Beats Studio Buds + vs Technics EAH-AZ100: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the Technics EAH-AZ100 comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 86. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: Technics EAH-AZ100 - Outstanding overall at around $250.

True Wireless

Beats Studio Buds +

72Great

$170

Full review data

True Wireless

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

Technics EAH-AZ100 leads on 6 of 7 measures.

Beats Studio Buds +
Technics EAH-AZ100

HearWiki score

Sound

7.2

9.2

Noise cancelling

7.5

8.6

Battery

7.2

8.7

Calls

7.5

7.8

Value

7.3

8.1

Price (USD)

$170

$250

Generation & platform

The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?

New platform

Technics EAH-AZ100 (2025) against Beats Studio Buds + (2021). The Technics EAH-AZ100 is the newer platform here: Top codec LC3 against AAC and LE Audio (LC3). It also adds Wireless charging, Wear detection and Custom EQ.

Studio Buds +2021
EAH-AZ10020254 yr newer

What differsStudio Buds +EAH-AZ100

Top codec: AAC; LC3
LE Audio (LC3): No; Yes
Wireless charging: No; Yes
Wear detection: No; Yes
Custom EQ: No; Yes

Level on: Bluetooth, ANC type, Multipoint pairing, USB-C, Transparency mode, Companion app, Water resistance.

Specifications

Studio Buds +EAH-AZ100

Type: True Wireless; True Wireless
Price (USD): $170; $250
HearWiki score: 72; 86
Released: 2021; 2025
Availability: Still sold new; Sold new
Driver: 8.2 mm driver; 10 mm dynamic
Driver type: dynamic; dynamic
Driver size: 8.2 mm; 10 mm
Drivers per side: 1; 1
Frequency response: -; 20 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance: -; 16 Ω
Bluetooth: 5.3; 5.3
Codecs: SBC, AAC; SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC
Multipoint pairing: Yes; Yes
Wireless range: -; 10 m
Battery life: 9 h; 12 h
Battery life (ANC on): 6 h; 10 h
Battery incl. case: 36 h; 28 h
Full charge time: -; 120 min
Quick charge: 5 min → 1 h; 15 min → 1.2 h
Wireless charging: No; Yes
Active noise cancelling: Yes; Yes
ANC type: hybrid; hybrid
Transparency mode: Yes; Yes
Companion app: Yes; Yes
Custom EQ: No; Yes
Wear detection: No; Yes
Controls: buttons; touch
Voice assistant: Siri; Yes
Weight: 5 g; 11.8 g
Case weight: 49 g; 42 g
Water resistance: IPX4; IPX4
USB-C: Yes; Yes
Microphones: 3; 2
Microphone type: -; MEMS

Specification comparison of Beats Studio Buds + vs Technics EAH-AZ100
Spec	Beats Studio Buds +	Technics EAH-AZ100
Type	True Wireless	True Wireless
Price (USD)	$170	$250
HearWiki score	72 / 100 Great	86 / 100 Outstanding
Released	2021	2025
Audio
Driver	8.2 mm driver	10 mm dynamic
Driver type	dynamic	dynamic
Driver size	8.2 mm	10 mm
Drivers per side	1	1
Frequency response	-	20 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance	-	16 Ω
Wireless
Bluetooth	5.3	5.3
Codecs	SBC, AAC	SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC
Multipoint pairing	Yes	Yes
Wireless range	-	10 m
Battery
Battery life	9 h	12 h
Battery life (ANC on)	6 h	10 h
Battery incl. case	36 h	28 h
Full charge time	-	120 min
Quick charge	5 min → 1 h	15 min → 1.2 h
Wireless charging	No	Yes
Features
Active noise cancelling	Yes	Yes
ANC type	hybrid	hybrid
Transparency mode	Yes	Yes
Companion app	Yes	Yes
Custom EQ	No	Yes
Wear detection	No	Yes
Controls	buttons	touch
Voice assistant	Siri	Yes
Design
Weight	5 g	11.8 g
Case weight	49 g	42 g
Water resistance	IPX4	IPX4
USB-C	Yes	Yes
Calls
Microphones	3	2
Microphone type	-	MEMS

What reviewers said

Beats Studio Buds +

These true wireless earbuds offer a well-rounded package with hybrid active noise cancellation, a comfortable fit, and solid battery life, making them a strong pick for daily commutes and travel. They work smoothly across both Apple and Android devices thanks to Bluetooth 5.3 and multipoint support, though they skip premium extras like wireless charging and hi-res codecs. With a transparent design and improved sound over standard AirPods, they serve as a compelling mid-range alternative to pricier flagship models.

Pro:Effective hybrid ANC with transparency mode
Pro:Comfortable and stable fit for all-day wear
Pro:Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint for seamless device switching

Con:No wireless charging support
Con:Limited to SBC and AAC codecs, no hi-res audio
Con:No custom EQ in the companion app

Technics EAH-AZ100

The Technics EAH-AZ100 are premium true wireless earbuds that deliver rich, detailed sound through a 10mm dynamic driver, with support for high-resolution LDAC streaming. They combine effective hybrid active noise cancellation with a comfortable, IPX4-rated design, plus smart features like multipoint pairing and wireless charging for versatile daily use. With up to 12 hours of playtime on a single charge, they are built to last through long listening sessions.

Pro:Excellent sound quality with LDAC support
Pro:Strong hybrid ANC and transparency modes
Pro:Long battery life with wireless charging case

Con:Premium price point
Con:Touch controls may be overly sensitive
Con:No aptX codec support

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

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New comparison Beats Studio Buds +Technics EAH-AZ100