If you're in the market for premium wireless earbuds, you've likely encountered Beats Fit Pro ($159) and Beats Studio Buds Plus ($169) in your research. Let's break down everything you need to know to make the right choice for your needs.
True wireless earbuds have come a long way since the first AirPods launched in 2016. Today's models pack impressive technology into tiny packages - we're talking active noise cancellation (which uses microphones to detect and cancel out ambient noise), spatial audio (creating a virtual surround sound experience), and smart features that seamlessly integrate with our phones and tablets.
The key factors most people care about haven't changed though: sound quality, comfort, battery life, and ease of use still top the list. What has changed is how well even mid-range earbuds deliver on these essentials.
The Beats Fit Pro launched in late 2021, bringing Apple's H1 chip technology to a more secure-fitting design than previous Beats models. The newer Studio Buds Plus, released in May 2023, took a different approach by focusing on cross-platform compatibility and longer battery life.
The Fit Pro's standout feature is its wingtip design - a soft silicone fin that tucks into your ear's concha (that bowl-shaped area above your ear canal). Having tested dozens of earbuds, I can say this design really works for keeping them in place during exercise. They come with three tip sizes to help you find the right fit.
The Studio Buds Plus takes a more traditional approach but adds an extra size option - XS through L ear tips. This makes them more likely to fit a wider range of ear sizes comfortably. They're notably lighter too, which some users prefer for long listening sessions.
Both models deliver what I'd call the "modern Beats sound" - it's more balanced than the bass-heavy signature Beats was once known for. However, there are noticeable differences:
The Fit Pro produces slightly punchier bass and handles complex music better, likely due to its Apple-designed H1 chip handling the audio processing. When listening to genres like jazz or classical, you'll notice better instrument separation and a more spacious soundstage.
The Studio Buds Plus leans toward a brighter sound signature, emphasizing the upper frequencies. This makes vocals really pop in contemporary pop and rock music, though some might find it a bit too crisp at higher volumes.
Both models offer active noise cancellation (ANC) and transparency mode (which lets you hear your surroundings through the earbuds). The Fit Pro has a slight edge in noise cancellation effectiveness, particularly with low-frequency sounds like airplane engines or bus rumbles.
The Studio Buds Plus made improvements over its predecessor with larger microphones and better processing, but still doesn't quite match the Fit Pro's noise-blocking capabilities. However, its transparency mode sounds more natural to my ears.
Here's where the newer Studio Buds Plus shows its advantages:
Both charge via USB-C, and neither supports wireless charging. They both offer quick charging features - about 5 minutes of charging gives you about an hour of playback.
The Fit Pro integrates exceptionally well with Apple devices thanks to its H1 chip. You get:
The Studio Buds Plus takes a more universal approach, offering:
For home theater use, the Fit Pro has an advantage with its spatial audio support, which creates a more immersive experience when watching movies. However, neither model supports aptX Low Latency, so serious gamers might want to look elsewhere to avoid audio lag.
I've used both models extensively, and here's what stands out in daily use:
The Beats Fit Pro excels at:
The Studio Buds Plus shines when:
Consider these key questions:
The $10 price difference shouldn't be the deciding factor - focus on which features matter most to you.
Both models represent solid choices in the premium wireless earbud market, but they serve different users best. The Fit Pro remains my go-to recommendation for active users and Apple ecosystem devotees, while the Studio Buds Plus makes more sense for those wanting longer battery life and platform flexibility.
Remember that personal preference plays a huge role in earbud satisfaction - if possible, try both or buy from a retailer with a good return policy. Your ears will thank you for taking the time to find the right fit.
| Beats Fit Pro ($159) | Beats Studio Buds Plus ($169) |
|---|---|
| Fit Design - Determines stability during activity and comfort | |
| Secure-fit wing tips with 3 tip sizes | Traditional design with 4 tip sizes (XS-L) |
| Battery Life - Critical for all-day listening | |
| 6 hours (ANC on), 24 hours total with case | 8 hours (ANC on), 36 hours total with case |
| Chip Technology - Impacts device integration and features | |
| Apple H1 chip (superior Apple ecosystem features) | Custom chip (better cross-platform support) |
| Noise Cancellation - Key for commuting and office use | |
| Superior ANC, especially for low frequencies | Good ANC, but not as effective as Fit Pro |
| Device Ecosystem - Affects daily usability | |
| Optimized for Apple devices, limited Android features | Equal support for Apple and Android, more versatile |
| Exercise Suitability - Important for active users | |
| Excellent stability, ideal for workouts | Adequate for light activity, may slip during intense movement |
| Spatial Audio - Enhances movie and music experience | |
| Full support with head tracking | Basic spatial audio support, no head tracking |
| Sound Profile - Affects listening enjoyment | |
| Balanced with strong bass response | Brighter signature with emphasized treble |
| Call Quality - Essential for work use | |
| Better wind noise reduction, clearer calls | Good but more susceptible to wind interference |
The Beats Fit Pro ($159) is superior for movie watching due to its spatial audio with head tracking feature. This creates a more immersive home theater experience compared to the Studio Buds Plus ($169), which only offers basic spatial audio support.
Both offer good value, but the Beats Fit Pro provides better features for its price, including superior noise cancellation and Apple H1 chip integration. The Studio Buds Plus costs slightly more but offers longer battery life and better cross-platform support.
The Studio Buds Plus wins with 8 hours of listening time (ANC on) and 36 total hours with the case, while the Beats Fit Pro offers 6 hours and 24 total hours.
Neither the Beats Fit Pro nor Studio Buds Plus are ideal for gaming due to audio latency. For gaming, consider dedicated gaming headphones instead.
The Beats Fit Pro is significantly better for exercise due to its secure-fit wing tips. The Studio Buds Plus may slip during intense activities.
The Beats Fit Pro offers superior noise cancellation, especially for low frequencies. The Studio Buds Plus has good but less effective noise cancellation.
Both work with iOS and Android, but the Beats Fit Pro favors Apple devices, while the Studio Buds Plus offers more balanced cross-platform support.
The Beats Fit Pro delivers more balanced sound with better bass response, while the Studio Buds Plus has a brighter signature that emphasizes treble.
Both work well for calls, but the Beats Fit Pro handles wind noise better and provides clearer call quality than the Studio Buds Plus.
The Studio Buds Plus offers better long-term comfort with more size options, while the Beats Fit Pro might feel more noticeable due to its wing tips.
The Studio Buds Plus offers more seamless cross-platform switching, while the Beats Fit Pro excels within the Apple ecosystem but is less convenient with other devices.
For home theater use, the Beats Fit Pro is the better choice due to its spatial audio with head tracking and superior sound staging. The Studio Buds Plus works adequately but doesn't provide the same immersive experience.
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 - 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
