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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for more affordable headphones with a focus on basic functionality, the Beats Solo 3 might suit your needs, offering good sound quality, durability, and a longer battery life. They're ideal for general use, especially for listening to music or podcasts, and their over-ear form can be comfortable for long periods. In contrast, the Grado GT220, while more expensive, offers a superior overall sound quality, and is optimized for a wider range of audio experiences, including calls and meetings. It also supports AAC codec which can improve audio quality for Apple device users, and features wireless charging, adding convenience. However, due to their in-ear design, they may not be as comfortable for everyone, and their battery life is shorter compared to the Beats Solo 3. Both have active noise cancellation for better sound isolation and are well-built, but if budget is a concern, the Beats Solo 3 provides a robust listening experience at a lower cost. 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 Grado GT220
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Phone Calls
4.7
6.9
The Grado GT220 is only fair for phone calls, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.8
8.8
The Grado GT220 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
Battery
41.5 Hours
5.5 Hours
The Beats Solo 3 has 41.5 hours of battery life. The Grado GT220 has 5.5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$117
$259
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Beats Solo 3 has a price of $117 and the Grado GT220 costs $259.
Build Quality
8.0
8.8
The Grado GT220 and Beats Solo 3 both have very good build quality, though the Grado GT220 has somewhat better build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
6.3
6.3
The Grado GT220 and Beats Solo 3 are both only fair for music.
Gaming
5.3
5.1
The Beats Solo 3 and Grado GT220 are both poor for gaming.
TV and Video
5.6
5.5
The Beats Solo 3 and Grado GT220 are both poor for TV and video.
Noise Reduction
5.3
5.3
The Beats Solo 3 and Grado GT220 are both poor for noise reduction.
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How the Beats Solo 3 and the Grado GT220 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Beats Solo 3 | Grado GT220 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$117 | $259 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Beats | Grado | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2016 | September 1, 2020 | |
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 | 7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.3/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 5.9/10 | 6.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 41.5 Hours | 5.5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 4.2 | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 36 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | No | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | No | |
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 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Small | |
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."
Grado GT220
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Dig into reviews and images
Major HiFi
Alex Schiffer | October 2020
"With its superb and functional interface and its highly satisfying imaging, Grado has shown a new talent for delivering a solid true wireless system, and with future improvements, has the potential to really be one of the best."
Get a great deal on the Beats Solo 3 or the Grado GT220
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 Grado
Grado Labs is a small, family-owned, business based in Brooklyn New York that specializes in high-end, boutique, dynamic headphones and turntable cartridges. They boast a particular house sound, that is to say their products have a particular sound signature unique to Grado, that some audiophiles seem to really like and are unable to find anywhere else. Their high-end headphones are all hand made, completely in house, from a variety of exotic woods and materials going so far as to making one of their most popular products out of hemp.
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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.
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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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