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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Beats Solo 3 and Sony Linkbuds have different strengths. The Beats Solo 3 headphones offer a higher overall sound quality and better build quality, making them suitable for listening to music, though they may be less comfortable for some people. They are also better suited for air travel due to their noise isolation abilities. The Sony Linkbuds, however, have superior mic quality, making them a better choice for calls and meetings. They are also more comfortable, optimized for both Android and Apple devices, and have features like sweatproof certification and wireless charging, which make them ideal for use during exercise. If budget is a concern and you mainly want to listen to music, the Beats Solo 3 would be the more cost-effective option. However, if you need earbuds for a wider range of activities including exercise and regular calls, the Sony Linkbuds may justify the additional 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 Sony Linkbuds
- Good for exercise
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Phone Calls
4.7
6.8
The Sony Linkbuds is only fair for phone calls, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.8
7.8
The Sony Linkbuds is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3
2.5
The Beats Solo 3 and Sony Linkbuds are both poor for noise reduction, though the Beats Solo 3 is somewhat better.
Battery
41.5 Hours
5.5 Hours
The Beats Solo 3 has 41.5 hours of battery life. The Sony Linkbuds has 5.5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$117
$178
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
The Beats Solo 3 has a price of $117 and the Sony Linkbuds costs $178.
Build Quality
8.0
9.3
The Sony Linkbuds has excellent build quality, while the Beats Solo 3 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
6.3
6.6
The Sony Linkbuds and Beats Solo 3 are both only fair for music.
Gaming
5.3
5.5
The Sony Linkbuds and Beats Solo 3 are both poor for gaming.
TV and Video
5.6
5.4
The Beats Solo 3 and Sony Linkbuds are both poor for TV and video.
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How the Beats Solo 3 and the Sony Linkbuds compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Beats Solo 3 | Sony Linkbuds |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$117 | $178 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Beats | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2016 | February 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.3/10 | 6.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.7/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.3/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 5.9/10 | 7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 41.5 Hours | 5.5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 4.2 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 17.5 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 2.5/10 | |
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 | 9.3/10 | |
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 | 4.5 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."
Sony Linkbuds
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Sam Moore | February 2022
"The Sony LinkBuds is definitely the most unique audio product to release so far in 2022, and it largely executes well on it's unoccluded design. However, it's hamstrung by all the same things as other unsealed earbuds."
Get a great deal on the Beats Solo 3 or the Sony Linkbuds
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 Sony
Sony is a multinational corporation, based out of Japan, with over 75 years of experience in the consumer electronics industry. In the audio market, Sony has been a trendsetter several times throughout its history. In 1979 they released the first-ever portable music player, the Sony Walkman, followed by the Discman 20 years later. Today, Sony is one of the leaders in the wireless headphone and earbud market, especially in terms of Active Noise Cancellation technology.
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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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