Overall Score 7.3 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Overall Score 7.3 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Category | Features | Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) | Beats Studio Buds |
---|---|---|---|
DESIGN | ingress protection (ip) rating | IPX4 | IPX4 |
weight | 8.56g | 5.1g | |
has no wires or cables | ✓ | ✓ | |
sweat resistance | ✓ | ✓ | |
has stereo speakers | ✓ | ✓ | |
SOUND QUALITY | has active noise cancellation (noise control) | ✓ | ✓ |
has passive noise reduction | ✓ | ✓ | |
driver unit size | 11mm | 8.2mm | |
lowest frequency | 10Hz | 20Hz | |
highest frequency | 20,000Hz | 20,000Hz | |
sound pressure level | ✗ | 100.5dB/mW | |
POWER | battery life | 6hours | 8hours |
battery life of charging case | 30hours | 16hours | |
charge time | 0.3hours | 1.5hours | |
has wireless charging | ✓ | ✗ | |
has a battery level indicator | ✓ | ✓ | |
CONNECTIVITY | has usb type-c | ✗ | ✓ |
bluetooth version | v5 | v5.2 | |
maximum bluetooth range | 10meters | 10meters | |
has aac | ✓ | ✓ | |
MICROPHONE | number of microphones | 6only | 6only |
has a noise-canceling microphone | ✓ | ✓ | |
EXTRAS | has ambient sound mode | ✗ | ✓ |
has in/on-ear detection | ✓ | ✗ | |
has find earbuds feature | ✓ | ✓ | |
supports fast charging | ✓ | ✓ | |
multipoint count | 2only | 2only | |
has a mute function | ✓ | ✓ | |
control panel placed on a device | ✓ | ✓ | |
warranty period | 1Years | ✗ | |
has voice prompts | ✓ | ✓ | |
travel bag is included | ✓ | ✓ | |
See price on Amazon | See price on Amazon |
IP ratings is the level of protection given by a casing, against dust and water. In the format of IPXX, 'X' represents a number The first value of the IP rating refers to protection against solids say dust, while the second refers to resistance against liquids (sweat).
Scoring IPX4, the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s rating is read as, the first number of X denotes that no data available to specify a protection rating, and the second number of 4 means that they can withstand low pressure spray similar to that of a shower head when tilted at 180° for 10 minutes. In comparison to the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen), Beats Studio Buds have a rating of IPX4 meaning that
we are not yet certain of their rating with solids (dust)
and that of liquids is that,
they both have the same rating against liquids
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a weight of 8.56g . We consider a lower weight better because lighter devices are more comfortable to carry.
The Beats Studio Buds, at 5.1g are lighter than the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) with a difference -3.46g For a device to be true wireless it must have no cables connecting any part of the device together, Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) are true wireless for this matter since they have no cables. This is an important distinction since wireless earbuds have wires connecting the pair of earbuds . Beats Studio Buds also is true wireless because it doesn't have cables linking the two earbuds . Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) are resistant to sweat Beats Studio Buds's resistance to sweat makes both devices good for use during long-distance running, marathons, training in workout bodysuits, etc Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have stereo speakers, devices with stereo speakers deliver sound from independent channels on both left and right sides, this creates a richer sound and a better listening experience. Both Beats Studio Buds and Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have stereo speakers ANC makes use of more advanced kind of tech to reduce ambient sounds.
ANC works when, it studies the sound pattern of incoming noise and then generates a mirror signal to cancel it out. Simply put, it's like taking +1 (sound from your surrounding) then adding -1 (counter sound by the device) to make zero resulting in a reduced level of noise.
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have Active Noise Cancellation allowing you to listen at lower volume levels, causing less ear fatigue as you don't need to crank up the earbuds volume to outcompete background noise.
The Beats Studio Buds too have Active Noise Cancellation which makes either of the devices ideal for plane rides and rush hour commutes. Each operate with different noise cancellation settings, pick the setting that suits your travel or that enhances your chill time. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) sit well in place, creating an acoustic covering that tones down background noise well as preventing the earbuds music from leaking out at the same.
Both of these devices have passive noise reduction which implies that they reduce ambient noise without using ANC to cancel it out. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) driver unit is 11mm in diameter, bigger drivers are more powerful, and can produce better bass. The driver unit is the component that produces sound in the earbuds, its size determines the loudness of the earbuds.
Beats Studio Buds driver unit is 8.2mm in diameter,
which implies that they have a smaller driver unit than that of Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) by 2.8mm
, a common assumption that driver units of a bigger size automatically produce better sound quality.
