How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-30 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
These two products share a keyword and almost nothing else. One is a set of active noise cancelling earbuds for one listener. The other is eight pairs of over-the-head earmuffs built for children. If you landed here searching for "noise cancelling headphones," the honest answer is that only one of these actually cancels noise electronically — and the right pick depends entirely on who is wearing them and why.
• Beats Studio Buds — biggest strength: real Active Noise Cancelling plus a Transparency mode, so you control how much of the world gets in, with up to 8 hours per charge and up to 24 hours with the case.
• Beats Studio Buds — biggest trade-off: it is one pair of earbuds for one person, and the IPX4 rating covers sweat and splashes, not full submersion.
• Amylove 8 — biggest strength: eight pairs in eight colors in a single pack, sized for ages 2–16, with a rated 27dB of noise reduction.
• Amylove 8 — biggest trade-off: it is passive sound isolation, not electronic ANC, and it is designed for kids, not adult critical listening.
• Who each is for: Beats Studio Buds for one adult who wants wireless sound with switchable noise cancelling; Amylove 8 for parents, teachers or coaches who need to protect several children's ears at once.
Beats Studio Buds are true wireless earbuds built around a custom acoustic platform that Beats describes as delivering powerful, balanced sound. The headline feature for this comparison is the listening-mode switch: Active Noise Cancelling to pull the background down, and Transparency mode to let conversation and traffic back in without pulling the buds out. That single toggle is what separates them from every pair of earmuffs on this page.
The practical details matter too. Beats includes three soft ear tip sizes, which is how you get both a stable fit and the acoustic seal that noise cancelling depends on — a loose tip quietly ruins ANC performance. Battery life runs up to 8 hours of listening, extending to up to 24 hours combined with the pocket-sized charging case. Class 1 Bluetooth is there for extended range and fewer dropouts, and built-in microphones handle calls and voice assistant interaction. The IPX4 rating means sweat and water resistance, which covers workouts and light rain but not swimming or a soak.
Amylove 8: Who It's For
Amylove 8 is a completely different kind of product: a bulk set of eight kids' ear protection earmuffs, one each in green, purple, orange and silver, plus two blue and two pink. They are rated at 27dB of noise reduction, use sound isolation rather than electronics, and are aimed at children from 2 to 16 years old. The build is a sturdy ABS shell with soft sponge cushioning — the kind of material choice meant to survive being handed around, dropped and stuffed into a bag.
The adjustable design is the detail worth understanding. The wire linked to the ear cups pulls out to resize the headband, which is how one product line stretches across such a wide age range. In practice that means you can fit a toddler and a teenager from the same pack, though you'll want to adjust each pair individually rather than assuming one setting works for everyone.
Amylove positions these for toddlers, children and teachers who need to create a quiet environment — the listing specifically mentions buying them for students to improve learning and reading efficiency. The recommended occasions are loud, real-world ones: monster truck shows, concerts, fireworks, travel, sports events and competitions, plus quiet rest. If you're a parent taking three kids to a fireworks display, eight pairs in assorted colors solves the "who gets which" argument before it starts.
Who should buy them? Parents, teachers, coaches and anyone organizing groups of children around loud environments. Who should skip them? Adults who want music, calls, Bluetooth or switchable active noise cancelling. There is no audio playback here at all — this is hearing protection, full stop.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for active noise cancelling → Beats Studio Buds. ANC and Transparency are switchable modes; the Amylove set relies on passive sound isolation.
• Best for battery life → Beats Studio Buds. Up to 8 hours of listening, up to 24 hours with the charging case.
• Best for kids' hearing protection → Amylove 8. Designed for ages 2–16 with 27dB of noise reduction and an adjustable headband.
• Best for calls and voice assistants → Beats Studio Buds. Built-in microphones and Class 1 Bluetooth with extended range and fewer dropouts.
• Best for workouts and sweaty use → Beats Studio Buds. IPX4 sweat and water resistance; the Amylove muffs aren't pitched for exercise.
• Best for teachers and group settings → Amylove 8. Bulk quantities and multiple colors make classroom or team distribution easy.
• Best for music and streaming → Beats Studio Buds. The Amylove set has no audio playback capability.
In my opinion, Beats Studio Buds are the pick for anyone who searched for noise cancelling headphones and wants actual electronic noise cancelling with music, calls and Bluetooth in the same device. The mode switch, the three ear tip sizes and the charging case make them a complete everyday product for one listener.
I'd recommend Amylove 8 instead if your goal is protecting children's ears in loud places, or if you need several pairs at once — the 27dB rating and eight-color pack fit that job far better than earbuds ever could. Two different problems, two different answers. Check the current price on Amazon for whichever one matches your situation.
how to noise cancelling headphones work
It depends on the type. Beats Studio Buds use active noise cancelling, which uses electronics and the ear tip seal to reduce background sound, and you can switch to Transparency mode to hear your surroundings. Amylove 8 uses passive sound isolation — soft sponge cushioning and an over-ear shell rated at 27dB of noise reduction, with no electronics involved.
how to use noise cancelling headphones
On the Beats Studio Buds, fit one of the three ear tip sizes for a proper seal, then toggle between Active Noise Cancelling and Transparency depending on whether you want the world blocked out or let in. For the Amylove 8, pull the wire on the ear cups to adjust the headband to fit, then wear them over the ears in loud settings like fireworks, concerts or sports events.
how to test noise cancelling headphones
Start with fit, because both designs depend on it — a poor ear tip seal on the Beats Studio Buds or a loose headband on the Amylove 8 will reduce how much noise is blocked. Then compare the same environment with the product on and off: switch the Beats between ANC and Transparency to hear the difference, and for the Amylove muffs simply note how much quieter a loud room feels.
Amylove 8, clearly. It's designed for ages 2–16, rated at 27dB of noise reduction, adjustable to fit, and sold as eight pairs in eight colors — which suits families, classrooms and groups. Beats Studio Buds are wireless earbuds for one listener, so they aren't the right product for children's hearing protection.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites.
When you buy through links on this page, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon or its affiliates. This site is an independent third-party review and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Amazon or the product brands mentioned.
See also: XOSDA 25 vs OSSZIT USB C Headphones, JBL Quantum 300 vs VkingMoR USB Kids Headphones: USB Wired, Candy Bila Kids vs Botesty Sound Kids, Belkin SoundForm Nano 2 vs Vonlaxi Bone Conduction Headphones