Beats Studio Buds + vs Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 Comparison

Compare Beats Studio Buds + vs Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 side by side: specs, ratings, pros and cons, and which one fits your room best.

On this page
Beats Studio Buds + product image
Beats Studio Buds +
Launch price $169.99
Editor's pick
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 wireless earbuds in Porcelain
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2
Launch price $229

At a Glance

Beats Studio Buds +

Need mid-priced ANC earbuds that work with both iPhone and Android? The Beats Studio Buds + are stemless true wireless earbuds with active noise cancelling, a transparency mode, six voice-targeting microphones, Bluetooth 5.3 and one-touch pairing on both iPhone and Android.

Best For
Users who switch between iPhone and Android
Launch Price
$169.99
Dust/Water Rating
IPX4
Bluetooth Codecs
SBC, AAC
Noise Cancelling
Active noise cancelling
Mics per Bud
—
Battery (Buds)
6 (ANC on), 9 (ANC off)
Battery (With Case)
24 (ANC on), 36 (ANC off)
Multipoint
No
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2

Using an Android phone and want Google's own ANC earbuds? The Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 are compact noise-cancelling earbuds with Google's Tensor A1 chip, Silent Seal 2.0 ANC, 11 mm drivers, Gemini voice features and a battery rated for 8 hours per charge with noise cancelling on.

Best For
Pixel and Android users
Launch Price
$229
Dust/Water Rating
IP54
Bluetooth Codecs
SBC, AAC, LC3
Noise Cancelling
Silent Seal 2.0 ANC
Mics per Bud
3
Battery (Buds)
8 h
Battery (With Case)
30 h
Multipoint
Yes

Review Scores Compared

How we score

Expert Score

  • Beats Studio Buds +7.1/10
  • Google Pixel Buds Pro 28.9/10 Leads

Voice & Call Noise Isolation

  • Beats Studio Buds +6.0/10
  • Google Pixel Buds Pro 28.8/10 Leads

ANC & Transparency

  • Beats Studio Buds +8.7/10
  • Google Pixel Buds Pro 28.7/10

Battery & Case Charging

  • Beats Studio Buds +8.0/10
  • Google Pixel Buds Pro 29.7/10 Leads

Fit, Stability & Portability

  • Beats Studio Buds +8.3/10
  • Google Pixel Buds Pro 29.3/10 Leads

Connectivity & UC Integration

  • Beats Studio Buds +4.9/10
  • Google Pixel Buds Pro 27.1/10 Leads

Sound & Audio Quality

  • Beats Studio Buds +6.9/10
  • Google Pixel Buds Pro 29.3/10 Leads

Editorial Reviews Comparison

Voice & Call Noise Isolation

  • Beats Studio Buds +6.0/10
  • Google Pixel Buds Pro 28.8/10Leader

Beats Studio Buds +

Each bud has three microphones, for six in total, with voice-targeting processing to reduce background noise on calls. For laptop calls they connect as standard Bluetooth headsets. Without multipoint, switching between phone and laptop means re-pairing, which slows down hybrid workers. On Android the Beats app at least shows which device the buds are paired with, which helps when moving between them.

Google Pixel Buds Pro 2

Beamforming microphones and Clear Calling on Pixel phones reduce background noise and boost your voice. A wind-blocking mesh covers the mics. Hybrid workers who spend hours on laptop calls get a steadier experience from the Poly Voyager Free 60+ and its USB adapter, which keeps call audio wideband on Windows and Mac.

ANC & Transparency

  • Beats Studio Buds +8.7/10
  • Google Pixel Buds Pro 28.7/10

Beats Studio Buds +

Active noise cancelling and a transparency mode are switched with a press of the Beats logo. Beats claims a 1.6 times improvement in ANC over the original Studio Buds. Cancellation is effective against steady noise such as fans and engines, and fine for an office. It lets in more voices and sudden sounds than Sony and Bose flagships.

Google Pixel Buds Pro 2

Silent Seal 2.0 runs on the Tensor A1 chip, and Google claims it cancels about twice as much noise as the first Pro. Transparency and Conversation Detection, which pauses audio when you speak, are included. The fin-style stabiliser twists to lock the buds in place, which also improves the seal and therefore the cancellation.

