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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize convenience and seamless integration with Apple devices, you might prefer the Apple AirPods. With a slightly lower price, they also have a feather-light design and wireless charging, making them suitable for easy listening during work commutes or short walks. However, if sound quality and noise isolation are critical for you, particularly in noisier environments like air travel, the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EQ have better noise cancellation and a more robust build quality, though they are slightly heavier and may need longer to charge. The Beoplay EQ also supports high-quality codecs for better sound, which could be important if you're an audiophile. Both earbuds have comparable battery life and microphone quality. Keep in mind, the Beoplay EQ is optimized not only for Apple but also for Android devices, offering broader compatibility. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple Airpods (2nd generation)
- The Apple Airpods (2nd generation) has no clear advantages over the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ.
Advantages of the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ
- Good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
5.8
6.8
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ is only fair for music, while the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) is poor.
Gaming
4.8
8.4
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ is very good for gaming, while the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.1
8.8
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ and Apple Airpods (2nd generation) are both very good for podcasts and audiobooks, though the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ is somewhat better.
TV and Video
5.4
7.8
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ is good for TV and video, while the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
7.0
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ is good for noise reduction, while the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) is poor.
Battery
4.0 Hours
6.5 Hours
The Apple Airpods (2nd generation) has 4 hours of battery life. The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ has 6.5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$130
$176
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
The Apple Airpods (2nd generation) has a price of $130 and the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ costs $176.
Build Quality
7.6
8.9
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ has very good build quality, while the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
6.9
7.2
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ to be good for phone calls, while the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) is only fair.
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How the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) and the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods (2nd generation) | Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$130 | $176 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Bang and Olufsen | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2019 | August 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 5.9/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 4.9/10 | 8.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.5/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 5.8/10 | 6.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 4 Hours | 6.5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 0.5 Hours | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 24 | 20 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 7/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | No | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6.5/10 | 6.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 7.6/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4 Grams | 8 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Apple Airpods (2nd generation)
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Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ
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Dig into reviews and images
PC Mag
Tim Gideon | March 2022
"Bang & Olufsen’s audio products prioritize style and function just as much as sound quality. The company’s latest Beoplay EQ noise-cancelling true wireless earphones combine strong, accurate-leaning audio with solid noise cancellation in an exceedingly classy design."
Get a great deal on the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) or the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ
About Apple
Apple Inc. is an American technology company, founded in 1976, known for its wide range of premium products, including smartphones, computers, and audio solutions. Apple offers the very popular personal audio line AirPods, highly regarded for their wireless, smart capabilities and their seamless integration with the iPhone, iPad and Mac devices. They provide a high-quality sound, comfort and lifestyle features perfect for all users invested in their ecosystem.
About Bang and Olufsen
Bang and Olufsen is an almost century-old electronic goods manufacturer based in Denmark with a very special focus on design. Peter Bang and Svend Olufsen created the first AC radio in 1925 and went on to develop televisions, telephones and, of course, headphones and loudspeakers. Today, they are partnered with several companies, like Audi, BMW and Aston Martin, to provide very high-quality audio solutions.
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Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
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