Google’s latest affordable earbuds already got their first-ever discount, with the Pixel Buds 2a now $99.99 (normally $129). The 22% discount puts them below the psychologically important $100 double-digit mark for the first time and renders these already enticing buds an easy choice for Android users looking for value and up-to-date features, like active noise cancellation.
Why This First Pixel Buds 2a Discount Matters Now
First discounts on newly released audio gear are a rarity and hardly ever as high as these. At $99.99, the Pixel Buds 2a fall into a very crowded price bracket in which shoppers tend to make snap decisions. Market trackers like Canalys have reported that the value tier of true wireless earbuds hasn’t waned, and witnessing strong ANC making its way to this price point further highlights how quickly premium features are becoming standard fare.
It also shifts the conversation within Google’s own lineup. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 take aim at premium-minded listeners, but the 2a now manage to supply a smart feature loadout for mixed use daily and everywhere, in an increasingly rare package that lands under half what discounted big-name flagship earbuds can currently cost. If you were looking for a nudge to experiment with Google’s ecosystem, this is it.
Specs and features that make an impression
The headliner is Active Noise Cancellation courtesy of Google’s own Tensor A1 chip. In reality, silicon like this helps the earphones react more intelligently to environmental noise and maintain consistent suppression across variable locales (think train stations or city streets). Company specs indicate that a well-tuned ANC profile is targeted for general use and not just lab benchmarks.
Comfort is another highlight. The Pixel Buds 2a come with four sizes of eartips, catering to a wider variety of ear shapes than many competitors that supply just three. They come with an IP54 rating, which means they can cope with sweat and the odd splash here and there, so gym sessions and drizzly commutes are covered.
Battery life is rated at a maximum of seven hours of playback with ANC active, which is bumped up to a combined total of 20 hours with the charging case. That’s enough to get me through a full day of use, or a cross-country flight with some juice left over. Real-world results will vary with volume and mixed call/music use, but those are competitive numbers for the class.
The 2a also offer the kind of integration Google’s earbuds generally excel in, with quick pairing on Android, easy device switching within the ecosystem, voice-activated Assistant that can be summoned hands-free, and Find My Device functionality if and when you need to track down a lost bud.
These conveniences matter just as much to many buyers as raw audio specs.
How Pixel Buds 2a compare with rivals at $99.99
Compared to the Pixel Buds Pro 2, the 2a buds represent the prudent choice. You sacrifice some premium extras and even more advanced tuning flexibility available in the Pro line, but you get to keep an effective ANC system, a comfortable fit and tight Android integration. For the vast majority of listeners who value calls, podcasts and streaming, the 2a offer the core experience at a fraction of that price.
In the wider market, $99 pits the 2a against heavy hitters like Samsung’s Galaxy Buds FE and regular sale favorites such as the Anker Soundcore Space A40 and Jabra Elite 4. The Pixel Buds 2a’s distinguishing feature is that characteristic Google software savvy, and the day-one appeal for Android owners. If you have a Pixel phone, the experience is especially seamless, from setup to voice commands to finding the case.
Buying advice and availability for this $99 deal
Look for that $99.99 pricing to be available at major electronics retailers and the Google Store during the current sales window. Once a sub-$100 ANC earbud earns some front-page deals-roundup love, stock tends to move pretty quickly—so if these are on your shortlist, don’t drag your feet too long.
Before checking out, verify the return policy and whether price-match guarantees are applicable, because some stores will promise to further drop the price if it’s in the same promotion window. After you’ve got them, run the fit test in the accompanying settings, install any available firmware updates and give Google Assistant voice controls a whirl to make sure you’re making the most of those ecosystem perks.
Bottom line: This is the first meaningful opportunity to score the Pixel Buds 2a at a discount, and that 22% snip makes their value proposition much more compelling. If you need dependable ANC, an ardent Android serenade and cozy comfort that adds up to less costly cans, this is the infrequent price drop worth adding to cart now.