Beats Studio Buds vs. Apple AirPods Pro 2: Which Should You Buy?

the title of best quality wireless earbuds is a never-ending debate, but Apple’s latest AirPods Pro The most popular choice on the market. Posting a dedicated column on the Apple website, obscure the entire business entitythe AirPods Pro are impactful and basically sound great.

But if you’re looking to buy earbuds, either on Apple’s website or in stores, don’t be surprised to find them in stock. Beats Studio Buds shortly. The infamous Beats label, once on the ear of every walking athlete and celebrity, was acquired by Apple in 2014.

Apple hasn’t pushed that, but $150 Beats Studio Buds as long as it does $250 AirPods Pro, that doesn’t mean you should count the former when shopping. Here is the breakdown.

specification

	Beats Studio Buds	Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation)
sound function	Spatial Audio, Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), Transparency Mode	Personalized Spatial Audio, ANC, Transparency Mode
connectivity	bluetooth 5.2	Bluetooth 5.3
durability	IPX4	IPX4
battery	Up to 8 hours playback (24 hours with charging case)	Up to 6 hours playtime (30 hours with charging case)
chips	Unique Beats Chip	H2
price	$150	$250

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You should buy Beats Studio Buds if:

1. Need the most comprehensive user experience

Apple’s AirPods Pro are arguably the better earbuds for iPhone users, but less welcome for Android users. For example, key features such as Spatial Audio and the ability to control earbuds via the app will be disabled when connected to an Android device. Beats Studio Buds, on the other hand, not only have a dedicated Android app for control, but they also support Google’s Fast Pair technology, allowing you to simply flip the lid of the charging case to connect to your earbuds.

Not to mention, Studio Buds charge via USB-C. more universal standards Better than the AirPods’ own Lightning.

2. You have a budget (and color preferences)

Those who prefer something a little more individual and affordable will find the Beats Studio Buds attractive. Available in six colors, including Ocean Blue, Sunset Pink, and the infamous Beats Red, Studio Buds bring a brilliance that AirPods Pro doesn’t. So does the charging case for the earbuds, depending on which colorway you choose.

again: 7 best wireless earbuds you can buy

But that’s not the only hardware difference between Beats and AirPods. Studio Buds are designed to fit the curve of your ear and don’t need stems or hooks to hold them snug. And it’s all packaged up for $150, $100 less than the latest AirPods Pro.

3. Tap-based gestures speed up

For runners and more active users, there is nothing worse than being in the zone. I accidentally pulled out my earbuds trying to control it and it just pauses the music. Compared to the AirPods Pro’s squeeze-based gesture controls, Beats Studio Buds work with a tap and hold, so less effort is required to play, pause, skip tracks and answer calls.

You should buy Apple’s AirPods Pro (2nd generation) if:

1. I want Apple’s best sounding earbuds

The 2nd generation AirPods Pro definitely sound better than the Beats. This is thanks to enhanced dynamic drivers within each earbud that can produce a more complete soundstage while keeping the mids and highs loud and clear. More expensive than Studio Buds? Absolutely. But the AirPods’ asking price is justified for their excellent out-of-the-box sound quality and more effective noise cancellation.

2. Clear mic quality is desired

For years, Apple’s AirPods Pro have been tops when it comes to microphone quality. With many users relying on video conferencing and phone calls, it’s basically essential for working from home at this point. ZDNET’s Christina Darby tested the earphones Back in September, we discovered that Mike was capable of more than isolating her voice from the hustle and bustle of New York City. It doesn’t get any better than that, right?

again: Best AirPods Pro accessories to buy

3. I often lose my earphones

We’ve all experienced the emotional pain of misplacing our earphones. With the latest generation of his AirPods Pro, Apple has integrated a speaker inside the charging case that can be chimed on command via the FINdMy app. This is a nice addition that is present when you do, although you may not use it all the time.

Alternatives to consider

The 3rd generation standard AirPods sell for significantly less than the Pro models, but are worth considering. Like the Pro, the earbuds support spatial audio with dynamic head tracking, feature adaptive EQ to fine-tune different audio experiences, and are housed in a case that charges via MagSafe.

If you want even better wireless earbuds for your workout, here’s the Fit Pro from Beats. The latest model comes in even more colors than the Studio Buds and is equally compatible with both iOS and Android devices. Most importantly, each bud has a rubber hook coming out for a snug fit in your ear.

At $180, the OnePlus Buds Pro 2 sit somewhere between the Studio Buds and the AirPods Pro 2 and, quite frankly, offer the best of both worlds. The control includes support for both iOS and Android.