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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you appreciate longer battery life and prioritize noise cancellation for air travel or noisy environments, the Sony WH-1000XM5 comes out ahead but at a premium price and offers better call quality. In contrast, the Beats Studiobuds are more affordable and provide a secure fit excellent for exercise, with enough water resistance, and they are also optimized for both Apple and Android devices. While the Beats have the added benefit of a smaller form factor for portability, the Sony model's over-ear design can offer superior comfort and sound quality, especially for music and TV with virtual surround features. Choose the Beats Studiobuds if you're seeking value and an earbud form factor, or opt for the Sony WH-1000XM5 if you want top-tier noise cancelling and don't mind spending more for over-ear headphones. 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
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Sony WH-1000XM5
- Very good for music
Key differences
Music
7.2
8.2
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is very good for music, while the Beats Studiobuds is good.
Phone Calls
7.0
5.5
The Beats Studiobuds is good for phone calls, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
9.0
6.0
The Beats Studiobuds is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is only fair.
Noise Reduction
6.5
9.1
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is excellent for noise reduction, while the Beats Studiobuds is only fair.
Battery
6.0 Hours
40.3 Hours
The Beats Studiobuds has 6 hours of battery life. The Sony WH-1000XM5 has 40.3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$80
$398
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Beats Studiobuds has a price of $80 and the Sony WH-1000XM5 costs $398.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.2
5.6
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Beats Studiobuds are both poor for gaming.
TV and Video
5.6
5.8
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Beats Studiobuds are both poor for TV and video.
Build Quality
8.8
8.8
The Beats Studiobuds and Sony WH-1000XM5 both have very good build quality.
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How the Beats Studiobuds and the Sony WH-1000XM5 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Beats Studiobuds | Sony WH-1000XM5 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$80 | $398 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Beats | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2021 | May 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.2/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.2/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.7/10 | 6.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6 Hours | 40.3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 0.9 Hours | 3.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 24 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6.5/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6/10 | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.8/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.9/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5 Grams | 249.4 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 WH-1000XM5
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Headphonesty
Kazi Mahbub Mutakabbir | February 2023
"The Sony WH-1000XM5 are the best Sony Bluetooth headphones so far and one of the most well-rounded Bluetooth headphones around. Look no further if you need class-leading ANC with a mostly inoffensive sound signature. Just be ready to pony up the price premium."
Get a great deal on the Beats Studiobuds or the Sony WH-1000XM5
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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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.
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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
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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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