Headphones / Beats Studio Pro vs Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2
Beats Studio Pro vs Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2
Beats Studio Pro
The rare headphone that pairs natively on both iPhone and Android.
Wins overall by 0.9 points
Quick Verdict
The Beats Studio Pro takes this by a clear 0.9 points. The rare headphone that pairs natively on both iPhone and Android. The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 only makes sense if it wins on a category you care about more than the total.
The Beats Studio Pro and Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 are both closely matched headphones models, and the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 is $171 cheaper than the Beats Studio Pro ($179 vs $349.99). On Noise Cancelling, the Beats Studio Pro leads (7.5 vs 2.0/10) — how well ambient noise is blocked. On Call & Mic Quality, the Beats Studio Pro leads (7.5 vs 6.0/10) — voice clarity and background noise rejection on calls. On Travel, the Beats Studio Pro leads (7.5 vs 6.0/10) — foldability, case, ANC on planes, battery for long trips. Overall, the Beats Studio Pro scores 7.4/10 across our 10 scoring categories versus 6.5/10 for the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2. Below, we break down the full spec sheet, category-by-category scores, and exactly who should buy which one.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Spec | Beats Studio Pro | Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $349.99 | $179.00 |
| Release Year | 2023 | 2021 |
| Battery Life (hrs) | 24 | Not applicable — this model has no active noise cancelling |
| Battery (ANC off) (hrs) | 40 | 50✓ |
| Quick Charge (min for 3hrs) | 7.5✓ | 10 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.0 |
| Weight (g) | 260✓ | 307 |
| Driver Size (mm) | 40 | 45 |
| Active Noise Cancelling | Fully Adaptive Active Noise Cancelling with real-time environment sampling, plus Transparency mode | None |
| Multipoint Pairing | Yes, but on Android and ChromeOS only | Yes |
| Microphones (mics) | Not published by Beats | Audio-Technica states dual beamforming mics; independent testing counted one |
| Foldable | Yes | Yes |
| Water Resistance | None | None |
| App EQ | Three fixed profiles over USB-C; no free-form EQ | Yes |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months |
| Colors | Black, Deep Brown, Navy, Sandstone | Black |
Category Scores
Battery
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 leads clearly here, 8.5 against 7.5 — a 1.0-point margin on playtime, standby, and charging speed. If that is what you are buying for, the Beats Studio Pro does not close the gap elsewhere.
Noise Cancelling
The Beats Studio Pro leads clearly here, 7.5 against 2.0 — a 5.5-point margin on how well ambient noise is blocked. If that is what you are buying for, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Comfort
The Beats Studio Pro is marginally ahead, 7.0 to 6.8. A gap this small rarely decides a purchase on its own, though it counts if clamp force, padding, and weight for long sessions is your priority.
Sound Quality
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 leads clearly here, 8.5 against 7.8 — a 0.7-point margin on driver performance, tuning, and detail. If that is what you are buying for, the Beats Studio Pro does not close the gap elsewhere.
Call & Mic Quality
The Beats Studio Pro leads clearly here, 7.5 against 6.0 — a 1.5-point margin on voice clarity and background noise rejection on calls. If that is what you are buying for, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Travel
The Beats Studio Pro leads clearly here, 7.5 against 6.0 — a 1.5-point margin on foldability, case, ANC on planes, battery for long trips. If that is what you are buying for, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Gaming
The Beats Studio Pro and Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 are level here, at 7.0/10 each. latency, low-lag mode support, and soundstage is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Value
The Beats Studio Pro leads clearly here, 7.5 against 7.0 — a 0.5-point margin on features and performance relative to price. If that is what you are buying for, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Durability
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 leads clearly here, 7.5 against 7.0 — a 0.5-point margin on build materials, hinge quality, and reported longevity. If that is what you are buying for, the Beats Studio Pro does not close the gap elsewhere.
