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To switch modes quickly, press and hold the button above the “b” logo on either Beats Studio Buds+ earbud. In the standard setup, this switches between Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Transparency; a tone confirms the change. To add Off to the button’s cycle, change the Press and Hold settings on your connected device.
Switch between Noise Cancellation and Transparency on the earbuds
- Put on your connected Beats Studio Buds+.
- Press and hold the small button above the “b” logo on either earbud.
- Listen for the tone that signals the listening mode has changed.
The standard press-and-hold cycle switches between ANC and Transparency. ANC reduces surrounding sound; Transparency lets you hear more of your surroundings. Apple describes the control and confirmation tone in its Beats Studio Buds+ user guide.
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Choose which earbud controls listening modes
You can assign the listening-mode control to the left earbud, the right earbud, or both, using the settings on a connected device. Menu labels may vary slightly with the software version.
On iPhone or iPad
- Connect and wear your Beats Studio Buds+.
- Open Settings and tap the name of your Beats near the top of the screen.
- Tap Press and Hold, then choose Left Earbud or Right Earbud (some layouts show Left or Right).
- Select Listening Mode, then choose the modes you want that earbud’s button to cycle through.
On Android
- Install and connect the Beats app, then open it.
- If your earbuds’ device screen is not already open, tap Menu > My Beats.
- Scroll to Press and Hold, choose Left or Right, then select Noise Control.
- Choose the modes to cycle through.
On Mac
- Connect your earbuds and open Apple menu > System Settings.
- Select your Beats in the sidebar.
- For either L or R, choose Listening Mode, then select the modes for that earbud to cycle through.
Apple’s detailed steps for assigning press-and-hold controls are in its Beats press-and-hold settings guide.
#1 Best Overall
- BEATS’ CUSTOM ACOUSTIC PLATFORM delivers rich, immersive sound whether you’re listening to music or taking calls.
- HEAR WHAT YOU WANT with two distinct listening modes: personalized Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) and Transparency mode.
- MORE MUSIC, LESS CHARGING with up to 36 hours of listening time.
- ENHANCED COMPATIBILITY with one-touch pairing and a robust set of native Apple and Android features.
- FIND YOUR FIT with four pairs of silicone tip sizes to fit a wider range of ears. The tips create a comfortable seal for the best acoustic performance while keeping noise out.
Add Off to the listening-mode cycle
Off is not enabled by default in the cited Apple guide. In the listening-mode assignment for the earbud, select Off as well as Transparency and Noise Cancellation. Pressing and holding the assigned earbud button will then cycle through the modes you selected.
Apple says that turning ANC and Transparency off maximises battery life, but its guide does not give a measured runtime difference or battery percentage. Treat this as manufacturer guidance, not a quantified comparison.
Rank #2
- BEATS’ CUSTOM ACOUSTIC PLATFORM delivers rich, immersive sound whether you’re listening to music or taking calls.
- HEAR WHAT YOU WANT with two distinct listening modes: personalized Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) and Transparency mode.
- MORE MUSIC, LESS CHARGING with up to 36 hours of listening time.
- ENHANCED COMPATIBILITY with one-touch pairing and a robust set of native Apple and Android features.
- FIND YOUR FIT with four pairs of silicone tip sizes to fit a wider range of ears. The tips create a comfortable seal for the best acoustic performance while keeping noise out.
Change modes from your phone or other connected device
You do not have to use the earbud button. Apple says you can switch listening modes from a connected Apple or Android device. On Android, open the Beats app, go to My Beats, and use the Transparency or Noise Cancellation controls. On some connected devices, those controls appear under Noise Control. The Beats app also offers a home-screen widget.
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On Apple devices, open the connected Beats controls and choose the listening mode you want. The exact navigation depends on the device and operating-system version. Apple’s instructions are in its guide to switching listening modes.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- BEATS’ CUSTOM ACOUSTIC PLATFORM delivers rich, immersive sound whether you’re listening to music or taking calls.
Rank #4
- BEATS’ CUSTOM ACOUSTIC PLATFORM delivers rich, immersive sound whether you’re listening to music or taking calls.
- HEAR WHAT YOU WANT with two distinct listening modes: personalized Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) and Transparency mode.
- MORE MUSIC, LESS CHARGING with up to 36 hours of listening time.
- ENHANCED COMPATIBILITY with one-touch pairing and a robust set of native Apple and Android features.
- FIND YOUR FIT with four pairs of silicone tip sizes to fit a wider range of ears. The tips create a comfortable seal for the best acoustic performance while keeping noise out.
Rank #3
- BEATS’ CUSTOM ACOUSTIC PLATFORM delivers rich, immersive sound whether you’re listening to music or taking calls.
- HEAR WHAT YOU WANT with two distinct listening modes: personalized Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) and Transparency mode.
- MORE MUSIC, LESS CHARGING with up to 36 hours of listening time.
- ENHANCED COMPATIBILITY with one-touch pairing and a robust set of native Apple and Android features.
- FIND YOUR FIT with four pairs of silicone tip sizes to fit a wider range of ears. The tips create a comfortable seal for the best acoustic performance while keeping noise out.
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