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 |
Ingress protection ratings refer to the rank of protection offered by an enclosure, against solids and water. In the format of IPXX, 'X' represents a number The first value means protection against solids such as dust, followed by the one that refers to protection against liquids (water).
Having a value of IPX4, the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s rating is read as, the first value 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. Compared 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 prefer a lower weight better because lighter devices are easier to move with.
Beats Studio Buds, at 5.1g weigh less than the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) with a difference -3.46g For a device to be true wireless it should 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 as some wireless earbuds have cables connecting the 2 earbuds . Beats Studio Buds also is true wireless since 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 fit for use while doing sports such as long-distance running, marathons, cardio sweat workouts , 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 Active noise cancellation makes use of advanced kind of tech to reduce unwanted ambient sounds.
ANC works when, it studies the sound pattern outside and inside the earbud and inverts the soundwaves to counter it. Simply put, it's like having +1 (noise) and adding -1 (inverted noise) giving zero which results in a reduced level of noise.
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have ANC allowing you to listen at lower levels of volume, good for your ears as you don't have to crank up the earbuds volume to outcompete background noise.
Beats Studio Buds too have ANC making both devices ideal for plane rides and morning travels. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) and Beats Studio Buds operate with different noise cancellation settings, pick the noise cancellation type that you prefer for commute or that enhances your relaxation time. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) stay tightly in place, this creates a sound seal that tones down background sounds and also prevents the device music from leaking out . Both Beats Studio Buds, and Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have passive noise reduction this means that both tone down ambient noise instead of actively using ANC to cancel it out.
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a unit size of 11mm in diameter, bigger drivers are more powerful, and can produce better bass. A driver unit is the component that makes sound in the device, its size determines the loudness of the earbuds. Beats Studio Buds driver unit is 8.2mm in diameter, which means that they have a smaller driver unit than that of Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) by 2.8mm , as many tend to believe that driver units of a bigger size automatically produce better sound quality.
However, large drivers find it difficult to produce high frequencies so yeah, larger drivers are capable of generating louder sound, but this does not imply that they produce better quality sound. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s lowest frequency is at 10Hz, low-frequency response inidcates how well an audio component generates low frequencies that can be heard, and if it alters the signal on its way through. Beats Studio Buds's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, this implies that
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) can produce a juicier bass than the Beats Studio Buds
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response indicates how well an audio component makes high human frequencies and if it adjustments 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 before recharge. A device's battery life is given by the manufacturer, and with longer battery life, 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 time, your wireless earbuds will no longer play for long like they used to. 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 recommended to charge fully 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 The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen), the device supports wireless charging.
To charge the device, you just place down on a compatible charging pad. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a battery level indicator, an indicator notifies you when the earbuds has a low battery. The battery indicator lights display the charging state of your earbuds and charging case.
Beats Studio Buds too have a battery level indicator, these enable you determine the charging state of your earbuds, whether fully charged, or having a low battery. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have Bluetooth version of 5, Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that allows data movement between devices placed in close proximity, 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.
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a 10meters distance connecting 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 provides better results than other codecs at a similar 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 intend on using these with Android you need to pay even closer attention to codec support for if they only have AAC they won't provide the best audio quality possible, 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.
While the Beats Studio Buds microphones are 6, equal to that of the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) . More microphones record better sound quality and help the earbuds to filter out background sounds. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) use a noise-canceling microphone, these microphones are made to reduce background sounds from the desired sound. The Beats Studio Buds too use a noise-canceling type of microphone.
This is useful in noisy environments. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the device can detect when removed from your ears . If misplaced in a room, or can't be found in your bag, the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support the find earbuds feature. Beats Studio Buds also have the find earbuds feature.
Use the device app on your phone to play an alarm from your earbuds to help you find them. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support fast charging. Usually, technologies like Qualcomm’s Quick Charge, are used to reduce the time it takes to fully charge the earbuds.
Beats Studio Buds too support fast charging. This kind is similar to regular charging, only that the battery is filling up much faster. For example, with Quick Charge 3.0, the battery can be charged to 50% in thirty minutes.
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support multipoint of 2 connections, the multipoint feature allows you connect to more than one Bluetooth device and switch between them. For example, you can seemlessly switch calls from one device to another without manually disconnect and reconnect. The Beats Studio Buds have a multipoint count of 2, equal to that of the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) . Bluetooth multipoint comes in handy when you can be on one call without missing notifications from another device.
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a mute function, they have the feature to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the earbuds. The Beats Studio Buds also support this function. The mute function means that you unilaterally turn off the device's microphone, but still hear the other party talk.
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen), so you can access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever features are supported on the device. Beats Studio Buds also 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 that has followed instruction manuals.
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support voice prompts. With voice prompts, you receive information via audio messages, say if there is an issue with the connection. Beats Studio Buds also support voice prompts .i.e the earbuds notifies you if the battery is running low, and you need to recharge the device.
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) come with a special case. Carrying earbuds without a case, or placing them in your bag without a cover can easily damage them. Beats Studio Buds too have a case included, which offers safe transportation.