Battery & Case Charging

  • Beats Studio Buds +8.0/10
  • Google Pixel Buds Pro 29.7/10Leader

Beats Studio Buds +

Beats quotes up to 9 hours per charge with ANC off, or 6 hours with ANC or transparency on. The case extends that to 36 or 24 hours. Six hours with ANC covers a long commute and a few calls. Fast Fuel gives about an hour of playback from five minutes of charging.

Google Pixel Buds Pro 2

Google quotes up to 8 hours with ANC on, or 12 hours off, and up to 30 hours with the case using ANC. That is among the best in premium earbuds. A full workday of music and calls is easy, and the case recharges over lunch. Five minutes of charging gives about an hour of playback.

Fit, Stability & Portability

  • Beats Studio Buds +8.3/10
  • Google Pixel Buds Pro 29.3/10Leader

Beats Studio Buds +

Each bud weighs about 5 g and sits flush in the ear without a stem. Beats includes three ear tip sizes, and the buds are rated IPX4. The small, rounded shape stays comfortable for long sessions and suits smaller ears. There are no wing tips, so very active workouts may loosen the fit.

Google Pixel Buds Pro 2

Each bud weighs about 4.7 g, among the lightest in this group, and the twist-to-adjust fin keeps them steady during walks or workouts. Google includes four tip sizes. The small size makes them comfortable for long sessions, and they barely protrude from the ear. That also helps with lying on a pillow or wearing a hat.

Connectivity & UC Integration

  • Beats Studio Buds +4.9/10
  • Google Pixel Buds Pro 27.1/10Leader

Beats Studio Buds +

Bluetooth 5.3 Class 1 offers good range. One-touch pairing works on iPhone, and Google Fast Pair works on Android, with Find My support on both platforms. There is no multipoint, so the buds connect to one device at a time. Automatic switching between Apple devices is also missing, unlike AirPods.

Google Pixel Buds Pro 2

The buds connect over Bluetooth 5.4 with two-device multipoint, LE Audio and Fast Pair for one-tap setup. On Android the buds appear in settings without a separate app download. Gemini integration lets you talk to Google's assistant hands-free, which is handy on the move for messages, reminders and directions. Find My Device locates lost buds and the case on a map.

Sound & Audio Quality

  • Beats Studio Buds +6.9/10
  • Google Pixel Buds Pro 29.3/10Leader

Beats Studio Buds +

Beats uses custom acoustic drivers with codec support for SBC and AAC. Tuning is energetic, with punchy bass and clear vocals. Spatial audio with head tracking is not supported, unlike the AirPods Pro 3. For everyday listening the sound is good for the price.

Google Pixel Buds Pro 2

Each bud has an 11 mm dynamic driver, unusually large for such a small earbud. Codec support covers SBC, AAC and LC3 for LE Audio, with no aptX or LDAC. The tuning is lively and bass forward, with clear vocals. The Pixel app's five-band EQ lets you calm the low end for podcasts and calls between meetings.

Why Beats Studio Buds + Beats Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 (and Vice Versa)

Why Beats Studio Buds + beats Google Pixel Buds Pro 2

  • Case Weight: 49 g vs 65 g

Why Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 beats Beats Studio Buds +

  • Better voice & call noise isolation: 8.8 vs 6.0 out of 10
  • Better sound & audio quality: 9.3 vs 6.9 out of 10
  • Better connectivity & uc integration: 7.1 vs 4.9 out of 10
  • Better battery & case charging: 9.7 vs 8.0 out of 10
  • Better fit, stability & portability: 9.3 vs 8.3 out of 10
  • Bud Weight: 4.7 g vs 5 g

Review-score leads of 0.5+ points out of 10 first, then specs where only one comes out ahead.

