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Wireless Headphones and Earbuds - Beats

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Beats Wireless Headphones, and Earbuds

Wireless headphones.

Beats Solo 4

• Ultralight on-ear headphones
• Lossless audio via USB-C or 3.5 mm audio cable 1
• Passive noise isolation to block sound
• Up to 50 hours of listening time 2

Beats Studio Pro

• Premium over-ear headphones
• Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking footnote 3
• Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) and Transparency mode
• Up to 40 hours of listening time (ANC off) footnote 4

Wireless Earbuds

COMING SOON

Beats Solo Buds

• The smallest case we’ve ever made
• Fully custom acoustic architecture for big Beats sound
• Up to 18 hours of battery life 5
• Charge from your phone, 6 tablet or laptop for power on the go

Beats Studio Buds  +

• Improved Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) and Transparency mode footnote 7
• Up to 9 hours of listening time; 36 hours with charging case footnote 8
• 3x larger microphones for improved call quality footnote 7
• Four ear tip options to fit a wider range of ears

Beats Fit Pro

• Flexible, secure-fit wingtips
• Up to 6 hours of listening time footnote 9 ; 24 hours with charging case footnote 10
• Auto Play/Pause connection via Apple H1 chip

Beats Studio Buds

• Up to 8 hours of listening time footnote 11 ; 24 hours with charging case footnote 12
• One-touch pairing for Apple footnote 13 and Android footnote 14
• IPX4-rated sweat and water resistant earbuds footnote 15

• Magnetic earbuds with Auto-Play/Pause
• Powerful, precise sound
• Up to 12 hours of listening time
• Apple W1 chip & Class 1 Wireless Bluetooth ®

Powerbeats Pro

• Adjustable, secure-fit earhooks
• Powerful sound with dynamic range & noise isolation
• Up to 9 hours of listening time; 24 hours with charging case

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footnote 1  Requires compatible lossless content from supported apps/services. Not all content is available in lossless format.

footnote 2  Testing conducted by Apple in March 2024 using preproduction Beats Solo 4 and software paired with iPhone 15 units and prerelease software. The playlist consisted of 358 unique audio tracks purchased from the iTunes Store (256-Kbps AAC encoding). Volume was set to 50%. Testing consisted of full Beats Solo 4 battery discharge while playing audio until Beats Solo 4 stopped playback. Battery life depends on device settings, environment, usage, and many other factors.

footnote 3  Compatible hardware and software required. Works with compatible content in supported apps. Not all content available in Dolby Atmos. iPhone with TrueDepth camera required to create a personal profile for Spatial Audio, which will sync across Apple devices running the latest operating system software, including iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and tvOS.

footnote 4  Testing conducted by Apple in May 2023 using preproduction Beats Studio Pro units and software paired with iPhone 13 units and prerelease software. The playlist consisted of 358 unique audio tracks purchased from the iTunes Store (256-Kbps AAC encoding). Volume was set to 50% and Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency were turned off. Testing consisted of full Beats Studio Pro battery discharge while playing audio until Beats Studio Pro stopped playback. With Active Noise Cancellation turned on, listening time was up to 24 hours. Battery life depends on device settings, environment, usage, and many other factors.

footnote 5  Testing conducted by Apple in March 2024 using preproduction Beats Solo Buds units and software paired with iPhone 15 units and prerelease software. The playlist consisted of 358 unique audio tracks purchased from the iTunes Store (256-Kbps AAC encoding). Volume was set to 50%. Testing consisted of full Beats Solo Buds battery discharge while playing audio until the first unit of Beats Solo Buds stopped playback. Battery life depends on device settings, environment, usage, and many other factors.

footnote 6  Requires iPhone 15 or supported Android devices.

footnote 7  As compared to Beats Studio Buds (1st generation).

footnote 8  Testing conducted by Apple in March 2023 using preproduction Beats Studio Buds + and Charging Case units and software paired with iPhone 13 Pro and prerelease software. The playlist consisted of 358 unique audio tracks purchased from the iTunes Store (256-Kbps AAC encoding). Volume was set to 50% and Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency were turned off. Testing consisted of full Beats Studio Buds + battery discharge while playing audio until the first Beats Studio Buds + stopped playback. Battery life depends on device settings, environment, usage, and many other factors.

