Beats Studio Buds review

Comfort & Fit

Reviewers found the earbuds plenty comfortable during testing. They’re not stiff, and they provide a dependable fit. According to Beats, the silicone ear tips have been redesigned for better comfort. Reviewers seemed to agree, noting that they were snug without being painful or unpleasant.

The only caveat is that a couple of reviewers mentioned that it might be better to use foam tips for exercise to avoid slippage.

Sound

Reviewers stated they were amazed at the amount of bass these provided. However, they also noted that while bass-heavy -- as most Beats audio accessories are -- they still had enough mids and highs to give a reasonably balanced listening experience.

But they’re geared more toward music than communications. Most reviews found call quality relatively poor.

Wireless Performance

Beats Studio Buds have the same easy-to-control tap controls as most wireless earbuds, though they don’t quite keep up with Apple. The one disappointment shared among reviewers is the lack of volume control on the buds themselves.

Despite being owned by Apple, Beats did not include an H1 or W1 chip in the Beats Studio Buds. So you won’t enjoy the seamless device switching offered by Apple’s AirPods.

Battery Life

Battery life for the Beats Studio Buds is rated at 5 hours of continuous listening with noise-cancelling active and 8 hours without. If you find yourself low on charge, the case offers two additional top-offs.

Noise Cancellation

Reviewers were not entirely happy with the noise cancellation, with some going as far as to call it subpar at best. They might not meet your expectation in noisy environments, such as worksites, public transit, or busy offices. But if you’re looking to drown out household noise, ambient noise, or other quieter sounds, they should do well enough for the average person.

Other Features

IOS users will have the benefit of Siri but, otherwise, you’re dealing with a fairly standard set of listening and control features.

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The Takeaway

Beats seem to have learned where others have failed in their design and performance with the Studio Buds. While not everything is immaculate or perfect about their latest wireless earbud release, they’re one of the first models reviewers feel close to what AirPods have to offer--and at a comparable (if not cheaper) price too!

PC Magazine says, “The true wireless Beats Studio Buds deliver thunderous bass depth matched by crisp highs for a balanced mix, with decent noise cancellation for a reasonable price.”

The Verge states, “If you already have the Powerbeats Pro and are happy with them, there’s not much about the Studio Buds that warrants an upgrade. Like a lot of rivals battling it out at this price, they’re perfectly adequate, but they lack any one must-have standout thing. Considering the cultural clout that the Beats brand still possesses, that still might be enough for them to be a hit.”