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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're willing to invest in wireless convenience and stronger build quality, the Beats Solo 3 could be your choice, offering good overall sound, built-in controls, and a substantial battery life suitable for long listening sessions. They are better suited for use during air travel and are foldable for easier portability. However, for a budget-friendly option with a wired connection, the Sony MDR-ZX110 provides good sound for music listening and a lightweight build, although they have fewer features, minimal controls, and less durability. Neither are recommended for calls, meetings, gaming, or exercise, and both have limited noise isolation capabilities. 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 MDR-ZX110
- Good for music
Key differences
Music
6.3
7.6
The Sony MDR-ZX110 is good for music, while the Beats Solo 3 is only fair.
Gaming
5.3
5.9
The Sony MDR-ZX110 and Beats Solo 3 are both poor for gaming, though the Sony MDR-ZX110 is somewhat better.
Phone Calls
4.7
3.0
The Beats Solo 3 and Sony MDR-ZX110 are both poor for phone calls, though the Beats Solo 3 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.8
4.3
The Beats Solo 3 and Sony MDR-ZX110 are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks, though the Beats Solo 3 is somewhat better.
TV and Video
5.6
6.9
The Sony MDR-ZX110 is only fair 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 Sony MDR-ZX110 does not have a battery.
Cost
$117
$10
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Beats Solo 3 has a price of $117 and the Sony MDR-ZX110 costs $10.
Build Quality
8.0
6.0
The Beats Solo 3 has very good build quality, while the Sony MDR-ZX110 has only fair build quality.
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Key similarities
Noise Reduction
5.3
5.3
The Beats Solo 3 and Sony MDR-ZX110 are both poor for noise reduction.
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How the Beats Solo 3 and the Sony MDR-ZX110 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Beats Solo 3 | Sony MDR-ZX110 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$117 | $10 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Beats | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2016 | July 1, 2015 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.3/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.7/10 | 3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.3/10 | 5.9/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 5.9/10 | 3.9/10 | |
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 | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 5.4/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8/10 | 6/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 5.7/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 213.1 Grams | 119.9 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
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."
Sony MDR-ZX110
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Audio.org
Audio.org | December 2022
"My opinion about Sony MDR ZX110 is they are the best budget headphones of Sony with top-class sound. Clear vocals, great bass, and balanced sound with low sound distortion. The treble could be sharper, but it's ok. 30 mm neodymium dynamic drivers give clear and precise audio, and an inline remote with a mic give decent call quality. Closed-Back Design also helps to improve sound performance."
Get a great deal on the Beats Solo 3 or the Sony MDR-ZX110
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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