Beats Studio3
Score: 74/100
Sony WH-1000XM4 Black
Score: 84/100Rankings
The Sony WH-1000XM4 are flagship over-ear wireless headphones delivering industry-leading ANC and up to 30 hours of battery life with quick charging. Their bulkier build and higher latency may deter gamers and gym-goers. They excel for frequent travelers and users seeking high-resolution audio with a robust feature set.
Beats Studio3 Wireless are over-ear headphones featuring Pure Adaptive Noise Cancelling, a bass-forward sound signature, and up to 22 hours of playback with ANC on (40 hours off). Their ANC is weaker against low-frequency noise and the bass-heavy tuning can become muddy. Best suited for Apple ecosystem users seeking long battery life and seamless iOS pairing.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
22 hours | 30 hoursbest | |
40 hoursbest | 38 hours | |
| ↓ lower better | 260 g | 254 gbest |
| ↓ lower better | 10 minutesbest | 10 minutesbest |
— | 40 mmbest | |
28 Ωbest | 16 Ω | |
10 mbest | 10 mbest | |
— | 5best |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Battery & Power(2) | ||
Battery Life (ANC On) (hours) | 22 hours | 30 hours |
Battery Life (ANC Off) (hours) | 40 hours | 38 hours |
Audio(3) | ||
Noise Cancellation Type | Pure Adaptive Noise Cancelling | Active |
Impedance (Ω) | 28 Ω | 16 Ω |
Supported Audio Codecs | SBC, AAC | LDAC, AAC, SBC |
Build & Design(1) | ||
Weight (g) | 260 g | 254 g |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers commend the Beats Studio3 for their comfortable, stable fit, long battery life, and flawless Apple ecosystem integration that eliminates latency on iOS. However, they criticize the ANC as weak against bass-range noise, the bass-forward tuning as inconsistent, and the microphone as sub-par, noting that the premium price is hard to justify against rivals offering more balanced sound and better ANC.
Everyday users love the extended battery life, easy Apple pairing, and the punchy bass that suits hip-hop and rap. Common complaints revolve around the over-emphasized bass muddying other genres, ANC that doesn't block low-frequency rumble, poor call mic quality, and ear heating during workouts due to lack of water resistance.
Professional reviewers commend the WH-1000XM4 for its industry-leading ANC, long battery life, and warm, low-distortion sound enabled by the QN1 processor, while noting the bulkier chassis and higher latency make it less suitable for gaming or ultra-portable scenarios.
Everyday users consistently praise the headphones for blocking airplane and commuter noise, lasting battery life, and comfortable all-day wear, but they frequently mention the bulkiness, occasional app connectivity issues, and a bass-heavy default sound that may need EQ tweaking.
“lightweight, compact”
