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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize overall sound quality and are mostly interested in listening to music, the Etymotic ER2SE would be the better choice with superior sound performance. On the other hand, if you value wireless convenience, longer battery life, and using your headphones for varied activities including exercise and travel, the Beats Solo 3 may be a better fit despite having lower sound quality ratings. The Beats Solo 3 also fold for easy portability and feature integrated controls for functionality on-the-move. However, the Etymotic offers better noise isolation and might be preferred if you're frequently in noisy environments. Neither is particularly suited for gaming or TV due to latency issues. 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
- Very good for air travel
Advantages of the Etymotic ER2SE
- Very good for music
- Good for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
6.3
8.8
The Etymotic ER2SE is very good for music, while the Beats Solo 3 is only fair.
Gaming
5.3
6.2
The Etymotic ER2SE is only fair for gaming, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.8
7.6
The Etymotic ER2SE is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
TV and Video
5.6
7.8
The Etymotic ER2SE is good for TV and video, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3
9.1
The Etymotic ER2SE is excellent for noise reduction, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
Battery
41.5 Hours
N/A
The Beats Solo 3 has 41.5 hours of battery life. The Etymotic ER2SE does not have a battery.
Cost
$117
$100
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Beats Solo 3 has a price of $117 and the Etymotic ER2SE costs $100.
Build Quality
8.0
9.0
The Etymotic ER2SE has excellent build quality, while the Beats Solo 3 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
4.7
4.9
The Etymotic ER2SE and Beats Solo 3 are both poor for phone calls.
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How the Beats Solo 3 and the Etymotic ER2SE compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Beats Solo 3 | Etymotic ER2SE |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$117 | $100 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Beats | Etymotic | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2016 | February 1, 2019 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.3/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.7/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.3/10 | 6.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 5.9/10 | 4.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 41.5 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 4.2 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 5.4/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 5.7/10 | 6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 213.1 Grams | 4 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
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."
Etymotic ER2SE
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Lily Katz | April 2022
"Etymotic isn’t playing around: it takes audio seriously and has mastered the art of the noise-isolation earphone. Sure, the fit of the earbuds looks silly but it’s a signature Etymotic thing and could be considered charming by some. If you’re looking for best-in-class audio for a realistic price, the ER2SE is it."
Get a great deal on the Beats Solo 3 or the Etymotic ER2SE
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 Etymotic
Etymotic Research is an American based research, development and manufacturing company founded in 1983. They invented the first insert earphones that were used for the diagnosis and research of hearing loss and other auditory disorders. They went on to pioneer the market of high fidelity, isolating, in-ear earphones.
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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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Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
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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.
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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