Over the past few years, wireless earbuds have become extremely popular. It's hard to go anywhere these days without seeing someone using wireless earbuds. These Bluetooth listening devices allow you to listen to podcasts or music wherever and whenever. While it may seem like Apple's flagship earbuds are the only high-quality option anyone talks about, another Apple-owned brand, Beats, has some of the best earbud options on the market. Beats earbuds generally cancel noise more effectively, have longer battery lives, and are more comfortable.
Beats offers a variety of earbuds that can meet a variety of listening needs. With several top-notch Beats earbuds available, you may feel unsure of how to choose the best ones for you. To help you make your decision, we are breaking down the best Beats earbuds for you.
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The Best Beats Earbuds - Our Top Picks
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Best Overall Beats Earbuds: Beats Studio Buds
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Best Beats Earbuds for Working Out: Powerbeats Pro Wireless Earbuds
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Best Noise-Canceling Beats Earbuds: Beats Fit Pro
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Best Budget Beats Earbuds: Beats Flex Wireless Earbuds
What to Look for When Shopping for Beats Earbuds
Purpose of Use
Before choosing the best Beats earbuds for you, it is important to determine what purpose you will be using them for. If you intend to wear your earbuds during your work day, you will want ones that are designed for all-day comfort. You should also look for Beats earbuds that have a long battery life so you won't have to worry about recharging throughout the day. For those who will be wearing earbuds while working out, anti-slip features are essential.
Battery Life
Not needing to frequently charge your Beats earbuds can make your listening experience more enjoyable. For this reason, you should consider battery life when deciding on which earbuds to buy. Most earbuds hold 6-12 hours of charge. If earbuds come with a charging case, battery life can be extended up to 24 hours. Some earbuds also come equipped with a fast-charging cable which allows you to get a quick charge in just a few minutes.
Noise Canceling
Noise-canceling technology is used in most Beats earbuds options. With this feature, you can block out external noise while you listen to your music or podcast. Noise-canceling earbuds also often have a transparency mode which makes outside noise sound more natural. Noise-canceling earbuds are ideal for crowded areas, such as public transportation, work, or the gym.
Best Overall - Beats Studio Buds
SPECS
- Charging: USB-C to USB-C cable and charging case
- Battery life: 8 hours
- Battery life with case: 24 hours
- Water/sweat rating: IPX4
- Personal assistant: Yes
- Active noise cancellation: Yes
- Type: In-Ear
Whether you need Beats earbuds to listen to an audiobook on your daily commute or music during your workout, Beats Studio Buds can provide a high-quality listening experience. Because these earbuds are versatile and can meet a wide variety of needs, they are our pick for best overall Beats earbuds. These earbuds are an in-ear style and come with three different sizes of silicone ear tips. No matter what kind of device you have, these earbuds are compatible. Android users can use the Beats app to access built-in controls and battery levels, while Apple devices do not require a separate app.
The sound quality offered by these wireless earbuds is next level. You will be fully immersed in your audio media with Spatial Audio which creates surround sound wherever you go. With Active Noise Cancelation, you can control your exposure to external noise. If you would like to hear the surrounding environment, you can switch to Transparency Mode. These earbuds can charge on the go with the charging case that extends their battery life from 8 to 24 hours. Easily manage calls and change the song with on-device controls. These buttons can be customized to complete several different functions, such as enabling voice assistant or controlling the volume.
PROS
- Different size options via silicone tips
- Surround sound experience
- Active noise cancelation
- Works with both Apple and Android devices
CONS
- Occasional connectivity issues
- No wireless charging feature
Best for Working Out - Powerbeats Pro Wireless Earbuds
SPECS
- Charging: Lightning to USB-A cable with charging case
- Battery life: 9 hours
- Battery life with case: 24 hours
- Water/sweat rating: IPX4
- Personal assistant: Yes
- Active noise cancellation: N/A
- Type: In-ear
When working out, having comfortable earbuds is key. The Powerbeats Pro Wireless Earbuds are a great option for those who want to listen to music while they move. The ear hooks are adjustable to provide a secure fit as you exercise, even while doing activities like running on a treadmill. Multiple tip options also ensure that these earbuds won't fall out during your workout. They are water and sweat resistant, durable, lightweight, and comfortable, making these earbuds a great choice for athletes of any kind.
Because these Beat earbuds have full volume and track controls, you don't need your device as you work out. Voice control also gives you more mobility. Both iOS and Android devices can pair with these earbuds. If you and your workout buddy want to listen to the same music, you can use Audio Sharing which allows your Beats earbuds to connect with theirs. Each of these earbuds hold 9 hours of charge. If you forget to charge your earbuds before going to the gym, you can give them a quick charge with the lightning charging cord. A 5-minute charge can increase the battery life by up to 1.5 hours.
