When it comes to headphones and earbuds, three key features are on most people’s list: wireless Bluetooth capability, lifelike clarity and fidelity, and a fantastic design. From music to games, to phone calls, you need complete freedom to go where you want, hear what you want, and look great while doing it. Beats by Dre has you covered on every front with style and flair. Whether you need support for immersive audio or something that can handle extreme exercise, there’s an ideal set for you. Check out our guide to Beats headphones below and find the right pair – including the all-new Studio Buds+.
What are Beats?
Beats by Dre is a name synonymous with both high-fashion and high-grade audio. Founded by industry heavyweights Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine in 2006, the Beats by Dre line of headphones and speakers has changed the way we listen to music. The company is known for fresh, stylish designs — perfect for on-the-go listeners who demand deep bass and clear highs while looking fabulous. Beats by Dre offers a large array of over-the-ear studio models, wireless Bluetooth headphones, and lightweight in-ear models, as well as accessories to complete the ensemble. Let’s take a look at our round-up below.
Beats Studio Buds Options
Beats Powerbeats Pro
Best for: Athletic individuals who want earbuds that still sound great
The first design collaboration between Apple and Beats by Dre, the Powerbeats Pro gets top-level performance without the pro price point. On-the-go users will love the extended battery life. With up to 9 hours on a single charge, and up to 24 hours with the included charging case, the Powerbeats Pro will last through any excursion. Out of juice and need your ‘buds for a workout? A quick 5-minute charge provides up to 1.5 hours of playback.
Athletic individuals will love the Powerbeats Pro. The IPX5 water-resistance rating outperforms all others in even the most demanding environments. The fourth-generation model features new softer loops and a more ergonomic design placing a premium on fit and feel. The ear hooks hold the Powerbeats Pro in place through rigorous activity while feeling comfortable and looking great. The secure fit helps cut down on external noise helping you to stay in the game.
The impressive tech doesn’t stop at their heavy-duty build though. Optical sensors and accelerometers recognize when they are in place to automatically play and pause your audio, and each earbud has full controls for ease of use. The Powerbeats Pro even features improved call quality with the ability to take phone calls with either bud as well.
- Removable Cushions/Tips: Yes
- Noise Cancelling: No
- Battery Life: Up to 9 hours on one charge / 24 hours with case
- Weight: Earbud: 11g / Charging Case: 80g
Beats Studio Buds
Best for: Earbud lovers who demand superior caliber sound
If studio-quality sound is at the top of your list, look no further than the Beats Studio Buds. Don’t let their small size fool you. These powerhouses utilize a proprietary, dual-element diaphragm within a customized acoustic housing. The result is crystal clear fidelity and a best-in-class stereo field. Active noise cancellation technology ensures interference-free enjoyment, while cutting-edge digital processing achieves peak loudness and clarity. They also feature a transparency mode to allow for listening while remaining aware of your surroundings. Beats Studio Buds rise to the challenge of new studio technology as well with full support for immersive audio.
Beats Studio Buds also offer 8 hours of battery life and the sleek clamshell case holds 3 additional charges for even the longest sessions. Tiny and unobtrusive, the Beats Studio Buds feel as good as they sound, while remaining securely in place. Want to look good too? The fresh design and 6 available colors let your personality shine. Ambidextrous controls allow for adjustments with either hand and one-touch functionality gives intuitive access to all parameters. Last but not least, Apple’s advanced H1 chip seamlessly pairs Beats Studio Buds with available Bluetooth-enabled devices as you change locales.
- Removable Cushions/Tips: Yes
- Noise Cancelling: Yes
- Battery Life: Up to 8 hours / 18 hours with case
- Weight: Earbud: 5g / Charging Case: 48g
Beats Studio Buds+
The newest addition to the Beats by Dr. Dre lineup is the Studio Buds+, which provides 24 hours of battery with its charging case. This is six hours more than the original Studio Buds. Like the earbuds above, you’ll receive active noise canceling to block external noise for an immersive listening experience. The buds are also IPX4-rated sweat and water-resistant for that extra peace of mind.
You’ll also have the multi-function on the side of the earbuds for added control of your music, calls, or voice assistant. On the outside, there doesn’t seem to be a big difference between the Studio Buds and Buds+. However, when considering the internals, the Buds+ offers an upgraded acoustic architecture and venting system that promotes a more comfortable experience. The Buds+ has better noise-cancelling capabilities and transparency.
- Removable Cushions/Tips: Yes
- Noise Cancelling: Yes
- Battery Life: Up to 8 hours / 24 hours with case
- Weight: Earbud: 5g / Charging Case: 48g
Beats Fit Pro
Best for: All-around use and immersive audio support
The Beats Fit Pro is the perfect middle ground between the Studio Buds and the Powerbeats Pro. Excellent for workouts and general listening, the Beats Fit Pro can do it all. These diminutive models pack a punch above their size and fit securely for most activities. The IPX4 water-resistant rating means these do-it-all wonders will survive heavy daily use. Soft silicone tips and flexible wings give optimum comfort and hold. Available in a variety of colors, and with a compact, stylish charging case, the Beats Fit Pros look and feel great.
Need first-rate sound to match the looks? The Beats Fit Pro’s Superior active noise cancellation (ANC) technology ensures an enjoyable listening experience in any environment. ANC calibrates in real-time to eliminate unwanted din. The Beats Fit Pro is also exceptional for spatial audio experiences. With support for immersive audio content, your augmented reality, movies, and games will come to life.
