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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
The Beats Solo 3 headphones provide an over-ear, closed experience which can result in good passive noise isolation but may be less comfortable due to their poor comfort score. They have a good overall sound quality, but mic quality is poor, making them less ideal for calls. They're suitable for air travel, with active noise cancelling, and a very good build quality. However, they lack low latency for gaming and TV. The JBL Live Flex 3 earbuds feature an open design that won't isolate noise as well but may be more comfortable. They offer very good sound quality and are very good for exercise due to their sweatproof and dustproof certification. The earbuds also come with a Smart Charging Case that has app controls for sound customization, but their poor score for calls, gaming, TV, and video indicates they aren't the best multipurpose choice. Choosing between the two depends on your priorities: over-ear comfort and noise isolation for travel with Beats Solo 3 or in-ear convenience with better exercise features and sound customization with JBL Live Flex 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
- Very good for air travel
Advantages of the JBL Live Flex 3
- Very good for music
- Very good for exercise
Key differences
Music
6.3
8.0
The JBL Live Flex 3 is very good for music, while the Beats Solo 3 is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.7
5.2
The JBL Live Flex 3 and Beats Solo 3 are both poor for phone calls, though the JBL Live Flex 3 is somewhat better.
Noise Reduction
5.3
8.3
The JBL Live Flex 3 is very good for noise reduction, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
Battery
41.5 Hours
10.0 Hours
The Beats Solo 3 has 41.5 hours of battery life. The JBL Live Flex 3 has 10 hours of battery life.
Cost
$117
$216
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The Beats Solo 3 has a price of $117 and the JBL Live Flex 3 costs $216.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.3
5.5
The JBL Live Flex 3 and Beats Solo 3 are both poor for gaming.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.8
5.9
The JBL Live Flex 3 and Beats Solo 3 are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks.
TV and Video
5.6
5.7
The JBL Live Flex 3 and Beats Solo 3 are both poor for TV and video.
Build Quality
8.0
8.5
The JBL Live Flex 3 and Beats Solo 3 both have very good build quality.
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How the Beats Solo 3 and the JBL Live Flex 3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Beats Solo 3 | JBL Live Flex 3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$117 | $216 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Beats | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2016 | June 1, 2024 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.3/10 | 8.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.7/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.3/10 | 5.5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 5.9/10 | 8.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 41.5 Hours | 10 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 4.2 | 5.3 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 40 | |
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 | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 5.4/10 | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 5.7/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 213.1 Grams | 8.8 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."
Get a great deal on the Beats Solo 3 or the JBL Live Flex 3
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 JBL
JBL is an American audio equipment manufacturer. Owned by Harman International which is, itself, owned by Samsung Electronics. JBL markets a wide array of monitoring speakers, professional headphones and consumer market headphones and earbuds. It was founded in 1946 by James Bullough Lansing (whose initials give the company its name) and has become one of the most prolific audio companies ever. Their products were responsible for audio during the 1969 Woodstock Festival.
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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.
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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