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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Beats Solo 3 is a wireless over-ear headphone with active noise cancelling, making them suitable for air travel and noisy environments, but they're more expensive. They're also foldable and have a long battery life, useful for extended sessions. However, they may not be as comfortable for long periods of wear. The Moondrop Chu, on the other hand, is more budget-friendly and delivers higher sound quality with a durable build, though they lack the convenience of wireless connectivity and noise cancellation. They are also better for calls and meetings with superior mic quality and less suited for exercise due to lack of sweat resistance. 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 Moondrop Chu
- Good for music
- Very good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
6.3
7.9
The Moondrop Chu is good for music, while the Beats Solo 3 is only fair.
Gaming
5.3
8.0
The Moondrop Chu is very good for gaming, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
Phone Calls
4.7
8.8
The Moondrop Chu is very good for phone calls, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.8
7.6
The Moondrop Chu is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
TV and Video
5.6
7.5
The Moondrop Chu is good for TV and video, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3
6.0
The Moondrop Chu is only fair for noise reduction, 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 Moondrop Chu does not have a battery.
Cost
$117
$21
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Beats Solo 3 has a price of $117 and the Moondrop Chu costs $21.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
8.0
8.5
The Moondrop Chu and Beats Solo 3 both have very good build quality.
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How the Beats Solo 3 and the Moondrop Chu compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Beats Solo 3 | Moondrop Chu |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$117 | $21 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Beats | Moondrop | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2016 | April 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.3/10 | 8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.7/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.3/10 | 8.1/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 5.9/10 | 4.4/10 | |
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 | 6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 5.4/10 | 8.5/10 | |
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 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | In-Line | |
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."
Moondrop Chu
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Jasper Lastoria | September 2022
"These budget buds put the pressure on those premium priced in-ear monitors to really justify the cost disparity. Offering excellent sound quality at any price, the Moondrop Chu is both a perfect entry into the audio enthusiast hobby, and an all around good pick for music fans."
Get a great deal on the Beats Solo 3 or the Moondrop Chu
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 Moondrop
Moondrop is a Chinese brand of smart audio equipment, portable audio players, earbuds and headphones started in 2015. During the last few years they have become one of the major players in what is lovingly referred to as the Chi-fi market, the bulk of Chinese companies that have managed to actually compete with the western manufacturers in both prices and superior quality. Products such as the Blessing II, Chu and Kato are among the most popular offerings of the brand, more popular among those users that wish for good quality audio that won't break the bank. Besides audio, the brand also works in what they call the ACGN field (Animation, Comics, Games and Short Novels).
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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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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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