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We've recently released our Test Bench 1.6 update for Headphones! Read the Latency R&D Article to learn more.

Beats Studio Buds True Wireless Headphones Review

Tested using Methodology v1.6
Review updated Jul 11, 2023 at 12:59 pm
Latest change: Writing modified Jan 17, 2024 at 03:27 pm
Beats Studio Buds True Wireless  Picture
6.7
Neutral Sound
7.2
Commute/Travel
8.0
Sports/Fitness
6.7
Office
5.4
Wireless Gaming
5.3
Wired Gaming
5.8
Phone Calls

The Beats Studio Buds True Wireless are the Beats Fit Pro True Wireless' mid-range sibling. Like most Beats products, they come in a couple of sleek colorways to match your style but lack an H1 chip, which is unusual for this manufacturer. This means you can't seamlessly pair them with your Apple devices. Instead, they feature a 'one-touch pairing' system that works for iOS and Android. On the upside, they support Apple's Spatial Audio feature for a more immersive experience, which is only supported on compatible apps like Apple Music.

Our Verdict

6.7 Neutral Sound

The Beats Studio Buds are okay for neutral sound. While they have a fairly neutral sound profile, the underemphasized bass means mixes lack thump, rumble, and boom. A dip in the treble range also hurts the clarity of vocals and lead instruments. Unfortunately, they don't have an EQ or presets to help you customize their sound.

Pros
  • Comfortable, well-built design.
  • Very consistent audio delivery.
Cons
  • No sound customization features.
  • Bad passive soundstage performance.
7.2 Commute/Travel

The Beats Studio Buds are decent for commute and travel. Thanks to their small and lightweight design, you can easily throw them into your pockets or bag when you're on the go. However, their ANC struggles to block out the low rumbles of bus or plane engines. They also provide roughly five hours of continuous playback time, which may not last through a long flight or road trip without recharging them.

Pros
  • Comfortable, well-built design.
  • Don't leak a lot of audio at high volumes.
Cons
  • Disappointing ANC.
  • Bad passive soundstage performance.
8.0 Sports/Fitness

The Beats Studio Buds are great for sports and fitness. They're comfortable, well-built, and are rated IPX4 for water resistance. They're also lightweight and portable but don't have stability fins, meaning they could fall out of your ears with more intense head movements.

Pros
  • IPX4 rating.
  • Comfortable, well-built design.
  • Very consistent audio delivery.
Cons
  • Bad passive soundstage performance.
6.7 Office

The Beats Studio Buds are fair for office use. They're comfortable and don't leak much audio at high volumes, so you won't bother people around you if you want to crank up your favorite tunes. The ANC performance is adequate at cutting down office noise like ambient chatter. Still, their roughly five-hour continuous battery life may not last you throughout your entire day without pausing to recharge them.

Pros
  • Comfortable, well-built design.
  • Don't leak a lot of audio at high volumes.
Cons
  • Disappointing ANC.
  • Bad passive soundstage performance.
5.4 Wireless Gaming

The Beats Studio Buds aren't suitable for wireless gaming. You can use them with a Bluetooth-enabled PC, but their latency is too high for gaming, so your audio and visuals won't be in sync. They aren't compatible with PS4, PS5, or Xbox consoles.

5.3 Wired Gaming

The Beats Studio Buds are truly wireless headphones, and you can't use them wired.

5.8 Phone Calls

The Beats Studio Buds are sub-par for phone calls. Their integrated mic has sub-par recording quality, so your voice sounds distorted, thin, and lacking depth. It also struggles to separate speech from ambient noise, so your voice can be drowned out on a busy street or in a subway station. Their ANC struggles to block background noise, so you may have trouble hearing your conversation clearly.

