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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for wireless convenience and sporty design, the Beats Powerbeats Pro offer a secure fit for active use, plus they're sweat resistant. However, if you prefer a more natural sound and don't mind a wired connection, the Philips SHP9500 headphones provide comfort for extended listening sessions and often come at a more affordable price. The Beats are better for on-the-go and workout scenarios due to their form factor and stability, whereas the Philips are more suited for home listening or studio work due to their open-back design, which isn't ideal for noisy environments. Keep in mind that the Powerbeats Pro includes a microphone for calls, which the Philips lacks. 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 Beats Powerbeats Pro
- Good for phone calls
- Good for air travel
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Philips SHP9500
- Excellent for music
- Good for gaming
- Excellent for TV and video
Key differences
Music
6.5
9.2
The Philips SHP9500 is excellent for music, while the Beats Powerbeats Pro is only fair.
Gaming
5.5
7.2
The Philips SHP9500 is good for gaming, while the Beats Powerbeats Pro is poor.
Phone Calls
7.0
4.9
The Beats Powerbeats Pro is good for phone calls, while the Philips SHP9500 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
9.2
8.0
The Beats Powerbeats Pro is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Philips SHP9500 is very good.
TV and Video
5.7
9.0
The Philips SHP9500 is excellent for TV and video, while the Beats Powerbeats Pro is poor.
Noise Reduction
4.6
2.5
The Beats Powerbeats Pro and Philips SHP9500 are both poor for noise reduction, though the Beats Powerbeats Pro is somewhat better.
Battery
10.0 Hours
N/A
The Beats Powerbeats Pro has 10 hours of battery life. The Philips SHP9500 does not have a battery.
Cost
$124
$48
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Beats Powerbeats Pro has a price of $124 and the Philips SHP9500 costs $48.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
8.8
8.5
The Beats Powerbeats Pro and Philips SHP9500 both have very good build quality.
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How the Beats Powerbeats Pro and the Philips SHP9500 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Beats Powerbeats Pro | Philips SHP9500 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$124 | $48 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Beats | Philips | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2019 | August 1, 2013 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.5/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.5/10 | 7.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.6/10 | 4.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 10 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 24 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 4.6/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | No | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.8/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 10/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 11 Grams | 294.8 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
Beats Powerbeats Pro
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | November 2022
"Sweat resistance, actual noise isolation, and a secure fit in your ears make these the true wireless earphones you want in Apple-land. Android users may find other options they like better, as these only support AAC."
Philips SHP9500
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphones Lab
Brian Stone | April 2020
"You can’t go wrong with the Philips SHP9500 for their price. Their audio quality is superb, and the fact that you can use them for just about anything you can think of makes them well worth your money"
Get a great deal on the Beats Powerbeats Pro or the Philips SHP9500
About Beats
Beats is an American, consumer-focused, audio products manufacturer. Founded originally by American rapper and producer Dr Dre, the company is now a subsidiary of Apple. Beats sells a wide range of audio products, including several models of headphones, earbuds and speakers as well as full car audio systems.
About Philips
Philips is a Dutch conglomerate and electronics manufacturer with over 130 years of history. Philips makes the Fidelio audio line which includes several models of full-sized wired and wireless headphones, true wireless earbuds. soundbars and wireless speakers.
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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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