Beats Studio Pro
Over-ear · 2023
AirPods Max
Over-ear · 2020
AirPods Max takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Beats Studio Pro lands at 82 and AirPods Max at 88. That puts AirPods Max ahead by 6 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Beats Studio Pro if…
- ✓Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
- ✓Premium build
- ✓Active noise cancellation (most models)
Pick AirPods Max if…
- ✓Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
- ✓Premium build
- ✓Active noise cancellation (most models)
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testSound quality
AirPods MaxTuning, detail, and staging
AirPods Max leads on sound (88 vs 82).
Noise cancelling
AirPods MaxANC strength for commute and travel
AirPods Max leads on anc (86 vs 80).
Comfort
AirPods MaxLong-session wearability
AirPods Max leads on comfort (87 vs 81).
Value for money
Beats Studio ProSpecdex score per dollar at MSRP
Beats Studio Pro more score per dollar ($349 vs $549).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Beats Studio Pro | AirPods Max |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Release year | 2023 | 2020 |
Beats Studio Pro
- +Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
- +Premium build
- +Active noise cancellation (most models)
- −Battery varies by codec
- −Some are Bluetooth-only
- −Price creep vs previous gen
AirPods Max
- +Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
- +Premium build
- +Active noise cancellation (most models)
- −Battery varies by codec
- −Some are Bluetooth-only
- −Price creep vs previous gen
FAQ: Beats Studio Pro vs AirPods Max
Which is better, Beats Studio Pro or AirPods Max? +
AirPods Max scores 88 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 6. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Beats Studio Pro worth the price? +
At $349, Beats Studio Pro delivers a Specdex score of 82 — strongest in sound.
Is AirPods Max worth the price? +
At $549, AirPods Max delivers a Specdex score of 88 — strongest in sound.
Does Beats Studio Pro or AirPods Max last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.
Which is better for sound quality, Beats Studio Pro or AirPods Max? +
AirPods Max — leads on sound (88 vs 82). Tuning, detail, and staging.
Which is better for noise cancelling, Beats Studio Pro or AirPods Max? +
AirPods Max — leads on anc (86 vs 80). ANC strength for commute and travel.