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What we think
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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Apple AirPods Pro 2 are true wireless earbuds with a stigma design, offering excellent noise isolation, low latency mode for smoother audio during activities like gaming, and they are sweatproof. They're optimized for Apple devices, can charge wirelessly, and have an integrated mic that provides good call quality. The Beats Solo 3 are over-ear headphones, with a foldable design, better suited for longer battery life usage and they have the option for a wired connection, which can be useful if you run out of battery. They lack active noise cancellation and are not sweatproof. If you prioritize convenience, portability, and are an Apple device user, the AirPods Pro 2 might be the better choice despite the higher price. However, if battery life, durability, and a tighter budget are more crucial for you, and you're okay without active noise cancellation, the Beats Solo 3 could be more suitable. 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 Pro 2
- Good for music
- Good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Beats Solo 3
- The Beats Solo 3 has no clear advantages over the Apple Airpods Pro 2.
Key differences
Music
7.0
6.3
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 is good for music, while the Beats Solo 3 is only fair.
Gaming
8.4
5.3
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 is very good for gaming, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
Phone Calls
7.8
4.7
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 is good for phone calls, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.8
5.8
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
TV and Video
7.8
5.6
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 is good for TV and video, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
9.1
5.3
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 is excellent for noise reduction, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
Battery
6.0 Hours
41.5 Hours
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 has 6 hours of battery life. The Beats Solo 3 has 41.5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$249
$170
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 has a price of $249 and the Beats Solo 3 costs $170.
Build Quality
9.0
8.0
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 has excellent build quality, while the Beats Solo 3 has very good build quality.
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How the Apple Airpods Pro 2 and the Beats Solo 3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods Pro 2 | Beats Solo 3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$249 | $170 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Beats | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2022 | October 1, 2016 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.1/10 | 6.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.8/10 | 4.7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.4/10 | 5.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.8/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 5.9/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6 Hours | 41.5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 0.5 Hours | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 4.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 24 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 5.4/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5.3 Grams | 213.1 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Apple Airpods Pro 2
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Lily Katz | May 2023
"Apple's upgraded H2 chip begets better active noise canceling (ANC) and battery life, while the case's U1 chip and integrated speaker lets you precisely locate it from the Find My app. If you own an iPhone, the new AirPods Pro is an obvious choice."
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 Pro 2 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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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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