Beats Studio Buds +
Sony WF-1000XM5
What Buyers Say
Beats Studio Buds +
The Beats Studio Buds receive mixed feedback. Many users praise the sound quality, noise cancellation, and comfortable fit, but several report issues with connectivity, microphone quality, and durability. The battery life is generally appreciated, but some find the earbuds fall out easily or have a cheaply made case. Overall, they are seen as a decent option for casual use, but not a top-tier choice compared to AirPods Pro.
Pros
- Great sound quality
- Effective noise cancellation
- Comfortable fit
- Good battery life
- Easy pairing with Android and iOS
Cons
- Connectivity issues
- Poor microphone quality
- Earbuds fall out easily
- Cheaply made case
- One side stops working
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 | Extra small, Small, Medium, Large | XS, S, M, L |
| Weight | 0.01 kg★ | 0.01 kg |
| Audio | ||
| Driver Type | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver Size | 16 mm★ | 8.399999618530273 mm |
| Drivers | 1 | 1 |
| Freq Min | 20 Hz | 20 Hz |
| Freq Max | — | 40 kHz★ |
| Impedance | 32 Ω | 16 Ω |
| Sensitivity | — | 102 dB★ |
| Hi-Res Audio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | AAC, LC3, LDAC, SBC |
| Surround | Dolby Atmos | Dolby Atmos |
| Noise Control | ||
| ANC | ✓ | ✓ |
| ANC Type | personalized | 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 | 9 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 | 27 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 comfort (95th percentile)95th %ile
- Strong sound (94th percentile)94th %ile
- Strong anc (90th percentile)90th %ile
- Strong mic (82nd percentile)82nd %ile
- Below average user sentiment (8th percentile)8th %ile
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
Pricing
Beats Studio Buds + offers 1.8x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 88 overall, wins 7 of 7 usage categories and 9 of 40 specs.
