Odi Productions
In this article, I’m going to share my HONEST experience with the Beats Studio Pro vs Bose QuietComfort (2023 model) and tell you which is better, after personally owning both products. I have thoroughly tested each of these headphones for hundreds of hours, and aim to offer a critical opinion from the perspective of an audiophile and professional music producer.
I’ll be comparing these two head to head on categories like price, comfort, features, battery life, noise cancelling performance, and sound quality.
Then at the end, I’ll share which is the best overall value for the money, and my overall recommendation on which you should buy.
I’ve also conducted a separate in-depth Beats Studio Pro Review and Bose QuietComfort (2023 model) Review, for those who are interested in reading more detailed thoughts about each headphone after. (Links open in a new tab.)
Key Takeaways
- Bose QuietComfort has better comfort, sound quality (after EQ), active noise cancelling performance, and build quality.
- Beats Studio Pro has better Apple ecosystem connectivity, Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos support, and is cheaper.
- The Bose QuietComfort 2023 is typically $50-100 more expensive than the Beats Studio Pro, depending on sales.
Beats Studio Pro vs Bose QuietComfort 2023 Price Compared
Overall, the Beats Studio Pro is around $50 to $100 cheaper than the Bose QuietComfort 2023 at current market prices for brand new. They can be much closer in price depending on current sales, and whether you’re buying new, renewed, or used.
Beats Studio Pro Prices
- Retail: $349.99
- New: $199
- Renewed: $160 (save up to $100!)
- Used: $165 (save up to $100!)
Bose QuietComfort (2023) Prices
- Retail: $349.00
- New: $349
- Renewed: $225 (save up to $124!)
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Comfort
On my scale, the Bose QuietComfort is 32.5 grams lighter than Beats Studio Pro:
- Beats Studio Pro weight: 268.6 grams
- Bose QuietComfort weight: 236.1 grams
The weight difference is immediately felt by the incredible Bose QC, which is the lightest headphone in this class of full-size ANC headphones.
Combine that with a fairly cushioned headband and earpads, the QC is easily more comfortable than the Beats.
The Beats Studio Pro’s biggest issue is its clamping force, which is stronger than any headphones in this class.
Also, there is much less interior space inside the earcups of the Beats, while plenty of room inside of the Bose QC has my ears feeling much freer.
Bose QC is near-perfect in comfort as it gets, but just overshadowed by the plusher and more supportive “big brother”, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra.
Beats Studio Pro Comfort: 3.5 out of 5
Bose QuietComfort Comfort: 4.5 out of 5
Winner: Bose QuietComfort
Features / Build Quality / Battery Life / Noise Cancelling
Features
Both headphones feature your typical modern features like built-in microphones for calls, Active Noise Cancelling, and Transparency Mode.
The Beats Studio Pro has Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos support, while the Bose QC doesn’t have any form of Spatial Audio or Bose’s “Immersive Audio” that is reserved exclusively for the more expensive Ultra.
The Beats has better Apple ecosystem connectivity as it’s really an Apple product under the hood.
Both headphones conveniently fold and collapse, with the Beats having a smaller softshell case, and the Bose featuring its signature compact hardshell case.
Build Quality
Without a doubt, the Bose QuietComfort is the more solid and durable feeling pair of headphones.
The Beats Studio Pro feels like cheap plastic, although it showcases a little metal at the hinges and probably underneath the headband.
The QuietComfort is mostly plastic exterior, but clearly has metal in the headband and very rock-solid hinges.
I know the QuietComfort series from previous generations, and can attest that they last a long time.
Looks
The Beats Studio Pro is quite fashionable in its own right, with collaborations with Kim Kardashian introducing some svelte skin-tone colorways.
I love the variety of colors that the Beats Studio Pro is offered in, and it has a very sleek silhouette when worn on the head.
The Bose QuietComfort actually is fairly fashionable in its own right, and I personally love my pair in a unique Cypress Green colorway.
Beats Studio Pro vs Bose QuietComfort Battery Life Compared
The Beats Studio Pro has 16 more hours of battery life on a single charge compared to the Bose QuietComfort:
- Beats Studio Pro Battery Life: Up to 40 hours
- Bose QuietComfort Battery Life: Up to 24 hours
In my testing, I found both of these manufacturer’s battery ratings to be accurate.
This is a clear advantage of the Beats over the Bose, where you will simply need to charge less.
The Beats’ battery life is particularly long and just under the class-leading 60 hours of the Sennheiser Momentum 4.
Beats Studio Pro vs Bose QuietComfort Noise Cancelling Performance: Which is better?
When I compared the Bose QuietComfort against some of the best ANC headphones in the world right now, like the QC Ultra and Sony XM5, I was pleasantly surprised.
I find the Bose QuietComfort’s noise cancelling performance to be almost on par, if not identical, to the QC Ultra.
The Beats Studio Pro is definitely 1 or 2 tiers below the performance of the Bose QC, and closer in performance to the Sennheiser Momentum 4 and Apple AirPods Max.
I would say the Beats Studio Pro’s ANC isn’t bad and can work in most everyday situations, but wouldn’t be my preferred choice on flights.
Beats Studio Pro Features / Battery Life / Noise Cancelling: 4.0 out of 5
Bose QuietComfort Features / Battery Life / Noise Cancelling: 5 out of 5
Winner: Bose QuietComfort
Beats Studio Pro vs Bose QuietComfort Sound Quality Comparison
Stock sound compared…
Out of the box, this sound quality comparison is much closer, although I do prefer the bass-heavy Bose QuietComfort over the Beats Studio Pro.