Pros
  • Comfortable, well-built design.
Cons
  • Disappointing ANC.
  • Sub-par overall mic performance.
  • 6.7 Neutral Sound
  • 7.2 Commute/Travel
  • 8.0 Sports/Fitness
  • 6.7 Office
  • 5.4 Wireless Gaming
  • 5.3 Wired Gaming
  • 5.8 Phone Calls
  1. Updated Jan 17, 2024: The following test groups have been updated following TB 1.6: Bluetooth Connection. There have also been text changes made throughout the review, including to the usages to match these results.
  2. Updated Jan 17, 2024: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.6 , which updates how we measure latency. We've updated and renamed the following test groups: Wired Connection, Bluetooth Connection, and Wireless Connection (Dongle). We've also added new codec latency measurements and provided an audio sample of recorded latency.
  3. Updated Dec 20, 2023: We've added a comparison between these headphones and the JBL Tune Buds True Wireless in Battery life.
  4. Updated Sep 25, 2023: Added a note that the JBL Tune Flex True Wireless have better app support.
  5. Updated Jul 11, 2023: We've updated the text of this review to improve its clarity and accuracy.
  6. Updated Jun 30, 2023: We've added a comparison between these buds and the Beats Studio Buds + True Wireless in Noise Isolation.
  7. Updated May 18, 2023: Added a comparison to the Sony WF-C700N Truly Wireless in the Noise Isolationbox.
  8. Updated May 11, 2023: We have retested these headphones using firmware 1B56. Nothing has changed in sound, but there's now the option to add volume controls via the companion app. We have updated Controls and App Support, but only the scoring of App Support has changed.
  9. Updated Nov 30, 2022: We've updated this review for better legibility and pertinence to the current market.
  10. Updated Apr 12, 2022: Updated review for accuracy and clarity.
  11. Updated Feb 22, 2022: The headphones' weight was originally reported as '0.2 lbs'. However, their correct weight is '0.02 lbs'. The results have been corrected.
  12. Updated Oct 13, 2021: Updated review for accuracy and clarity.
  13. Updated Jul 28, 2021: Review published.
  14. Updated Jul 21, 2021: Early access published.
  15. Updated Jun 30, 2021: Our testers have started testing this product.
  16. Updated Jun 29, 2021: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
  17. Updated Jun 21, 2021: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.

Differences Between Sizes And Variants

The Beats Studio Buds come in a few color variants: 'Black', 'White', 'Ocean Blue', 'Moon Gray', 'Sunset Pink', and 'Beats Red'. We tested the 'Black' variant; you can see our model's label here. If you encounter another variant, let us know in the forums, and we'll update our review.

Compared To Other Headphones

The Beats Studio Buds are sleek noise cancelling, truly wireless headphones. These in-ears stand out from other Beats products as they have a more neutral sound profile rather than one that's thumpy and bass-heavy, making them more versatile for different kinds of audio genres. However, their ANC's performance falls short of Beats' over and on-ear models, like the Beats Solo Pro Wireless, and they struggle to cut down the low rumble of bus and plane engines. They don't do much better at eliminating office chatter, either. They also lack an H1 chip, meaning you can't seamlessly pair them with your Apple devices, unlike the Beats Fit Pro True Wireless and Beats Flex Wireless.

If you're looking for more earbuds, check out our recommendations for the best wireless Bluetooth earbuds, the best wireless earbuds for running and working out, and the best noise cancelling earbuds and in-ear headphones.

Beats Fit Pro True Wireless

The Beats Fit Pro True Wireless offer better overall performance than the Beats Studio Buds True Wireless. Being the sportier sibling of the Studio Buds, the Fit Pro have a significantly more stable in-ear fit, thanks to their stability fins. Their mic also does a better overall job, and they have an additional charge in their carrying case. Unlike the Studio Buds, they also have an H1 chip for seamless pairing with your Apple devices and can block out significantly more ambient noise.

Beats Studio Buds + True Wireless

The Beats Studio Buds + True Wireless are the next generation of the Beats Studio Buds True Wireless. The Plus model offer a couple of upgrades over their predecessor, including a significantly better noise isolation performance and a longer-lasting continuous battery life. The Plus model also has air vents, which improve their audio precision.

Beats Powerbeats Pro Truly Wireless

The Beats Powerbeats Pro Truly Wireless and the Beats Studio Buds True Wireless have different strengths, and you may prefer one over the other. While both headphones are comfortable, the Powerbeats are better for sports as they have a very stable in-ear fit. They also have a longer continuous battery life and an H1 chip so that you can seamlessly pair them up with other devices in your Apple ecosystem. However, the Studio Buds are better for commutes or in-office use. They have ANC, and while it offers a disappointing performance, it can still block out more background noise than the Powerbeats. They also leak less audio.

Apple AirPods Pro Truly Wireless

The Apple AirPods Pro Truly Wireless are better in-ears than the Beats Studio Buds True Wireless. The Apple headphones are better built, are more stable in-ear, and have a more neutral sound profile, which some users may prefer. As well as having better ANC and battery performance, they come with an H1 chip that lets you seamlessly pair them with other devices in your Apple ecosystem.

