The Beats Studio Buds has a lot in common with the flagship Beats Fit Pro. For starters, both sets of earbuds feature active noise cancellation, ambient listening, and a slew of AirPods features tied to Apple’s ecosystem. Plus, they also provide slightly different user experiences depending on the platform and sound quality.
But while Apple’s popular H1 processor powers the Fit Pro, the Studio Buds have their own proprietary chipset that allows for seamless compatibility with iOS, macOS, and Android devices. True, these are two of the best Beats headphones, but if you need to make a purchase, you can only get one. So, let’s get started with figuring out which earbuds are best for you.
Overview: Beats Fit Pro vs Beats Studio Buds
| Beats Fit Pro | Beats Studio Buds | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds | Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds |
| Chip | H1 headphone chip | MediaTek TWS chip |
| Battery life | 6 hours | 8 hours |
| Charging | Wired USB-C charging | Wired USB-C charging |
| Noise cancellation | Yes | Yes |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes |
| Spatial Audio | Yes | Yes, with limitations |
| Controls | Single multi-function button | Single multi-function button |
| Inputs | USB-C | USB-C |
| Colors | Black, White, Sage Gray, Stone Purple | Black, White, Red |
| Case | USB-C Charging Case | USB-C Charging Case |
| Weight | 5.6 grams | 5 grams |
| Microphones | Dual beamforming microphones | Built-in microphone with wind reduction |
| Voice assistant | “Hey Siri” hands-free voice assistant | “Hey Siri” hands-free voice assistant |
Beats Studio Buds vs. Beats Fit Pro: Price Comparison
The Beats Fit Pro is the more expensive of the two. They debuted at £200 / $200 / AU$299, a price that has remained consistent thus far. Keep an eye out, though, because headphones (especially true wireless earbuds like these) are prime candidates for price drops during the holiday season. So keep an eye out for Amazon Prime Day and Black Friday.
The Beats Studio Buds are considerably less expensive at £130 / $150 / AU$200. Again, their RRP hasn’t changed since their release, but they could be among the first to receive a discount when the time comes.
Beats Studio Buds vs. Beats Fit Pro: Design
Whatever you may say about Beats, you can’t say the company doesn’t put in the effort when it comes to product design. The Studio Buds are well-thought-out; the ergonomically tilted acoustic nozzle has a laser-cut micro-vent to help ensure pressure relief on the eardrum, and there are three silicone ear tip options in total, so there’s plenty of room to find the right fit. In fact, we found that they fit well even without changing the pre-fitted ear tips.
Where the ‘b’-branded multi-function button meets the driver housing, the ear tips taper from the rounded capsule buds to a thinner pill shape – like a switch. This isn’t just for show; it also promotes the twist-to-lock method of fitting them.
However, there is only one LED to indicate battery life when the buds are paired with a device. This could be made more obvious at a glance, but it’s a minor design flaw.
Another point of contention is that the Studio Buds lack volume controls on the Buds themselves, whereas the Fit Pro does.
In terms of design, the Beats Fit Pro also delivers. Because of the wingtips that tuck into your shell, the earbuds are lightweight, comfortable, and even more secure than the Studio Buds. This makes sense given their intended use as sports headphones, though their IPX4 splash- and sweatproof rating (the same as the Beats Studio Buds) could be higher given their status as sports headphones.
They’re also more visually appealing than the Studio Buds, with seven finishes (including the limited edition Kim Kardashian tie-in colors) versus the Studio Buds’ six.
Beats Studio Buds vs. Beats Fit Pro: Specs
Apple owns Beats, but you’ll be pleased to know that neither pair discriminates against Android. Unlike Apple’s own AirPods (such as the AirPods 3 or AirPods Pro 2), the two Beats buds here have their own app, allowing Android users to further customize their experience.
The Android app adds features previously available only to iOS users, such as one-touch pairing, an ear tip fit test, battery status, and customizable controls. Spatial audio is also useful for Android users who use Apple Music. But that’s not the end of the story.
Because the Beats Fit Pro uses Apple’s H1 chip (also found in the first-generation AirPods Pro), they have some features that are only available to iOS users. These include audio sharing with other Beats and Apple earbuds, automatic device switching, hands-free Siri, and dynamic head tracking when listening to spatial audio tracks. So far, the Beats Fit Pro is the only non-Apple product with full Spatial Audio and dynamic head tracking.
On the other hand, because the Beats Studio Buds lack the H1 chip, they lack auto-switching between devices and dynamic head tracking, but they retain the other features.
Both pairs have three listening modes—active noise cancellation (ANC), ANC off, and Transparency mode—that you can switch between by long-pressing the ‘b’ multi-function button on either earpiece or by going to the Bluetooth menu on iOS. You can also change the volume by customizing the ‘b’ button.
