Expert’s Rating
Pros
Cons
Our Verdict
Priced similarly to third - gen AirPods , the Beats Studio Buds+ have a more usable figure , ANC , and better sound character . But they ’re lack a few Apple ecosystem perk and 2d - gen AirPods Pro have more features and sound better .
Best Prices Today: Beats Studio Buds+
In our review of the originalBeats Studio Buds , we found they outclassed AirPods Pro in several ways but lacked some Apple - specific features . That , along with mediocre noise canceling , made them less desirable for Apple partisan .
The vamp version , Beats Studio Buds + , better on the original in many crucial ways . But Apple also has a new model — thesecond - generation AirPods Pro — that seriously raise the bet . Again , I enjoyed the intention and usability of these Beats earbuds but regain the latest AirPods Pro easier to recommend .
These are earbuds made for both Apple and Android users and lack Apple ’s homegrown H1 or H2 scrap that enable certain features within the Apple ecosystem . I ’d take them over AirPods any solar day , but they do n’t quite check AirPods Pro .
The tiny buds come in a fun frosted transparent enclosure, but ivory and black are also available.
Playful design
you’re able to get AirPods in any people of color you want , as long as it ’s white . Bo - band ! Apple ’s Beats steel has always been unconstrained with its colorways , and the Studio Buds + is no exception with its retro frosted crystal clear credit card for both the buds and compositor’s case .
If that ’s not your affair , they ’re available in black and bone , too .
metalworks
The tiny buds come in a fun frosted transparent enclosure, but ivory and black are also available.
The charging case is a bit orotund than that of AirPods or AirPods Pro but still sluttish to bag . You ’ll find a USB - C charge porthole on the bottom but there ’s no wireless charging potentiality .
The buds themselves are of average sizing and set … well … like most in - auricle buds do . With the right eartips ( four size are included ) it ’s well-fixed to get a good seal of approval and they stay in even through a fair chip of jostling around . While they do n’t come down out , I recede the seal a couple of time on almost any stumble to the gymnasium , though , while I did n’t have that issue with theBeats Fit Prothanks to the little wingtips .
Still , they stay in my ear at least as well as AirPods Pro , and the actual physical buttons on the side of each earbud are far more usable than Apple ’s goosy “ shove the stem ” dominance scheme for AirPods .
Improved sound quality, ANC, and transparency handily beat AirPods but not AirPods Pro.
Improved audio all around
Sound quality is improve over the original Beats Studio Buds , thanks to almost completely reworked national components . There are new microphone , redesigned ventilation , new transducers , and bigger batteries . you’re able to notice the conflict immediately .
While the sound calibre is proficient , I do find somewhat more detail when I mind to euphony with the second - gen AirPods Pro .
Beats claims 1.6x better racket canceling and 2x well transparency than before , and I immediately point out a big improvement over the anterior version . But neither feature quite holds a taper to the fantastic AirPods Pro in that regard . The foil feature is n’t adaptive , either ; it ca n’t suddenly rage up to blunt an supererogatory - loud sound like AirPods Pro can . Still , these are priced closer to the tertiary - gen AirPods , which do n’t have ANC / transparency at all .
I prefer tapping the button on this little bulb to trying to squeeze an AirPods stem.
Battery life is fink at 6 hours with ANC enabled or 9 with it off and the case will recharge the bud three times . In my experience , that estimation seems about correct .
Anyone would be pleased with the sound performance of these sub-$200 earbuds . They sound better than 3rd - gen AirPods , but the 2nd - gen AirPods Pro rescue an overall superscript audio experience all around .
Not quite AirPods
Some Beats Cartesian product use Apple ’s own phone chips , but the Beats Studio Buds + do not . That mean you getsomeApple ecosystem feature film , but not everything AirPods gives you . custody - free “ Hey Siri ” is there , as is exigent pairing with your iPhone and musical accompaniment for the find oneself My app .
But you do n’t get crying switch between Apple gadget , living for spatial audio with telecasting ( anyheadphones can use Spatial Audio in Apple Music ) , personalize spatial audio , Conversation Boost , or the in - ear detection that automatically pauses playback when you take an earbud out .
On the other hand , stepping away from the Apple - design H1 or H2 chips mean that these earbuds can patronise a lot of useful Android features . They support Google Fast Pair , Audio Switch , and discover My twist , and there ’s aBeats App for Androidthat lets you do thing like name your gimmick , see battery levels , or on/off switch stochasticity canceling and transparency preferences . You definitely wo n’t get any ofthatwith AirPods !
Great for the not-Apple-only crowd
If you demand earbuds to use with both Apple and non - Apple equipment , these are a great choice . If you ’re go to use them with just an iPhone , iPad , Mac , or Apple Watch , you ’re better off with the latest AirPods Pro despite the slightly superior design of these ‘ bud .
Priced about the same as third - multiplication AirPods , you ’ll get overall superior sound quality and the addition of dynamic racket cancellation with Beats Studio Buds + . These are easy to recommend over regular AirPods .
However , if you want the best in - auricle bud to use within the Apple ecosystem , you ’ll find second - gen AirPods Pro offer more feature and better sound for just a fleck more hard currency .