Sony WF-1000XM4 Truly Wireless

The Sony WF-1000XM4 Truly Wireless are better in-ears than the Beats Studio Buds True Wireless. While both headphones are comfortable, the Sony are better built, and they have significantly better noise isolation. They also have a longer continuous battery life and you can customize their sound profile using their companion app's graphic EQ and presets.

JBL Tune Buds True Wireless

The JBL Tune Buds True Wireless are better than the Beats Studio Buds True Wireless. The JBL have a more neutral, versatile sound profile out-of-the-box and an app with sound customization features. They also have a longer continuous battery life and an auto-off timer to save power. However, the Beats have a one-touch pairing feature that works with Android and iOS. They support Apple's Spatial Audio feature, which works with apps like Apple Music and is designed to create a more immersive listening experience.

Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Truly Wireless

The Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Truly Wireless are better in-ears than the Beats Studio Buds True Wireless. While both headphones are comfortable and well-built, the Samsung have better noise isolation and a more neutral default sound profile, which some users may prefer. You can also customize the Samsung's sound using their companion app's EQ presets.

Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro Truly Wireless

The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro Truly Wireless are slightly better headphones than the Beats Studio Buds True Wireless. While both headphones are comfortable and well-built, the Samsung have a more stable in-ear fit, significantly better noise isolation, and their companion app offers EQ presets. However, the Beats have a somewhat better battery performance.

Beats Flex Wireless

The Beats Flex Wireless are better in-ears for their cost than the Beats Studio Buds True Wireless. While both headphones are comfortable, the Flex are more stable in-ear, have a longer continuous battery life, and have a W1 chip for seamless pairing to Apple devices. However, the Studio Buds have a truly wireless design, which some users may prefer.

Google Pixel Buds A-Series Truly Wireless

The Google Pixel Buds A-Series Truly Wireless and the Beats Studio Buds True Wireless are similarly performing headphones. Both headphones are comfortable and well-built. The Google earbuds' sound profile is more neutral, which some users may prefer, and their mic offers better overall performance. However, the Beats have ANC and can isolate you from more ambient noise. They also leak less audio, and you can use one bud while the other one charges.

Skullcandy Sesh ANC True Wireless

The Skullcandy Sesh ANC True Wireless are better noise-cancelling earbuds than the Beats Studio Buds True Wireless. Their ANC can isolate you from lower-frequency background noise, like the deep rumble of a bus or plane engine. Their companion app also lets you fine-tune their sound profile using a graphic EQ and presets, a feature that the Beats' companion app does not have. The Beats' battery life also isn't as long, but if you're a dedicated Apple user, you'll benefit from the Beats' H1 chip for seamless pairing with Apple devices, as well as their compatibility with Apple Music's Spatial Audio feature, which creates a more immersive virtual soundstage via head tracking.

Sony WF-C500 Truly Wireless

The Sony WF-C500 Truly Wireless are better than the Beats Studio Buds True Wireless. They have a longer continuous battery life, better overall mic performance, and better noise isolation performance. Their default sound profile is more neutral, which some may prefer, and their app includes a graphic EQ and presets for sound customization. On the other hand, the Beats are more comfortable.

Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless

The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless are better in-ears than the Beats Studio Buds True Wireless. While both headphones are comfortable, the Samsung headphones have a more neutral sound profile, which some users may prefer. Their integrated mic offers better overall performance, they have a longer continuous battery life, and you can customize their sound when using their companion app's EQ presets. They're also able to passively isolate you from more noise than the Beats with their ANC on.

Apple AirPods (3rd generation) Truly Wireless

The Apple AirPods (3rd generation) Truly Wireless are better than the Beats Studio Buds True Wireless. The Apple headphones have better build quality, better overall mic performance, and a longer continuous battery life. However, the Βeats are more comfortable, have a more stable fit, and block out much more noise⁠—though their ANC feature doesn't perform very well.

Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are better headphones than the Beats Studio Buds True Wireless. The Sony have a better build, better ANC, and a more neutral sound profile, which some users may prefer. Their companion app also offers a graphic EQ with presets to help you adjust their sound. The microphone offers better overall performance and their continuous battery life is longer too. However, the Beats are more comfortable.