footnote 9  Testing conducted by Apple in September 2021 using preproduction Beats Fit Pro and Charging Case and software paired with iPhone 12 units and prerelease software. The playlist consisted of 358 unique audio tracks purchased from the iTunes Store (256-Kbps AAC encoding). Volume was set to 50% and Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency were turned on. Testing consisted of full Beats Fit Pro battery discharge while playing audio until the first Beats Fit Pro stopped playback. The drained Beats Fit Pro was charged to 100 percent, then audio playback was resumed until the first Beats Fit Pro stopped playback. This cycle was repeated until both the Beats Fit Pro and charging case were fully discharged. Battery life depends on device settings, environment, usage, and many other factors.

footnote 10  Testing conducted by Apple in September 2021 using preproduction Beats Fit Pro and Charging Case units and software paired with iPhone 12 units and prerelease software. The playlist consisted of 358 unique audio tracks purchased from the iTunes Store (256-Kbps AAC encoding). Volume was set to 50% and Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency were turned on. Testing consisted of full Beats Fit Pro battery discharge while playing audio until the first Beats Fit Pro stopped playback. With Active Noise Cancellation turned off, listening time was up to 7 hours. Battery life depends on device settings, environment, usage, and many other factors.

footnote 11  Testing conducted by Apple in April 2021 using preproduction Beats Studio Buds and Charging Case units and software paired with iPhone 11 Pro Max units and prerelease software. The playlist consisted of 358 unique audio tracks purchased from the iTunes Store (256-Kbps AAC encoding). Volume was set to 50% and Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency were turned off. Testing consisted of full Beats Studio Buds battery discharge while playing audio until the first Beats Studio Buds stopped playback. With Active Noise Cancellation turned on, listening time was up to 5 hours. Battery life depends on device settings, environment, usage, and many other factors.

footnote 12  Testing conducted by Apple in April 2021 using preproduction Beats Studio Buds and Charging Case and software paired with iPhone 11 Pro Max units and prerelease software. The playlist consisted of 358 unique audio tracks purchased from the iTunes Store (256-Kbps AAC encoding). Volume was set to 50% and Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency were turned off. Testing consisted of full Beats Studio Buds battery discharge while playing audio until the first Beats Studio Buds stopped playback. The drained Beats Studio Buds were charged to 100 percent, then audio playback was resumed until the first Beats Studio Buds stopped playback. This cycle was repeated until both the Beats Studio Buds and charging case were fully discharged. With Active Noise Cancellation turned on, listening time was up to 15 hours. Battery life depends on device settings, environment, usage, and many other factors.

footnote 13  One-touch pairing requires iOS 14.6 or later.

footnote 14  Fast Pair requires location enabled. Full access to features requires an Android 6.0 or newer device with Google Play Service enabled and Google Account.

footnote 15  Beats Studio Buds are sweat and water resistant for non-water sports and exercise. Beats Studio Buds were tested under controlled laboratory conditions, and have a rating of IPX4 under IEC standard 60529. Sweat and water resistance are not permanent conditions and resistance might decrease as a result of normal wear. Do not attempt to charge wet Beats Studio Buds; refer to Apple Support for cleaning and drying instructions. The charging case is not sweat or water resistant.

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Beats Studio Pro vs. Beats Studio 3 — compared

Beats Studio Pro

Beats studio 3.

Over the years, Beats has made its name for distinct style and sound while bridging the gap between both iOS and Android as far as features are concerned. In 2023, Beats are just as recognizable as Apple's headphones or offerings from Sony, Bose, and others.

Beats by Dre has been left to its own devices ever since Apple acquired the company in 2014, which has left the exterior of its headphones mostly the same over the years. Apple managed to get its chip, the W1, installed in some headphones, including the Beats Studio 3.

Unsurprisingly, Beats decided to keep things the way they are, sticking with the overall design of the Beats Studio 3 while making some key improvements in other areas and maintaining the $350 price tag.

So here's how the new Beats Studio Pro stacks up against the Beats Studio 3.

Beats Studio Pro vs Beats Studio 3: Specifications

A quick look at the specifications breakdown shows that Beats made some noteworthy improvements with the Studio Pro compared to the Studio 3. First and foremost, the company added features like Transparency mode and managed a couple more hours of battery life when Active Noise Cancellation or Transparency is switched on.

