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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize compatibility with Apple devices, the Airpods provide good value with adaptive sound and spatial audio; however, they lack active noise cancelling and are not the best for TV and gaming due to latency. The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX, with premium sound quality and active noise cancelling, could be more immersive for music and have better latency for gaming and videos, but come at a higher price. The Beoplay EX also supports higher-quality codecs like AptX Adaptive, making them suitable for audiophiles, and they are sweatproof and dustproof, making them more durable for active use. 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 (3rd generation)
- Good for phone calls
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX
- Excellent for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
- Very good for exercise
Key differences
Music
7.1
7.9
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX and Apple Airpods (3rd generation) are both good for music, though the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX is somewhat better.
Gaming
5.4
9.3
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX is excellent for gaming, while the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is poor.
Phone Calls
7.6
5.3
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is good for phone calls, while the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.6
6.1
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX is only fair.
TV and Video
5.5
8.9
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX is very good for TV and video, while the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
8.3
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX is very good for noise reduction, while the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is poor.
Cost
$178
$399
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) has a price of $178 and the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX costs $399.
Build Quality
9.0
10.0
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX has best in class build quality, while the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) has excellent build quality.
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Key similarities
Battery
6.0 Hours
6.5 Hours
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) has 6 hours of battery life. The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX has 6.5 hours of battery life.
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How the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) and the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods (3rd generation) | Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$178 | $399 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Bang and Olufsen | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2021 | May 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.2/10 | 8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.6/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.4/10 | 9.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 9/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.2/10 | 9/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6 Hours | 6.5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 30 | 22 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 10/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4.3 Grams | 6 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Apple Airpods (3rd generation)
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Lily Katz, Christian Thomas | February 2023
"The Apple AirPods improves upon the 2019 model with its more ergonomic, yet unsealed, fit, water-resistant build, MagSafe charging case, and advanced software features. You can enjoy a wholly immersive movie experience with the new AirPods' spatial audio with head tracking, and enjoy HD audio during FaceTime calls. Of course, most of these features are limited to Apple hardware."
Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Leaf and Core
Danielle | January 2023
"If you’ve wanted truly wireless headphones, but couldn’t pick them up because they sound terrible, these will be the headphones that win you over. If you’re the kind of person who would consider spending $400 on headphones, these are the right truly wireless headphones for you."
Get a great deal on the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) or the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX
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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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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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