Sennheiser CX True Wireless

The Sennheiser CX True Wireless are better than the Beats Studio Buds True Wireless. The Sennheiser are better built, more stable, and have better performing ANC. They also have a longer battery life along with an auto-off timer, and a companion app with a graphic EQ. However, the Beats do charge faster, have superior microphone recording quality, and feel more comfortable to wear.

Raycon The Fitness Earbuds (2021 Edition) True Wireless

The Beats Studio Buds True Wireless are better in-ears than the Raycon The Fitness Earbuds (2021 Edition) True Wireless. While both earbuds are comfortable and well-built, the Beats have better noise isolation performance and a more neutral sound profile, which some users may prefer. However, the Raycon have a more stable in-ear fit and a significantly better battery performance.

Beats Solo Pro Wireless

The Beats Solo Pro Wireless are better headphones than the Beats Studio Buds True Wireless. The Solo Pro have a better build quality, better ANC, and a more neutral sound profile, which some users may prefer. They also have longer continuous battery life, and an H1 chip, so you can seamlessly pair them with your Apple devices. However, the Studio Buds are more comfortable and lightweight.

Nothing Ear (1) Truly Wireless

The Nothing Ear (1) Truly Wireless are slightly better headphones than the Beats Studio Buds True Wireless. While both headphones are comfortable and well-built, the Nothing have better ANC and a more neutral default sound profile, which some users may prefer. The Nothing also have more extra charges in their carrying case and their companion app offers EQ presets. However, the Beats can deliver sound more consistently.

JBL Tune Flex True Wireless

The JBL Tune Flex Wireless are better than the Beats Studio Buds True Wireless. The JBL have a more neutral, versatile default sound profile and an app with sound customization features. They also have a longer continuous battery life and an auto-off timer to save power. However, the Beats have a quick pairing feature that works with Android and iOS. They support Apple's Spatial Audio feature, which works with apps like Apple Music and is meant to create a more immersive listening experience.

Skullcandy Grind Fuel True Wireless

The Skullcandy Grind Fuel True Wireless are better than the Beats Studio Buds True Wireless. The Skullcandy have a longer continuous battery life, a better companion app, and a superior overall mic performance. Despite having no ANC, the Skullcandy have better noise isolation passively than the Beats do with ANC on. They also have a more stable fit, a better control scheme, and 'Skull-iQ' features, including built-in voice commands. On the other hand, the Βeats are more comfortable and better built.

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Test Results

perceptual testing image
Design
Design
Style
Type In-ear
Enclosure Closed-Back
Wireless Truly Wireless
Transducer Dynamic

These earbuds have a small, understated design. The glossy front face of the buds has the same protruding pill-shaped grip as the Beats Fit Pro True Wireless, with a small logo printed on the lower side. However, unlike Beats Fit Pro, these buds don't have stability fins. They come in a few color variants to suit your style: 'Black', 'White', 'Ocean Blue', 'Moon Gray', 'Sunset Pink', and 'Beats Red'.

7.5
Design
Comfort
Weight 0.02 lbs
Clamping Force
0 lbs

These buds have a comfortable fit. They're lightweight and don't put too much pressure on your ears. Registering commands using the physical buttons doesn't push the buds deeper into your ear. They come with three pairs of differently-sized tips to help you get the best fit.

6.3
Design
Controls
OS Compatibility
Not OS specific
Ease Of Use Good
Feedback Good
Call/Music Control Yes
Volume Control No
Microphone Control No
Channel Mixing
No
Noise Cancelling Control On/Off
Talk-Through
On/Off
Additional Controls Voice Assistant

These headphones have mediocre controls. They're easy to use since the left and right buttons have the same controls. The buttons have mechanical feedback, but they're not very clicky. The earbuds beep to let you know when they've registered a command, but there aren't voice prompts. While they didn't have volume controls when first launched, firmware update 1B56 allows you to enable volume controls on the buds via the companion app.

On either bud:

  • Single press: Plays and pauses audio. Also answers and ends calls.
  • Double press: Skips the track forward.
  • Triple press: Skips the track backward.
  • Press and hold: Cycles between ANC, 'Transparency mode', which is intended to let you hear ambient sound while listening to audio, and both modes off. You can change this command to activate voice assistant or offer volume controls in the companion app. However, you can only have one kind of command at a time, so you can't have volume and ANC controls simultaneously, for example.

9.2
Design
Breathability
Avg.Temp.Difference 0.8 °C

These headphones have a very breathable design. They won't trap heat around your ears, meaning you won't feel a temperature difference over time, even while working out.