Even with the changes, the Beats Studio Pro certainly has plenty of similarities with the Beats Studio 3.

Beats Studio Pro vs Beats Studio 3: Design

This one's a bit more straightforward as far as the headphones are concerned. Beats stuck with a familiar design for the Studio Pro while only slightly tweaking the formula.

Both headphones share the ability to become more compact, thanks to the ear cups folding inwards, making travel a bit easier. They both have metal sliders, so it's quick and easy to find the perfect fit.

Beats upgraded the ear cushions with the Studio Pro offering an UltraPlush over-ear cushion design. The company says they should be even more comfortable to wear for longer listening sessions with the new construction.

Beats also switched away from micro USB in the Beats Studio 3 to USB-C with the Studio Pro, which unlocks an important feature for audiophiles, which is discussed later.

Both headphones get 40 hours of battery life on a single charge when Pure ANC, ANC, or Transparency modes are switched off. Turning any of these features on brings the battery life to 22 hours in Studio 3 and 24 hours in Studio Pro.

The Beats Studio Pro also features Fast Fuel charging, which means the headphones can get up to four hours of playback with just 10 minutes of charging. In the Beats Studio 3, that same 10 minutes of fast charging will net the wearer three hours of playback.

Beats Studio Pro vs Beats Studio 3: Processing and Connectivity

Apple launched the Beats Studio 3 almost six years ago, which means the headphones have missed a lot in chip advancements, especially made by Apple. However, as noted above, the Studio 3 is equipped with Apple's W1 chip.

With the W1, the Beats Studio 3 can seamlessly switch between supported Apple devices via iCloud. The chip is also partially responsible for the long battery life as well.

Meanwhile, Beats upgraded its processing unit in the Studio Pro, equipping the headphones with its proprietary chip that has also been used in the Beats Studio Buds+. With this chip, the Beats Studio Pro supports Apple's Find My , one-touch pairing, and support for "Hey Siri ."

That chip also means the Beats Studio Pro supports Google's own Fast Pair for easy pairing, Audio Switch between devices, and Find My Device.

Shifting to the proprietary chip for the Beats Studio Pro means they do not support iCloud device auto switching, like with the Beats Studio 3.

While the W1-powered Active Noise Cancellation in the Beats Studio 3, the proprietary chip in the Beats Studio Pro handles the heavy lifting for ANC, Transparency, Personalized Spatial Audio, and optimized Sound Profiles.

Those Sound Profiles are:

• Beats Signature profile : a balanced listening experience for music
• Entertainment profile : elevated audio for games and movies
• Conversation profile : optimizes voice audio for crystal clear calls

Beats made a significant change with the Studio Pro, adding a built-in Digital-to-Analog (DAC) converter. This means the Studio Pro headphones support high-fidelity Lossless audio when using the USB-C cable to listen.

The Beats Studio 3 lacks any HiFi improvements.

Beats Studio 3 doesn't support Spatial Audio because the feature wasn't around when the headphones launched. That's not the case with the Studio Pro, though, as these headphones support Personalized Spatial Audio that is tuned with an ear scan.

Beats says this feature is like listening to music with "64 speakers at once." The headphones support dynamic head tracking (with Apple devices) and various built-in sensors to offer a 360-degree field of audio.

Beats Studio Pro vs Beats Studio 3: ANC and Transparency

First, Transparency modes. The Beats Studio 3 did not have this feature, trailing some other alternatives on the market.

However, Beats is adding the feature with Studio Pro. When Transparency mode is switched on, the over-ear headphones will automatically mix the sounds of the environment with the audio output, letting users stay aware of what's happening around them while they listen to their media.

Beats Studio 3 does offer Active Noise Cancellation, with Apple's Pure ANC. The performance was reportedly good enough for the most part, even with the relatively minimal amount of microphones in the headphones.

The ANC feature in Beats Studio Pro boasts a precise filter that cancels noise at an alarmingly fast 48,000 times per second. The headphones will continuously monitor the exterior noises around you, and ANC will adapt as needed.

Both ANC efforts are meant to block environmental noise, usually in the mid to low-level ranges, like a plane engine, machinery, and voices.

