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Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for an affordable option with decent sound quality that is convenient for making calls and fits in your pocket, go for the Apple Earpods. However, Beats Solo 3 offers better sound isolation, enhanced bass, and longer battery life, making them suitable for extended listening sessions. Keep in mind Beats Solo 3 are bulkier and require more space to carry around. So, if portability isn't a concern and you prefer higher sound quality and battery life, Beats Solo 3 may be worth the extra cost. If budget is a primary concern and you favor convenience, Apple Earpods might be your choice. 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 Earpods
Good for music
Very good for phone calls
Very good for gaming
Good for TV and video
Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Beats Solo 3
Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
7.8/10
6.3/10
The Apple Earpods is good for music, while the Beats Solo 3 is only fair.
Gaming
8.3/10
5.3/10
The Apple Earpods is very good for gaming, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
Phone Calls
8.0/10
4.7/10
The Apple Earpods is very good for phone calls, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.4/10
5.8/10
The Apple Earpods is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
TV and Video
7.4/10
5.6/10
The Apple Earpods is good for TV and video, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5/10
5.3/10
The Beats Solo 3 and Apple Earpods are both poor for noise reduction, though the Beats Solo 3 is somewhat better.
Battery
N/A
41.5 Hours
The Apple Earpods does not have a battery. The Beats Solo 3 has 41.5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$20
$117
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Apple Earpods has a price of $20 and the Beats Solo 3 costs $117.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Beats Solo 3 to have very good build quality, while the Apple Earpods has good build quality.
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How the Apple Earpods and the Beats Solo 3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
"Apple’s wired buds sound just fine for the price, and their handy inline controls and clear microphone give them an edge on wireless earbuds that are much more expensive. Plus, you never have to worry about running out of battery — or worse, a stray earbud going missing."
"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 Earpods 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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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.