Top 12 Beats Studio Buds Alternatives: Find Your Perfect Sound
The Beats Studio Buds have been a popular pick for true wireless earbuds since their launch, especially for Apple users. With a sleek design, Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency mode, and that signature bass-heavy Beats sound, there‘s a lot to like.
However, with so many excellent true wireless earbuds now available, the Beats Studio Buds may not be the perfect pick for everyone. Maybe you want earbuds with better battery life or a more neutral sound profile. Perhaps you need a more secure fit for workouts and sports. Or it could just come down to finding a better price.
Whatever your reason for seeking Beats Studio Buds alternatives, we‘ve got you covered. This in-depth guide will walk you through the very best options on the market in 2023. We‘ll look at premium picks with advanced features, outstanding mid-range all-rounders, and even some budget gems that deliver incredible bang for your buck.
But before we get into our top picks, let‘s take a quick look at the key things you should consider when choosing a Beats Studio Buds alternative:
Sound Quality – The Beats Studio Buds deliver powerful, punchy bass. If you love that sound profile, look for alternatives with a similarly exciting low-end response. But if you prefer a more balanced, neutral sound, there are plenty of great options for that too.
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) – The Beats Studio Buds have solid noise canceling performance, especially for earbuds. Our top alternatives either match or exceed that ANC capability, often with advanced features like adaptive ANC or customizable noise cancellation levels.
Transparency Mode – Being able to quickly let in outside sound when you need to talk or hear your surroundings is super convenient. All of our top picks include a transparency mode that‘s at least as good as the Beats Studio Buds.
Battery Life – With 5 hours of listening time in the buds (8 hours with ANC off) and 24 hours total with the charging case, the Beats Studio Buds have average battery life. Many of our alternatives significantly improve on those numbers.
Comfort & Fit – The best earbuds in the world aren‘t much good if they‘re uncomfortable or keep falling out. Lightweight construction, multiple ear tip sizes, and stability fins/wings are all things to look for to ensure a comfy, secure fit.
Voice Assistant Support – The Beats Studio Buds have hands-free Siri support, which is great for Apple users. But they lack direct voice assistant access for Android. Our top alternatives work seamlessly with Siri, Google Assistant, Alexa, and more.
Price – With an MSRP of $149, the Beats Studio Buds are priced similarly to other feature-rich true wireless earbuds. Our top picks range from under $100 up to around $400, so there are great alternatives for every budget.
Now, let‘s jump into the very best Beats Studio Buds alternatives you can buy in 2023, starting with some top-tier premium options for those seeking the ultimate true wireless experience.
Best Premium Beats Studio Buds Alternatives
Sony WF-1000XM4
When it comes to premium true wireless earbuds, the Sony WF-1000XM4 are in a class of their own. With industry-leading noise cancellation, refined sound quality, and a sleek, comfortable design, these are the earbuds to get if you want the absolute best of the best.
Sony‘s QN1e processor and dual noise sensor deliver unrivaled ANC performance, easily besting the Beats Studio Buds. The 6mm drivers and Sony‘s LDAC codec provide rich, detailed audio with just the right amount of bass impact. And with 8 hours of battery life (12 with ANC off) plus another 24 hours in the case, you can listen all day and then some.
Other premium features include wireless charging, speak-to-chat mode, adaptive sound control, Alexa and Google Assistant support, and one of the most stable Bluetooth connections around thanks to Sony‘s Integrated Processor V1. The only real downside is the $279 price tag, but you truly get what you pay for with the WF-1000XM4.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation)
For seamless integration with Apple devices, you simply can‘t beat the AirPods Pro. The 2nd generation model takes everything great about the originals and improves on it in meaningful ways. They‘re still super comfortable and compact, but now with better ANC, enhanced audio quality, and a new charging case with Find My support and a built-in speaker.
The star of the show is Apple‘s H2 chip, which powers the improved noise cancellation and 3D audio with head tracking. Transparency mode also gets an upgrade with Adaptive Transparency, which automatically reduces intense noise like sirens or power tools.
Battery life sees a nice boost to 6 hours with ANC (7 without) and a total of 30 hours with the case. The new extra small ear tip is great for those with smaller ears. And the stems are shorter for a more discreet look.
Like the Beats Studio Buds, the AirPods Pro use one-touch pairing for Apple devices and hands-free Siri. But you also get additional features like in-ear detection, Spatial Audio support, and Audio Sharing. The $249 price is a bit steep, but well worth it for Apple users who want the best possible true wireless experience.
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II
If you prioritize noise cancellation above all else, look no further than the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II. These sleek, lightweight earbuds deliver the most effective ANC we‘ve tested, handily outperforming the Beats Studio Buds (and pretty much every other competitor).
Bose achieved this remarkable noise canceling capability through a combination of CustomTune sound calibration, tiny microphones that measure your ear canal, an advanced DSP chip, and noise-rejecting microphone arrays. The result is near-total isolation from external noise, letting you fully immerse yourself in the powerful yet well-balanced sound.
The QuietComfort Earbuds II are also extremely comfortable, with the new FitKit system providing three ear tip and stability band sizes for a super secure fit. Battery life is solid at 6 hours with ANC (24 hours total), and a quick 20-minute charge gives you 2 more hours of playback. The $299 price is definitely on the premium side, but well justified for the phenomenal ANC performance alone.