Beats Studio Pro vs Beats Studio 3: Other features

One big change with the Beats Studio Pro is a new carrying case design. The company has moved away from the Beats Pill-inspired case. Instead, the new case for the Beats Studio Pro is a larger rectangular shape with rounded corners.

The Beats Studio 3 feature Bluetooth 4.2, helping to keep latency low while listening to music and other content. And paired with the Apple W1 chip, it makes pairing to Apple and Android devices quick and easy.

While the Beats Studio 3 sound great , the Studio Pro upgrades the listening experience. The new headphones feature an upgraded two-layer diaphragm, refined micro-venting, and an overall 25% boost to the magnets in each ear cup.

Beats says with these improvements, the Studio Pro reduces distortion to near zero, even at max volume. The company also says this boosts audio performance by up to 80% compared to the Beats Studio 3.

The Beats Studio Pro also support Dolby Atmos audio, while the Beats Studio 3 do not.

Beats Studio Pro utilizes Bluetooth 5.3 for Class 1 Bluetooth, offering better range and fewer disconnections. The headphones have a 3.5mm audio plug, like the Beats Studio 3.

Beats also stuck with on-device media playback controls with the Studio Pro, just like the Studio 3. There is a dedicated button to control listening modes on one side and controls to Play/Pause, skip forward or back, and adjust volume up and down on the other ear cup.

While the Studio 3 handled phone calls well enough, Beats Studio Pro include voice-targeting microphones as part of the six total microphones in the headphone design. These microphones will actively weed out background noise, which Beats says sees a 27% boost in call performance compared to Beats Studio 3.

Finally, the Beats Studio 3 included a USB-A to USB Micro-B cable and a 3.5mm RemoteTalk cable in the box. Beats Studio Pro have a USB-C to USB-C cable for charging and audio and a 3.5mm analog audio cable in the box.

Beats Studio Pro vs Beats Studio 3: What to buy

Considering the Beats Studio Pro and the Beats Studio 3 are still priced the same, the obvious choice for anyone looking for a new pair of Beats-branded over-ear headphones should go with the Beats Studio Pro.

However, with the new headphones available starting now, the Beats Studio 3 may be discounted while supplies last.

That being said, the Beats Studio Pro are still the way to go between the two headphones, just for the extra battery life, better call quality, and, of course, the better listening experience.

This is especially true for anyone who is looking to have a pair of headphones that are, by all accounts, platform agnostic. They will pair just as easily with an iOS device as an Android device and vice versa.

Where to buy Beats Studio Pro and Beats Studio 3

The Beats Studio Pro are currently on sale from a variety of retailers, including Best Buy , B&H Photo , and Amazon . They retail for $349.99.

Meanwhile, Beats Studio 3 are still available from Amazon for a discounted $231.99.

I’m pretty sure studio 3 support Dolby Atmos, which this article says it doesn’t. 

How does the studio pro compare with the Bose and Sony rivals? I will wait for those reviews.

crazyexcalibur said: I’m pretty sure studio 3 support Dolby Atmos, which this article says it doesn’t.  They do and work well.  I have used them in the past with my iPhone and Apple TV and they sound great, just disable ANC because of the hiss.

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{{ summary }}

• Headphones /

The new Beats Studio 3 Wireless headphones have better noise canceling and Apple’s W1 chip

Available now for $350.

By Chris Welch , a reviewer specializing in personal audio and home theater. Since 2011, he has published nearly 6,000 articles, from breaking news and reviews to useful how-tos.

Share this story

After more than three years, Beats is finally updating its top-tier Studio headphones. The new Studio 3 Wireless headphones, available beginning today from Apple and other retailers, cost $349.95 and improve on the previous model by adding Apple’s W1 chip, more advanced noise cancellation, redesigned internals, and longer battery life.

They still very much look like Beats and, at least in terms of apperance, aren’t much changed from the company’s other current products or the Studio Wireless headphones they replace. The Studio 3 Wireless are basically a larger, over-ear version of the Solo 3 Wireless. Beats will offer them in a range of six colors, and my favorite of them — gray with gold accents — is among two “limited edition” designs. Beats says the ear cushions have been improved so as to be more comfortable for all-day wear.

