A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Beats Studiobuds are often significantly less expensive than the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2. They offer a robust overall sound quality and are great for exercise and air travel due to their sweatproof certification and good portability. While they don't support noise cancelling, they have a satisfactory noise isolation quality. The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2, although pricier, provide better soundstage and comfort, along with higher noise isolation quality, and they feature active noise cancelling, making them superior for airline travel and for listeners who prioritize blocking out ambient noise. Both support AAC codec for better audio over Bluetooth, neither supports lossless codec, and neither is particularly suitable for gaming or TV due to latency issues. 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 Studiobuds
- Good for music
- Good for phone calls
- Good for exercise
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2
- The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has no clear advantages over the Beats Studiobuds.
Key differences
Phone Calls
7.0
5.0
The Beats Studiobuds is good for phone calls, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
9.0
5.6
The Beats Studiobuds is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.5
8.3
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is very good for noise reduction, while the Beats Studiobuds is only fair.
Battery
6.0 Hours
5.0 Hours
The Beats Studiobuds has 6 hours of battery life. The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has 5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$80
$149
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Beats Studiobuds has a price of $80 and the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 costs $149.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Key similarities
Music
7.2
6.7
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Beats Studiobuds to be good for music, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is only fair.
Gaming
5.2
5.3
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and Beats Studiobuds are both poor for gaming.
TV and Video
5.6
5.6
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and Beats Studiobuds are both poor for TV and video.
Build Quality
8.8
8.9
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and Beats Studiobuds both have very good build quality.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Beats Studiobuds and the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Beats Studiobuds | Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$80 | $149 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Beats | Bowers and Wilkins | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2021 | January 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.2/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.2/10 | 5.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.7/10 | 6.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6 Hours | 5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 0.9 Hours | 0.75 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 24 | 19 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6.5/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6/10 | 6.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.8/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.9/10 | 8/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5 Grams | 6 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Beats Studiobuds
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Chase Bernath | May 2023
"For less than the price of the AirPods, the Beats Studio Buds delivers a good fit, great sound, and active noise cancellation. This is also the first set of Apple-owned Beats earbuds to feature quick pairing with Android devices, albeit at the expense of some key features for Apple users."
Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Major HiFi
Chris Golembeski | January 2023
"Bowers and Wilkins isn’t looking to make an obscure, premium wireless bud catered specifically towards audiophiles. Instead, it seems apparent that they’re going for the crown: a cool and popular look, an easy and comfortable fit, and an engaging stage with a great balance that is perfectly suited for mainstream listeners and audiophiles alike."
Get a great deal on the Beats Studiobuds or the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2
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 Bowers and Wilkins
Bowers and Wilkins is a British audio equipment manufacturer with a focus on innovation and product development. It was founded by a couple of real-life James Bonds, the co-founders John Bowers and Roy Wilkins, who met while working for MI6 during World War II. The company keeps being favored by enthusiasts due to their sound quality, craftsmanship and signature aesthetics.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
Compare Beats Studiobuds vs. Soundcore Life Q30
VS
Compare Beats Studiobuds vs. Soundcore Space A40
VS
Compare Beats Studiobuds vs. Soundcore Life P3
VS
Compare Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 vs. "Nothing" Brand Ear (2)
VS
Compare Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 vs. Audio Technica M50x
VS
Compare Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 vs. Rode NTH-100
VS
FAQs
FAQs about earbuds and headphones
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.
By the numbers
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
128,600
Recommendations made
19,290
Consumer hours saved
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.
Jason Lew
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.
Luis Torres
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.
Featured in