Outstanding Mid-Range Alternatives
Jabra Elite 85t
In the $200 price range, the Jabra Elite 85t are one of the most well-rounded Beats Studio Buds alternatives you can get. They feature excellent sound quality with adjustable EQ, highly effective ANC with a transparency mode, and solid battery life at 7 hours with ANC (9 without) plus 24 more in the case.
The semi-open design of the Elite 85t provides a spacious soundstage and airy feel, without sacrificing bass response or noise isolation. You can customize the sound to your liking in the Jabra Sound+ app, which also lets you personalize the on-ear controls and adjust ANC levels.
In terms of comfort and fit, the Elite 85t are compact and lightweight with three ear tip sizes included. They also have an IPX4 water resistance rating, making them suitable for sweaty workouts.
Other handy features include auto-pause when you remove an earbud, sidetone for natural-sounding calls, Bluetooth multipoint for connecting to two devices at once, and support for all the major voice assistants. For around $180, the Jabra Elite 85t deliver premium features and performance at a more palatable price than the top-tier models.
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3
If you‘re willing to spend a bit more for truly exceptional sound quality, the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 are a fantastic choice. These sleek, stylish earbuds deliver audiophile-grade performance, with rich, detailed sound across all frequencies. The bass is deep and impactful without overpowering the mids and highs.
Sennheiser‘s Smart Control app lets you fine-tune the sound with a customizable EQ and presets, as well as adjust the level of ANC and transparency mode. Speaking of ANC, the Momentum True Wireless 3 do an excellent job of blocking out external noise, though not quite on par with the very best from Sony and Bose.
Battery life is impressive at 7 hours with ANC on (28 hours total with the case). The fabric-covered case supports wireless charging and is available in three classy colors – black, white, and graphite.
The touch-sensitive controls are highly customizable, letting you assign functions like playback, volume, ANC modes, and voice assistant to each earbud. The Momentum True Wireless 3 also have an IPX4 rating for water resistance and auto-pause when an earbud is removed.
At $249, the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 are priced similarly to the Sony WF-1000XM4 and AirPods Pro. While they may not match those models in terms of ANC, the exquisite sound quality alone makes them well worth considering for discerning listeners.
Best Budget Beats Alternatives
1More ComfoBuds Mini
One of the smallest and lightest pairs of true wireless earbuds on the market, the 1More ComfoBuds Mini are an excellent budget-friendly alternative to the Beats Studio Buds. Despite the tiny size, they manage to pack in 7mm dynamic drivers that deliver surprisingly full and punchy sound.
There are four EQ presets available in the 1More app, including a Bass Booster mode that should satisfy fans of the Beats sound profile. The ComfoBuds Mini also support the aptX Adaptive codec for high-quality wireless audio on Android devices.
While there‘s no active noise cancellation, the snug in-ear fit and well-designed passive isolation do a decent job of blocking out external noise. There‘s also a transparency mode when you need to let sound in.
Battery life is impressive for such small buds, with 5 hours of playback and a total of 24 hours with the compact charging case. The case has a unique slide-out design and supports wireless charging – a rare find at this price point. Other features include touch controls, in-ear detection, and IPX5 water resistance.
With an MSRP of just $99 (and often available for less), the 1More ComfoBuds Mini are a fantastic value for anyone seeking a compact, comfortable, and great-sounding pair of earbuds without breaking the bank.
EarFun Air Pro 2
At just $79, the EarFun Air Pro 2 are one of the most affordable pairs of true wireless earbuds that manage to cram in premium features like active noise cancellation, transparency mode, wireless charging, and even Spatial Audio support.
The 10mm composite dynamic drivers deliver powerful, bass-forward sound that‘s sure to appeal to Beats fans. The Air Pro 2 support the Snapdragon Sound protocol with aptX and AAC codecs, ensuring high-quality Bluetooth audio on both Android and Apple devices.
The ANC performance isn‘t quite on par with premium models, but it‘s still very effective for the price. The transparency mode lets you hear your surroundings with a quick tap, and there‘s even a unique "anti-wind" mode that reduces background noise during calls.
You get a very impressive 7 hours of battery life with ANC (9 hours without), plus up to 34 hours total with the sleek wireless charging case. The earbuds have an IPX5 water resistance rating, making them a great budget-friendly pick for workouts.
Other handy features include customizable touch controls, support for Siri and Google Assistant voice commands, low latency mode for gaming, and an ergonomic design with four sets of ear tips for a secure fit. For under $100, the EarFun Air Pro 2 are an incredible value and a worthy Beats Studio Buds alternative.
Conclusion
The Beats Studio Buds are a solid pair of true wireless earbuds, especially for Bass lovers and Apple users. But with so many fantastic alternatives now available at all different price points, they may not be the perfect match for everyone.
If you‘re looking for the absolute best in sound quality and noise cancellation, premium picks like the Sony WF-1000XM4, Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II, and Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) are tough to top – provided you‘re willing to pay the premium price.
In the mid-range, standout options like the Jabra Elite 85t and Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 deliver excellent performance and features at a slightly more approachable price point. And for the budget-conscious, hidden gems like the 1More ComfoBuds Mini and EarFun Air Pro 2 offer incredible bang for your buck.
Ultimately, the best Beats Studio Buds alternative for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences. But whether you prioritize sound quality, noise cancellation, comfort, battery life, or just getting the most for your money, there‘s sure to be an excellent option out there for you. Hopefully this in-depth guide has helped you find it!
