Beats Studio Buds 2 wishlist: All the features I want to see

Apple’s subsidiary Beats makes some of the best wireless earbuds for Android and iOS users. The Beats Fit Pro are arguably the most infamous, providing gym enthusiasts a comfortable and robust fit since 2021. However, the more recent Beats Studio Buds Plus deliver a more traditional earbud experience and significantly improve upon the original Beats Studio Buds. In particular, the earbuds offer decent noise canceling, longer battery life, and extra-small ear tips for those with smaller ears. With a successful history of delivering desirable true wireless earbuds, it is little wonder fans are excited about the Beats Studio Buds 2.

Beats has not officially announced its latest Studio Buds yet. However, based on the company’s previous release schedule, they could be launched soon. Here are all the features and everything I want to see when the Beats Studio Buds 2 come to fruition.

Wireless charging

Earbud charging cases are so much smarter than they used to be. Crucially, though, manufacturers are finally integrating USB-C charging across the board. The AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation are a shining example and support USB-C charging instead of the company’s older Lightning port. This shift means individuals who often switch between Android and Apple devices no longer need to spend extra cash on multiple chargers.

While ubiquitous USB-C charging is undoubtedly handy, wireless charging has quickly stolen the focus of earbud manufacturers. This eliminates wires, allowing users to boost battery life on the fly. And yet, despite most of Apple’s latest earbuds supporting the feature, the Beats Studio Buds Plus cannot charge wirelessly. This is a misstep, particularly when Apple manufactures Apple Watch chargers, Qi wireless charging mats, and MagSafe. The Beats Studio Buds 2 must support wireless charging when they launch.

A comprehensive companion app

Downloading companion apps is necessary to get the most out of your headphones. In particular, companies open the door to advanced features in exchange for some (or lots) of your data. These can include vital firmware updates, toggling active noise canceling, Find My functionality, and a custom EQ. Some apps, like Sony Sound Connect, unlock toggles for Ambient Sound, control customizations, and a list of custom EQ profiles.

Comparatively, the Beats app for Android feels like a much more barebones affair. While it provides access to adjust noise canceling, change your earbuds’ name, and download firmware updates, it lacks many advanced features. For example, the app does not include a custom EQ to alter the sound profile to your liking. Likewise, the earbuds do not support head-tracking spatial audio, Apple’s adaptive transparency mode, or Auracast broadcasting. Apple must provide the Beats Studio Buds 2 with a more comprehensive companion app to remain competitive.

A cheaper price tag

We all like a bargain, and those who check out lesser-known brands can fetch flagship features for much less than industry leaders. The EarFun Air Pro 4 ($89.99 at Amazon) are a stellar example, offering Bluetooth 5.4 with the LDAC and aptX codecs, decent noise canceling, and sound quality that rivals earbuds twice as expensive. They also yield over 8 hours of battery life, and the EarFun Audio app unlocks tons of high-end features and customizations. These include 30 EQ presets, a 10-band custom EQ, and Ambient Sound modes.

The Beats Studio Buds Plus are not the most expensive headphones in Beats’ arsenal. For example, the Beats Studio Pro cost ($349.99 at Amazon) and deliver decent sound quality, good ANC, and long battery life. However, the Beats Studio Buds Plus cost $169.95 — roughly $20 more than their predecessor. Given the absence of flagship features of cheaper rivals like the EarFun Air Pro 4, many will question whether they are worth the price tag. The Beats Studio Buds 2 will represent better value for money if they cost less at launch.

Touch controls

Tactile buttons and touch controls each have their benefits and pitfalls. For example, tactile buttons register commands more accurately and can be easier to find in dimly lit environments. However, touch controls can conduct more tasks from a single surface and are less prone to nudging earbuds out of place. The last is important, as deviations in fit between a fully or partially sealed ear canal drastically alter sound quality.

Unfortunately, the Beats Studio Buds Plus are controlled using a physical button on each earbud. This is done with a series of taps, and you can define the multifunction input controls through the app or iPhone settings menu. However, pressing the buttons will inadvertently move the earbuds, negatively impacting audio quality. In particular, you will most likely notice a decrease in the prevalence of bass frequencies. To mitigate this, users must control the earbuds either with the Siri voice assistant or by gripping them tightly between their thumb and forefinger. The Beats Studio Buds 2 will make a better companion to music listeners by featuring touch controls.

Better in-call noise rejection

Some headphones perform better than others when taking calls on the move. For example, the Sony WH-1000XM6 have the best microphone quality of all the over-ear headphones we have tested. This is achieved using a six-microphone beamforming array and an AI noise rejection algorithm. The last is essential for quelling sounds from howling wind, street noise, and passing conversation.

Don’t get me wrong — the Beats Studio Buds Plus can comfortably take calls in ideal conditions. While the original Studio Buds use dual beam-forming microphones to deliver adequate calls, the Beats Studio Buds Plus enjoy improved microphone quality. However, while audio detail is more intelligible, the earbuds do a worse job of attenuating environmental noise. That means callers on the other end of the line will likely hear everything that is going on around you. The Beats Studio Buds 2 will appeal to office workers and frequent Zoom callers if they deploy better in-call noise rejection.

