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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
Beats Solo 3 headphones are more suitable for air travel with better noise isolation and are comfortable for extended wear despite being somewhat more expensive than the Studiobuds. The Studiobuds are earbuds, generally less expensive than Solo 3, and offer better portability and higher sound quality, making them ideal during exercise. However, Studiobuds lack a wired option which Solo 3 provides. So, if you prioritize sound quality and portability at a lower cost, go for the Studiobuds. If you prefer over-ear comfort and a wired option, choose the Solo 3. 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 Beats Solo 3
- The Beats Solo 3 has no clear advantages over the Beats Studiobuds.
Advantages of the Beats Studiobuds
- Good for music
- Good for phone calls
- Good for exercise
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
6.3
7.2
The Beats Studiobuds is good for music, while the Beats Solo 3 is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.7
7.0
The Beats Studiobuds is good for phone calls, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.8
9.0
The Beats Studiobuds is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3
6.5
The Beats Studiobuds is only fair for noise reduction, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
Battery
41.5 Hours
6.0 Hours
The Beats Solo 3 has 41.5 hours of battery life. The Beats Studiobuds has 6 hours of battery life.
Cost
$117
$80
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Beats Solo 3 has a price of $117 and the Beats Studiobuds costs $80.
Build Quality
8.0
8.8
The Beats Studiobuds and Beats Solo 3 both have very good build quality, though the Beats Studiobuds has somewhat better build quality.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.3
5.2
The Beats Solo 3 and Beats Studiobuds are both poor for gaming.
TV and Video
5.6
5.6
The Beats Solo 3 and Beats Studiobuds are both poor for TV and video.
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How the Beats Solo 3 and the Beats Studiobuds compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Beats Solo 3 | Beats Studiobuds |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$117 | $80 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Beats | Beats | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2016 | June 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.3/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.7/10 | 7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.3/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 5.9/10 | 7.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 41.5 Hours | 6 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 0.9 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 4.2 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 24 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 5.4/10 | 6/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 5.7/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Medium | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 213.1 Grams | 5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
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."
Beats Studiobuds
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Sound Guys
Chase Bernath | May 2023
"For less than the price of the AirPods, the Beats Studio Buds delivers a good fit, great sound, and active noise cancellation. This is also the first set of Apple-owned Beats earbuds to feature quick pairing with Android devices, albeit at the expense of some key features for Apple users."
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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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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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Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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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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