That said, the Bose QC has some flaws from a critical perspective, while the Beats Studio Pro is actually more pleasantly balanced.
After spending time to dial in my own custom EQ for the Bose QC, it really made a significant difference to balance them out and make them even more enjoyable.
The EQ settings I’ll be using to compare sound quality are shared right below.
(Beats Studio Pro doesn’t have a native customizable EQ like the Bose QC, so it’ll be tested stock.)
Best Equalizer Settings for Bose QuietComfort (2023 Model)
- Bass: -4
- Mid: +3
- Treble: -3
Result: Vocals are much less distant. Still very bass-forward with good slam, just more controlled. Much smoother highs with most sibilance removed and smoothened out. Mids are now much more present and detailed. Overall sound is much better balanced.
Comparing sound quality AFTER EQ…
I think the Beats Studio Pro will surprise a lot of people who may be turned off by the “Beats” brand on first impressions.
The Studio Pro is one of the most detailed and treble-forward headphones in this category of ANC headphones.
However, its biggest weakness is an overall thin sound, lacking in the bass region.
The Bose QuietComfort, on the other hand, has one of the best bass response and slam in this category, neck-and-neck with the Sennheiser Momentum 4’s satisfying bass.
Simply put, if you like bass, get the Bose QuietComfort over the Beats Studio Pro! Case closed.
Where these headphones are more competitive is in the treble and mids, as the Beats does a beautiful job of pushing a lot of detail in your face.
The Bose QC is definitely outshined by the Ultra when it comes to audiophile technicalities, but thanks to custom EQ, it gets more competitive and the more balanced QC is a seriously enjoyable headphone to listen to.
The QC is a bass-forward headphone that still has an enjoyable level of soundstage and detail for a wireless ANC headphone.
I’d say overall, the QC is simply a more complete headphone sonically than the Beats Studio Pro, with the Beats’ “thin sound” being filled out by one of the best bass responses in the class.
Beats Studio Pro Sound Quality: 7.9 out of 10
Bose QuietComfort Sound Quality: 8.3 out of 10 (after EQ)
Winner: Bose QuietComfort (after EQ)
Value
The Beats Studio Pro retails at a whopping $349.99, a price that I would personally never pay for these headphones.
But where things get exciting, is that the market price of the Beats can typically be found under $200, and sometimes $180 on sale.
Despite its flaws, $180 for a full-featured wireless ANC headphone makes the Studio Pro worth a serious look for value.
On the other hand, the Bose QuietComfort retails at $349 but can be found brand new for about $249 these days.
At the time of this writing, I think the Bose QuietComfort is the best overall wireless ANC headphone for under $250.
For value, yes you are paying more for the Bose QC but you’re also getting a lot more IMO.
But if the Beats Studio Pro is $180 on sale, that’s a price that simply isn’t matched for a headphone that is relatively still competitive features-wise.
For value, I think it’s a tie with both of these entrants being some of the best dollar values today.
Beats Studio Pro Value: 4.5 out of 5
Bose QuietComfort Value: 4.5 out of 5
Winner: Tie
Beats Studio Pro Overall Rating
- Surprisingly detailed sound
- Good noise cancelling
- 40 hour battery life
- Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos
- Bass response is lacking
- Clamping force discomfort
- Noise cancelling is average
- Cheap build quality
Bose QuietComfort Overall Rating
- Fun, excellent sound quality (after EQ)
- Strong noise cancelling performance
- Very comfortable and lightweight
- Excellent value if on sale (or used)
- Less impressive for audiophiles
- Full retail price is less of a value
Overall Winner: Bose QuietComfort (2023 model)
The Bose QuietComfort wins this head-to-head comparison with the Beats Studio Pro by a pretty wide margin.
It’s simply a better overall package that has very little weaknesses, whether it comes to comfort, build quality, active noise cancelling performance, or sound quality (after EQ).
The Beats Studio Pro still makes a case for itself due to its $180 pricetag on sale, Apple ecosystem connectivity, Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos support, and stock sound quality.
For my money, I’m eyeing the Bose QuietComfort at its sale price of $249, which I think is the best wireless ANC headphone for under $250 today.
Some extremely strong alternatives in this class of wireless active noise cancelling headphones are the Sennheiser Momentum 4, Sony WH-1000XM5, Sony WH-1000XM4, Bose QuietComfort Ultra, and Apple AirPods Max. I highly recommend you check those out next!
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Order Here for the LOWEST PRICE AVAILABLE (Do NOT pay retail):
Want to save up to an additional $100?
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Disclosure: These affiliate links may provide a discount and in return, give us a commission in order to keep this website 100% independent to ensure honest unfiltered reviews 🙂
How We Tested and Our Methodology
RecordingNOW.com is a 100% independent publisher with over 10 years of experience testing and reviewing consumer electronics and headphones.
We currently purchase all of the products we test with our own money, and are not paid by any company or manufacturer to influence our opinions or decisions.
After purchasing the product, we conduct up to hundreds of hours of detailed hands-on testing in a controlled, acoustically-treated environment. Noise cancelling performance is tested in the real-world, primarily on airplane flights, coffee shops, and walking around large metropolitan city environments.
ODi Productions is our resident expert and author of this article, with 10 years of experience as a professional music producer, audio engineer, musician, tech journalist, and audiophile.
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