If you're shopping for wireless earbuds in 2024, you've probably noticed there are more choices than ever. Today, we'll compare two popular options: Apple's AirPods 4 ($129-180) and the Beats Studio Buds Plus ($169), breaking down exactly what you get for your money and who should choose each one.
Wireless earbuds have come a long way since the first AirPods launched in 2016. The key innovations we see today include active noise cancellation (which uses microphones to detect and cancel out external sounds), transparency modes (that let you hear your surroundings), and spatial audio (giving you a surround-sound-like experience from tiny earbuds).
What matters most in wireless earbuds depends on how you'll use them. For commuters, noise cancellation might be crucial. For fitness enthusiasts, a secure fit and water resistance are essential. For movie watchers, low audio latency (delay) and spatial audio support become important.
The AirPods 4 and Beats Studio Buds Plus take different approaches to sound. The AirPods 4 use an open-ear design, similar to traditional earbuds, while the Beats use silicon tips that seal in your ear canal.
The AirPods 4 produce a surprisingly balanced sound for their design. While they can't match the bass response of sealed earbuds, they excel at creating a natural, airy soundstage - meaning instruments and voices sound like they're coming from around you rather than inside your head. This makes them particularly enjoyable for acoustic music and podcasts.
The Beats Studio Buds Plus deliver more impactful bass and overall fuller sound, thanks to their sealed design. They're better suited for genres like hip-hop, EDM, and modern pop. However, some users find the treble (high frequencies) a bit aggressive, which can make longer listening sessions fatiguing.
Both products offer active noise cancellation, but they work differently. The AirPods 4's open design means they'll never block as much noise as sealed earbuds, but their ANC is surprisingly effective at reducing steady sounds like airplane engines or train noise. Their transparency mode is class-leading - when activated, it feels almost like you're not wearing earbuds at all.
The Beats provide significantly better noise isolation thanks to their sealed design. Their ANC is more powerful, making them better suited for noisy environments. Their transparency mode is good but doesn't quite match the natural feel of the AirPods.
Here's where the AirPods 4 really shine. Apple has consistently led the industry in call quality, and the latest AirPods continue this tradition. They use advanced beam-forming microphones and voice isolation technology to make your voice sound clear while reducing background noise.
The Beats perform adequately for calls but can't match the AirPods' clarity. If you make lots of calls or participate in video meetings, this could be a deciding factor.
The AirPods 4 use Apple's latest open-ear design, which sits more securely than previous generations while maintaining comfort for long sessions. They're ideal for users who don't like the sealed feeling of in-ear buds or need to maintain awareness of their surroundings.
The Beats Studio Buds Plus come with four sizes of ear tips (XS, S, M, L) to ensure a good fit. While they're comfortable, some users find sealed designs less comfortable for extended wear. However, they're more secure for exercise and won't fall out during vigorous movement.
AirPods 4 offer seamless integration with Apple devices. They instantly pair with your iPhone and automatically switch between your iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch. The force sensor controls are intuitive and reliable, though some users miss having volume controls on the earbuds themselves.
The Beats offer more platform flexibility, working equally well with iOS and Android devices. They include physical buttons for controls, which many users prefer over touch sensors, especially during exercise.
Both products offer competitive battery life, but there are differences:
Both use USB-C for charging, following Apple's recent switch from Lightning.
For watching movies and TV shows, both earbuds support spatial audio with dynamic head tracking, which simulates a surround sound system. The AirPods 4 integrate more seamlessly with Apple TV, while the Beats work well with any device supporting spatial audio.
The sealed design of the Beats might provide a more immersive experience for movie watching, as they block more external noise. However, the AirPods' open design might be more comfortable for longer viewing sessions.
The Beats are clearly better suited for exercise, with their secure fit and IPX4 water resistance rating. The AirPods 4, while usable for light exercise, aren't ideal for intense workouts as they may fall out and offer less sweat protection.
The AirPods 4 start at $129 for the base model and $180 for the ANC version. You're paying for seamless Apple integration, superior call quality, and excellent transparency mode.
