Say what you will about Beats fans, but at least they know what they like. These headsets and earbuds are instantly recognizable for their slick styling and bass forward sound profile. If that sounds like your speed, the Beats Studio Pro are currently marked down as low as $150 Amazon, depending on your color preference. I spotted them at the lower price in matte white, sand gray, and dune, with a slightly higher $170 price tag for the remaining colors, though your availability may vary.
While the Studio Pro lack some of the Apple-exclusive features you get with AirPods, for example, the upside is that they’re much more friendly with Android devices. Both platforms get access to one-touch pairing and the helpful Beats app, while iPhone owners also get the benefits of Hey Siri and Find My Device. The other features are a bit of a mixed bag, with a decent battery life of up to 24 hours with ANC on, or 40 with ANC off, but no auto pause when you take them off, or multi-point pairing beyond Google’s Chromebook and Android option.
Like most headphones from Beats, the sound profile is decidedly bass-forward, but Apple’s ownership has tempered that tendency over the last few years. As a result, this generation is more balanced than previous eras, with our reviewer Ryan Waniata complimenting the expansive sound stage and sharp details. Unfortunately, most Beats headsets don’t have any equalizer, and the Studio Pro are no different. For better or worse, you’re stuck with how they sound coming out of the box. These at least support high-resolution audio, up to 24-bit/48-kHz, but only in the wired USB-C mode.
For the Beats enthusiast looking for an upgrade or a second headset for the gym, these are a solid option at a deeply discounted price. They lack some of the richer and more advanced features found on more expensive headsets, but that may be the right compromise for some folks who just want something simple that works every time. If you’re not sure you can stand the bass, make sure to check out all of our favorite wireless headsets.
