For anyone looking to invest in premium wireless earbuds, the Apple AirPods Pro 2 ($249) and Beats Studio Buds Plus ($169) are two compelling options that offer different takes on personal audio. Let's dive into what makes each special and who they're best suited for.
The wireless earbud market has evolved dramatically since the first AirPods launched in 2016. Today's premium earbuds aren't just about playing music – they're sophisticated mini-computers that handle everything from noise cancellation to spatial audio (which creates a theater-like surround sound experience). They're also getting better at blocking out unwanted noise while letting in important sounds when needed.
Both of these models represent the latest in earbud technology, with the AirPods Pro 2 launching in September 2022 and the Beats Studio Buds Plus arriving more recently in May 2023. Each brings its own approach to solving common earbud challenges.
The AirPods Pro 2 and Beats Studio Buds Plus take notably different approaches to sound. The AirPods aim for what audio experts call a "neutral" sound profile – imagine sitting in a perfect concert hall where everything sounds natural and balanced. They use custom-designed drivers (the tiny speakers in each earbud) that Apple specifically engineered for clarity.
The Beats, staying true to their heritage, deliver more punch in the bass department. If you enjoy hip-hop, EDM, or any music where you want to feel the beat, you might prefer their sound signature. However, they can sometimes make higher frequencies sound a bit sharp, which some users notice during longer listening sessions.
I've tested both extensively, and while the AirPods Pro 2 offer more versatility across different music genres, the Beats still deliver an enjoyable experience that many will prefer, especially for upbeat music.
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is where these earbuds show their biggest difference. ANC works by creating sound waves that cancel out background noise – think of it like adding negative numbers to positive numbers to get zero. The AirPods Pro 2 are significantly better at this, particularly with low-frequency sounds like airplane engines or bus rumble.
The Beats have improved their noise cancellation compared to their previous model, but they still can't match the AirPods' ability to create a quiet listening environment. In my testing, the AirPods Pro 2 consistently blocked more noise in various environments, from coffee shops to public transit.
Here's where your choice might become clearer based on what devices you use:
The AirPods Pro 2 offer:
The Beats Studio Buds Plus provide:
Both models offer solid battery life, but in different ways:
The AirPods Pro 2 case supports wireless charging and can even charge on an Apple Watch charger, while the Beats require USB-C charging. This might matter if you've already invested in wireless charging pads.
Both models come with multiple ear tip sizes to ensure a good fit. The AirPods Pro 2 include a fit test in iOS that helps you choose the right size, while the Beats include an extra-small size that some users with smaller ears might appreciate.
I've found both comfortable for long listening sessions, but the Beats tend to stay more securely in place during intensive workouts, thanks to their more compact design.
For home theater use, the AirPods Pro 2 have a clear advantage when paired with Apple TV or other Apple devices. Their spatial audio with head tracking creates a more immersive experience – it's like having a surround sound system that moves with your head. The Beats offer basic spatial audio but lack the head tracking feature that makes the experience more realistic.
At $249, the AirPods Pro 2 are $80 more expensive than the Beats Studio Buds Plus at $169. Are they worth the extra money? It depends on your needs:
The extra $80 gets you:
Consider these scenarios to help make your choice:
After months of testing both models, here's what stands out in daily use:
The AirPods Pro 2 excel at:
The Beats Studio Buds Plus shine when:
Both the AirPods Pro 2 and Beats Studio Buds Plus are excellent earbuds that serve different needs. The AirPods Pro 2 represent the premium end of the market with their superior noise cancellation and Apple ecosystem integration. The Beats offer a more accessible price point with solid performance and better cross-platform compatibility.
