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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Beats Solo 3 offers a good balance of sound quality and build, with a foldable design and the convenience of both wired and wireless connectivity, making them versatile for multiple use cases. However, if you're looking for earbuds specifically and value higher sound quality and comfort, the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 could be a better choice, despite being somewhat more expensive. They are also more portable, offer better noise isolation, and are both sweatproof and dustproof, which may make them more suitable for exercise and travel. On the other hand, the Beats Solo 3 have a notably longer battery life which may be decisive for long trips or extended use without charging. 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 Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2.
Advantages of the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2
- The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has no clear advantages over the Beats Solo 3.
Key differences
Noise Reduction
5.3
8.3
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is very good for noise reduction, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
Battery
41.5 Hours
5.0 Hours
The Beats Solo 3 has 41.5 hours of battery life. The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has 5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$117
$129
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Beats Solo 3 has a price of $117 and the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 costs $129.
Build Quality
8.0
8.9
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and Beats Solo 3 both have very good build quality, though the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has somewhat better build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
6.3
6.7
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and Beats Solo 3 are both only fair for music.
Gaming
5.3
5.3
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and Beats Solo 3 are both poor for gaming.
Phone Calls
4.7
5.0
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and Beats Solo 3 are both poor for phone calls.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.8
5.6
The Beats Solo 3 and Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks.
TV and Video
5.6
5.6
The Beats Solo 3 and Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 are both poor for TV and video.
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How the Beats Solo 3 and the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Beats Solo 3 | Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$117 | $129 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Beats | Bowers and Wilkins | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2016 | January 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.3/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.7/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.3/10 | 5.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 5.9/10 | 6.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 41.5 Hours | 5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 0.75 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 4.2 | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 19 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 5.4/10 | 6.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 5.7/10 | 8/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 213.1 Grams | 6 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."
Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2
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Dig into reviews and images
Major HiFi
Chris Golembeski | January 2023
"Bowers and Wilkins isn’t looking to make an obscure, premium wireless bud catered specifically towards audiophiles. Instead, it seems apparent that they’re going for the crown: a cool and popular look, an easy and comfortable fit, and an engaging stage with a great balance that is perfectly suited for mainstream listeners and audiophiles alike."
Get a great deal on the Beats Solo 3 or the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2
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.
About Bowers and Wilkins
Bowers and Wilkins is a British audio equipment manufacturer with a focus on innovation and product development. It was founded by a couple of real-life James Bonds, the co-founders John Bowers and Roy Wilkins, who met while working for MI6 during World War II. The company keeps being favored by enthusiasts due to their sound quality, craftsmanship and signature aesthetics.
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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
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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