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Airpods (3rd generation)
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Solo 3
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What we think

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The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·

The Apple AirPods (3rd generation) offer convenience with their smaller size, easy pairing with Apple devices, and a case that supports wireless charging, making them ideal for on-the-go use and quick interactions with your Apple ecosystem. However, the Beats Solo 3 headphones provide superior battery life, an over-ear design for better noise isolation, and potentially more bass-heavy sound, which might be preferable for longer listening sessions or if you enjoy genres like hip-hop or electronic music. The AirPods allow for more awareness of your surroundings, which can be safer if you're often moving about in public spaces. It's a decision between the convenience and compactness of the AirPods versus the longer battery life and potentially more immersive experience of the Beats. Consider where you'll be using them most and what your priorities are in terms of sound, comfort, and functionality. Give Feedback

this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple Airpods (3rd generation)
  • Good for music
  • Good for phone calls
  • Good for exercise
  • Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Beats Solo 3
  • The Beats Solo 3 has no clear advantages over the Apple Airpods (3rd generation).

Key differences

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Music

7.1
Airpods (3rd generation)
Solo 3
6.3
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is good for music, while the Beats Solo 3 is only fair.

Phone Calls

7.6
Airpods (3rd generation)
Solo 3
4.7
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is good for phone calls, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.

Podcasts and Audiobooks

8.6
Airpods (3rd generation)
Solo 3
5.8
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.

Noise Reduction

2.5
Airpods (3rd generation)
Solo 3
5.3
The Beats Solo 3 and Apple Airpods (3rd generation) are both poor for noise reduction, though the Beats Solo 3 is somewhat better.

Battery

6.0 Hours
Airpods (3rd generation)
Solo 3
41.5 Hours
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) has 6 hours of battery life. The Beats Solo 3 has 41.5 hours of battery life.

Cost

$179
Airpods (3rd generation)
Solo 3
$117
Product image
Product image

$50

$100

$150

$200

$250

The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) has a price of $179 and the Beats Solo 3 costs $117.

Build Quality

9.0
Airpods (3rd generation)
Solo 3
8.0
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) has excellent build quality, while the Beats Solo 3 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities

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Gaming

5.4
Airpods (3rd generation)
Solo 3
5.3
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) and Beats Solo 3 are both poor for gaming.

TV and Video

5.5
Airpods (3rd generation)
Solo 3
5.6
The Beats Solo 3 and Apple Airpods (3rd generation) are both poor for TV and video.

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How the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) and the Beats Solo 3 compare to other earbuds and headphones

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Spec Comparison

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Apple Airpods (3rd generation)Beats Solo 3
Apple Airpods (3rd generation)Beats Solo 3

GENERAL

Price
$179
$117
Brand
AppleBeats
Release Date
October 1, 2021October 1, 2016
Form Factor
EarbudsHeadphones
Connectivity
WirelessWired + Wireless

SOUND

Music Score
7.2/106.3/10
Phone Calls Score
7.6/104.7/10
Gaming Score
5.4/105.3/10
TV and Video Score
5.6/105.6/10
Exercise Score
7.2/105.9/10

PERFORMANCE

Battery life
6 Hours41.5 Hours
Wireless charging
YesNo
Charging time
1.5 Hours2 Hours
Bluetooth version
54.2
Case Battery Life
30N/A

FEATURES

Active Noise Cancelling
NoNo
Noise Reduction Score
2.5/105.3/10
Virtual Surround
YesNo
Android App
NoYes
iOS App
YesYes
Mic Quality
7/105.4/10

BUILD AND DESIGN

Build Quality
9/108/10
Comfort score
7/105.7/10
Size
MediumN/A
Weight (headset or single earbud)
4.3 Grams213.1 Grams
Microphone style
IntegratedIntegrated

Shopping

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Apple Airpods (3rd generation)

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Dig into reviews and images

Sound Guys

Lily Katz, Christian Thomas | February 2023
"The Apple AirPods improves upon the 2019 model with its more ergonomic, yet unsealed, fit, water-resistant build, MagSafe charging case, and advanced software features. You can enjoy a wholly immersive movie experience with the new AirPods' spatial audio with head tracking, and enjoy HD audio during FaceTime calls. Of course, most of these features are limited to Apple hardware."

Beats Solo 3

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Dig into reviews and images

Sound Guys

Lily Katz | May 2023
"The Beats Solo3 Wireless is an old set of headphones but still works reliably well with iPhones, due to W1 chip integration and AAC support. The Beats Solo3 Wireless holds up well today with just a few features showing its age."

Get a great deal on the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) or the Beats Solo 3

About Apple

Apple Inc. is an American technology company, founded in 1976, known for its wide range of premium products, including smartphones, computers, and audio solutions. Apple offers the very popular personal audio line AirPods, highly regarded for their wireless, smart capabilities and their seamless integration with the iPhone, iPad and Mac devices. They provide a high-quality sound, comfort and lifestyle features perfect for all users invested in their ecosystem.

About Beats

Beats is an American, consumer-focused, audio products manufacturer. Founded originally by American rapper and producer Dr Dre, the company is now a subsidiary of Apple. Beats sells a wide range of audio products, including several models of headphones, earbuds and speakers as well as full car audio systems.

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Why trust us

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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.

By the numbers

108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
123,200
Recommendations made
18,480
Consumer hours saved

About the Earbuds or Headphones team

Joe Golden, Ph.D

CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.

Jason Lew

Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.

Chandradeep Chowdhury

Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.

Luis Torres

Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.

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