The Beats Studio Buds Plus at $169 offer better noise isolation, stronger bass, and cross-platform flexibility. They're the better value if you use multiple devices or prioritize sound isolation.
Choose AirPods 4 if you:
Choose Beats Studio Buds Plus if you:
Both are excellent products that serve different needs. Consider your primary use cases and environment when making your choice. The AirPods 4 excel at everyday casual use and communication, while the Beats are better suited for active use and noisy environments.
Remember, the best choice is the one that fits your specific needs and preferences, not necessarily the one with the most features or highest price tag.
| Apple AirPods 4 ($129-180) | Beats Studio Buds Plus ($169) |
|---|---|
| Design Style - Affects comfort, isolation, and stability | |
| Open-ear design with loose fit | In-ear sealed design with 4 tip sizes |
| Active Noise Cancellation - Critical for commuting or office use | |
| Moderate ANC, excellent for an open design | Strong ANC with better passive isolation |
| Battery Life - Important for all-day use | |
| 5 hours per charge, 30 hours with case | 6 hours per charge, 24 hours with case |
| Device Integration - Affects convenience and features | |
| Seamless Apple ecosystem, limited Android | Equal support for iOS and Android |
| Water Resistance - Crucial for exercise use | |
| IP54 (light splash/sweat resistant) | IPX4 (sweat resistant, not dust rated) |
| Microphone Quality - Important for calls/meetings | |
| Best-in-class voice clarity and isolation | Good but not exceptional performance |
| Sound Signature - Determines music enjoyment | |
| Balanced, open sound, lighter bass | Strong bass, pronounced treble |
| Additional Features - Can justify price difference | |
| Spatial audio, automatic switching, Find My | Spatial audio, Find My for both iOS/Android |
| Price/Value Proposition - Total package consideration | |
| Higher price for ecosystem integration | Better value for cross-platform users |
For home theater use, the Beats Studio Buds Plus provide better immersion due to their sealed design and stronger bass response. However, the AirPods 4 offer more comfortable long-session wearing and seamless Apple TV integration.
The Beats Studio Buds Plus offer superior noise cancellation due to their sealed in-ear design. The AirPods 4 provide moderate noise cancellation but can't match the isolation of in-ear buds.
The Beats Studio Buds Plus offer 6 hours per charge with ANC on, while AirPods 4 provide 5 hours. However, AirPods offer more total time with their case (30 hours vs 24 hours).
The Beats Studio Buds Plus work equally well with Android and iOS. The AirPods 4 work with Android but lose many special features and are best suited for Apple devices.
The Beats Studio Buds Plus deliver fuller sound with stronger bass, while AirPods 4 offer more balanced, natural sound. For movies and bass-heavy content, Beats have the advantage.
Yes, both the AirPods 4 and Beats Studio Buds Plus support spatial audio with dynamic head tracking, making them suitable for home theater use.
The AirPods 4 excel at voice calls with superior microphone quality and voice isolation. The Beats Studio Buds Plus are adequate but not exceptional for calls.
The Beats Studio Buds Plus are better suited for exercise with their secure fit and sweat resistance. The AirPods 4 may fall out during vigorous movement.
The AirPods 4 offer seamless integration with Apple TV, including automatic switching and quick pairing. The Beats Studio Buds Plus work well but require manual connection.
The AirPods 4 range from $129-180 depending on the model, while the Beats Studio Buds Plus are priced at $169, making them comparable in cost.
The AirPods 4 typically offer better long-term comfort due to their open design. However, the Beats Studio Buds Plus provide better sound isolation if you can tolerate in-ear fit.
Both work well for gaming, but the AirPods 4 have lower latency with Apple devices. The Beats Studio Buds Plus perform similarly across all platforms but may have slightly higher latency.
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: cnet.com - apple.com - youtube.com - tomsguide.com - apple.com - support.apple.com - phonearena.com - apple.com - cdw.com - apple.com - apple.com - connection.com - bhphotovideo.com - techradar.com - soundguys.com - t3.com - youtube.com - rtings.com - cdw.com - beatsbydre.com - target.com - beatsbydre.com - marketplace.uvation.com - abt.com - beatsbydre.com - beatsbydre.com
