AirPods 4 ANC vs Beats Studio Buds
Few matchups in the everyday wireless earbuds class come up as often as the AirPods 4 ANC against the Beats Studio Buds. What you gain on one side you give up on the other: the AirPods 4 ANC wins on battery life, the Beats Studio Buds on battery life.
At a glance
- Sound & Noise Cancelling Tie
- Battery & Charging Trade-off
- Features & Connectivity Tie
- Price Beats Studio Buds wins
- Sound & Noise Cancelling10.0
- Battery & Charging2.7
- Sound & Noise Cancelling10.0
- Battery & Charging1.1
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
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The Beats Studio Buds has 1 h more listening per charge
Of all the specs we compared, this is one where the Beats Studio Buds makes its strongest case: 5 h against 4 h. Ratings usually assume moderate volume and specific settings, so real results vary.
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The AirPods 4 ANC has 5 h more total battery with the case
The AirPods 4 ANC clearly leads on battery (with case), and 20 h versus 15 h is a difference that reaches well beyond the spec sheet. The AirPods 4 ANC’s case holds more extra charge, which is handy on trips.
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The AirPods 4 ANC has a 0.03 oz lighter build
On weight (per earbud / headset), the AirPods 4 ANC posts 0.15 oz against 0.18 oz for the Beats Studio Buds, a gap big enough to feel in everyday use. Lighter earbuds or headsets feel less noticeable during long listening sessions.
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The AirPods 4 ANC has a tougher IP54 rating
Not a big gap, but a consistent one. The AirPods 4 ANC’s IP54 beats the Beats Studio Buds’s IPX4. The AirPods 4 ANC is better protected, which matters if you run in all weather.
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The AirPods 4 ANC has wireless charging
Having wireless charging gives the AirPods 4 ANC one more thing the Beats Studio Buds can’t match. Wireless charging is slower than a cable, but it’s about convenience rather than speed.
Design & Size
There’s 0.03 oz between them, and the AirPods 4 ANC is on the lighter side.
Fit & Build
| Spec | AirPods 4 ANC | Beats Studio Buds |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | Open-fit earbuds with stem (no ear tips) | In-ear (stemless) |
| Water resistance | IP54 (winner) | IPX4 |
| Weight (per earbud / headset) | 0.15 oz (winner) | 0.18 oz |
| Case weight | 1.22 oz | N/A (not specified) |
Sound & Noise Cancelling
Too close to call
On paper, the sound & noise cancelling comparison ends all square. So sound & noise cancelling is a non-factor here; move on to the areas where they actually differ.
Battery & Charging
Trade-off
On battery & charging, pick your advantage: 5 h more total battery with the case from the AirPods 4 ANC or 1 h more listening per charge from the Beats Studio Buds. So on battery & charging, match the strength to your needs and you’ll choose well.
Battery (single charge)
AirPods 4 ANC: 4 h Beats Studio Buds: 5 h Longer listening per charge matters on long flights, workdays and road trips.
Battery (with case)
AirPods 4 ANC: 20 h Beats Studio Buds: 15 h Total battery with the case tells you how long you can go before plugging anything in.
Features & Connectivity
Too close to call
The differences on features & connectivity are small enough to ignore in daily use. Don’t let features & connectivity decide this one; look at the other sections instead.
Full Specifications
Sound & Noise Cancelling
| Spec | AirPods 4 ANC | Beats Studio Buds |
|---|---|---|
| Driver size | N/A (not specified) | 0.32 in |
| Active noise cancelling | Yes | Yes |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes |
| Spatial audio | Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking | N/A (not specified) |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | AirPods 4 ANC | Beats Studio Buds |
|---|---|---|
| Battery (single charge)Manufacturer rating, ANC on where available | 4 h Shortest listening per charge | 5 h (winner) |
| Battery (with case)Manufacturer rating | 20 h (winner) | 15 h Least total battery |
| Wireless charging | Yes (winner) | No |
| Charging port | USB-C | USB-C |
Features & Connectivity
| Spec | AirPods 4 ANC | Beats Studio Buds |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.3 (Apple H2 chip) | Bluetooth 5.2, Class 1 |
| Heart-rate sensing | No | No |
| Controls | Force sensor on stem | Physical button on each earbud |
Fit & Build
| Spec | AirPods 4 ANC | Beats Studio Buds |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | Open-fit earbuds with stem (no ear tips) | In-ear (stemless) |
| Water resistance | IP54 (winner) | IPX4 |
| Weight (per earbud / headset) | 0.15 oz (winner) | 0.18 oz |
| Case weight | 1.22 oz | N/A (not specified) |
Price
| Spec | AirPods 4 ANC | Beats Studio Buds |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $179 | $150 (winner) |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
The launch prices are close, with the Beats Studio Buds just $29 below the AirPods 4 ANC. Both have their wins, which makes the Beats Studio Buds’s $29 lower launch price more meaningful.
Launch prices in the US as of September 2024; street prices move, so check before you buy.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the AirPods 4 ANC if…
- you want more total battery with the case (20 h vs 15 h)
- you wear them for hours and want less weight on your ears (0.15 oz vs 0.18 oz)
- you work out hard or get caught in the rain (IP54 vs IPX4)
- you already own a wireless charging pad
Choose the Beats Studio Buds if…
- you want longer listening per charge (5 h vs 4 h)
- you want the lower price and can live with the trade-offs ($29 less)
- you’re comfortable with how Beats does things
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the AirPods 4 ANC or the Beats Studio Buds?
The Beats Studio Buds offers better value, saving $29 compared with the AirPods 4 ANC.
Which has better battery life, the AirPods 4 ANC or the Beats Studio Buds?
Going by the official figures, the Beats Studio Buds leads: 5 h versus 4 h for battery (single charge). Screen use, settings and efficiency will shape your own results.
Is the AirPods 4 ANC cheaper than the Beats Studio Buds?
The Beats Studio Buds is the cheaper option, launching at $29 less than the AirPods 4 ANC (launch prices as of September 2024).
Which weighs less, the AirPods 4 ANC or the Beats Studio Buds?
Going by the official figures, the AirPods 4 ANC weighs 0.03 oz less than the Beats Studio Buds.
Executive Summary
Here’s my honest read on a classic rivalry: Apple’s AirPods 4 ANC against Beats’s Beats Studio Buds. The Beats Studio Buds wins me over with 1 h more listening per charge. Don’t write off the AirPods 4 ANC entirely: it has 5 h more total battery with the case.
Fit matters more than scores here. The AirPods 4 ANC suits buyers focused on battery life; the Beats Studio Buds suits those focused on battery life.
My pick: the Beats Studio Buds, because value matters and $29 is real money.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.