Wireless Earbuds · owner-verdict comparison

Pixel Buds Pro 2 vs Nothing Ear (a): what real owners say

Real owners lean toward the Pixel Buds Pro 2: 45% of 240 owners recommend it, vs 36% of 118 for the Nothing Ear (a).

Verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube owner comments — affiliate reviews excluded. Sample sizes differ; judge accordingly. How we score

Pixel Buds Pro 2

45%of 240 owners recommend
45% recommend · 18% neutral · 37% don't
Owners praise
  • Secure, comfortable in-ear fit that stays put during running, workouts, and head movement
  • Sound quality and noise cancellation praised as better than AirPods Pro 2, Bose, Sony, and Samsung Galaxy Buds in head-to-head comparisons
  • Long-time owners report zero issues and rock-solid reliability over a year or more of daily use
Owners complain about
  • Fit is inconsistent across owners, a large group reports the buds loosen or fall out during movement, the opposite experience of those praising the fit
  • Microphone quality is poor for calls, with callers repeatedly saying they can't hear the wearer or that they sound "far away"
  • Hardware reliability problems, owners frequently go through 2-5 replacement pairs under warranty for the same recurring defects
Full owner report →

Nothing Ear (a)

36%of 118 owners recommend
36% recommend · 19% neutral · 45% don't
Owners praise
  • Sound quality outperforms the price point, with clear treble and strong bass that many owners call the best they've heard at this price
  • Excellent value for money, especially when found on sale ($45-$80 range), often compared favorably to pricier competitors like Beats and Pixel Buds
  • Distinctive design and colorway (especially the yellow version) draws repeated praise for looks and build aesthetics
Owners complain about
  • Battery degrades severely within months, with one bud (often the right) dropping to minutes of playback or failing entirely as early as 6-13 months of ownership
  • One earbud (frequently the right side) develops charging or connection failures, stops holding a charge, or dies completely while the other bud keeps working fine
  • ANC is weak or inconsistent, and transparency mode is often described as bad, buggy, or barely functional
Full owner report →

Which should you buy?

Get the Pixel Buds Pro 2 if
  • ✓Pixel phone owners who want deep Assistant/ecosystem integration and easy pairing
  • ✓Runners and gym-goers needing a secure twist-to-lock fit that stays put during movement
  • ✓Casual listeners who value comfort and all-day wear over critical audio fidelity
  • ✓Buyers upgrading from the original Buds Pro who want better fit, ANC, and battery
Skip it if
  • Anyone who takes frequent phone calls, given widespread mic/call-quality complaints
  • Multi-device users on Windows PCs or non-Pixel phones facing pairing and switching issues
Get the Nothing Ear (a) if
  • ✓Budget buyers who want AirPods-style style and sound without the price
  • ✓Bass-heavy listeners who like a punchy, boosted low end
  • ✓Everyday commuters and callers who prioritize looks, comfort, and value
  • ✓Buyers who don't mind using warranty replacement if a bud eventually fails
Skip it if
  • Anyone needing long-term reliability, given frequent reports of battery failure within months
  • ANC/noise-cancellation-focused buyers, since transparency and ANC performance draw frequent complaints

What Pixel Buds Pro 2 owners say

“although the PBP2 are not the best at anything, they do everything pretty well and nothing terribly. I kept them over Sony, Technics, Samsung, Bose, OnePlus, Huawei, Jabra, Anker.”
— trouser_mouse on Reddit
“I've had the Buds Pro 2 since they first came out and have had zero issues with them”
— Zeus161616 on Reddit
“The biggest issue I have with these is the microphone quality. For example in a Discord voice call I get alot of complaints that my friends don't hear me at all.”
— ReiTW_ on Reddit

What Nothing Ear (a) owners say

“The shape of the (a) case is better than the more expensive Nothing (ear) case in my opinion”
— @taylornicty1170 on YouTube
“are better in every meaningful way”
— @NexGen-3D on YouTube
“its quite bad even though they promoted it as if its the same as the ear 2024”
— @bluebaconjake405 on YouTube

Pixel Buds Pro 2 vs Nothing Ear (a): frequently asked questions

Is the Pixel Buds Pro 2 or the Nothing Ear (a) better?

Real owners lean toward the Pixel Buds Pro 2: 45% of 240 owners recommend it, vs 36% of 118 for the Nothing Ear (a).

Who should get the Pixel Buds Pro 2?

Owners point the Pixel Buds Pro 2 at pixel phone owners who want deep Assistant/ecosystem integration and easy pairing, and runners and gym-goers needing a secure twist-to-lock fit that stays put during movement.

Who should get the Nothing Ear (a)?

Owners point the Nothing Ear (a) at budget buyers who want AirPods-style style and sound without the price, and bass-heavy listeners who like a punchy, boosted low end.

What do owners complain about?

The most-cited downside of the Pixel Buds Pro 2 is fit is inconsistent across owners, a large group reports the buds loosen or fall out during movement, the opposite experience of those praising the fit. For the Nothing Ear (a), it's battery degrades severely within months, with one bud (often the right) dropping to minutes of playback or failing entirely as early as 6-13 months of ownership.