Apple owns both the AirPods Pro and the Beats Studio Buds, two of the most popular wireless earbuds on the market. Both of them offer noise cancellation, fast pairing, and compatibility with iOS and Android devices. But which one is better for your needs and preferences?
In this article, we will compare the design, sound quality, connectivity, and pricing of these two earbuds and give you our recommendation.
Design and Controls Comparison
Stems vs. Wireless Charging
One of the most noticeable differences between the AirPods Pro and the Beats Studio Buds is the design of the earbuds themselves. The AirPods Pro have a stem that extends from the ear canal, while the Beats Studio Buds have a more compact and discreet shape that fits entirely in the ear. The stem of the AirPods Pro has some advantages, such as allowing for more microphone placement, volume control, and spatial audio support. However, some people may find the stem uncomfortable, awkward, or unattractive.
The Beats Studio Buds, on the other hand, have a more ergonomic and minimalist design that may appeal to more users. They also come with three sizes of silicone ear tips that provide a secure and comfortable fit. The downside of the Beats Studio Buds is that they do not have a wireless charging case, unlike the AirPods Pro. The Beats Studio Buds case can only be charged via a USB-C cable, which may be inconvenient for some users who prefer wireless charging.
Limited Programmable Options
Another difference between the AirPods Pro and the Beats Studio Buds is the level of customization and control that they offer. The AirPods Pro has more programmable options, such as adjusting the noise cancellation level, switching between transparency and ANC modes, and activating Siri with voice commands. The AirPods Pro also has sensors that detect when you take them out of your ears and pause the music automatically.
The Beats Studio Buds, on the other hand, have more limited options. You can only switch between three modes: noise cancellation, transparency, and off. You can also activate Siri or Google Assistant with a long press, but you cannot adjust the volume or skip tracks with the earbuds. You have to use your phone or another device for that. The Beats Studio Buds also lack sensors that detect when you remove them from your ears.
Sound Quality Comparison
Noise Cancellation
Both the AirPods Pro and the Beats Studio Buds have active noise cancellation (ANC) that blocks out external sounds and lets you enjoy your music or podcasts without distractions. However, the AirPods Pro has a slight edge over the Beats Studio Buds in terms of ANC performance. The AirPods Pro has an adaptive ANC that adjusts to the shape of your ears and the environment, creating a more personalized and effective noise cancellation. The AirPods Pro also has a transparency mode that lets you hear the outside world when you need to, such as when you want to have a conversation or be aware of your surroundings.
The Beats Studio Buds also have ANC, but it is not as advanced or adjustable as the AirPods Pro. The Beats Studio Buds have a fixed ANC level that may not suit everyone’s preferences or situations. The Beats Studio Buds also have a transparency mode, but it is not as natural or clear as the AirPods Pro. Some users have reported that the transparency mode of the Beats Studio Buds sounds artificial or muffled.
Microphone Performance
Another aspect of sound quality that matters for wireless earbuds is the microphone performance, especially for making phone calls or using voice assistants. The AirPods Pro have a clear advantage over the Beats Studio Buds in this regard, as they have more microphones and better noise cancellation for voice. The AirPods Pro has three microphones on each earbud, one of which is inward-facing and monitors the sound in your ear canal. The AirPods Pro also has a beamforming technology that focuses on your voice and reduces the background noise.
The Beats Studio Buds, on the other hand, have only two microphones on each earbud, and they do not have beamforming or inward-facing microphones. The Beats Studio Buds also have weaker noise cancellation for voice, which means that your voice may sound distorted or drowned out by the ambient noise. The Beats Studio Buds may be fine for casual or quiet conversations, but they are not ideal for professional or noisy environments.
Connectivity and App Features
Connecting to Devices
Both the AirPods Pro and the Beats Studio Buds have fast and easy pairing with iOS and Android devices, thanks to the Apple H1 chip and the Beats chip respectively. Both earbuds also support Bluetooth 5.0, which means that they have a stable and reliable connection with minimal latency or interference. However, the AirPods Pro have some extra features that make them more convenient and seamless for Apple users. For example, the AirPods Pro have iCloud sync, which means that they can automatically connect to any of your Apple devices that are signed in with the same Apple ID. The AirPods Pro also has spatial audio, which is a feature that creates a surround sound effect for compatible content, such as movies or games.
The Beats Studio Buds, on the other hand, do not have iCloud sync or spatial audio. The Beats Studio Buds can only connect to one device at a time, and you have to manually switch between devices if you want to use them with different sources. The Beats Studio Buds also does not support the AAC codec, which is the preferred codec for Apple devices. The Beats Studio Buds only support the SBC and aptX codecs, which may affect the sound quality or compatibility with some iOS devices.
App Features and Functions
Another difference between the AirPods Pro and the Beats Studio Buds is the app features and functions that they offer. The AirPods Pro do not have a dedicated app, but they have settings and options that are integrated into the iOS system. You can access these settings by going to the Bluetooth menu on your iPhone or iPad, or by using the Control Center or Siri. Some of the settings and options that you can adjust for the AirPods Pro include the noise cancellation level, the transparency mode, the ear tip fit test, the spatial audio, the automatic switching, the announce messages, and the name of the earbuds.
The Beats Studio Buds, on the other hand, have a dedicated app called Beats, which is available for both iOS and Android devices. The app allows you to customize some of the features and functions of the earbuds, such as the noise cancellation mode, the transparency mode, the firmware updates, the battery level, and the name of the earbuds. However, the app does not have as many options or settings as the iOS system for the AirPods Pro, and it does not have any equalizer or sound profile adjustments.
Pricing
One of the most important factors that may influence your decision between the AirPods Pro and the Beats Studio Buds is the price. The AirPods Pro are more expensive than the Beats Studio Buds, as they cost $249, while the Beats Studio Buds cost $149.99. That is a difference of $100, which may be significant for some users who are on a budget or who do not want to spend too much on wireless earbuds. However, the price difference may also reflect the difference in quality and features that the AirPods Pro offer over the Beats Studio Buds, such as the wireless charging case, adaptive ANC, spatial audio, iCloud sync, and better microphone performance.
Personal Recommendation
Based on the comparison of the design, sound quality, connectivity, and pricing of the AirPods Pro and the Beats Studio Buds, our recommendation is to go for the AirPods Pro if you are an Apple user who values the best performance, features, and convenience.
The AirPods Pro also has more programmable options than the Beats Studio Buds. You can customize the noise cancellation level, the transparency mode, the ear tip fit test, the spatial audio, the automatic switching, the announce messages, and the name of the earbuds. You can also adjust the volume and skip tracks with the stem of the AirPods Pro, or use voice commands to control Siri.
The Beats Studio Buds, on the other hand, have fewer options and settings. You can only switch between three modes: noise cancellation, transparency, and off. You can also activate Siri or Google Assistant with a long press, but you cannot adjust the volume or skip tracks with the earbuds. You have to use your phone or another device for that. The Beats Studio Buds also lack some features that the AirPods Pro have, such as spatial audio, automatic ear detection, optimized battery charging, and iCloud sync.
