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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Beats Studiobuds are significantly less expensive and offer good overall sound quality, comfort, and are suitable for exercise. However, the Sony WF1000XM4 provides superior sound quality, a better soundstage for a more immersive experience, and excels in noise isolation which is key for air travel and quiet environments. The Sony also supports a higher-quality lossless codec, LDAC, and has additional features like an equalizer and audio control customization through its app. Both lack low latency for gaming and TV, but if budget isn't a concern and you prioritize top-notch audio and noise cancellation, the Sony WF1000XM4 would be the better choice. 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
Advantages of the Sony WF1000XM4
- Excellent for music
- Best in class for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
7.2
9.0
The Sony WF1000XM4 is excellent for music, while the Beats Studiobuds is good.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
9.0
10.0
The Sony WF1000XM4 is best in class for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Beats Studiobuds is excellent.
Noise Reduction
6.5
8.3
The Sony WF1000XM4 is very good for noise reduction, while the Beats Studiobuds is only fair.
Battery
6.0 Hours
9.0 Hours
The Beats Studiobuds has 6 hours of battery life. The Sony WF1000XM4 has 9 hours of battery life.
Cost
$80
$220
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Beats Studiobuds has a price of $80 and the Sony WF1000XM4 costs $220.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.2
5.6
The Sony WF1000XM4 and Beats Studiobuds are both poor for gaming.
Phone Calls
7.0
6.7
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Beats Studiobuds to be good for phone calls, while the Sony WF1000XM4 is only fair.
TV and Video
5.6
6.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sony WF1000XM4 to be only fair for TV and video, while the Beats Studiobuds is poor.
Build Quality
8.8
8.9
The Sony WF1000XM4 and Beats Studiobuds both have very good build quality.
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How the Beats Studiobuds and the Sony WF1000XM4 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Beats Studiobuds | Sony WF1000XM4 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$80 | $220 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Beats | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2021 | July 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.2/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7/10 | 6.7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.2/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.7/10 | 6.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6 Hours | 9 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 0.9 Hours | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 24 | 24 | |
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 | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6/10 | 5.4/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.8/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.9/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5 Grams | 6.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Beats Studiobuds
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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."
Sony WF1000XM4
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Dig into reviews and images
What HiFi?
What HiFi? | March 2023
"The headphones deliver a satisfying user experience, class-leading battery life, some of the best noise-cancelling we’ve heard in this category, and absolutely stunning sound quality."
Get a great deal on the Beats Studiobuds or the Sony WF1000XM4
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 Sony
Sony is a multinational corporation, based out of Japan, with over 75 years of experience in the consumer electronics industry. In the audio market, Sony has been a trendsetter several times throughout its history. In 1979 they released the first-ever portable music player, the Sony Walkman, followed by the Discman 20 years later. Today, Sony is one of the leaders in the wireless headphone and earbud market, especially in terms of Active Noise Cancellation technology.
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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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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.
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.
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