Will there be a Beats Studio Buds 2?

Apple remains invested in the Beats headphones category. This is evidenced by the release of the Powerbeats Pro 2 on February 11, 2025. Billed as some of the most compelling workout earbuds on the market, they deliver good noise canceling, Apple’s H2 chip, and a built-in heart-rate monitor. The last showcases Apple’s drive to implement health-related features in earbuds and could change how we interact with our audio products going forward. However, with a $250 price tag, many Beats fans will be eager for a cheaper alternative that champions the best Apple features.

The Beats Studio Buds 2 have not been announced yet, and rumors are virtually nonexistent at the time of writing. However, given Beats’ previous release schedule, we could see them launch imminently.

• Beats Studio Buds — June 24, 2021
• Beats Studio Buds Plus — May 17, 2023

For example, the original Beats Studio Buds came to market on June 24, 2021. Then, one year and 11 months later, the Beats Studio Buds Plus launched on May 17, 2023. Unlike AirPods, Apple prefers updating its Beats Studio-series earbuds in the Spring. By that metric, we could see the Beats Studio Buds 2 launch in the next two months. This has added weight, given that it would also align with the company’s previous release window. However, we must wait for confirmation from Apple for more details.

Should you wait for the Beats Studio Buds 2?

Music listeners with multiple Android and iOS devices in their home will enjoy the Beats Studio Buds Plus. Interested parties can purchase a pair from most major retailers, including Amazon and Best Buy. However, given that we could see a feature-rich upgrade in the coming months, some will question whether it is worth holding off for the Beats Studio Buds 2.

The Beats Studio Buds Plus ($99.95 at Amazon) are a compelling upgrade to the original Studio Buds. Packed with decent noise canceling, pleasing sound quality, and over eight hours of battery life, frequent commuters will find lots to enjoy. The buds support fast charging for those on the move, yielding one hour of playback time from a 5-minute top-up. Like most Beats headphones, the Studio Buds Plus work equally well with Android and iOS smartphones. For example, the earbuds connect to your source device via Bluetooth using the SBC or AAC codecs. While aptX and LDAC are absent, AAC is one of the best codecs available for latency. Just be mindful that if you use the Studio Buds Plus for phone calls, the call receiver might struggle to hear you in noisy environments. Similarly, the tactile button controls can dislodge the buds from your ear canal, drastically affecting audio quality.

Those entrenched in the Apple ecosystem with a few extra bucks to spare should grab the Apple AirPods Pro 2 ($189.99 at Amazon). Serving as the company’s most premium earbud offering, the AirPods Pro 2 wear a robust IP54-rated exterior and case. Battery life lasts five hours and 43 minutes, and the case can charge wirelessly atop a Qi, MagSafe, or Apple Watch charging mat. Noise canceling is excellent, attenuating up to 35dB of environmental sounds below 200Hz. The AirPods Pro 2 also enjoy some of the most pleasing sound quality on the market and follow our target preference curve. The company’s H2 chip delivers Adaptive Transparency mode to minimize the intensity of loud, unpredictable sounds. Similarly, the case’s U1 chip and integrated speaker let you precisely locate the case. The earbuds’ auto-wear detection is second to none, and the pressure-sensitive stems are a pleasure to use.

Gym enthusiasts wanting the best workout companion should consider the Powerbeats Pro 2 ($199.95 at Amazon). The earbuds feature a comfortable and secure hook design to keep them in place during rigorous workouts. They also come equipped with five ear tip sizes from extra-small to extra-large to help achieve a tight seal. While not the toughest, the earbuds wear an IPX4-rated exterior to protect them from omnidirectional water splashes. Sporting Apple’s H2 chip, the Powerbeats Pro 2 support one-touch pairing, automatic switching, Audio Sharing, hands-free Siri, and Find My. Noise canceling excels, attenuating most external noise by an average of 83%. Sound quality is also decent, bar the overemphasized highs between 5kHz and 7kHz, which can become grating. However, the earbuds’ best feature is their built-in heart-rate monitor, allowing you to share your heart rate data with third-party fitness apps and equipment.

The EarFun Air Pro 4 ($89.99 at Amazon) represent the best bang for your buck. The earbuds run Bluetooth 5.4 and support the high-res LDAC and aptX Lossless codecs. Even over SBC, the EarFun Air Pro 4 enjoy excellent sound quality out of the box and follow our target preference curve. They also support Google Fast Pair, Bluetooth Multipoint, and Auracast for sharing audio with others. Battery life lasts nearly nine hours, and the earbuds provide 41 hours of total playtime. Likewise, a 10-minute charge yields two hours of listening time. Noise canceling is decent and attenuates most distracting environmental noise by 75%. However, the EarFun Audio app is the real highlight, awarding listeners 30 EQ presets, a 10-band custom EQ, five ANC modes, and comprehensive control customizations. Gamers can enjoy low-latency streaming, and the Find headphones feature can help you locate the buds.

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