel Buds 2a are set to become the latest entry in Google’s budget-friendly audio lineup, and they’re punching well above their price point. As seen in a newly released spec sheet, the Pixel Buds 2a pack Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and spatial audio — two features once reserved for premium models like the Pixel Buds Pro 2 (Source: Evan Blass on X/Twitter).

An unexpected parity

But a very welcome upgrade

Getting ANC on a pair of $99 earbuds is impressive. It’s not quite the same level as what the Pixel Buds Pro 2 offer with Silent Seal 2.0, but it’s still a meaningful upgrade over the first-gen A-series, which lacked any sort of ambient sound management. Google is clearly trying to close the gap between its entry-level and flagship models without cannibalizing the premium tier, and mostly succeeds.

Spatial audio, meanwhile, continues to feel like a “nice to have” rather than a must-have. Yes, content is slowly expanding — Netflix, Disney+, and YouTube all support spatial audio with compatible content — but the catalog remains limited. Unless you’re actively hunting for movies or music mixed for this tech, you’re unlikely to notice a major difference day to day. And while the Pixel Buds Pro 2 still lead here with head tracking support, it’s hard to say how much that matters outside a very niche use case.

Battery life is another win for the 2a. With 7 hours of ANC-enabled playback (20 with the case), they’re not far behind the Pro 2’s 8/30-hour claim. However, you do lose out on wireless charging, head tracking, and Conversation Detection, all still exclusive to the more expensive Buds Pro 2.

Still, the 2a are shaping up to be the best value in the lineup. For those who don’t need every bell and whistle but still want ANC and a taste of spatial audio, these are hard to beat.

Of course, this launch doesn’t come in a vacuum. The Pixel Buds 2a land amid a flurry of leaks surrounding Google’s upcoming hardware slate, including the Pixel 9 series, Pixel Watch 3, and even a new Pixel Fold. With so much on the horizon, the 2a feel like Google’s way of reinforcing its ecosystem, one budget-conscious step at a time.