9.7
Design
Portability
L 1.0" (2.5 cm)
W 1.2" (3.0 cm)
H 0.6" (1.5 cm)
Volume 0.69 in³ (11.30 cm³)
Transmitter Required No

These earbuds are very portable. Like most truly wireless headphones, they have a small footprint and can easily fit into most bags and pockets.

7.0
Design
Case
Type Hard case
L 2.0" (5.1 cm)
W 2.8" (7.2 cm)
H 1.0" (2.5 cm)
Volume 5.60 in³ (91.80 cm³)

The carrying case is decent, but it's a step down from their successor, the Beats Studio Buds + True Wireless. It's small and made of semi-glossy plastic that feels durable but retains fingerprints if you have oily skin. One small light near the bottom indicates when it's charging. However, the lid doesn't stay open easily due to its flimsy hinge.

7.5
Design
Build Quality

These headphones have good build quality. They're made of plastic and feel durable enough to survive a couple of accidental drops without taking damage. They're also rated IPX4 for resistance against water splashes, making them a solid choice for sports use. Unfortunately, the silicone ear tips are flimsy and feel like they can rip over time.

7.0
Design
Stability

These in-ears are decently stable. Unlike the Beats Fit Pro True Wireless, they lack stability fins to hold them in place when you're on the move. They won't fall out of your ears if you use them at your desk, but they can move around during workouts or runs.

Design
Headshots 1
Design
Headshots 2
Design
Top
Design
In The Box

  • Beats Studio Buds headphones
  • 3x tip options
  • Carrying case
  • USB-C to USB-C charging cable
  • Manuals
  • Beats sticker

Sound
Sound
Sound Profile
Bass Amount
-1.46 dB
Treble Amount
-1.02 dB

These earbuds have a somewhat neutral sound profile, which makes them versatile enough for most audio content. It's different from other Beats products, known for their bass-heavy sound. The Beats Studio Buds lack bass, so your audio sounds a bit veiled. However, there's a boost in the high-mid that makes vocals and instrumentals sound clear in the mix. Unfortunately, their companion app doesn't have any sound customization features like an EQ to help you tweak their sound.

9.2
Sound
Frequency Response Consistency
Avg. Std. Deviation
0.16 dB

The frequency response consistency is outstanding. Once you get a good fit and seal, you'll get consistent audio delivery each time you use them.

Sound
Raw Frequency Response
7.3
Sound
Bass Accuracy
Std. Err.
4.03 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
19.15 Hz
Low-Bass
-3.23 dB
Mid-Bass
-4.52 dB
High-Bass
-5.14 dB

Their bass accuracy is decent. It's underemphasized across the range, so songs like Telephone by Lady Gaga and Beyoncé lack warmth and thump, punch, and boom in their bassline. They're much less neutral-sounding than the Beats Powerbeats Pro Truly Wireless earbuds, which have more prominent bass well-suited for thumpy genres like EDM and hip-hop.

7.7
Sound
Mid Accuracy
Std. Err.
3.04 dB
Low-Mid
-4.34 dB
Mid-Mid
-2.56 dB
High-Mid
0.01 dB

These earbuds have good mid accuracy. The low to mid-mid is underemphasized, so in songs like Juice by Lizzo, vocals seem thin and nudged to the back of the mix. The high-mid is very flat, so vocals and lead instruments still have clarity and intensity.

7.4
Sound
Treble Accuracy
Std. Err.
3.85 dB
Low-Treble
-2.53 dB
Mid-Treble
-4.4 dB
High-Treble
-8.79 dB

The treble accuracy is decent. The response is underemphasized across the range, so vocals and lead instruments are veiled and lacking in detail. Sibilants like cymbals are also dull and lispy.

8.3
Sound
Peaks/Dips
Peaks
1.15 dB
Dips
0.75 dB

The peaks and dips performance is great. The peaks and dips are quite minor, meaning the headphones can control their sound profile well. A bump in the low-bass adds thump and rumble to mixes, while a dip between the high-bass and low-mid thins out vocals and lead instruments. Another dip in the mid-mid nudges these sounds to the back of your mix, while a bump in the high-mid to low-treble makes the upper harmonics of vocals and lead instruments harsh. The uneven mid-treble makes sibilants like cymbals alternatingly bright and sharp.

