When it comes to wireless earbuds in 2023, two popular options stand out: the Apple AirPods 3rd Generation ($179) and the Beats Studio Buds ($169). Let's dive into everything you need to know to make the right choice for your needs.
Wireless earbuds have come a long way since the first AirPods launched in 2016. The AirPods 3 hit the market in October 2021, bringing significant improvements in sound quality and features over the 2nd generation. The Beats Studio Buds arrived a few months earlier in June 2021, representing Beats' answer to users wanting a more versatile, platform-agnostic option.
The most noticeable difference between these earbuds is their design philosophy. The AirPods 3 maintain Apple's signature stem design but with a shorter profile than earlier models. They use an open-ear design, which means they sit in your ear without sealing the canal. This design choice has some interesting trade-offs - you'll have better awareness of your surroundings, but less bass impact and no noise isolation.
The Beats Studio Buds take a completely different approach. Their stem-less design and silicone ear tips create a seal in your ear canal. This sealed design enables features like active noise cancellation (ANC), which electronically reduces background noise, and generally delivers more impactful bass. You get three sizes of ear tips to find your perfect fit.
In my experience testing both, the Beats stay more secure during workouts, while the AirPods are more comfortable for long listening sessions where you want to maintain awareness of your surroundings.
The AirPods 3 shine with their "Adaptive EQ" feature, which uses internal microphones to automatically tune the sound based on how they fit in your ears. They support spatial audio with dynamic head tracking - a feature that creates a virtual surround sound experience that stays fixed in space as you move your head. This is particularly impressive when watching movies or TV shows with Dolby Atmos content.
The Beats Studio Buds deliver a more traditional but refined sound signature. They offer stronger bass response thanks to their sealed design, and while they also support spatial audio, they lack the dynamic head tracking feature. However, they make up for this with active noise cancellation and a transparency mode that lets you hear your surroundings when needed.
For home theater enthusiasts, both options offer unique benefits. The AirPods 3's spatial audio with head tracking creates an impressive virtual surround sound experience when watching supported content. The Beats Studio Buds' noise cancellation might be preferable if you want to block out ambient noise and focus entirely on your content.
Here's where things get interesting. The AirPods 3 are deeply integrated into the Apple ecosystem. They offer:
The Beats Studio Buds take a more platform-agnostic approach. While they work great with Apple devices, they also offer:
Battery life is crucial for wireless earbuds, and both models perform well:
AirPods 3:
Beats Studio Buds:
At $179, the AirPods 3 are slightly more expensive than the $169 Beats Studio Buds. The AirPods justify their premium through better Apple ecosystem integration and spatial audio features. The Beats offer better general-purpose value through their noise cancellation and cross-platform compatibility.
Both products excel in their intended use cases. The AirPods 3 are the clear choice for Apple ecosystem users who want seamless integration and spatial audio features. The Beats Studio Buds are more versatile, offering noise cancellation and better cross-platform support at a slightly lower price point.
Consider your primary use case carefully. If you're mainly using these for commuting or in noisy environments, the Beats' noise cancellation could be invaluable. If you're an Apple user who wants the most seamless experience possible, the AirPods 3 won't disappoint.
Remember that both models have been on the market for about two years now, and while they remain excellent choices, we might see updates in the near future. However, this maturity means they're well-tested and often available at discounted prices.
| Apple AirPods 3rd Generation ($179) | Beats Studio Buds ($169) |
|---|---|
| Design Type - Affects noise isolation and fit security | |
| Open-ear design with stems | Sealed in-ear design with silicon tips |
| Noise Control - Critical for commuting and office use | |
| No active noise cancellation | Active noise cancellation + transparency mode |
| Battery Life - Important for all-day use without charging | |
| 6 hours + 24 from case | 8 hours (5 with ANC) + 16 from case |
| Platform Integration - Affects ease of use and features | |
| Deep Apple integration, limited Android support | Full features on both Apple and Android |
| Water Resistance - Important for workout use | |
| IPX4 (splash resistant) | IPX4 (splash resistant) |
| Charging Options - Affects convenience | |
| Lightning, MagSafe, and Qi wireless | USB-C only |
| Sound Signature - Impacts listening enjoyment | |
| Balanced, open sound with Adaptive EQ | Fuller sound with stronger bass emphasis |
| Special Features - Can justify price difference | |
| Spatial Audio with head tracking, automatic device switching | Cross-platform app support, multiple ear tip sizes |
| Chip Technology - Affects connection reliability | |
| H1 chip (Apple-optimized) | Custom Beats chip (platform-neutral) |
| Find My Support - Important if you misplace easily | |
| Full Apple Find My network support | Basic Find My support on both platforms |
The Apple AirPods 3 are superior for movie watching due to their spatial audio with dynamic head tracking, creating a more immersive home theater experience. While the Beats Studio Buds support basic spatial audio, they lack head tracking. However, their noise cancellation might be preferable in noisy environments.
The AirPods 3 typically offer better long-term comfort with their open-ear design, while the Beats Studio Buds create an in-ear seal that some users might find fatiguing after several hours. However, comfort is highly personal and depends on ear shape.
The Beats Studio Buds offer 8 hours of listening time (5 with ANC), while AirPods 3 provide 6 hours. For marathon viewing sessions, both cases provide additional charges, with AirPods 3 offering more total time when including the case.
Both work with Bluetooth-enabled TVs, but the AirPods 3 have better integration with Apple TV devices. The Beats Studio Buds offer more universal compatibility across different TV brands and streaming devices.
The AirPods 3 excel at spatial audio and dialogue clarity, while the Beats Studio Buds provide stronger bass response for action scenes and better noise isolation. For pure audio quality, the Beats generally offer a more cinematic experience.
Both can be used for gaming, but neither is optimal due to Bluetooth latency. The AirPods 3 have slightly lower latency when used with Apple devices, while the Beats Studio Buds maintain consistent latency across platforms.
The Beats Studio Buds typically offer better music performance with stronger bass and noise isolation. The AirPods 3 provide good overall sound but lack the same level of immersion due to their open design.
At $179, the AirPods 3 are slightly more expensive than the $169 Beats Studio Buds. The Beats offer better value for cross-platform users, while AirPods provide better value for Apple ecosystem users.
The Beats Studio Buds offer better cross-platform compatibility, working equally well with Apple and Android devices. The AirPods 3 are optimized for Apple devices with limited Android functionality.
It depends on your environment. The Beats Studio Buds' noise cancellation can be valuable in noisy homes or apartments, while the AirPods 3's open design might be preferred for maintaining awareness of surroundings.
The AirPods 3 offer better family sharing features within the Apple ecosystem, including easy device switching and Find My tracking. The Beats Studio Buds are more versatile for families using different types of devices.
The AirPods 3 provide superior virtual surround sound through spatial audio with dynamic head tracking. While the Beats Studio Buds support spatial audio, they lack the head tracking feature that makes the experience more immersive for home theater use.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: recordingnow.com - apple.com - youtube.com - bestbuy.com - support.apple.com - apple.com - portableone.com - apple.com - bhphotovideo.com - apple.com - apple.com - rtings.com - beatsbydre.com - youtube.com - bestbuy.com - abt.com - odpbusiness.com - marketplace.uvation.com - target.com - panthertech.fiu.edu - support.apple.com - youtube.com - beatsbydre.com