PROS
- Audio sharing
- Adjustable ear hooks
- Voice-activated assistance
CONS
- Inconsistent pairing
- No noise-canceling option
BUY: Powerbeats Pro Wireless Earbuds
Best for Noise Canceling - Beats Fit Pro
SPECS
- Charging: USB-C to USB-C cord, charging case
- Battery life: 6 hours
- Battery life with case: 24 hours
- Water/sweat rating: IPX4
- Personal assistant: Yes
- Active noise cancellation: Yes
- Type: In-ear
In crowded areas, like on public transportation or at the gym, noise-canceling features can improve your earbud experience dramatically. While most Beats earbuds have active noise cancelation, we think the Beats Fit Pro is the best at blocking external noise. In addition to canceling the noise in your environment, these earbuds surround you in sound with Spatial Audio. This feature uses dynamic head tracking to immerse you in whatever music, movie, or podcast you are listening to. When wearing these earbuds, you also have the option to use transparency mode which makes it so you can hear outside noises while still getting a high-quality audio experience. This is an important safety feature if you use your earbuds while commuting, going for a run, or anywhere else you need to be able to hear what's going on around you.
The Beats Fit Pro earbuds have a unique wingtip design that increases their comfort level and keeps them securely in your ears. Thanks to this design, you won't have to worry about them moving as you work out. On-device buttons allow you to control music, take phone calls, and use voice assistance. Those with Android devices will need to download the Beats app to view battery levels, customize controls, and pair with one-touch.
PROS
- Unique wingtip design
- Wireless noise canceling
- Spatial audio
- Audio sharing
CONS
- No wireless charging
- Using on-device controls can be difficult
Best Budget - Beats Flex Wireless Earbuds
SPECS
- Charging: USB-C to USB-C cord
- Battery life: 12 hour
- Battery life with case: N/A
- Water/sweat rating: Water and sweat resistant (no rating)
- Personal assistant: Yes
- Active noise cancellation: N/A
- Type: In-ear
The Powerbeats Pro Wireless Earbuds are the ideal option for those looking for high quality and next-level comfort while staying within a budget. With a flex-form cable and four tip options, these wireless earbuds offer all-day comfort. Although these earbuds are reasonably priced, battery life is not sacrificed. You can go up to 12 hours without needing to recharge. If you need a quick charge, 10-minute fast-fuel charging can increase the battery by 1.5 hours.
Audio sharing allows you and a friend, if they have a pair of Beats earbuds or AirPods, to listen along with you. When you remove these earbuds from your ears, your music will stop automatically as the magnets in each earbud attach to each other. The flex-form cable allows you to comfortably wear these earbuds around your neck when not in use. On-device controls make it easy to use voice assistance, answer calls, and change music. The voice assistance experience is elevated with built-in microphones that improve voice clarity and reduce wind interference.
PROS
- Budget friendly
- Flex-form cable
- Fast-fuel charging
- Auto play/pause
CONS
- Audio quality not as good as other options
- Ear tips are not as ergonomic as other options
BUY: Beats Flex Wireless Earbuds
FAQs About Beats Earbuds
Are Beats earbuds worth it?
Whether or not any product is worth it to you depends on your specific needs, but Beats earbuds have many features that make them worth the cost for many people. They are able to improve your listening experience by offering supreme comfort and high-quality sound. Because Beats earbuds are wireless, you can move easily while working out without worrying about cords getting snagged. Noise-canceling technology keeps you fully immersed in your music, podcast, or audiobook. No matter where and when you use Beats earbuds, their convenience level makes them worth it for most people.
Are Beats or Apple earbuds better?
Again, what product is better for you depends on your specific needs, but when compared to Apple earbuds, Beats earbuds have more options to choose from. With Beats earbuds, there is more variety when it comes to the features included and design styles. Different sizes of eartips and unique wingtip designs make Beats earbuds less likely to fall out of your ears than other options. There are also more color options available with Beats earbuds.
Are Beats earbuds or headphones better?
Both have their individual benefits, so it depends on what your needs are. Beats earbuds are more lightweight than over-the-ear headphones, making them a better choice while exercising or on the go. They are also easier to pack and carry with you to places like the gym or work due to their smaller size. Larger over-the-ear headphones might be a better choice if you only plan to use them in a single location, such as working at a desk or playing video games.
About the Author
Emily is a mental health, fitness, hospitality, and entertainment content writer. Emily’s work can be found on Recoveryworldwide.com, where she wrote about the importance of treating addiction and mental health with holistic health approaches. She can also be found on DVCShop.com where she currently works as the editor.
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