When it comes to choosing wireless earbuds, two names often come to mind: JBL and Beats. Both brands are known for delivering good sound quality, easy connectivity, and reliable performance. As wireless earbuds become more common for everyday use, the competition between these two brands has become stronger.
In this comparison, we take a deep dive into two of the most discussed models in the mid-range wireless earbud segment — the JBL and the Beats Studio Buds. Both these earbuds lie in a comparable price bracket and provide an attractive blend of features for day-to-day use. But how do they compare with each other in terms of sound quality, battery life, comfort, and more? Let’s find out.
JBL Vs Beats Earbuds Design and Build Quality
The JBL earphones have a stem-based design similar to Apple’s AirPods Pro build structure. The stems are streamlined and have a gleaming finish that catches light easily. The look is both futuristic and comfortable, with a minimalistic charging case that resonates with JBL’s philosophy.
Meanwhile, the Beats Studio Buds follow a different approach with a stemless, circular form factor that rests flat in the ear. The minimalist look is subtle yet chic, and the signature ‘b’ logo provides it with a distinctive identity. The pill-shaped case is pocket-sized, following Beats’ tradition of sleek looks.
Though both earbuds provide unique styles, the decision here is more a matter of personal taste whether you like the longer stem of the JBLs or the shorter profile of the Beats.
Comfort and Fit
Comfort plays a vital role when it comes to daily life, whether commuting, exercising, or making long calls. The JBL earbuds include three sizes of silicone eartips (small, medium, and large), enabling users to get a snug and comfortable fit. They also have an IPX5 rating, which makes them sweat- and water-splash-resistant — perfect for gym enthusiasts and those who lead an active lifestyle.
The Beats Studio Buds are also lauded for comfort. Even without stems, they fit securely in the ear canal and are light enough to wear for long periods. Their IPX4 water resistance rating offers standard protection against sweat and rain, though it’s a bit less rugged than JBL’s.
Both earbuds are suitable for everyday use, with sufficient variation in fit and durability to suit different users’ requirements.
Also Read: Beats Studio Buds Vs AirPods Pro
Sound Quality
Sound quality is still among the most important considerations when choosing a pair of earbuds. The JBL earbuds produce an even-handed audio profile with good clarity in lows, mids, and highs. Bass is punchy but not overwhelming, and vocals are clean. They also have customizable EQ options via the JBL Headphones app, providing more control over audio output.
The Beats Studio Buds, on the other hand, are optimized for a fun listening experience. Famous for their bass-heavy sound, they provide lively highs and lows that are particularly well-suited for pop, hip-hop, and electronic music. The Beats also feature Spatial Audio with compatible Apple devices, providing yet another level of immersion for users in the Apple ecosystem.
Both models possess a distinct tuning philosophy, and your choice largely revolves around the listener’s preference — whether you prefer a neutral or bass-oriented signature sound.
Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) has become a standard in most contemporary earbuds, and both JBL and Beats have included this feature in their respective models. The JBL earbuds feature great ANC performance that is adaptive to the surroundings.
Whether you are commuting, walking on crowded streets, or working in an open space, the adaptive ANC guarantees external noise is efficiently muted. They also have a transparency mode for ambient awareness when required.
The Beats Studio Buds also have ANC and Transparency Mode, although their noise cancelling isn’t so dynamic. They work in low to moderate noise areas such as offices and houses, but may not be up to it in high-level settings such as flights or city streets. But having two listening modes to choose from provides people with flexibility in various circumstances.
Both earbuds offer good noise control features, with minimal variation in the quality of their adaptive algorithms and environmental awareness.
Read Also: Beats Studio 3 Vs Studio Pro
Controls and Smart Features
User interaction is also an important area where these earbuds vary. The JBL earbuds have touch-sensitive controls on the stems. These are customizable through the app and can be employed to control playback, calls, ANC modes, and even volume.
The Beats Studio Buds, by contrast, have physical buttons on every bud. Though less tunable, tactile feedback is provided in this case. However, the Beats don’t have onboard volume controls and automated ear detection, so music won’t pause if you pull one bud out of your ear. The JBLs, however, feature both.
