Honestly, I've tried a bunch of setups with my 6a, and while the integration with Google Pixel Buds Pro is really smooth, the ANC actually left me kinda disappointed for the price... I mean, they're okay, but I've had better. If ur budget is strictly $150, I'd seriously look at the Sony LinkBuds S instead because they're way more comfortable for a long commute and the noise canceling is lowkey superior imo. I've also messed around with the Jabra Elite 7 Pro and they're solid for calls, but honestly, the Sony's just play nicer with Google's Fast Pair. gl!

Seconding the recommendation above! Honestly, ecosystem hype is real, but you gotta be careful with your budget. If ANC and call quality are your main priorities for the commute, I'd suggest checking out the Sony LinkBuds S. They're usually right around $130-$150 and the integration with Android is basically seamless thanks to Fast Pair.

Another solid budget-friendly pick is the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC. I mean, the noise canceling on these is actually insane for the price point, and they'll save you a chunk of change compared to the high-end stuff. Just make sure to tweak the EQ in their app to get the sound exactly how you like it. GL!

Just sharing my experience: I went through this exact same headache last year when I upgraded my phone setup. Honestly, I've spent literally thousands on audio gear over the years, and I've learned the hard way that "ecosystem synergy" is sometimes just marketing hype. When I first got my Pixel, I was obsessed with finding the perfect technical match for the Fast Pair feature and AAC codec support, thinking I *had* to stay in-house for it to work right.

But yeah, basically what I found after testing a bunch of stuff is that different brands prioritize different tech stacks:

1. **The "Official" Route:** I tried the first-party buds from Google first. In my experience, the integration is *seamless* for things like Google Assistant and finding your device, but the raw audio fidelity felt a bit "thin" compared to legacy audio brands.
2. **The Hi-Fi Audio Giants:** Over the years, I've consistently found that going with Sony is a total win if you care about ANC. Their processing chips are just on another level for blocking out bus engines or office chatter. Even on a Pixel, the app support is top-tier.
3. **The Productivity Kings:** I used a pair from Jabra for about two years daily. Their mic arrays are usually better for calls if you're outside in the wind. Just get any high-end set from Jabra and you'll probably be set for commute calls.

So basically... if you want the best noise canceling, just go with Sony. You honestly cant go wrong there. If call quality is the main goal, I'd lean toward the Jabra lineup instead. Both play super nice with Android tho, so dont feel locked into one brand!! gl with the search!

Saved for later, ty!

> Honestly, I've spent literally thousands on audio gear over the years, and I've learned the hard way that "ecosystem synergy" is sometimes just marketing hype. I totaly agree with this. As someone who likes to tinker and fix my own gear, the whole ecosystem thing feels like a trap to keep you buying new stuff every two years when the battery dies. If your looking for something reliable that wont just become e-waste, you should check out the Samsung Galaxy Buds2. I know it sounds wierd to recommend Samsung for a Pixel 6a, but they are actualy some of the most repairable buds out there if you look at the technical teardowns. Most wireless buds are glued shut, making them impossible for a DIY person to service, but these use more clips and accessible internal batteries. For a daily commute, the ANC is plenty good and you can usualy find them for around $100-110 now. Just a few things to keep in mind:

• Youll need the Galaxy Wearable app to customize the touch controls
• They handle Fast Pair pretty well on my Android devices
• Call quality is decent enough for noisy trains I think maybe people overthink the brand matching? These have lasted me longer than my old ones because they dont feel like they were designed to break. Definately worth considering if you want to avoid a professional service repair bill later on.