Inside is where all the major upgrades are. The Studio 3 Wireless include Apple’s W1 technology to make pairing with nearby iPhones, iPads, and Macs effortless and immediate. When connected to a W1-supported Apple product, the headphones should reach wireless battery life of 22 hours with noise cancellation on — or up to 40 hours in audio-only “low power” mode. Beats says that audio quality doesn’t change or degrade with noise cancelling disabled. (You double tap the power button to toggle noise-canceling on and off.) That 22-hour figure is slightly better than Bose’s QC35 and Sony’s MDR-1000X headphones. The Studio 3 Wireless headphones also feature Class 1 Bluetooth for more reliable and longer-range connectivity. And when the battery runs low, the company claims you can get 3 more hours of listening time from a 10-minute charge.

Noise cancellation isn’t new to the Studio line, but Beats claims to have reengineered its entire approach to tuning out distractions as you listen. Beats now calls it Pure Adaptive Noise Canceling (Pure ANC). The Studio 3 Wireless headphones constantly sample your surroundings and algorithmically adjust the strength of noise cancellation to better match that; it won’t be nearly as cranked up in a quiet coffee shop than on an airplane. The system also compensates for leakage due to hair, glasses, or other factors. It takes around five seconds to adjust when you switch from one noise environment to another.

• Beats Solo 3 review: decent sound, better wireless

Since some people are sensitive to the feel of using them, both Sony and Bose offer various levels of personalized settings with their noise-canceling cans. So Beats isn’t really in standout territory there. But the company is emphasizing the completely revamped silicon and processing power that are needed for constantly-shifting Pure ANC and long battery life; Beats points to the efficency of Apple’s W1 as a key driver of all that. They still use a microUSB connector, though. Both USB-C and Lightning (used by Beats X) seem like wiser choices for premium-priced headphones this far into 2017.

I didn’t get a long time to test the Studio 3 headphones, so it’s early to make any assessments about sound quality. Vlad was generally a fan of the Solo 3 Wireless because of their simple iPhone pairing, comfort, and “entertaining” output. The company’s recent products have toned down the overbearing bass, but these headphones aren’t known for their subtlety. Now we’re talking a significant step up in price — but also, if Beats can deliver, an uptick in sound quality, too.

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• Studio3 Wireless

Beats Studio3 Wireless Headphones Review

The Beats Studio3 Wireless are over-ear headphones that come in various colorways. They have the same stylish and polished design as the previous Beats Studio Wireless but with an improved noise cancellation (ANC) system that automatically adapts to you and your environment. They also have a W1 chip for seamless pairing with your Apple devices.

Our Verdict

The Beats Studio3 are okay for neutral sound. Their warm sound profile delivers extra warmth and boom to mixes. However, the extra bass muddies tracks and the recessed treble hurts the detail of vocals and instruments. They're also prone to inconsistencies in bass delivery depending on their seal on your head and lack sound customization features to help you adjust their sound to suit your tastes, too.

• Comfortable and stable fit.
• Bass delivery varies significantly across users. Sensitive to glasses.

The Beats Studio3 are decent for commuting. These headphones are comfortable enough for long listening sessions, well-built, and come with a carrying case to help protect them when you're on the go. They also have noise cancelling but do a better job blocking out passenger chatter than the rumble of bus engines. On the upside, they last 23 hours continuously, making them a solid choice for long trips.

• ANC has some trouble blocking out bass-range noise.

The Beats Studio3 are decent for sports. They're comfortable and stable enough to exercise with. They're also wireless with a great range, so you can leave your phone on a bench while you run or have a fixed Bluetooth source. However, they can make your ears a bit warm and sweaty throughout your workout. They also lack an IP rating for water resistance, though this is to be expected for over-ear headphones.

The Beats Studio3 are satisfactory for office use. These comfortable over-ears are equipped with an ANC system to help cut down chatty coworkers and the high-pitched hum of AC units. With their ANC on, they also last around 23 hours continuously, so you don't need to recharge them often. Thanks to their low audio leakage, you can crank up your audio to high volumes without others around you hearing it. However, if you need to make calls, their integrated mic offers a sub-par performance, and it can be hard to hear you clearly if your office is noisy.

• ANC can cut down mid to treble-range noise well.
• Sub-par overall mic performance.