Beats compensates for some of these limitations with great platform integration. They function great with both iOS and Android, with features such as Find My Device, quick pairing, and the ability to access a dedicated app for Android consumers.
Connectivity and Multi-Device Pairing
The JBL stands out with its multipoint Bluetooth feature, where it can be connected to two devices simultaneously. It is particularly practical for people who tend to use a laptop and phone repeatedly throughout the day.
The Beats Studio Buds do not have multipoint pairing capability, although they are optimized for Apple and Android platforms. Voice assistant access, fast pairing, and platform-specific features all make the user experience better, particularly for those who already have Apple devices.
Although both have stable and reliable connections, JBL has a little more flexibility when dealing with multiple devices.
Check Now: Difference Between Beats Solo 3 Vs Beats Solo 4
Battery Life and Charging
Battery life is a priority for users of earbuds who use their earbuds heavily during the day. JBL earbuds feature up to 10 hours of playback, as well as a further 30 hours from the charging case a total of 40 hours. They have fast charging support, too, with multiple hours of playback supported from a single 15-minute charge.
The Beats Studio Buds provide 8 hours of battery life from the earbuds, and 24 hours overall when counting the case. They also have fast charging, although the overall usage time is less when directly compared to the JBLs.
If battery life is a concern, particularly for travel or long listening sessions, this difference might be something to consider.
Call Quality
Both the JBL and Beats Studio Buds have good but not great call quality. They perform well with indoor calls, but background noise such as traffic or wind can complicate conversations. Although adequate for the occasional call, neither is a standout in this area.
Professional callers who use earbuds extensively may find the performance satisfactory but not great, particularly in noisy settings.
Price and Value
Initially, both earbuds cost $149.99. Since the Beats Studio Buds were in stores for longer, they can now be regularly discounted by third-party sellers. The JBL, on the other hand, is a newer release, so it’s still commonly available at its standard price, albeit with the odd sale here and there.
Based on their feature set and performance, both products present excellent value for money. They won’t compete with premium devices such as the AirPods Pro 2 or Sony WF-1000XM5 on an equal footing, but for less than $150, they present an attractive compromise between performance and cost.
Final Thoughts
Selecting between Beats vs JBL earbuds really depends on your individual choices and needs. Both the Beats Studio Buds and JBL are good choices in the mid-range section, providing sleek designs, new features, great sound performance, and comfortable earbuds.
If you are seeking good battery life, useful ANC, integration with apps, or minimalist style, both earbuds provide good benefits on their side.
With that in mind, knowing your particular use case — commuting, everyday listening, exercising, or working from home — will help you make the most informed choice. Regardless of which pair you pick, you’ll be receiving a solid, high-quality set of true wireless earbuds that gets both form and function right.
FAQs Section!
A. JBL and Beats both provide fantastic sound, but with different tones. JBL typically provides a more balanced and articulate sound. Beats has deeper bass, which some love for hip-hop and pop songs.
A. Yes, both are usable for calls. They both have integrated microphones that minimize background noise. This makes your voice sound clearer, even if you’re outdoors or in a crowded area.
A. Yes, both offer ANC. It cancels out background noises, so you can listen to music or receive calls without interference. It’s helpful while traveling or in noisy areas.
A. Battery life is excellent in both. You will get around 8 to 10 hours of use on a single charge. With the charging case, you will have additional hours to make it through the day.
A. Yes, I mean, both JBL and Beats are comfort-focused. They include various sizes of ear tips, which means you can pick what suits you best. They’re also very light and comfortable to wear for hours, either.
A. Yes, definitely. Both are compatible with Android and iOS devices. You can even use their apps to adjust the settings and update the earbuds when necessary.
A. Yes, you can employ voice assistants such as Siri, Google Assistant, or Alexa. Simply tap the earbuds to turn them on and issue voice commands.
A. Yes, both brands provide water and sweat resistance. This also means they are an excellent option for working out, walks, or outdoor use without fear of damage.
