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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prefer over-ear headphones with good noise isolation for air travel and don't mind a higher price, the Beats Solo 3 might be suitable. However, they may not be as comfortable and have poor sound quality for calls and meetings. On the other hand, JBL Tune Buds are more affordable, have good portability, and offer features like sweatproof certification, making them apt for exercise. While they have good sound quality for music, their performance in calls, gaming, and TV might not be as strong. Consider your priorities whether it's price, comfort, or specific use cases like travel or exercise. 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
- The Beats Solo 3 has no clear advantages over the JBL Tune Buds.
Advantages of the JBL Tune Buds
- Good for exercise
Key differences
Noise Reduction
5.3
6.7
The JBL Tune Buds is only fair for noise reduction, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
Battery
41.5 Hours
10.4 Hours
The Beats Solo 3 has 41.5 hours of battery life. The JBL Tune Buds has 10.4 hours of battery life.
Cost
$117
$50
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Beats Solo 3 has a price of $117 and the JBL Tune Buds costs $50.
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Key similarities
Music
6.3
6.2
The Beats Solo 3 and JBL Tune Buds are both only fair for music.
Gaming
5.3
5.4
The JBL Tune Buds and Beats Solo 3 are both poor for gaming.
Phone Calls
4.7
4.9
The JBL Tune Buds and Beats Solo 3 are both poor for phone calls.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.8
5.8
The JBL Tune Buds and Beats Solo 3 are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks.
TV and Video
5.6
6.1
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers JBL Tune Buds to be only fair for TV and video, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
Build Quality
8.0
8.5
The JBL Tune Buds and Beats Solo 3 both have very good build quality.
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How the Beats Solo 3 and the JBL Tune Buds compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Beats Solo 3 | JBL Tune Buds |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$117 | $50 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Beats | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2016 | May 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.3/10 | 6.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.7/10 | 4.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.3/10 | 5.5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 6.1/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 5.9/10 | 7.6/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 41.5 Hours | 10.4 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 4.2 | 5.3 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 30 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 5.4/10 | 6/10 | |
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 | 10.8 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."
JBL Tune Buds
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Dig into reviews and images
PC Mag
Tim Gideon | September 2023
"JBL’s Tune Buds stick with the company’s signature bass-heavy sound by default, but a quality in-app EQ lets you sculpt the audio to taste. These noise-cancelling true wireless earphones also mitigate environmental distractions fairly well for the price and offer good battery life. If you're specifically seeking bold, bass-tuned audio out of the box, the Tune Buds are worth a listen."
Get a great deal on the Beats Solo 3 or the JBL Tune Buds
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.
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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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