The Fit Pro has the best battery life, with six hours from the buds and another 21 from the case. The figures for the Studio Buds are five and ten hours, respectively. Both benefit from a five-minute Fast Fuel charge, which provides an hour of use.
Beats Studio Buds vs. Beats Fit Pro: Sound quality
The Studio Buds were the first Beats headphones that we really liked. Why? The audio quality. The bass-heavy profile has been replaced by a more subtle approach.
They still have a deep bass floor, but it never overpowers the mix. The low end is grippy and fast, with plenty of texture. They also do well in terms of spacious presentation and placement and can handle more frantic tracks with ease.
In terms of detail and refinement, they are surpassed by the best wireless earbuds at their price point, and their midrange sounds slightly harsh in places.
The Beats Fit Pro sounds lively and enjoyable no matter what you throw at them, which is appropriate for a fitness-focused pair. They’re not as neutral as Apple’s AirPods, but they’re kept in check at both ends of the frequency spectrum.
Songs are well-timed, with deep basslines that never overpower the balance. They have great timing and punch, as well as a very appealing presentation that ties the music together cohesively, resulting in a strong sense of drive.
The treble on the Fit Pro can be a little bright at times, especially near the top of the volume scale. However, nothing is too sharp or uncomfortable to listen to for hours.
Beats Studio Buds vs. Beats Fit Pro: Balance vs. Bass
The Beats Fit Pro earbuds excel in terms of performance. It all comes down to the H1 chip. First and foremost, the Beats Fit Pro features adaptive EQ technology, which means they use inward-facing microphones to listen to the sound you’re receiving. The earbuds will then automatically adjust the sound to fit your ear size and shape, providing you with the best sound quality possible. The H1 chip also includes automatic device switching, audio sharing, and dynamic head tracking for spatial audio. The Beats Studio Buds will not have any of these features.
While not as “smart” as the Beats Fit Pro, the Beats Studio Buds provide excellent sound quality. They also work well with Android devices because they have a Beats chipset. You can use the Beats app on Android to perform an ear tip fit test to ensure your earbuds are properly fitted and inserted, which works in the same way as Apple’s ear tip fit test. The Studio Buds have a deeper, punchier bass sound as well.
Read Also: How to Stop Siri From Reading Texts on AirPods: Easy!
In terms of sound quality, both models of Beats earbuds provide a similar soundstage and range. Because of the adaptive EQ technology, the Beats Fit Pro has a crisper, more balanced sound. The Studio Buds, on the other hand, have more bass, and both earphones have ANC and transparency modes. If you like hip-hop or other bass-heavy music, the Studio Buds may sound better than the Beats Fit Pro, while those who prefer a more balanced sound will prefer the Beats Fit Pro.
Finally, we must not overlook battery life. The Beats Studio Buds provide two hours more listening time than the Beats Fit Pro—eight hours versus six hours. If you travel frequently or listen to your earbuds all day, you might appreciate the Beats Studio Buds’ longer battery life.
Beats Studio Buds vs. Beats Fit Pro: Value
In terms of value, the Beats Studio Buds are unrivaled. Although they retail for $150, the Studio Buds are currently available in the Apple Store for $130. This is a full $70 less than the Beats Fit Pro. There’s no denying that the Fit Pro costs more because of the H1 chip and a slew of extra features, but that all depends on your budget. If you’re a parent purchasing multiple earbuds for your children, for example, the Studio Buds’ lower price point will make a significant difference. The Studio Buds are the cheapest, but you get what you pay for.
Beats Studio Buds vs. Beats Fit Pro: Which Should You Buy?
It’s pretty obvious which earbuds are the best overall, especially if you use them with the iOS ecosystem. If you use them with Apple devices, the Beats Fit Pro will have adaptive EQ, dynamic head tracking, audio sharing, and automatic device switching. All of these features will result in a more personalized sound experience and overall ease of use. Of course, when compared to the Beats Studio Buds, these features will cost up to $70 more for the Beats Fit Pro.
Some of the features included with the H1 chip in the Fit Pro, on the other hand, are not available to Android users. Dynamic head tracking, audio sharing, and automatic device switching are a few examples. If you already have an Android phone, the extra cost of the Beats Fit Pro is unlikely to be justified. In this case, the Beats Studio Buds provide excellent sound quality and ANC, comparable to the Beats Fit Pro.
In short, Android users and those who prefer a stronger bass in their music should opt for the less expensive Beats Studio Buds. The Beats Fit Pro, on the other hand, are some of the most advanced earbuds you can buy, and they come with all the bells and whistles for Apple users and those who prefer a more balanced soundstage. If you have the money, go with the Beats Fit Pro.
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