AirPods

AirPods Pro vs. Beats Studio Buds: Which Is Better?

The global earphones and headphones market had an estimated value of $71.49 billion in 2023. By 2030, experts forecast the sector to earn $163.83 billion in revenue. That’s an increase of over 2.2 times!

True wireless headphones are among the biggest drivers of that growth. They’re easier and more convenient to use, after all. On the other hand, their wired counterparts are clunky and often end in a tangled mess.

So if you’re about to buy new earphones, you should learn about the AirPods vs. Beats debate. These two are among Apple and Google’s most popular wireless audio accessories.

We’ll look closer at the pros and cons of each and which one may be a better buy for you, so read on.

AirPods

AirPods Pro 101

The AirPods Pro is Apple’s mid-range true wireless Bluetooth in-ear headphones. It differs from the AirPods, the product line’s base-level offer.

Apple launched the first generation AirPods Pro in October 2019. It then released the second generation AirPods Pro in September 2022.

According to estimates, Apple sold 4.2 million AirPods Pro 2 in the third quarter of 2022.

Beats Studio Buds Overview

The Beats Studio Buds, like the AirPods Pro, are true wireless earbuds. Another similarity is their parent company: Apple, which has owned Beats since 2014. The Cupertino tech giant purchased the audio brand for $3 billion.

Apple then released the Beats Studio Buds on June 24, 2021.

AirPods vs. Beats: When to Get Which

While the AirPods Pro and Studio Buds are both from Apple, they differ in price, specs, and usability. So before you choose either, consider the following factors and situations first. Doing so can help you determine the best headphones for your needs, wants, and budget.

You Use Other Apple Products

iPhones have overtaken the U.S. smartphone market in 2022. Since then, more Americans have started using Apple’s premium smartphones than Android ones.

Even Apple’s desktop and laptop computers are gaining ground over Windows. Since December 2022, Apple’s OS market share in the U.S. has crept up. It has stood at 31.45% as of April 2023, while Windows has gone down to 53.21%.

If you’re one of those iPhone or Mac users, you may be better off sticking to AirPods Pro.

One reason is that the AirPods Pro comes with ear detection; the Studio Buds don’t. This feature automatically plays music when you put the buds into your ears. It then automatically pauses what you’re listening to when you take them out.

Note that Studio Buds work with Siri, too. So you can say “Hey Siri,” “Hi Siri,” or even “Oi Siri” to talk to your Apple assistant via the earphones.

You Use Android

In this case, the Beats Studio Buds may be your better option for new headphones. A good enough reason is that it has a dedicated Android control app, whereas the AirPods Pro doesn’t.

That app lets you use features like Spatial Audio and Google Fast Pair technology. The latter allows you to automatically pair your earphones with just a flip of its case’s lid.

The AirPods Pro also has Spatial Audio. However, if you connect the AirPods Pro to an Android device, it disables those key features.

The Studio Buds are also better for non-Apple devices since they have a USB-C port. This port is more universal than Apple’s proprietary Lightning technology.

You Have a Tighter Budget

If you’re on a tight budget, you may find the Beats Studio Buds better suited to your wallet. At $150, it costs about a hundred bucks less than the $249 Apple AirPods Pro 2.

However, some sellers still offer first-generation AirPods Pro. You can get them between $200 and $230.

Replacement parts are also often more widely available for Studio Buds. They also have lower price tags than those for AirPods Pro 2. However, they may be more prone to counterfeiting because of their lower cost.

The upside to AirPods Pro replacement parts is that it’s easier to find genuine ones. This is because you can only usually get Apple products from authorized resellers. For a closer look at these replacement parts, see more here.

You Want a Colored Pair

The AirPods Pro may not be the best option for those who value appearance, as Apple only makes them in white.

You can get genuine AirPods Pro in one or more colors from ColorWare. This aftermarket product painter offers these earbuds in over 50 different colors. However, prepare to pay a hefty $389, $140 more than the earbuds’ base price.

Beats Studio Buds come in six different colors. These include white, black, Beats Red, Ocean Blue, Moon Gray, and Sunset Pink. You don’t have to pay extra to get them in a color other than white.

You Need Long-Lasting Headphones

On a single charge, you can enjoy listening to music with the Apple AirPods Pro 2 for up to 6 hours. That drops if you enable Head Tracking and Personalized Spatial Audio, but only by 30 minutes. You can also get up to 4.5 hours of talk time between charges.

A fully charged AirPods Pro 2 case can recharge your headphones at least four times. That brings the total to 24 hours (listen-only) or 22 hours (with Head Tracking or Spatial Audio enabled).

The Beats Studio Buds promise up to 8 hours of listen-only time per charge. That’s longer than the AirPods Pro. However, with its ANC or Transparency mode enabled, you can only get around 5 hours of listening time.

The Studio Buds also provides just two additional charges. That brings the total listening time to 24 hours, but only 15 hours with enabled ANC or Transparency mode.

So if you want longer-lasting headphones, the AirPods Pro 2 is your better choice. Plus, it supports wireless charging with MagSafe. The Studio Buds don’t.

Time to Make an Informed Purchase

Now that you know more about the AirPods vs. Beats debate, you can make an informed buying decision. While both are from Apple, the AirPods Pro offers more features if paired with iOS or macOS devices. But Studio Buds work better with Android, so consider this if you have a non-Apple smartphone.

Still on the fence about which wireless headphones to buy? Then check out our guide discussing your other best wireless earbuds options!

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