9.2
Sound
Imaging
Weighted Group Delay
0.22
Weighted Phase Mismatch
2.86
Weighted Amplitude Mismatch
0.16
Weighted Frequency Mismatch
1.13

Beats tend to have good quality control and ergonomics, which helps ensure that their products have well-matched drivers. In turn, well-matched drivers have a high imaging performance, so objects like voices are accurately placed in the stereo image. Imaging varies between units, though. Our unit's L/R drivers are well-matched in group delay, amplitude, frequency, and phase response.

1.0
Sound
Passive Soundstage
PRTF Accuracy (Std. Dev.)
N/A
PRTF Size (Avg.)
N/A
PRTF Distance
N/A
Openness
4.5
Acoustic Space Excitation
0.4

The Beats Studio Buds' passive soundstage is bad. Because they're earbuds, they don't interact with your outer ear, which needs to be activated by sound to create an open and immersive soundstage. The resulting soundstage seems small and as if coming from inside your head. They also have a closed-back design, meaning their passive soundstage seems less spacious than open-back headphones.

0
Sound
Virtual Soundstage
Head Modeling
No
Speaker Modeling
No
Room Ambience
No
Head Tracking
No
Virtual Surround
No

These headphones don't have any virtual soundstage features. While they support Apple's Spatial Audio, it only works on tracks mixed in Dolby Atmos via Apple Music, and you'll need a subscription to access these features. Spatial Audio can create a more 3D soundstage to immerse you in your audio.

7.7
Sound
Weighted Harmonic Distortion
WHD @ 90
0.352
WHD @ 100
0.118

The weighted harmonic distortion performance is good. There are a couple of small peaks in the treble range. However, these peaks are hard to hear with real-life content, and we lose our sensitivity to high-pitched sounds over time. The rest of the frequencies fall within good limits, producing clear and pure audio reproduction.

Sound
Test Settings
Firmware
v1A174
Power
On
Connection
Bluetooth 5.0
Codec
SBC, 16-bit, 48kHz
EQ
No EQ
ANC
On
Tip/Pad
Silicone (small)
Microphone
Integrated

These are the settings used to test the Beats Studio Buds. Our results are only valid when using these headphones with these settings.

Isolation
5.4
Isolation
Noise Isolation
Isolation Audio
Overall Attenuation
-13.59 dB
Noise Cancelling Yes
Bass
-4.21 dB
Mid
-13.1 dB
Treble
-24.29 dB

These earbuds have disappointing noise isolation, and do a worse job of blocking out sound than their successor, the Beats Studio Buds + True Wireless. Their ANC hardly blocks bass-range sounds like rumbling bus and plane engines and is just okay at reducing office chatter. However, it does a better job of reducing high-pitched sounds like a humming A/C unit. Unlike other ANC earbuds, like the Sony WF-C700N Truly Wireless, the Beats also block out more noise if you just turn the ANC off, which isn't ideal. Unfortunately, we noticed that when the ANC is on, you can sometimes hear more white noise in your audio in a quiet environment. If you've experienced this issue, let us know in the forums.

9.6
Isolation
Leakage
Leakage Audio
Overall Leakage @ 1ft
23.19 dB

The buds' leakage performance is outstanding. Noticeable frequencies are concentrated in the bass range, and while escaping audio sounds somewhat full, it's not very loud. It won't bother people sitting nearby, even if you're listening to your music at high volumes.

Microphone
Microphone
Microphone Style
Integrated
Yes
In-Line
No
Boom
No
Detachable Boom
No
Mic Yes
5.8
Microphone
Recording Quality
Recorded Speech
LFE
302.04 Hz
FR Std. Dev.
3.31 dB
HFE
2,313.87 Hz
Weighted THD
4.155
Gain
27.87 dB

The integrated mic has sub-par recording quality. Your voice sounds thin, distorted, and lacking in depth.

5.2
Microphone
Noise Handling
SpNR
10.9 dB
Noise Gate
No
Speech + Pink Noise Handling
5.0
Speech + Pink Noise Audio Sample
Speech + Subway Noise Handling
5.5
Speech + Subway Noise Audio Sample

The microphone's noise handling performance is sub-par and performs worse than the Beats Fit Pro True Wireless. The mic struggles to separate your voice from moderate ambient noise around you, and speech can be drowned out. If you're taking a call while commuting, it can be difficult for someone to hear you on the other end.