The Beats Studio3 only connects wirelessly via Bluetooth and therefore aren't compatible with PlayStation or Xbox consoles. They're compatible with Bluetooth-enabled PCs, but their latency is a bit too high for gaming. That said, their latency is lower on iOS and Android devices, which is handy for mobile gaming.

The Beats Studio3 are satisfactory for wired gaming. They're comfortable for long gaming sessions thanks to their lightweight frame and padded ear cups. The sound profile also leans towards more bass, making effects like footsteps in FPS games easier to hear. However, their microphone offers a sub-par overall performance and only works on PC and PlayStation consoles. Xbox users can only receive audio, which is a little disappointing.

• Mic doesn't work on Xbox consoles.

The Beats Studio3 are passable for phone calls. Their integrated mic has a just okay recording quality, so your voice sounds thin and lacks detail. Unfortunately, if you're taking calls in even moderately noisy environments like an office, the person on the other line may have difficulties hearing you too. On the upside, these headphones have an ANC system that can help block out some noise while on a call.

• Low audio leakage.
• 6.8 Neutral Sound
• 7.4 Commute/Travel
• 7.2 Sports/Fitness
• 5.5 Wireless Gaming
• 7.1 Wired Gaming
• 6.2 Phone Calls
• Updated Aug 30, 2023: Added a note that the Beats Studio Pro Wireless offer the same app support for both iOS and Android.
• Updated Jun 14, 2023: We've updated the text of this review to maintain its accuracy. There hasn't been a change in our results, though.
• Updated May 11, 2022: Some users have experienced a clicking noise in the left ear cup after updating the headphones to firmware update 2.4.4. However, we didn't experience this issue with our unit, and the scoring of 'Noise Isolation' hasn't changed.
• Updated Oct 29, 2021: Updated review for accuracy and clarity.
• Updated Jun 29, 2021: Converted to Test Bench 1.5 .
• Updated Nov 16, 2020: Updated review for accuracy and clarity.
• Updated Feb 05, 2020: Converted to Test Bench 1.4 .
• Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.1 .
• Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3 .
• Updated Feb 16, 2018: Converted to Test Bench 1.2 .
• Updated Nov 02, 2017: Review published.
• Updated Oct 31, 2017: Our testers have started testing this product.
• Updated Oct 29, 2017: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
• Updated Oct 22, 2017: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.

Differences Between Sizes And Variants

The Beats Studio3 come in four color variants: 'Matte Black', 'Blue', 'Red', and 'White'. They also come in a few special edition colors: 'A-COLD-WALL* Cement', 'Defiant Black-Red', 'Midnight Black', which have a tan inner headband with gold accents, and 'Shadow Grey', which have a beige inner headband and gold accents. Since these differences are only in color, we expect each to perform similarly to our unit. If you come across a pair that are different from ours, please let us know in the discussions, and we'll update our review.

Compared To Other Headphones

The Beats Studio3 are the updated version of the Beats Studio Wireless ' design and are the manufacturer's only over-ear model. These premium cans have better isolation than their predecessor, thanks to their adaptive noise cancelling, and have a comfortable fit. However, their dynamic audio reproduction tends to sound inconsistent, and their noise isolation falls short compared to their competitors, like the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless .

See our recommendations for the best wireless Bluetooth headphones , the best over-ear headphones for working out , and the best closed-back headphones .

The Beats Studio3 Wireless are better headphones than the Beats Solo3 2019 Wireless . The Studio3 are over-ear headphones that are more comfortable and have a good-performing ANC feature. However, the Solo3 2019 deliver audio more consistently and have a better battery performance. Some users may also prefer their bass-heavy sound profile.

The Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless are better over-ear headphones than the Beats Studio3 Wireless. While both headphones are comfortable, the Sony are better built and have a more neutral default sound profile, which some users may prefer, and their ANC does a significantly better job of cutting down ambient noise around you. They also have a longer-lasting continuous battery life, and their companion app offers a graphic EQ and presets to help adjust their sound to your liking. However, the Beats have a W1 chip, so you can seamlessly pair them with other Apple devices.

The Beats Solo Pro Wireless are slightly better than the Beats Studio3 Wireless if you don’t mind the on-ear design. The Solo Pro Wireless have a slightly better noise cancellation feature, and their sound profile is better balanced than the Studio3. On the other hand, the Studio3 are more comfortable thanks to their over-ear design and come with an audio cable to use when wired, which you need to buy separately for the Solo Pro.

