Beats Studio Buds
Sony WF-1000XM5
What Buyers Say
Beats Studio Buds
The Beats Studio Buds are generally well-liked for their sound quality, noise cancellation, and comfortable fit, with many users preferring them over AirPods Pro. However, some reviewers report issues with one side failing after a few months, a cheap-feeling case, and the lack of auto-pause when removing an earbud. Overall, they offer good value for the price, especially for those with small ears or who need cross-platform compatibility.
Pros
- Great sound quality
- Effective noise cancellation
- Comfortable fit
- Good battery life
- Easy pairing with iOS and Android
Cons
- One side stops working after months
- Cheap-feeling case
- No auto-pause when removing earbud
- No wireless charging
- Case is slippery
Sony WF-1000XM5
The Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds receive mixed feedback. Many users praise the excellent sound quality, effective noise cancellation, and comfortable fit, making them great for travel and workouts. However, a significant number of complaints focus on Bluetooth connectivity issues, poor ANC compared to previous models, and fit problems that cause discomfort or earbuds falling out. Battery life and case charging also draw criticism, with some users experiencing defects. Overall, while the audio performance is often lauded, reliability and fit concerns prevent a higher rating.
Pros
- Excellent sound quality
- Effective noise cancellation
- Comfortable fit
- Great battery life
- Customizable app
Cons
- Bluetooth connectivity issues
- Poor ANC compared to previous models
- Fit problems causing discomfort
- Earbuds fall out easily
- Case battery drains quickly
Scores
Specifications
| Beats Studio Buds | Sony WF-1000XM5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Design | ||
| Form Factor | In-Ear | in-ear |
| Wearing Style | true wireless | true wireless |
| Ear Tips | S, M, L | XS, S, M, L |
| Weight | 0.03 kg | 0.01 kg★ |
| Audio | ||
| Driver Type | dual-element diaphragm | dynamic |
| Driver Size | — | 8.399999618530273 mm★ |
| Drivers | — | 1★ |
| Freq Min | — | 20 Hz★ |
| Freq Max | — | 40 kHz★ |
| Impedance | 16 Ω | 16 Ω |
| Sensitivity | — | 102 dB★ |
| Hi-Res Audio | — | ✓★ |
| Codecs | Beats by Dr. Dre Studio Buds True Wireless Noise-Canceling In-Ear Earphones, White | AAC, LC3, LDAC, SBC |
| Surround | — | Dolby Atmos |
| Noise Control | ||
| ANC | ✓ | ✓ |
| ANC Type | adaptive | adaptive |
| Transparency | ✓ | ✓ |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3★ |
| Profiles | — | A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP |
| Multipoint | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Wired Connector | — | USB Type C |
| Range | — | 10 m★ |
| Earbud Battery | ||
| Battery Life | 8 hrs | 8 hrs |
| Charge Time | 5 hrs | 2 hrs★ |
| Fast Charging | Yes★ | 3 Minutes for 1 Hour |
| Charging | USB-C | USB-C |
| Case Battery | ||
| Case Battery | 24 hrs | 24 hrs |
| Case Charging | USB-C | USB-C |
| Wireless Charging | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Microphone | ||
| Microphone | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mic Count | 2 | 6★ |
| NC Mic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Features | ||
| Voice Assistant | Siri | Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa |
| Touch Controls | ✓ | ✓ |
| App | Beats app | Sony Headphone Connect App |
| Volume Limiting | — | ✗ |
| Gaming Mode | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Bone Conduction | ✗ | ✗ |
| Water Resistance | IPX4 | IPX4 |
Pros & Cons
Beats Studio Buds
- Strong anc (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong mic (82nd percentile)82nd %ile
- Strong build (79th percentile)
- Strong battery (74th percentile)
- Below average sound (29th percentile)
Sony WF-1000XM5
- Strong connectivity (100th percentile)100th %ile
- Strong sound (99th percentile)99th %ile
- Strong mic (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong anc (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Below average user sentiment (12th percentile)12th %ile
Verdict
Scores 88 overall, wins 7 of 7 usage categories and 14 of 40 specs.