Active Features
5.9
Active Features
Battery
Battery Type
Rechargable
Continuous Battery Life
5.1 hrs
Additional Charges
2.0
Total Battery Life
15.3 hrs
Charge Time
0.9 hrs
Power-Saving Feature
No
Audio While Charging
Yes
Passive Playback
No
Charging Port USB-C

The Beats Studio Buds have a sub-par battery performance. They have roughly five hours of continuous playback time, which likely won't last throughout your workday unless you pause to recharge them. If you need wireless buds that'll get you through long workdays, it's worth checking out the JBL Tune Buds True Wireless instead. Keep in mind that battery life varies depending on use, though. Luckily, the case holds two extra full charges, making it easy to top up their battery when not in use. You can also use one bud while the other one is charging, and they have a 'Fast Fuel' feature that gives you one hour of playback from five minutes of charging. Thanks to firmware update 10M359, iOS devices now show the battery status of both buds if the carrying case is nearby and open.

6.0
Active Features
App Support
App Name Beats
iOS Yes
Android Yes
macOS No
Windows No
Equalizer
No
ANC Control
On/Off
Mic Control No
Room Effects
No
Playback Control
No
Button Mapping Yes
Surround Support
No

The Beats app is mediocre. You can see how it works here. It doesn't offer any sound customization features like an EQ or presets. You can rename your buds in-app and remap the press-and-hold command to summon your device's voice assistant or cycle between ANC modes (On/Off and Transparency Mode). Firmware update 1B56 also added volume controls, although you have to disable ANC controls to make room for them, as you can't have both simultaneously. You can also register your buds for updates using the Android app, but this feature isn't available on iOS. Consider the Sennheiser CX True Wireless or the JBL Tune Flex True Wireless if you're looking for a pair of truly wireless in-ears with a fuller-featured companion app.

Connectivity
0
Connectivity
Wired Connection
Analog Audio
No
USB Audio
No
Detachable
No
Length
N/A
Connector
No Wired Option
Latency - Analog
N/A
Latency - USB
N/A
Recorded Latency
N/A
Recorded Latency Connection No Wired Audio

You can't use these earbuds wired. They come with a USB-C to USB-C charging cable to charge the carrying case.

7.6
Connectivity
Bluetooth Connection
Bluetooth Version
5.2
Multi-Device Pairing
No
Quick Pair (Android)
Yes
Quick Pair (iOS)
Yes
Line Of Sight Range
334.65 ft (102.00 m)
Latency - SBC
288 ms
Latency - aptX
N/A
Latency - aptX Adaptive (High Quality)
N/A
Latency - aptX Adaptive (Low Latency)
N/A
Latency - LDAC
N/A
Recorded Latency
Recorded Latency Codec SBC
AAC Support
Yes

Unlike other Beats headphones, like the Beats Fit Pro True Wireless, the Beats Studio Buds don't have an H1 chip. They also lack multi-device and NFC pairing. That said, they can quickly pair to iOS devices once you open up their case, and they support Fast Pairing with Android devices.

These buds only support the default SBC codec. Their latency using it is very high, so if you're streaming video, your audio and visuals will be out of sync. Some apps and devices compensate for latency differently, though.

0
Connectivity
Wireless Connection (Dongle)
Line Of Sight Range
N/A
Latency - Dongle
N/A
Recorded Latency
N/A
Connectivity
PC Compatibility
Analog
No
Wired USB
No
Non-BT Wireless
No

These headphones are only compatible with Bluetooth-enabled PCs. You'll have full audio and mic compatibility, though.

Connectivity
PlayStation Compatibility
PS4 Analog
No
PS4 Wired USB
No
PS4 Non-BT Wireless
No
PS5 Analog
No
PS5 Wired USB
No
PS5 Non-BT Wireless
No
Connectivity
Xbox Compatibility
Xbox One Analog
No
Xbox One Wired USB
No
Xbox One Non-BT Wireless
No
Xbox Series X|S Analog
No
Xbox Series X|S Wired USB
No
Xbox Series X|S Non-BT Wireless
No
2.2
Connectivity
Base/Dock
Type
Charging Case
USB Input
No
Line In
No
Line Out
No
Optical Input
No
RCA Input
No
Dock Charging
Yes
Power Supply
USB-C

The Beats Studio Buds have a carrying case with two additional charges. It has a USB-C port to charge the case. This case doesn't support wireless charging, just like their successor, the Beats Studio Buds + True Wireless.