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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize sound quality and wireless convenience, the Beats Solo 3 are the better choice with better overall sound quality and wireless capability. However, their comfort and call quality are lower compared to the JBL Quantum 100. For gaming and video, the JBLs are superior with a higher gaming and TV/video score. The JBLs also boast a perfect mic quality score, so conversations will be clearer. Additionally, the JBLs are budget-friendly. In contrast, the Beats offer great portability and are optimized for both Android and Apple devices, with a long battery life, but at a higher price. 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 Quantum 100
- Good for music
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
Key differences
Music
6.3
7.0
The JBL Quantum 100 is good for music, while the Beats Solo 3 is only fair.
Gaming
5.3
8.5
The JBL Quantum 100 is very good for gaming, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
Phone Calls
4.7
5.5
The JBL Quantum 100 and Beats Solo 3 are both poor for phone calls, though the JBL Quantum 100 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.8
4.5
The Beats Solo 3 and JBL Quantum 100 are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks, though the Beats Solo 3 is somewhat better.
TV and Video
5.6
7.1
The JBL Quantum 100 is good for TV and video, 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 JBL Quantum 100 does not have a battery.
Cost
$117
$20
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Beats Solo 3 has a price of $117 and the JBL Quantum 100 costs $20.
Build Quality
8.0
6.5
The Beats Solo 3 has very good build quality, while the JBL Quantum 100 has only fair build quality.
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Key similarities
Noise Reduction
5.3
5.3
The Beats Solo 3 and JBL Quantum 100 are both poor for noise reduction.
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How the Beats Solo 3 and the JBL Quantum 100 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Beats Solo 3 | JBL Quantum 100 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$117 | $20 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Beats | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2016 | May 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.3/10 | 7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.7/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.3/10 | 8.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 5.9/10 | 4/10 | |
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 | 5.3/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 5.4/10 | 10/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 5.7/10 | 6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 213.1 Grams | 220 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Boom | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
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."
JBL Quantum 100
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Dig into reviews and images
CNN Underscored
Wes Davis | July 2023
"I appreciate a functional piece of tech as much as I do gear on the bleeding edge, and the JBL Quantum 100 certainly falls in the former category. The sound is reasonably good, the built-in microphone is surprisingly reliable and it has a thoughtful design for the price. It lacks the convenience of Bluetooth, sure, but sometimes it’s nice not to have to worry about the finicky nature of wireless communication and go with good old hard-wired tech."
Get a great deal on the Beats Solo 3 or the JBL Quantum 100
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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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.
By the numbers
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Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
128,600
Recommendations made
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Consumer hours saved
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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