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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize battery life and don't mind over-ear headphones, the Beats Solo 3 would serve you well. However, if portability and a lower price are more important to you, then the Google Pixel Buds A Series, being earbuds, might be the better option. The Beats Solo 3 also offer low latency mode, which is advantageous for gaming and video content, while the Pixel Buds have an Adaptive Audio feature that adjusts volume according to external noise, beneficial for commuting or traveling. Remember, while the Beats offer potentially better sound isolation due to their over-ear design, the Pixel Buds provide a more compact and discrete listening experience. 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 Google Pixel Buds A Series
- Very good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
- Good for exercise
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Gaming
5.3
8.6
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is very good for gaming, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
Phone Calls
4.7
8.5
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is very good for phone calls, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.8
8.4
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
TV and Video
5.6
7.8
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is good for TV and video, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3
4.6
The Beats Solo 3 and Google Pixel Buds A Series are both poor for noise reduction, though the Beats Solo 3 is somewhat better.
Battery
41.5 Hours
5.0 Hours
The Beats Solo 3 has 41.5 hours of battery life. The Google Pixel Buds A Series has 5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$117
$58
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Beats Solo 3 has a price of $117 and the Google Pixel Buds A Series costs $58.
Build Quality
8.0
7.4
The Beats Solo 3 has very good build quality, while the Google Pixel Buds A Series has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
6.3
6.4
The Google Pixel Buds A Series and Beats Solo 3 are both only fair for music.
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How the Beats Solo 3 and the Google Pixel Buds A Series compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Beats Solo 3 | Google Pixel Buds A Series |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$117 | $58 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | 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 | 6.4/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.7/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.3/10 | 8.7/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 5.9/10 | 7.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 41.5 Hours | 5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 1.3 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 4.2 | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 24 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 4.6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 5.4/10 | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 5.7/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Medium | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 213.1 Grams | 5.1 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."
Google Pixel Buds A Series
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Jasper Lastoria | October 2022
"For the person who doesn’t want to think about their earphones while using them, Google has created the Pixel Buds A-Series. For a reasonable price, Google packs in a bevy of features like touch controls and a good fit into this Android-friendly set of earbuds to make productivity and life easier."
Get a great deal on the Beats Solo 3 or the Google Pixel Buds A Series
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 Google
Mainly known as the most popular search engine on the planet, Google is a multinational technology company that also offers a variety of audio-oriented products. Beside their smart speakers under the Nest product line, Google offers several models of true wireless earbuds under the Pixel line, some of which happen to be an affordable but very powerful option for those already in the Android ecosystem.
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Why trust us
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.
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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