Your choice should ultimately depend on your primary use case and which ecosystem you're most invested in. If you're deep in the Apple ecosystem and want the best possible features, the AirPods Pro 2 are worth the extra investment. If you value flexibility and bass-forward sound, or if you use multiple platforms, the Beats Studio Buds Plus offer excellent value while maintaining premium features.
| Apple AirPods Pro 2 ($249) | Beats Studio Buds Plus ($169) |
|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancellation - Critical for commuting and office use | |
| Industry-leading ANC with adaptive features | Good but noticeably less effective |
| Battery Life - Important for all-day use without recharging | |
| 6hrs buds, 30hrs with case | 8hrs buds, 24hrs with case |
| Device Compatibility - Affects features and ease of use | |
| Apple-focused, limited Android support | Universal, works well with both iOS/Android |
| Sound Quality - Core feature affecting daily enjoyment | |
| Balanced, neutral with customizable spatial audio | Bass-heavy, brighter treble, no EQ options |
| Charging Options - Affects convenience | |
| Wireless, MagSafe, and USB-C charging | USB-C only |
| Call Quality - Important for work use | |
| Superior voice isolation and clarity | Good but less effective in noisy environments |
| Special Features - Can justify price difference | |
| Spatial audio with head tracking, adaptive audio, precision finding | Basic spatial audio, simpler feature set |
| Water Resistance - Matters for exercise | |
| IPX4 (splash resistant) | IPX4 (splash resistant) |
| Fit Options - Critical for comfort and sound quality | |
| 3 sizes (S/M/L) with fit test feature | 4 sizes (XS/S/M/L) without fit test |
| Case Features - Affects everyday usability | |
| Speaker for Find My, lanyard loop, wireless charging | Basic case, USB-C only |
The Apple AirPods Pro 2 are significantly better for movie watching, offering dynamic head tracking and superior spatial audio that creates a more immersive home theater experience. The Beats Studio Buds Plus have basic spatial audio but lack head tracking features.
For Apple users, the AirPods Pro 2 justify their higher $249 price tag with better noise cancellation, superior call quality, and advanced spatial audio features. However, if you're not in the Apple ecosystem, the Beats Studio Buds Plus at $169 offer better value.
The Beats Studio Buds Plus offer longer single-charge battery life at 8 hours, while AirPods Pro 2 provide 6 hours. However, with the charging case, AirPods Pro 2 last longer overall with 30 total hours versus 24 hours for the Beats.
The Beats Studio Buds Plus are more Android-friendly, offering quick pairing and full features on both platforms. The AirPods Pro 2 lose several key features when used with Android devices.
The AirPods Pro 2 offer significantly better noise cancellation, especially for low-frequency sounds like airplane engines and train noise. While improved, the Beats Studio Buds Plus noise cancellation isn't as effective.
The AirPods Pro 2 are superior for late-night TV watching due to better noise cancellation and more advanced spatial audio features that create a more immersive experience compared to the Beats Studio Buds Plus.
Both models can connect to any Bluetooth-enabled TV or receiver, but the AirPods Pro 2 offer better integration with Apple TV and superior spatial audio for home theater use compared to the Beats Studio Buds Plus.
The AirPods Pro 2 offer more balanced, neutral sound with better clarity, while the Beats Studio Buds Plus provide stronger bass. Sound preference is subjective, but AirPods Pro 2 are generally considered more accurate.
Both are comfortable, but the AirPods Pro 2 have a slight edge with their fit-test feature ensuring optimal seal. The Beats Studio Buds Plus offer an extra small tip size, which some users might prefer.
While both support spatial audio, the AirPods Pro 2 offer a more sophisticated version with dynamic head tracking, creating a more theater-like experience than the basic spatial audio in the Beats Studio Buds Plus.
The AirPods Pro 2 have lower latency, especially with Apple devices, making them better for video content. The Beats Studio Buds Plus perform well but may have slightly more noticeable lag with some devices.
The AirPods Pro 2 excel at switching between Apple devices but struggle with other platforms. The Beats Studio Buds Plus are more versatile, working equally well across all platforms but without automatic switching features.
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 - apple.com - cnet.com - hearingreview.com - target.com - support.apple.com - costco.com - cnet.com - quill.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