Full Specifications

General

Beats Studio Buds +Google Pixel Buds Pro 2
Best ForUsers who switch between iPhone and AndroidPixel and Android users
Fit TypeTrue wireless in-earTrue wireless in-ear
Release Year20232024
Launch Price$169.99 Better$229
Case Weight49 g Better65 g
Water ResistanceSweat and water resistant (IPX4, earbuds)Sweat and water resistant (IP54 earbuds) Better
ColorsBlack/Gold, Ivory, TransparentPorcelain, Hazel, Wintergreen, Peony
Case Water Rating—IPX4
Hearing Health Features—Loud-sound protection (dampens sudden loud noises)
Microphone SetupSix (three per bud)Beamforming microphones
Charging PortUSB-CUSB-C
Case Recharges3—
LE Audio / Auracast—Yes
Google Fast PairYes (Android)Yes
ControlsPhysical buttonTouch
Companion AppBeats app (Android)Pixel Buds app (Android)
Wear Detection—Yes
Voice AssistantHey Siri; on-device voice assistant buttonGemini
Custom ControlsYesYes (tap and swipe)
Find My / LocateYes (Apple and Google)Yes (Find My Device)
In the BoxEarbuds, charging case, ear tips (three sizes), USB-C cableEarbuds, charging case, ear tips, USB-C cable
Warranty1-year limited1-year limited
Model NumberStudio Buds +Pixel Buds Pro 2
OS CompatibilityiOS, AndroidAndroid 8+; basic Bluetooth on iOS and Windows
Works WithiOS, Android—

Voice & Call Noise Isolation

Beats Studio Buds +6.0/10Google Pixel Buds Pro 28.8/10 Better
Mics per Bud—3
Microphones—6
Wind Noise Reduction—Yes (wind-blocking mesh)
Call Noise ReductionVoice-targeting processingClear Calling (Pixel)

ANC & Transparency

Beats Studio Buds +8.7/10Google Pixel Buds Pro 28.7/10
Noise CancellingActive noise cancellingSilent Seal 2.0 ANC
Adaptive ANCYes (ANC adapts to personal fit)Yes (Adaptive Audio)
Transparency ModeYesYes
Active Noise CancellingYesYes

Battery & Case Charging

Beats Studio Buds +8.0/10Google Pixel Buds Pro 29.7/10 Better
Battery (Buds)6 (ANC on), 9 (ANC off)8 h Better
Battery (With Case)24 (ANC on), 36 (ANC off)30 h Better
Wireless ChargingNoYes (Qi) Better
Fast ChargingYes (Fast Fuel)Yes (5 min = about 1 h)
Battery (Buds, ANC Off)9 h12 h Better

Fit, Stability & Portability

Beats Studio Buds +8.3/10Google Pixel Buds Pro 29.3/10 Better
Bud Weight5 g4.7 g Better
Ear Tip SizesThree sizesFour sizes
Dust/Water RatingIPX4IP54 Better
Ear Hooks / WingsNoYes (twist-to-adjust stabiliser) Better
Case Dimensions7.2 x 5.1 x 2.55 cm49.9 x 63.3 x 25 mm

Connectivity & UC Integration

Beats Studio Buds +4.9/10Google Pixel Buds Pro 27.1/10 Better
USB DongleNoNo
MultipointNoYes Better
Bluetooth Version5.3 Class 15.4 Better

Sound & Audio Quality

Beats Studio Buds +6.9/10Google Pixel Buds Pro 29.3/10 Better
Bluetooth CodecsSBC, AACSBC, AAC, LC3 Better
Driver Size—11 mm
Driver TypeCustom acoustic platformDynamic Better
Custom EQ—Yes (five-band)
Spatial AudioYesYes (supported Pixel phones)

Takeaways

  • Beats Studio Buds + costs the least ($169.99), and Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 the most ($229).
  • Our pick: Google Pixel Buds Pro 2, with the highest spec-based rating (4.4/5).
  • Choose Beats Studio Buds + for users who switch between iPhone and Android.
  • Choose Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 for pixel and Android users.

Pros and Cons

Beats Studio Buds +

PROS

  • Works well with iPhone and Android
  • Compact stemless design
  • Up to 36 hours with the case
  • Transparent design option

CONS

  • ANC weaker than flagships
  • No wireless charging
  • No multipoint

Google Pixel Buds Pro 2

PROS

  • Small, light buds with a twist-to-adjust fin
  • Strong ANC for the price
  • Deep Android and Gemini integration
  • Long battery life

CONS

  • Best features need Android
  • No aptX or LDAC
  • No dongle for PC calls

Similar Comparisons

Quick Verdict

  • Beats Studio Buds + 7.1No outright category lead
  • Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 8.9Best overallLeads in Voice & Call Noise Isolation, Battery & Case Charging, Fit, Stability & Portability