Choosing between AirPods Pro 2 and Beats Studio Buds Plus is like being asked to pick between black coffee and a caramel frappuccino. Same caffeine, totally different experiences. You’d think being in the same Apple family would make them feel similar, but no—they couldn’t be more different in style, behavior, and even who they’re made for. One is precision-crafted for Apple diehards, the other seems to whisper, “Go ahead, use Android. We won’t judge.”
We’re dealing with two earbuds that play in the same league but don’t even try to be on the same team. Let’s pull them apart and see who does what better—because while both bring a lot to the table, only one really hits all the right notes.
When looks and shape say everything
First things first: these two show up looking nothing alike. The AirPods Pro 2 are pure Apple—glossy white, unmistakable stems, and that signature vertical case that flips open like a lighter. It’s minimal, it’s uniform, it’s classic. You see someone wearing them, you already know what they are.
Then there’s the Beats Studio Buds Plus. They ditch the stems and opt for a more compact, rounded, and symmetrical earbud design. No dangling parts. They sit flush, almost disappearing in your ears. And color? You’ve got options—black, gray, pink, and even a transparent model that gives off early-2000s tech nostalgia in the best way.
The Studio Buds Plus go bold where the AirPods Pro play it safe. But that compact look also means a slightly different fit and different ergonomics.
The fit is close, but the feedback isn’t
Here’s something we loved: both models come with four silicone tip sizes—XS, S, M, and L. That means better chances of a comfortable fit, especially for people who never seem to find the “right” earbud.
But the AirPods Pro 2 take it further. They include a built-in Ear Tip Fit Test that tells you if you’ve picked the correct size. It checks the seal and suggests a better one if needed. This little feature goes a long way toward improving both sound quality and noise cancellation.
The Studio Buds Plus? No test, just trial and error. You get all the tip sizes, but figuring out which one works best is entirely up to you. It’s not a huge problem, but once you’ve used that test on the AirPods, it’s hard to unappreciate.
Battery battle: almost even, with a minor twist
Let’s not overcomplicate this: both the AirPods Pro 2 and the Studio Buds Plus deliver up to 6 hours of listening with ANC on, and around 9 hours with it off. So if you’re wondering which one will get you through your workday or flight, the answer is both.
But the cases tell a slightly different story. The AirPods Pro 2 case offers up to 30 extra hours, while the Studio Buds Plus give you 27 hours more. Not a massive gap, but one that matters if you’re traveling for days without a charger.
Wireless charging is supported by both, and if you’re in a hurry, fast-charging for five minutes gives you roughly an hour of playback on either. In daily use, this all feels very even—but still, AirPods Pro 2 win the marathon by just a few more miles.
Noise control: smart silence vs basic blocking
Noise cancellation and transparency mode aren’t just add-ons anymore—they’re expected. Both earbuds offer them, but the AirPods Pro 2 clearly come to play harder.
With six microphones and a dedicated chip, the AirPods Pro 2 can cancel more varied and unpredictable noises—think traffic, voices, even keyboard clicks. The transparency mode is equally sharp, letting in outside sound so naturally that it feels like you’re not wearing anything at all.
The Studio Buds Plus? They handle low-frequency noise well, like the hum of a bus or plane, and transparency mode works fine in quieter environments. But the ANC doesn’t adjust as dynamically, and it can struggle in chaotic soundscapes with multiple layers of noise.
If you’re using your earbuds in mixed environments, the AirPods Pro 2 give you a smoother, smarter shift between noise and awareness.
Spatial audio: 3D sound, but only one adapts to your head
Spatial audio sounds cool—and it is. Both of these earbuds support it, meaning you can enjoy a more immersive soundstage when watching movies or streaming compatible music.
But here’s the twist: only the AirPods Pro 2 offer head tracking. That means as you turn your head, the sound adjusts to stay “in place”—as if it’s coming from a screen or a stage in front of you.
It’s subtle but addictive. The moment you try it, regular stereo starts feeling a little… flat. The Studio Buds Plus still sound great in spatial mode, but there’s no tracking, no adaptation—just a fixed surround effect.
Also, adaptive EQ on the AirPods Pro 2 constantly tweaks sound output based on your ear shape and surroundings. That gives them an edge in delivering consistent clarity and balance, without you ever touching an equalizer.
Talking, typing, and tapping: AirPods get smarter
Let’s talk voice. Both models support hands-free Siri activation, and you can use either to take calls, dictate messages, or control music.
But the AirPods Pro 2 add something very cool: automatic voice detection. If you start talking, they lower the volume so you can speak without fumbling for controls. That little moment of awareness feels… considerate. And once you experience it, going back to full manual feels clunky.
The Studio Buds Plus don’t offer this feature. You’ll need to press a button or take the earbuds out if someone starts talking to you. Not a big deal, but less graceful in daily life.
Controls: the little things matter
If you’ve ever had earbuds that misread your taps or skipped songs when you meant to pause, you know how annoying bad controls can be.
The AirPods Pro 2 use force sensors in the stems, letting you squeeze to play, pause, or switch modes. They’re precise and give satisfying tactile feedback. You can even swipe up or down on the stem to adjust volume now—a quiet but much-needed addition.
The Studio Buds Plus go with button-style controls built into the outside of each bud. They’re clicky, responsive, and functional, but lack that haptic subtlety. No swiping, no force-sensing—just click and go.
Both get the job done, but one feels like the future, the other feels like it’s keeping things simple.
Compatibility: the Beats have the edge
Now here’s where the Beats hit back. The Studio Buds Plus are built to play nice with both iOS and Android. You get Google Fast Pair, Find My Device support, and full Beats app functionality across both platforms.
AirPods Pro 2? They work on Android, sure—but many features just disappear. No head tracking, no seamless switching, no custom spatial profiles, and no Ear Tip Fit Test.
So if you’re someone using both ecosystems—or if you’re deep into Android—the Beats Studio Buds Plus give you way more freedom. No ecosystem guilt, no feature loss.
Build quality and resistance: one tiny extra
Both models are IPX4-rated, which means they’re splash-resistant and sweatproof—enough for workouts or being caught in the rain, but not for the pool or shower.
But here’s the detail we didn’t expect to matter: the AirPods Pro 2’s charging case is also IPX4-rated. That means if your whole setup gets splashed, it’s still protected.
The Studio Buds Plus? Only the earbuds are covered. So if your case gets wet, it might not end well. Is that a big deal? Maybe not. But for clumsy types or those who live in rainy cities, it’s a bonus worth noting.
Where things end up
Okay, let’s just say it: the AirPods Pro 2 outclass the Beats Studio Buds Plus almost across the board. We didn’t want that to be true—there’s something cooler and more approachable about the Beats. They look fresh, they don’t care what phone you use, and they last long enough to get you through a long-haul flight without complaining.
But then you use the AirPods Pro 2 for a week and it’s like… oh. They just do more—and they do it smarter. The way they shift sound, cancel noise, track your head, lower volume when you talk, adjust EQ on the fly—it all adds up. And none of it feels forced or complicated. It’s not just about premium sound—it’s about feeling like everything’s been thought through.
Still, we get why someone would choose the Beats Studio Buds Plus. The design’s slick, the Android support is solid, and the value is hard to ignore. If you don’t need dynamic spatial audio or don’t use an iPhone, they’re probably the better buy.
But if you want the smoothest, smartest, most complete experience Apple’s ever put in a pair of earbuds—yeah, the AirPods Pro 2 win. Not because they look better or cost more, but because they just… work better. Every little part of them.
Until Apple decides to let the Beats crew borrow a few more tricks from the Pro team, that’s just how it is.