Beats Studio Pro vs AirPods Max 2
Shopping across brands means comparing different philosophies. The Beats Studio Pro and the AirPods Max 2 show how Beats and Apple each approach the over-ear headphones class. The numbers lean one way: the Beats Studio Pro comes out ahead in 1 of the 3 areas we compared, with its clearest lead in the battery & charging category. Add $199 of difference in launch price, and the Beats Studio Pro has a strong argument before a single spec is compared.
At a glance
- Sound & Noise Cancelling Tie
- Battery & Charging Beats Studio Pro wins
- Features & Connectivity Tie
- Price Beats Studio Pro wins
- Sound & Noise Cancelling10.0
- Battery & Charging0.8
- Sound & Noise Cancelling10.0
- Battery & Charging0.0
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
-
The Beats Studio Pro has 4 h more listening per charge
The gap on battery (single charge) is slim (24 h against 20 h), yet it tips toward the Beats Studio Pro. Ratings usually assume moderate volume and specific settings, so real results vary.
-
The Beats Studio Pro has a 4.45 oz lighter build
The AirPods Max 2 gives up a lot on weight (per earbud / headset): 13.62 oz, compared with 9.17 oz on the Beats Studio Pro. The Beats Studio Pro puts less weight on your ears or head, which adds up over a full day.
Design & Size
By weight, the Beats Studio Pro has the edge: 4.45 oz less than the AirPods Max 2.
Fit & Build
| Spec | Beats Studio Pro | AirPods Max 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | Over-ear, foldable | Over-ear |
| Water resistance | none | none |
| Weight (per earbud / headset) | 9.17 oz (winner) | 13.62 oz Heaviest in class |
Sound & Noise Cancelling
Too close to call
If sound & noise cancelling matters most to you, this section won’t make the decision for you: they’re level. Either pair will serve you equally well on sound & noise cancelling.
Battery & Charging
Beats Studio Pro leads
By a small margin, the Beats Studio Pro is the stronger of the two in this area. The Beats Studio Pro has the edge with 4 h more listening per charge. Longer listening per charge matters on long flights, workdays and road trips. Bottom line for battery & charging: the Beats Studio Pro has the edge.
Battery (single charge)
Beats Studio Pro: 24 h AirPods Max 2: 20 h The Beats Studio Pro runs longer before needing a break, so you’re less likely to be interrupted mid-podcast.
Features & Connectivity
Too close to call
Evenly matched is the fairest summary of the features & connectivity section. Bottom line for features & connectivity: it’s a wash.
Full Specifications
Sound & Noise Cancelling
| Spec | Beats Studio Pro | AirPods Max 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Driver size | 1.57 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Active noise cancelling | Yes | Yes |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes |
| Spatial audio | Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking | Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | Beats Studio Pro | AirPods Max 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery (single charge)Manufacturer rating, ANC on where available | 24 h (winner) | 20 h |
| Wireless charging | No | No |
| Charging port | USB-C (lossless audio over USB-C) | USB-C (lossless audio over USB-C) |
Features & Connectivity
| Spec | Beats Studio Pro | AirPods Max 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | Class 1 Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.3 (Apple H2 chip) |
| Heart-rate sensing | No | No |
| Controls | Physical buttons (b button, volume rocker) | Digital Crown + listening mode button |
Fit & Build
| Spec | Beats Studio Pro | AirPods Max 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | Over-ear, foldable | Over-ear |
| Water resistance | none | none |
| Weight (per earbud / headset) | 9.17 oz (winner) | 13.62 oz Heaviest in class |
Price
| Spec | Beats Studio Pro | AirPods Max 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $350 (winner) | $549 |
“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
A launch price gap of 57% is hard to ignore, and in this case it amounts to $199 in favor of the Beats Studio Pro. Spending less doesn’t mean getting less here: the Beats Studio Pro undercuts the AirPods Max 2 by $199 and still leads overall.
These are US launch prices, recorded March 2026; what you pay today may be higher or lower.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Beats Studio Pro if…
- you listen for hours at a stretch (24 h vs 20 h per charge)
- you want the lighter fit (9.17 oz vs 13.62 oz)
- you want more value for your money ($199 less at launch)
Choose the AirPods Max 2 if…
- you’re comfortable with how Apple does things
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the Beats Studio Pro or the AirPods Max 2?
On the specs compared here, the Beats Studio Pro makes more sense for most buyers; the AirPods Max 2 doesn’t win a single measurable area.
Does the Beats Studio Pro last longer on a charge than the AirPods Max 2?
Going by the official figures, the Beats Studio Pro leads: 24 h versus 20 h for battery (single charge). Screen use, settings and efficiency will shape your own results.
Which costs less, the Beats Studio Pro or the AirPods Max 2?
The Beats Studio Pro is the cheaper option, launching at $199 less than the AirPods Max 2 (launch prices as of March 2026).
Is the Beats Studio Pro lighter than the AirPods Max 2?
Going by the official figures, the Beats Studio Pro weighs 4.45 oz less than the AirPods Max 2.
Executive Summary
I’ll be upfront: I have no stake in whether you buy Beats or Apple. I only care that you end up with the right one of the Beats Studio Pro and the AirPods Max 2. What tips it for me is that the Beats Studio Pro has 4 h more listening per charge. And if that weren’t enough, the Beats Studio Pro has a 4.45 oz lighter build.
If your days lean on battery & charging, I’d pick the Beats Studio Pro; if they lean on the things a spec sheet can’t capture, the AirPods Max 2.
My pick: the Beats Studio Pro.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.