True Wireless
Apple Beats Studio Buds +
78Great
$170
Full review dataApple Beats Studio Buds + vs Sony WF-1000XM6: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Sony WF-1000XM6 comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 88. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Sony WF-1000XM6 - Outstanding overall at around $298.
True Wireless
Sony WF-1000XM6
88Outstanding
$300
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Apple Beats Studio Buds +
Sound7.5
Noise cancelling7.5
Battery8.0
Calls7.0
Value8.0
Sony WF-1000XM6
Sound9.0
Noise cancelling9.0
Battery8.0
Calls8.0
Value7.0
Specifications
| Spec | Apple Beats Studio Buds + | Sony WF-1000XM6 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | True Wireless | True Wireless |
| Price (USD) | $170 | $300 |
| HearWiki score | 78 / 100 · Great | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2021 | 2026 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | custom two-layer transducer | dynamic |
| Driver type | - | custom driver |
| Driver size | 8.2 mm | 8.4 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | - | 20Hz-20kHz |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | Class 1 Wireless Bluetooth | 5.3 |
| Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 |
| Multipoint pairing | Yes | Yes |
| Wireless range | - | 10 m |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 9 h | 12 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | 6 h | 8 h |
| Battery incl. case | 36 h | 24 h |
| Full charge time | - | 90 min |
| Quick charge | 5 min = 1 h | 3 min = 1 h |
| Wireless charging | No | Yes |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | Yes | Yes |
| ANC type | hybrid | adaptive |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes |
| Companion app | Yes | Yes |
| Custom EQ | No | Yes |
| Wear detection | No | Yes |
| Controls | buttons | touch |
| Voice assistant | Siri | Google Assistant, Alexa, Siri |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 59 g | 6.4 g |
| Case weight | 49 g | 47 g |
| Water resistance | IPX4 | IPX4 |
| USB-C | Yes | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 3 | 8 |
| Microphone | - | Yes |
What reviewers said
Apple Beats Studio Buds +
These wireless earbuds offer a solid mix of active noise cancellation and clear sound, making them a good pick for daily commutes or travel. They work well across different devices and provide long battery life with the charging case, though they skip some premium extras like wireless charging and multi-device pairing. The design is comfortable and sweat-resistant, giving you a dependable option without the top-tier price tag.
- Pro:Effective hybrid noise cancellation for the price
- Pro:Comfortable, secure fit with IPX4 sweat resistance
- Pro:Strong battery life with quick charge support
- Con:No wireless charging option
- Con:Lacks multipoint Bluetooth for switching devices
- Con:No custom EQ or high-res audio codecs
Sony WF-1000XM6
The Sony WF-1000XM6 true wireless earbuds deliver a top-tier audio experience with adaptive noise cancellation and robust sound quality, making them a strong all-around choice for daily use and workouts. They feature a long battery life, LDAC support, and multipoint connectivity, though their premium price and slightly bulky case are minor trade-offs. Overall, they excel in most areas, with call clarity and customization options further boosting their appeal.
- Pro:Excellent adaptive noise cancellation
- Pro:Rich, detailed sound with LDAC support
- Pro:Long battery life even with ANC on
- Con:Premium price point may deter budget buyers
- Con:Charging case is somewhat larger than rivals
- Con:Stock ear tips might not fit all ear shapes
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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