Features
The Beats Studio Pro leads clearly here, 7.5 against 6.0 — a 1.5-point margin on app ecosystem, multipoint, spatial audio, extras. If that is what you are buying for, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Best For
Choose the Beats Studio Pro if…
- • Noise Cancelling matters most to you — the Beats Studio Pro scores 7.5/10 here (how well ambient noise is blocked).
- • Call & Mic Quality matters most to you — the Beats Studio Pro scores 7.5/10 here (voice clarity and background noise rejection on calls).
- • Travel matters most to you — the Beats Studio Pro scores 7.5/10 here (foldability, case, ANC on planes, battery for long trips).
- • Features matters most to you — the Beats Studio Pro scores 7.5/10 here (app ecosystem, multipoint, spatial audio, extras).
- • Your main use case is commute or travel.
Choose the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 if…
- • Battery matters most to you — the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 scores 8.5/10 here (playtime, standby, and charging speed).
- • You want to spend less — it's $171 cheaper.
- • Your main use case is professionals.
Pros & Cons
Beats Studio Pro
Pros
- +One of very few headphones that pairs natively on both iOS and Android
- +USB-C lossless audio
- +Folds properly for travel
- +Street price is routinely far below the $349.99 list
Cons
- −No wear detection, so it will not auto-pause when you take them off
- −Multipoint works on Android but not on Apple devices — you cannot have both multipoint and Spatial Audio
- −AAC and SBC only, no LDAC or aptX
- −Earpads are not user-replaceable
- −Runs warm over long sessions
Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2
Pros
- +The M50x sound signature, one of the most trusted references in audio
- +LDAC hi-res support
- +Largest drivers here at 45mm
- +Low-latency mode genuinely helps for video
Cons
- −No active noise cancelling at $179
- −Bluetooth 5.0 on a headphone still sold in 2026
- −Heaviest non-Apple option at 307g
- −The platform is now five years old
Shop by Need
FAQs
Is the Beats Studio Pro or Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 better overall?+
Based on our 10-category scoring, the Beats Studio Pro comes out ahead overall. See the full breakdown in the scores section above — the right pick still depends on which categories matter most for your use case.
Which is better for Noise Cancelling, the Beats Studio Pro or the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2?+
The Beats Studio Pro scores higher on Noise Cancelling (7.5/10 vs 2.0/10) — how well ambient noise is blocked.
Which is better for Call & Mic Quality, the Beats Studio Pro or the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2?+
The Beats Studio Pro scores higher on Call & Mic Quality (7.5/10 vs 6.0/10) — voice clarity and background noise rejection on calls.
Which is better for Travel, the Beats Studio Pro or the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2?+
The Beats Studio Pro scores higher on Travel (7.5/10 vs 6.0/10) — foldability, case, ANC on planes, battery for long trips.
Which is better for Features, the Beats Studio Pro or the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2?+
The Beats Studio Pro scores higher on Features (7.5/10 vs 6.0/10) — app ecosystem, multipoint, spatial audio, extras.
Is the Beats Studio Pro worth the price difference over the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2?+
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 is the cheaper option at $179 versus $349.99. Whether the pricier model is "worth it" depends on how much you value its lead in Noise Cancelling.
Which is better suited to my use case?+
The Beats Studio Pro is the better fit if you mainly care about commute or travel. The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 is the better fit for professionals.
What's the warranty on the Beats Studio Pro vs the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2?+
The Beats Studio Pro ships with a 12-month warranty; the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 ships with a 12-month warranty. Always confirm current terms on the manufacturer's site before buying.
Should I wait for the next model instead of buying either of these?+
If either model is more than two years old, a successor may be close — check the "Latest Model" link on each product page. Otherwise, both are current, well-supported options and there's no strong reason to wait.
Cheaper Option
Soundcore Space One — $99.99
Premium Option
Sonos Ace — $399.00
Specifications and prices for both products last verified . Scores are calculated from published specifications — see how we compare products.