In the ever-evolving world of wireless earbuds, two popular contenders from Beats deserve a close look. Let's compare the new Beats Studio Buds Plus ($169.99) with their predecessor, the Beats Studio Buds ($149.99), to help you make the right choice for your needs.
When the original Beats Studio Buds launched in June 2021, they marked a significant departure from previous Beats designs. Rather than the ear-hook style of the PowerBeats, these compact earbuds offered a more discrete profile. Fast forward to May 2023, and the Beats Studio Buds Plus arrived with meaningful upgrades while maintaining the same core design philosophy.
Before diving into specifics, let's talk about what makes a great pair of wireless earbuds. The essentials include:
The Beats Studio Buds Plus brings several meaningful upgrades over its predecessor:
The Plus model features significantly improved Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) - technology that uses microphones to detect and cancel out ambient noise. With 1.6x more powerful ANC, it's notably better at blocking low-frequency sounds like airplane engines and bus rumble. This improvement comes from larger microphones and improved processing power.
Those larger microphones (3x the size of the originals) aren't just for noise cancellation. They also make a substantial difference in call quality. If you frequently take calls through your earbuds, this upgrade alone might justify the price difference.
With ANC active, the Plus model offers:
An often-overlooked but crucial upgrade is the addition of an XS ear tip size. This might seem minor, but anyone who's struggled with earbuds falling out knows how important proper fit is for both comfort and sound quality.
Interestingly, both models deliver very similar sound signatures. They feature Beats' modern approach to audio - less bass-heavy than their early days, with a more balanced profile that works well across different music genres. Both support spatial audio (think surround sound for your ears) when using compatible content.
The original Beats Studio Buds launched at $149.99 but are often available for $99-$119 now. The Beats Studio Buds Plus maintain a steady $169.99 price point. This price difference creates an interesting value proposition:
In day-to-day use, both models handle the basics well. Music playback is crisp and engaging, with good instrument separation and clear vocals. Where you'll notice differences is in the "extra" features:
The Plus model's improved ANC is immediately noticeable in noisy environments. While the original model takes the edge off ambient noise, the Plus version creates a more isolated listening experience.
This is where the Plus model really shines. The larger microphones and improved voice isolation make calls clearer and more natural-sounding. The original model is adequate for calls but can struggle in noisy environments.
Both models offer good Bluetooth connectivity, but the Plus version includes enhanced Android integration with features like Google Fast Pair and better device switching.
While both models support spatial audio, neither is specifically optimized for home theater use. If this is your primary use case, you might want to consider alternatives designed for this purpose. However, both work well for casual TV and movie watching.
Both models offer IPX4 water resistance (protection from sweat and light splashes) and stay secure during moderate activity. The Plus model's extra fit options might give it an edge for some users during workouts.
Consider these questions to help guide your choice:
The Beats Studio Buds Plus represent a meaningful upgrade over the original Beats Studio Buds, particularly in noise cancellation, call quality, and battery life. However, the original model remains a solid choice, especially at its reduced price point.
If you're someone who values better noise cancellation, makes frequent calls, or needs the extra battery life, the Plus model is worth the premium. But if you're primarily looking for good-quality earbuds for music listening at a reasonable price, the original model still delivers excellent value.
Remember, the best choice depends on your specific needs and how you plan to use them. Consider your primary use cases carefully, and choose accordingly.
| Beats Studio Buds Plus ($169.99) | Beats Studio Buds ($149.99) |
|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) - Critical for commuting and office use | |
| 1.6x more powerful ANC, excellent low-frequency blocking | Basic ANC, struggles with low frequencies |
| Battery Life with ANC - Determines how often you need to charge | |
| 6 hours (24 hours with case) | 5 hours (15 hours with case) |
| Microphone Quality - Important for calls and meetings | |
| 3x larger mics, superior voice isolation | Basic mics, average call quality |
| Ear Tip Sizes - Affects comfort and sound isolation | |
| 4 sizes (XS, S, M, L) for better fit options | 3 sizes (S, M, L) |
| Android Integration - Matters for non-iPhone users | |
| Enhanced features, Fast Pair, Audio Switch | Basic Android compatibility |
| Transparency Mode - Helps hear surroundings when needed | |
| 2x better ambient sound pass-through | Basic transparency mode |
| Water Resistance - Important for workouts | |
| IPX4 (same as original) | IPX4 (sweat and splash resistant) |
| Price Value - Consider features vs. cost | |
| Higher price but worth it for calls/commuting | Often discounted, better value for basic use |
Both the Beats Studio Buds Plus and Beats Studio Buds support spatial audio for movies, but the Plus model offers better noise isolation for more immersive viewing. However, neither has significant latency advantages for home theater use.
The Beats Studio Buds Plus offers 1.6x more powerful noise cancellation, better battery life (6 vs 5 hours), and improved call quality compared to the Beats Studio Buds.
If you make frequent calls or need better noise cancellation, the Beats Studio Buds Plus justify their $169.99 price. For basic music listening, the original Beats Studio Buds at $149.99 (often discounted) provide better value.
Both models have virtually identical sound signatures. The Beats Studio Buds Plus might sound slightly better due to improved seal options, but the core audio quality matches the Beats Studio Buds.
Yes, both models work with TVs that support Bluetooth audio. However, consider that neither model offers a low-latency gaming mode or specialized TV features.
The Beats Studio Buds Plus offer 6 hours (24 with case) compared to Beats Studio Buds 5 hours (15 with case) when using noise cancellation.
While both are Android-compatible, the Beats Studio Buds Plus offer enhanced Android features like Fast Pair and Audio Switch that aren't available on the original model.
The Beats Studio Buds Plus provide notably better noise cancellation, making them superior for blocking out room noise during movie watching compared to the Beats Studio Buds.
The Beats Studio Buds Plus include an extra XS ear tip size and improved venting, potentially offering a more comfortable fit for more users than the original model.
Yes, but the Beats Studio Buds Plus offer significantly better call quality with larger microphones and improved voice isolation compared to the Beats Studio Buds.
The Beats Studio Buds Plus superior noise cancellation and better seal options make them slightly better for private TV viewing without disturbing others.
Both the Beats Studio Buds Plus and Beats Studio Buds support spatial audio equally well for compatible content, including movies and music.
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: 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 - rtings.com - youtube.com - bestbuy.com - abt.com - odpbusiness.com - marketplace.uvation.com - panthertech.fiu.edu - support.apple.com - youtube.com