Connections are easily made with one-touch pairing for both Android and iOS, and the Beats Fit Pro adapts to your lifestyle by seamlessly switching between devices as you move through the day. And who wants to listen to music alone? Audio sharing ports your music to compatible Beats products making it easy to listen with friends and family.
- Removable Cushions/Tips: Yes
- Noise Cancelling: Yes
- Battery Life: Up to 6 hours on one charge / 18 hours with case
- Weight: Earbud: 5.6g / Charging Case: 55.1g
Beats Flex
Best for: Budget-conscious individuals and travelers
Looking for an inexpensive entry into the Beats by Dre world? Check out the ultra-portable Beats Flex. These fashionable earbuds are perfect for those on a budget. Built with a rugged Flex-Form cable keeping them attached, the Beats Flex feels great in your ears or around your neck. The cable is made of Nitinol, a nickel-titanium alloy that keeps your Beats Flex from tangling in your pocket or bag. The magnetic buds that clip together are a perfect match for those who are always losing their earbuds too, making these ideal travel earbuds. Beats Flex features auto-play and pause functions too making them perfect earbuds for nearly any task.
Beats Flex may be economical, but they are not cheap. These low-cost wonders punch way above their way in sound quality. The acoustic platform features multiple, layered drivers offering powerful bass and vanishingly low distortion specs. The crystal clear sonics extend to phone calls as well and the internal microphone offers wind noise reduction for enhanced call clarity. Power controls on the right side, and parameter controls on the left make these earbuds convenient for all activities and the 12-hour battery life means you can enjoy these earbuds all day long.
- Removable Cushions/Tips: Yes
- Noise Cancelling: Yes
- Battery Life: Up to 12 hours
- Weight: 8.6g
Beats Headphone Options
Beats Solo 4 Wireless
Best for: People who want a lightweight, over-the-ear model
Revamped and reimagined for the modern music lover, the Beats Solo 4 headphones are the moment. Every wearer of this new drop from Beats can experience Spatial Audio and Dynamic Head Tracking and up to 50 hours of battery life. On top of one’s head, the headphones are light as a feather with UltraPlush ear cushions. Also, if you are low on power and have 10 minutes, fast fuel can give you up to 5 hours of playback.
Connecting and configuring your headphones should be easy and Beats by Dre understand that. Set up for the Beats Solo 4 Wireless is a breeze. Simply power them up, hold them near your iPhone, and presto! You are good to go and as a bonus, it will automatically pair with your Apple Watch, iPad, and Mac. Android users will find the pairing simple as well.
Compatible with:
- One touch pairing
- Automatic pre-pairing across your devices
- Find My and Find My Device
- Audio sharing
- Hey Siri
Lastly, the Solo 4 offers high-resolution lossless audio regardless of whether you listen over Bluetooth or via wire creating a comfortable fit for all-day listening. Offers easy volume and parameter controls on both ear cups for quick changes to settings.
- Removable Cushions/Tips: No
- Noise Cancelling: No
- Battery Life: Up to 50 hours
- Weight: 217g
Beats Studio Pro Wireless Headphones
Best for: Those looking for theater-like sound via spatial audio
The Beats Studio Pro Headphones is the newest member of the Beats by Dr. Dre family, coming almost six years after the release of the Studio3. The biggest draws of the Studio Pro Headphones are the enhanced active noise cancellation (ANC), transparency mode, and personalized spatial audio with dynamic head tracking. The headphones also have up to 40 hours of battery life, making them the perfect partner for traveling, or long sessions in the studio.
These headphones support USB-C audio for simultaneous listening and charging, 3.5mm analog input for wired audio sources, and its onboard digital-to-analog converter (DAC) can handle up to 24-bit/48kHz resolution. Its ear cushions are made of memory foam wrapped in faux leather, intended for added comfort. And you can easily pair the headphones to your other Apple devices in your iCloud with an easy, one-touch setup.
- Removable Cushions/Tips: No
- Noise Cancelling: Yes
- Battery Life: Up to 40 hours
- Weight: 260g
Comparison Chart
| Model | Removable Cushions/Tips | Noise Cancelling | Battery Life | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beats Fit Pro | Yes | Yes | Up to 6 hours on one charge / 18 hours with case | Earbud |
| Beats Powerbeats Pro | Yes | No | Up to 9 hours on one charge / 24 hours with case | Earbud |
| Beats Studio Buds | Yes | Yes | Up to 8 hours / 18 hours with case | Earbud |
| Beats Studio Buds+ | Yes | Yes | Up to 8 hours / 24 hours with case | Earbud |
| Beats Flex | Yes | Yes | Up to 12 hours | Earbud |
| Beats Solo 4 Wireless | No | No | Up to 50 hours | Headphone |
| Beats Studio Pro Wireless | No | Yes | Up to 22 hours | Headphone |
Conclusion
Beats by Dre offers an extensive line of headphones and earbuds for everyone from budget-minded students, to industry professionals at the top of their game. Amidst this stacked array, it can be challenging to know which portable listening devices are best for you or your loved ones. There are many considerations from battery life, to style, to noise cancelation. This roundup is designed to help you cut through the noise and make the right choice. The great news is that with Beats By Dre’s famed fit and sonic quality, any Beats headphones choice is a winner.
