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 a great choice if you're looking for something less expensive, wireless with a stronger focus on portability and use during exercise, as they're sweatproof and have a decent battery life. They also have built-in controls and are optimized for both Android and Apple devices, which is convenient. However, if sound quality is your top priority, especially for music listening at home, the HifiMan Sundara headphones boast superior sound quality and soundstage, although they are pricier, heavier, and lack wireless capability, active noise cancelling, and a microphone for calls. They are not suitable for exercise or outdoor activities due to their open design and large carry size. 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 phone calls
- Good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the HifiMan Sundara
- Excellent for music
- Good for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
Key differences
Music
7.2
9.3
The HifiMan Sundara is excellent for music, while the Beats Studiobuds is good.
Gaming
5.2
7.2
The HifiMan Sundara is good for gaming, while the Beats Studiobuds is poor.
Phone Calls
7.0
4.9
The Beats Studiobuds is good for phone calls, while the HifiMan Sundara is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
9.0
7.8
The Beats Studiobuds is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the HifiMan Sundara is good.
TV and Video
5.6
8.8
The HifiMan Sundara is very good for TV and video, while the Beats Studiobuds is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.5
2.5
The Beats Studiobuds is only fair for noise reduction, while the HifiMan Sundara is poor.
Battery
6.0 Hours
N/A
The Beats Studiobuds has 6 hours of battery life. The HifiMan Sundara does not have a battery.
Cost
$80
$279
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Beats Studiobuds has a price of $80 and the HifiMan Sundara costs $279.
Build Quality
8.8
8.2
The Beats Studiobuds and HifiMan Sundara both have very good build quality, though the Beats Studiobuds has somewhat better build quality.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Beats Studiobuds and the HifiMan Sundara compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Beats Studiobuds | HifiMan Sundara |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$80 | $279 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Beats | HifiMan | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2021 | May 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.2/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.2/10 | 7.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.7/10 | 4.5/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 0.9 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 24 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6.5/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.8/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.9/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5 Grams | 394.6 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
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."
HifiMan Sundara
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | July 2023
"The HiFiMan Sundara is the set of headphones to get if you want high-end audio, but don't want to shell out a king's ransom for it. These planar magnetic headphones are comfortable, straightforward, and excellent performers."
Get a great deal on the Beats Studiobuds or the HifiMan Sundara
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 HifiMan
HiFiMAN is a Chinese, high-end, audio product manufacturer, with 20 years of experience, that specializes in amplifiers, digital audio players and planar magnetic headphones, some of which have become a staple in the audiophile community such as the entry-level Sundara, the midrange Edition X, and the very well-regarded, high-end, Arya.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
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
