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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Beats Solo 3 are a more affordable choice with decent overall sound quality, suitable for casual music listening and exercise due to their foldable design and robust build. However, the Sony WH-1000XM5 provides superior sound quality and features like active noise cancelling and an app equalizer, making them ideal for air travel and focused listening. While both support wired connections, the Sony's offer a more comfortable fit, better microphone quality for calls, and advanced codecs for high-quality audio streaming. If budget is a concern, the Beats Solo 3 is a good choice; for top-notch audio and comfort, the Sony WH-1000XM5 is superior. 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 Sony WH-1000XM5.
Advantages of the Sony WH-1000XM5
- Very good for music
Key differences
Music
6.3
8.2
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is very good for music, while the Beats Solo 3 is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.7
5.5
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Beats Solo 3 are both poor for phone calls, though the Sony WH-1000XM5 is somewhat better.
Noise Reduction
5.3
9.1
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is excellent for noise reduction, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
Cost
$117
$398
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Beats Solo 3 has a price of $117 and the Sony WH-1000XM5 costs $398.
Build Quality
8.0
8.8
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Beats Solo 3 both have very good build quality, though the Sony WH-1000XM5 has somewhat better build quality.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.3
5.6
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Beats Solo 3 are both poor for gaming.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.8
6.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sony WH-1000XM5 to be only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
TV and Video
5.6
5.8
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Beats Solo 3 are both poor for TV and video.
Battery
41.5 Hours
40.3 Hours
The Beats Solo 3 has 41.5 hours of battery life. The Sony WH-1000XM5 has 40.3 hours of battery life.
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How the Beats Solo 3 and the Sony WH-1000XM5 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Beats Solo 3 | Sony WH-1000XM5 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$117 | $398 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Beats | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2016 | May 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.3/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.7/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.3/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 5.9/10 | 6.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 41.5 Hours | 40.3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 3.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 4.2 | 5.2 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 9.1/10 | |
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 | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 5.7/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 213.1 Grams | 249.4 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
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 WH-1000XM5
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Headphonesty
Kazi Mahbub Mutakabbir | February 2023
"The Sony WH-1000XM5 are the best Sony Bluetooth headphones so far and one of the most well-rounded Bluetooth headphones around. Look no further if you need class-leading ANC with a mostly inoffensive sound signature. Just be ready to pony up the price premium."
Get a great deal on the Beats Solo 3 or the Sony WH-1000XM5
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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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.
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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
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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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