The wireless earbud market has evolved dramatically since Apple removed the headphone jack from iPhones 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).
Let's compare two leading options: the $199 Beats Fit Pro and the $129-199 Apple AirPods 4. While they're both from the Apple family (Apple acquired Beats in 2014), they take quite different approaches to the wireless earbud experience.
The Beats Fit Pro was released in late 2021, introducing some impressive features like active noise cancellation and spatial audio with dynamic head tracking. They use Apple's H1 chip, which manages the wireless connection and advanced audio processing.
The AirPods 4 are expected to launch in late 2024 with Apple's newer H2 chip. This chip promises better noise cancellation and audio processing, though we'll need to wait for real-world testing to verify the improvements.
These earbuds take notably different approaches to design and comfort:
The Beats Fit Pro uses flexible wingtips that twist into your ear's concha (the bowl-shaped area of your outer ear). This provides exceptional stability - I've used mine during everything from running to high-intensity interval training without them budging. The wingtips might feel unusual at first, but most users adapt within a few days.
The AirPods 4 follows Apple's traditional stem design, which many find more comfortable for all-day wear. While they don't offer the same level of stability as the Beats, they're often preferred for office work and casual use. The stem design also makes touch controls easier to access.
Both earbuds offer impressive sound quality, but they have different strengths:
The Beats Fit Pro delivers punchy bass and clear mids, making them excellent for modern music genres like hip-hop, electronic, and rock. The bass isn't overwhelming though - it's well-balanced with the rest of the frequency range. For home theater use, the powerful bass makes action movies particularly engaging.
The AirPods 4 is expected to offer a more neutral sound profile with enhanced clarity in the high frequencies. This could make them better suited for acoustic music, classical, and vocal-heavy content. Early reports suggest improved drivers that should deliver more detailed sound across all frequencies.
Both models offer active noise cancellation (ANC), which uses microphones to detect external noise and create anti-noise waves to cancel it out. They also include transparency mode, which lets you hear your surroundings when needed.
The Beats Fit Pro offers solid noise cancellation that works well for commuting and office environments. The tight seal from the wingtips helps improve passive noise isolation too.
The AirPods 4 is expected to feature more advanced noise cancellation thanks to the H2 chip, potentially offering better performance in challenging environments like airplanes or busy streets.
Battery life is crucial for wireless earbuds. Here's how they compare:
Both support fast charging, giving you about an hour of playback from a 5-minute charge. The AirPods 4 will feature USB-C charging, while the Beats Fit Pro uses USB-C as well.
Both earbuds offer seamless integration with Apple devices, including:
The Beats Fit Pro has an edge here, offering a dedicated Android app that provides most key features. The AirPods 4 will work with Android phones but with limited functionality.
The Beats Fit Pro typically retails for $199 but can often be found on sale for around $150. Given their versatility and cross-platform support, they represent excellent value, especially for active users.
The AirPods 4 is expected to start at $129 for the base model, with a premium version around $199. The lower entry price could make them attractive for casual users, while the premium version might appeal to those wanting the latest features.
Choose the Beats Fit Pro if you:
Choose the AirPods 4 if you:
Both earbuds support spatial audio with dynamic head tracking, making them great for movies and TV shows. The Beats Fit Pro's stronger bass might give action scenes more impact, while the AirPods 4's expected improved clarity could make dialogue more intelligible.
Both offer good call quality, but the AirPods 4's improved voice isolation technology might give it an edge for professional use. The stem design also positions the microphones closer to your mouth.
Both the Beats Fit Pro and AirPods 4 are excellent earbuds with different strengths. The Beats Fit Pro is a proven performer with exceptional versatility, while the AirPods 4 promises cutting-edge features in a more traditional design. Your choice should ultimately depend on your primary use case and ecosystem preferences.
Remember that comfort is highly personal - if possible, try both designs before making a final decision. Many retailers offer return periods that let you test earbuds in real-world conditions.
| $199 Beats Fit Pro | $129-199 AirPods 4 |
|---|---|
| Chip Technology - Determines features and processing power | |
| H1 chip (2021) | H2 chip (2024) - notably better noise cancellation |
| Fit Style - Critical for intended use case | |
| Secure wingtip design (excellent for workouts) | Traditional stem design (better for casual use) |
| Battery Life - Important for daily convenience | |
| 6 hrs (24 total with case) | 5 hrs (30 total with case) |
| Water/Sweat Resistance - Crucial for active use | |
| IPX4 (splash/sweat proof) | IP54 (added dust protection) |
| Platform Compatibility - Affects feature availability | |
| Full features on iOS & Android (with Beats app) | Limited features on Android |
| Sound Signature - Determines music enjoyment | |
| Bass-forward, energetic profile | Balanced, neutral sound profile |
| Noise Cancellation - Important for commuting/office | |
| Good ANC, great passive isolation from fit | Superior ANC with newer H2 chip |
| Additional Features - Can justify price difference | |
| Basic spatial audio, good call quality | Enhanced spatial audio, better voice isolation |
| Case Charging - Convenience factor | |
| USB-C, no wireless charging | USB-C, includes wireless charging |
| Find My Support - Helpful for lost earbuds | |
| Basic location tracking | Enhanced tracking with precision finding |
For home theater use, the $199 Beats Fit Pro has stronger bass response, making action scenes more impactful. However, the $129-199 AirPods 4 offers improved clarity for dialogue. Both support spatial audio for an immersive experience, but the Beats Fit Pro's secure fit means less adjusting during long movies.
The Beats Fit Pro justifies its price through versatility and cross-platform support. The AirPods 4 offers newer technology but less flexibility. For pure iOS users, AirPods 4 provides better value. For those using multiple platforms or needing workout capabilities, Beats Fit Pro is worth the investment.
The AirPods 4 features newer H2 chip technology, providing superior active noise cancellation. The Beats Fit Pro offers good noise cancellation plus excellent passive isolation from its secure fit design.
Both can connect to TVs supporting Bluetooth audio. For minimal audio lag during movies, connect through an Apple TV device, which optimizes the connection. The Beats Fit Pro and AirPods 4 both support automatic device switching when paired with Apple devices.
The Beats Fit Pro offers 6 hours per charge with 24 total hours using the case. The AirPods 4 provides 5 hours per charge but 30 total hours with its case.
The Beats Fit Pro works fully with Android through its dedicated app. The AirPods 4 connects to Android but loses several key features.
Both offer low latency when paired with Apple devices. The Beats Fit Pro stays more secure during intense gaming sessions, while the AirPods 4 may offer slightly better spatial audio positioning for competitive gaming.
Yes, both support Audio Sharing with other compatible Apple and Beats headphones when used with an iPhone or iPad. This lets two people watch the same content simultaneously.
The AirPods 4 features improved voice isolation and better microphone placement via its stem design. The Beats Fit Pro offers good call quality but may pick up more wind noise during outdoor calls.
The AirPods 4 case supports both wireless and USB-C charging. The Beats Fit Pro case only supports USB-C charging.
The AirPods 4 traditional design is generally more comfortable for extended viewing. The Beats Fit Pro secure fit may cause fatigue for some users after several hours.
Both support spatial audio with dynamic head tracking when watching compatible content. The AirPods 4 offers slightly more advanced processing through its H2 chip, while the Beats Fit Pro provides a more cinematic bass response.
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: sixminutemile.com - apple.com - youtube.com - bestbuy.com - pcrichard.com - expercom.com - target.com - beatsbydre.com - soundguys.com - businesswire.com - staples.com - 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
