Beats · Premium
The Beats Studio Pro are closed-back, over-ear wireless headphones with active noise cancelling, sold in several colors, that connect by Bluetooth, by USB-C for lossless audio, or by a 3.5 mm analog cable.
Expert pick · RTINGS, Dec 2024
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We have not tested it ourselves: strengths and weaknesses below come from the tests cited.
On a long rail journey the sound inside the carriage is constant, and that is where the Studio Pro make their case. RTINGS found them good for commuting and traveling, with very good full-range noise isolation and a long continuous battery life for long rides or flights, and said the noise cancelling blocks a good amount of noise in airplane cabins and on busy streets. Beats rates the battery at up to 40 hours with noise cancelling off and up to 24 hours with noise cancelling or Transparency mode on, while RTINGS puts it at 28 hours; a 10-minute Fast Fuel charge gives up to 4 hours of playback. Beats gives the weight as 260 g and lists UltraPlush engineered leather cushions and metal sliders. The 3.5 mm analog input, which Beats presents for wired audio sources and in-flight entertainment, adds a wired option for seat-back or tablet audio on a long trip.
Beats lists three ways to connect: Class 1 Bluetooth, a 3.5 mm analog input, and USB-C, which carries lossless audio through a built-in digital-to-analog converter and unlocks three sound profiles named Beats Signature, Entertainment and Conversation. RTINGS adds that the USB-C link gives access to EQ presets, unusual for Beats, and lets you listen while charging. Apple devices get one-touch pairing and Find My, and Android devices get Google Fast Pair and Find My Device, according to Beats; the Beats app handles customization and software updates. Personalized Spatial Audio with head tracking is also listed. In the box Beats lists a carrying case, a USB-C to USB-C cable and a 3.5 mm analog cable, with the USB-C power adaptor sold separately; RTINGS describes the case as a soft carrying pouch. Controls are a 'b' button, a volume rocker and a multi-function button. Transparency mode, which Beats says mixes the surroundings with the music, does not change the basic rule: these are headphones for the ride, and on platforms and at spots you should keep your ears free for approaching trains.
Expert pick · RTINGS: RTINGS found the headphones good for commuting and traveling, with very good full-range noise isolation and long battery life, but limited sound customization and a fit that is not comfortable for many people. Read the review
Strengths
Weaknesses
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | Over-ear wireless headphones with active noise cancelling and Transparency mode |
| Driver | Custom 40 mm active driver |
| Weight | 260 g (9.17 oz) |
| Battery | Up to 40 h with noise cancelling off; up to 24 h with noise cancelling or Transparency mode |
| Dimensions | 17.8 x 7.8 x 18.1 cm (L x W x H) |
| In the box | Carrying case, USB-C to USB-C cable, 3.5 mm analog cable |
| Connectivity | Class 1 Bluetooth, USB-C (lossless audio), 3.5 mm analog input |
| Fast charging | Fast Fuel: 10 minutes gives up to 4 h of playback |
| Colors offered | Black, Deep Brown, Navy, Sandstone |
Choose them if you travel by train for hours, want strong noise isolation and a long battery, and use an iPhone or an Android phone and care about easy pairing. RTINGS says the Studio Pro are not as comfortable as some rivals for many people, so anyone planning to wear headphones all day should try a pair first. Anyone who wants detailed sound customization should note that RTINGS lists limited customization as the con of the Studio Pro. They are meant for being aboard a train, not for lineside spots.
RTINGS says the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless block more noise across the entire range, are more comfortable for most people, last longer on a charge and offer more sound customization, while the Beats support audio over USB-C and can be used while charging. It also says the Bose QuietComfort Headphones Wireless have a more comfortable fit and noise cancelling performance, though the Beats support Spatial Audio with head tracking.
Image: Apple · source
Apple · Premium
Apple's in-ear true wireless earbuds with active noise cancelling, which RTINGS tested as outstanding for travel, with most extras tied to an iPhone.
Expert pick · RTINGS, Oct 2025
Image: Audio-Technica · source
Audio-Technica · Budget
The Audio-Technica ATH-M20x is a wired, closed-back, over-ear monitor headphone with 40 mm drivers that Audio-Technica presents as an entry-level studio model.
Expert pick · RTINGS, Jan 2024
Audio-Technica · Mid-range
A closed-back, wired studio-monitor headphone with a detachable cable, which RTINGS tested as a balanced, comfortable over-ear pair for any device with a headphone socket.
Expert pick · RTINGS, Jun 2026
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