When it comes to premium wireless earbuds, two popular choices stand out: Apple's AirPods Pro 2 ($249) and Beats Studio Buds ($169). Let's dive into everything you need to know to make the right choice for your needs and budget.
Wireless earbuds have come a long way since the first AirPods revolutionized the category in 2016. Today's premium models offer features that seemed like science fiction just a few years ago - from spatial audio (which creates a movie theater-like surround sound experience) to adaptive noise cancellation that automatically adjusts based on your environment.
The key features buyers should focus on have evolved too. While basic wireless connectivity and battery life used to be major concerns, today's focus is on advanced features like:
The AirPods Pro 2 were released in September 2022, bringing significant improvements over the original model through Apple's new H2 chip. This processor enables better noise cancellation, improved battery life, and more precise spatial audio processing.
The Beats Studio Buds launched in June 2021, with a Plus version arriving in May 2023. While they lack Apple's latest H2 chip, they feature custom Beats audio processing that delivers the brand's signature sound.
The AirPods Pro 2 offer what I'd call a more audiophile-friendly sound profile - balanced and natural, with excellent clarity across all frequencies. Their adaptive EQ feature automatically tunes the audio based on your ear shape, which makes a noticeable difference in sound quality. The spatial audio feature, which creates a virtual surround sound experience, is particularly impressive when watching movies or TV shows.
The Beats Studio Buds take a different approach, delivering the brand's signature sound with emphasized bass. While this can be great for certain music genres like hip-hop and EDR, it might not satisfy those seeking the most accurate audio reproduction. They lack spatial audio support, which limits their home theater potential.
Having tested both in various environments, the AirPods Pro 2's noise cancellation is notably superior. On airplane flights, they block significantly more engine noise, and in coffee shops, they're better at reducing background chatter. The H2 chip processes sound 48,000 times per second, actively countering external noise.
The Beats Studio Buds offer decent noise cancellation, but it's not quite at the same level. They struggle more with low-frequency sounds like bus engines or air conditioning units. However, for most daily use cases like office work or commuting, they're still effective enough.
Here's where the differences become really interesting. The AirPods Pro 2 are deeply integrated into the Apple ecosystem, offering:
The Beats Studio Buds take a more platform-agnostic approach, working equally well with both iOS and Android devices. They offer:
Both products offer solid battery life, but in different ways:
AirPods Pro 2:
Beats Studio Buds:
Both models come with multiple ear tip sizes, but their designs are quite different. The AirPods Pro 2 maintain Apple's stem design, which some find helpful for removing the earbuds and using the touch controls. The Beats Studio Buds use a more compact, stemless design that sits entirely in your ear.
In my experience, both are comfortable for long listening sessions, but the AirPods Pro 2's ability to vent pressure makes them slightly more comfortable for extended wear.
The extra $80 for the AirPods Pro 2 gets you better noise cancellation, spatial audio, and superior integration with Apple devices. However, the Beats Studio Buds remain an excellent choice for their price point, especially if you're platform-agnostic or prefer their sound signature.
Remember that both options frequently go on sale, so watching for deals could help you get your preferred choice at a better price. Both offer good value in their respective price brackets, making the final decision more about your specific needs than overall quality.
| Apple AirPods Pro 2 ($249) | Beats Studio Buds ($169) |
|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) - Critical for commuting and office work | |
| Superior ANC with H2 chip, blocks up to 2x more noise | Basic ANC, struggles with low frequencies |
| Battery Life - Important for daily convenience | |
| 6hrs (buds), 30hrs (with case) | 8hrs (buds), 24hrs (with case) |
| Device Compatibility - Determines how seamlessly they integrate | |
| Optimized for Apple devices, limited Android support | Equal support for both iOS and Android |
| Sound Quality - Impacts overall listening experience | |
| Balanced, natural sound with Spatial Audio support | Bass-forward sound, no Spatial Audio |
| Charging Options - Affects convenience | |
| MagSafe, Qi wireless, Lightning connector | USB-C only |
| Water Resistance - Important for exercise | |
| IPX4 sweat/splash resistant | IPX4 sweat/splash resistant |
| Special Features - Can justify price difference | |
| Spatial Audio, Find My, Adaptive EQ, Pressure venting | Basic EQ settings, Fast Pair |
| Call Quality - Critical for work use | |
| Superior voice isolation, better wind reduction | Good but less effective noise reduction |
| Fit and Comfort - Impacts long-term usability | |
| Stem design, 4 tip sizes, pressure venting | Stemless design, 3 tip sizes |
The AirPods Pro 2 are significantly better for movies due to their Spatial Audio feature, which creates a virtual surround sound experience. The Beats Studio Buds lack this feature, making them less immersive for home theater use.
If you're an Apple user or prioritize movie watching, the AirPods Pro 2 justify their $249 price tag with superior noise cancellation and Spatial Audio. However, if you're mainly listening to music and want to save $80, the Beats Studio Buds offer good value at $169.
The Beats Studio Buds offer longer single-charge playback 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 Beats.
The Beats Studio Buds work equally well with both platforms. The AirPods Pro 2 work best with Apple devices and lose several features when used with Android.
The AirPods Pro 2 offer significantly better noise cancellation thanks to their H2 chip. The Beats Studio Buds provide basic noise cancellation that's adequate for casual use but less effective overall.
The AirPods Pro 2 have lower latency with Apple devices and support Spatial Audio for gaming. The Beats Studio Buds have standard latency that may be noticeable in fast-paced games.
The AirPods Pro 2 are superior for late-night TV watching due to Spatial Audio and better noise cancellation, creating a more immersive experience without disturbing others.
Both models will work with any TV supporting Bluetooth audio, but the AirPods Pro 2 offer additional features when used with Apple TV devices.
The AirPods Pro 2 offer more balanced, natural sound, while the Beats Studio Buds provide stronger bass. Personal preference matters here, but AirPods Pro 2 are generally considered more accurate.
The AirPods Pro 2 have pressure-venting technology and four ear tip sizes, making them more comfortable for extended use. The Beats Studio Buds are also comfortable but offer fewer fit options.
The AirPods Pro 2 support Audio Sharing with other Apple headphones when used with Apple devices. The Beats Studio Buds don't offer this feature.
The AirPods Pro 2 have superior voice isolation and wind reduction for clearer calls. While the Beats Studio Buds are adequate for calls, they don't match the AirPods' call quality.
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 - 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
