When it comes to true wireless earbuds, two standout options are the Beats Studio Buds Plus ($169.99) and Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro ($229.99). 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 Apple's original AirPods sparked the revolution. Today's models pack impressive tech into tiny packages, offering features that seemed impossible just a few years ago. Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) - which uses microphones to detect and counter external noise - has become standard, along with transparency modes that let you hear your surroundings when needed.
The Galaxy Buds2 Pro launched in August 2022, bringing significant upgrades over their predecessor including better ANC and a more compact design. The Beats Studio Buds Plus arrived more recently in May 2023, improving on the original Studio Buds with better call quality and battery life.
Both earbuds deliver excellent sound, but they take different approaches:
The Beats Studio Buds Plus offers what audio enthusiasts call a more "neutral" sound profile. This means they aim to reproduce music exactly as it was recorded, without artificially boosting bass or treble. If you enjoy hearing all the subtle details in your music, especially in genres like classical or jazz, you'll appreciate this approach.
Samsung's Galaxy Buds2 Pro leans toward a more "consumer-friendly" sound with slightly enhanced bass and treble. This creates an engaging listening experience that works particularly well for popular music genres like rock, hip-hop, and electronic music. They also include customizable EQ (equalizer) settings through their app, letting you adjust the sound to your preferences.
Both models offer ANC, but there are notable differences:
The Galaxy Buds2 Pro has more advanced noise cancellation, using multiple microphones and sophisticated processing to block out more environmental noise. This makes them particularly good for commuting or working in noisy environments.
The Beats offer solid noise cancellation but really shine with their transparency mode, which uses the earbuds' microphones to pipe in outside sound naturally. This is especially useful when you need to have quick conversations without removing your earbuds.
Here's where things get interesting:
While the Beats win on pure battery life, Samsung includes wireless charging support - a convenient feature the Beats lack. Both charge via USB-C, delivering quick charging capabilities when you're in a hurry.
This is a crucial consideration for many users. The Galaxy Buds2 Pro work best within Samsung's ecosystem, offering exclusive features like automatic device switching and 24-bit audio when paired with Samsung phones. They'll still work with other Android devices and iPhones, but with reduced functionality.
The Beats take a more universal approach, working equally well with both iOS and Android devices. They offer quick pairing with both platforms and maintain consistent features regardless of what phone you're using.
If you frequently take calls, the Beats Studio Buds Plus has a clear advantage. Their updated microphone system and voice isolation algorithms deliver notably clearer calls, especially in noisy environments. The Galaxy Buds2 Pro perform adequately for calls but don't quite match the Beats in this area.
Both earbuds are comfortable for long-term wear, but they suit different ear shapes:
The Galaxy Buds2 Pro boast IPX7 water resistance, meaning they can survive being submerged in water up to 1 meter deep for 30 minutes. The Beats have IPX4 certification, protecting them from splashes and sweat but not submersion.
For home theater use, the Galaxy Buds2 Pro have an advantage when paired with Samsung TVs, offering lower latency and better spatial audio integration. However, both models can suffer from slight audio delay when used with most TVs, making them less ideal for serious movie watching compared to dedicated home theater headphones.
Consider these key factors when making your choice:
Both models represent the current state of the art in wireless earbuds, but technology moves quickly. Samsung is likely to release updated models annually, while Beats typically updates their lineup every 18-24 months. However, both current models are solid choices that should serve well for several years.
The Beats Studio Buds Plus make the most sense for users wanting a versatile, platform-agnostic option with excellent battery life and call quality. The Galaxy Buds2 Pro are the better choice for Samsung users who want maximum features and the best noise cancellation, despite the higher price tag.
Remember that personal preference plays a huge role in earbud selection. If possible, try both models at a local store, as sound quality and comfort are subjective experiences that can't be fully conveyed through reviews alone.
| Beats Studio Buds Plus ($169.99) | Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro ($229.99) |
|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) - Critical for commuting and office use | |
| Good but basic ANC, better for voices than low frequencies | Superior ANC with intelligent switching, excellent for all frequencies |
| Battery Life - Important for all-day users | |
| 36 hours total (9h buds + 27h case) | 29 hours total (5h buds + 24h case with ANC on) |
| Water Resistance - Critical for fitness use or outdoor activities | |
| IPX4 (splash resistant) | IPX7 (can be submerged) |
| Device Compatibility - Affects available features | |
| Full features on both iOS and Android | Best features limited to Samsung devices |
| Charging Options - Affects convenience | |
| USB-C only | USB-C and wireless charging |
| Call Quality - Important for business users | |
| Superior voice isolation, 3x larger mics | Good but standard call quality |
| Sound Customization - Important for audio enthusiasts | |
| Fixed sound profile, no EQ | Adjustable EQ, 24-bit audio (Samsung only) |
| Fit Options - Affects comfort and seal | |
| 4 tip sizes (XS-L) | 3 tip sizes (S-L) |
| Additional Features - May justify price difference | |
| Find My support for both iOS/Android | 360 Audio, Auto Switch, Gaming Mode (Samsung only) |
The Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro ($229.99) offers better latency and spatial audio features when paired with Samsung TVs. While the Beats Studio Buds Plus ($169.99) works well for movies, it may experience slight audio delay with most TV setups.
The Beats Studio Buds Plus costs $169.99, while the Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro is priced at $229.99, making the Beats option more budget-friendly with a $60 difference.
The Beats Studio Buds Plus offers superior battery life with 36 total hours (9 hours per charge plus 27 from case), compared to the Galaxy Buds2 Pro with 29 total hours (5 hours with ANC plus 24 from case).
Both can connect to TVs with Bluetooth capability. The Galaxy Buds2 Pro works best with Samsung TVs, offering lower latency and better integration. The Beats Studio Buds Plus works universally but may experience slight audio delay.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro offers superior noise cancellation, making it better for immersive movie watching. The Beats Studio Buds Plus provides good but basic ANC that's adequate for most viewing situations.
Both support spatial audio, but the Galaxy Buds2 Pro offers better implementation, especially with Samsung devices. The Beats Studio Buds Plus provides basic spatial audio support across all platforms.
The Beats Studio Buds Plus offers more universal compatibility, working equally well with iOS and Android. The Galaxy Buds2 Pro works best within the Samsung ecosystem but can connect to other devices with reduced features.
The Galaxy Buds2 Pro includes a dedicated gaming mode for reduced latency on Samsung devices. The Beats Studio Buds Plus doesn't have a specific gaming mode but provides standard performance for casual gaming.
The Beats Studio Buds Plus offers four tip sizes and a lighter design, while the Galaxy Buds2 Pro provides three tip sizes. Both are comfortable, but the Beats might be better for extended viewing due to their lighter weight.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro supports both wireless and USB-C charging. The Beats Studio Buds Plus only supports USB-C charging.
The Galaxy Buds2 Pro offers more customizable sound and better bass response for movie effects. The Beats Studio Buds Plus provides clear, balanced audio that works well for dialogue-heavy content.
Most modern AV receivers don't support Bluetooth headphones directly. You'd need an additional Bluetooth transmitter to use either the Beats Studio Buds Plus or Galaxy Buds2 Pro with a traditional home theater setup.
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 - samsung.com - samsung.com - samsung.com - samsung.com - brandsmartusa.com - shopsavvy.com - microcenter.com - androidauthority.com