However, large drivers usually have difficulty producing high frequencies so yes, larger drivers are capable of generating louder sound, but this does not imply that they produce better quality sound. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s lowest frequency is at 10Hz, low-frequency response measures if and how well an audio component generates low audible frequencies and if it makes any changes to the signal on its way through.
Beats Studio Buds's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, this means that Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) can make sound with a juicier bass than the Beats Studio Buds The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response tells how well a particular audio component generates high recognizable frequencies and if it makes any changes to the signal on its way through. Beats Studio Buds's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, this means that both devices can produce equal treble The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s battery life is 6 hours, these last longer than 5 hours of listening which is considered average for a single charge. A device's battery life is commonly given by the manufacturer, and with more battery hours, you get to use it for longer and requires fewer chargings.
Beats Studio Buds's battery life is more than that of Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) by 2 hours . Every time you recharge your device, they get a little less playing time. The effect is not noticeable at first, but over a few years, your wireless earbuds will have shorter listening time. The battery life of the charging case is given by the manufacturer, and Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s case is said to have a charge of 30 hours.
A charging case with a longer battery life allows you to recharge your earbuds on the go many times before having to recharge the case itself. Beats Studio Buds's charging case has a battery life of 16 hours, less than that of Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) by 14 hours It takes 0.3 hours to fully charge the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s battery. It is highly adivsable to fully charge the battery before using the earbuds for the first time.
Beats Studio Buds takes 1.5 hours to fully charge the battery, more than that of Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) by 1.2 hours Apple AirPods (3rd Gen), the device supports wireless charging. To charge the device, you simply put down on a supported charging pad. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a battery level indicator, an indicator alerts you when the device has a low battery.
Its lights indicate the charging status of your device and case. Beats Studio Buds too have a battery level indicator, these enable you to determine the charging state of your device, if charged fully, or the battery is running low. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have Bluetooth version of 5, Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that allows data transfers between devices placed in range, using short-wavelength, ultra-high frequency radio waves.
Beats Studio Buds has a Bluetooth version of 5.2, newer than that of Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) . Newer versions provide faster data transfers. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a 10meters distance to connect via Bluetooth. Beats Studio Buds have a maximum range of 10meters, equal to that of the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support AAC, a codec that is used for Bluetooth audio.
It supports 24-bit audio at 250kbps. Because it uses psychoacoustic modeling, it can provide better results than other codecs at the same bit rate.
Since its the highest quality codec that any Bluetooth-supporting Apple product supports, the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) will work well with your iPhone.
If you are planning on using these with Android , ensure that they also support aptX HD, LDAC, or LHDC as well. The Beats Studio Buds support AAC as well. Designed to be the successor of the MP3 format, AAC generally achieves higher sound quality than MP3 encoders at the same bit rate.
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have 6 microphones. The Beats Studio Buds microphones are 6, equal to that of the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) . More microphones record better sound quality and enable the device to filter out background sounds. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) use a noise-canceling microphone, these microphones are made to reduce background sounds from the earbuds' sound.
The Beats Studio Buds too have a noise-canceling microphone. Especially useful in noisy environments. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the earbuds can detect when they are removed from your ears so that the music is paused.
If lost in a room, or can't easily find them in your bag, the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a find earbuds feature. The Beats Studio Buds also have the find earbuds feature. Simply use the device app on your smartphone to play an alarm from your earbuds to help you locate them.
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support fast charging. Most often, technologies like Qualcomm’s Quick Charge, are used to reduce the amount of time it takes to fully charge the earbuds. Beats Studio Buds too support fast charging.
It's very similar to regular charging, only that the battery is filling up much faster. Say, with Quick Charge 3.0, the battery can be charged to 50% in thirty minutes. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a multipoint of 2 connections, this feature allows you to link to more than one Bluetooth device and switch between them.
Say, you can seemlessly switch calls from one device to another without manually disconnect and reconnect. The Beats Studio Buds support multipoint count of 2, equal to that of the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) . Bluetooth multipoint is useful because you can be on one call without missing notifications from another device. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a mute function, they support the feature to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the earbuds.
The Beats Studio Buds too support this function. It means that you unilaterally turn off the earbuds' microphone, but still hear the other party's voice. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen), so you can easily access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever features are supported on the earbuds.
The Beats Studio Buds too have a control panel on them. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a warranty period of 1 Years, the period of time that warrant free repair and adjustment services in case of a malfunction occurring under normal use following instruction manuals. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have voice prompts.
With voice prompts, you receive information through audio messages, like if there is an issue with the connection. Beats Studio Buds also have voice prompts .i.e the device notifies you if the battery is low, and you need to recharge them. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) come with their own special pouch.
Carrying earphones openly, or putting them in your bag without a cover can easily damage them. Beats Studio Buds also have a travel bag included, which is useful for safe transportation.