Beats Studio Buds Versus Sony WF-1000XM4 (2022)

If you’re in the market for some high-quality earbuds, two of today’s top contenders are Beats Studio Buds and Sony WF-1000XM4. Both deliver brilliant sound and have several juicy features that hardcore audiophiles will love. But which is the best choice for you?
To find out, here’s a breakdown of Studio Buds versus Sony.

Beats Studio Buds 2022

Weight: 5 grams
The 2022 version of these earbuds from Beats offers impressive performance at a reasonable price point of $150. Many similar products, by comparison, easily cost over $200, with some ultra-high-end products costing over $1,000. So if you’re a budget-conscious shopper, right off the bat, Beats Studio Buds 2022 should capture your attention.
This product has a listening time of up to eight hours per full charge and has the Fast Fuel feature that provides up to one hour of listening on just a five-minute charge when the battery life is dwindling. When combined with the charging case, however, you get an additional 16 hours of listening time for a total of 24 hours.
In terms of notable features, there’s active noise canceling (ANC) for a deep, immersive listening experience. Beats Studio Buds support spatial audio for next-level sound that’s perfect not only for music but also for movies and games. It also features custom acoustics, which provides high-performance, well-balanced audio.
As for connectivity, it’s very easy and intuitive. With one-touch pairing, you can conveniently connect these buds via Bluetooth with Apple and Android devices.

Sony WF-1000XM4

Weight: 7.3 grams
With a price point that’s $130 higher than Beats Studio Buds, it costs nearly twice as much. Listening time is the exact same, with eight hours from the earbuds and an additional 16 hours in the case for 24 hours total. There’s also the quick charge option that gives you up to 60 minutes with a five-minute charge. And with the innovative Qi technology, you can wireless charge these earbuds without the need for cables.
The sound quality of the Sony WF-1000XMR earbuds is said to be jaw-dropping. “Thanks to specially designed 6mm drivers, they produce a dynamic sound despite their small size, and the high compliance diaphragm reproduces a rich bass range.” Further, “the Integrated Processor V1 also enhances sound quality and reduces distortion, and enables LDAC codec processing and DSEE Extreme.” In other words, it pops.
Key features include:
  • Industry-leading noise cancellation
  • Noise isolation earbud tips for added noise reduction and an ergonomic fit
  • Dual sensing microphones for superb listening
  • Hands-free voice control
  • Instant pause and play
  • Fast-pairing with Android devices, Windows 10 laptops, desktop PCs, and tablets

The Bottom Line

Both the Beat Studio Buds 2022 and the Sony WF-1000XM4 are highly respectable products. They both deliver premium audio performance and have overlapping features like eight hours of listening time and noise cancellation. That said, Sony WF-1000XM4 gets the slight edge in overall quality because the audio is a bit better and because of all the additional features it offers.
Beat Studio Buds 2022 is the better pick if you want a solid product at a cheaper price point. However, if you want game-changing audio and don’t mind spending $130 more, the Sony WF-1000XM4 is likely the better option.

What About an Earbuds Warranty?

Regardless of which product you choose, it’s a significant investment, so you want to ensure you’re protected. The manufacturer’s warranty of most earbuds is one year, but after that, you’re no longer covered.
That’s why many customers choose to go with an extended warranty like Upsie. Upsie kicks in once the manufacturer’s warranty lapses and allows you to make claims 24/7 for a prompt repair or replacement. It also covers accidents like drops and spills – coverage that the manufacturer warranty does not provide.
Furthermore, Upsie gives you up to 60 days after the purchase to buy coverage, so there’s no pressure when making a choice. And with prices up to 70 percent less than in-store plans, it’s quality coverage at an affordable price.

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* This article is over 6 months old and may or may not be updated.