Beoplay EX Vs. AirPods Pro: Should You Spend $399 Or $249?
For users looking for a new pair of wireless earbuds, the Beoplay EX and AirPods Pro both bring a lot to the table, but which one should you buy?
Danish audio brand Bang & Olufsen has launched its latest pair of true wireless (TWS) earbuds called the Beoplay EX, but how does it compare to Apple's AirPods Pro? True wireless earbuds have become increasingly popular over the past few years, with several companies offering their products at various price points, starting from just about $20 and going up to several hundred. Apple's AirPods Pro is among the most preeminent names in the sector, which also includes products like the Galaxy Buds from Samsung and the Pixel Buds from Google.
Apple is largely credited with creating the TWS industry with the launch of its first-generation AirPods in 2016. While that particular model has since been discontinued, the company has launched multiple successors, including the AirPods Pro, which sits at the top of the pile as Apple's most feature-rich TWS offering. As for B&O, it has already launched multiple generations of the Beoplay E8 TWS earbuds, so it is certainly not a newcomer to the sector. However, now that the Beoplay Ex is official, it is worth pitting it against the AirPods Pro to see how they compare.
Taking a look at the design of the two sets of earbuds, the Beoplay EX comes with an AirPods-like stem design and is carved out of aluminum and tempered glass, unlike the plastic build of the AirPods Pro. The Beoplay EX is also offered in three color options: black, black-and-blue, and gold, while the AirPods Pro is provided in only a white color option. In terms of functionality, both the AirPods Pro and the Beoplay EX come with active noise cancellation, which will help users listen to their favorite music and podcasts without any outside interference. However, one significant difference between the two is the Beoplay EX's IR57 rating that denotes dust and water resistance, and B&O claims that it is rainproof. The AirPods Pro is also water and sweat-resistant, although Apple doesn't advertise an official IP rating for the product.
The Beoplay EX comes with 9.2mm Neodymium drivers and Bluetooth 5.2 support, while the older AirPods Pro supports only up to Bluetooth 5.0. The AirPods Pro also offers up to three sizes of silicone ear tips in the box, while the Beoplay comes with four sizes of silicone tips. The Beoplay EX also has two-device pairing and a battery case with Qi wireless charging support. According to the company, the earbuds will offer up to six hours of audio playback with ANC enabled and a total of 20 hours of playback when using the case. In comparison, Apple claims up to 4.5 hours of listening time on a single charge with ANC and more than 24 hours of playback with the MagSafe charging case.
Finally, there's the pricing. The Beoplay EX has been priced at $399 in the U.S., while users can pick up the AirPods Pro for $249, which is a substantial $150 difference. While the AirPods Pro is the better choice for people deeply entrenched in the Apple ecosystem, the Beoplay EX is an excellent choice for people who value design and premium quality above all else. It also offers excellent audio, has better battery life, and looks much more stylish than the AirPods Pro. However, for most regular users, the $150 price difference is just too hard to ignore, making the AirPods Pro the winner in this contest.