The Beats Studio3 Wireless are somewhat better headphones than the Beats Studio Wireless . They have the same stylish and polished design, but the Studio3 have a better control scheme and improved noise cancellation. They sound quite similar, but the Studio3 sound slightly better overall. The Studio3 also have a much better battery than the Studio Wireless and feature the W1 chip for improved ease of use with Apple devices. The Studio have better latency and microphone noise handling performance. They’re both decent headphones for most uses, but the more intuitive pairing process and control scheme of the Studio3 gives them an edge.

The Beats Studio3 Wireless and the Sony WH-XB910N Wireless are similarly performing headphones. While both headphones are comfortable and well-built, the Beats have a more neutral sound profile, which some users may prefer, their fit is more stable, and they support a W1 chip for seamless pairing with your iOS devices. However, the Sony headphones have a better noise isolation performance, their sound profile is customizable using their companion app's graphic EQ and presets, and they support multi-device pairing.

The Anker Soundcore Life Q35 Wireless are slightly better headphones than the Beats Studio3 Wireless. The Anker have a significantly better noise isolation performance, a longer continuous battery life, and their companion app has a graphic EQ and presets so that you can adjust their sound to your liking. However, the Beats would be more comfortable, and they have a W1 chip, so you can seamlessly pair them with your Apple devices.

The Bose QuietComfort 35 II/QC35 II Wireless 2018 are better headphones than the Beats Studio3 Wireless. The Bose are very comfortable, and their sound profile is well-balanced. Their ANC feature noticeably blocks more background noise than the Beats. On the other hand, the Beats will be slightly better suited for bass-heavy genres, and they leak less than the Bose. They also have an in-line microphone for calls, which the Bose are lacking. The battery life of the Beats is about three hours longer than the Bose, but they don't have a power-saving feature.

The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x are better headphones for neutral sound than the Beats Studio3 Wireless. Although they're both closed-back, over-ear headphones, the Audio-Technica have a more neutral sound and a slightly better passive soundstage. However, unlike the Audio-Technica, the Beats are wireless, and they have controls, a microphone, and active noise cancelling, making them more versatile headphones overall. They're also slightly more comfortable, and their battery lasts up to 23 hours.

The Sony WF-1000XM4 Truly Wireless are better headphones than the Beats Studio3 Wireless. The Sony feel better built, their ANC can block out a lot more ambient noise around you, and they have a better battery performance. You can adjust their sound using their companion app's graphic EQ and presets. However, the Beats are more comfortable and have a more bass-heavy sound profile, which some users may prefer.

The Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless are better headphones than the Beats Studio3 Wireless. The Sony feel slightly more premium and sound more neutral but with a small excess in thump and rumble. Additionally, you can easily customize their sound to your liking inside the Sony app, which Beats lacks. The ANC of the Sony is also noticeably better and will block out more ambient noise. On the other hand, the Beats have an audio cable with an in-line mic. They also have physical buttons, which can be easier for some.

The Sony WH-1000XM2 Wireless are a better wireless over-ear than the Beats Studio3 Wireless. The Sony have a better noise cancellation performance, making them more suitable for commuting and travel than the Beats. They have a slightly more polished design that looks and feels more high-end than the Beats. The Beats have a more stylish-looking build quality that some will prefer over that of the Sony. They also have a faster charge time, a longer wireless range, and slightly better latency performance, especially on iOS devices. The Beats are also a bit more lightweight, comfortable, and stable for the gym.

The Beats Studio Pro Wireless are better than the Beats Studio3 Wireless. The Pro's ANC feature blocks out more noise. They have a somewhat longer battery life and a more neutral default sound profile, which some may prefer. They have a few EQ presets for sound customization when connected via USB-C. They also support virtual surround sound and NFC pairing. However, the Studio3 have a much more comfortable fit for most people. They also have a more protective case and a W1 chip that allows faster pairing with iOS devices.

The Bose 700 Headphones Wireless are better for most uses than the Beats Studio3 Wireless. While both headphones are comfortable, the Bose are better built, have a more neutral sound profile, which some users may prefer, and their ANC can significantly block out more noise around you. Their integrated mic also offers better overall performance, they can be used passively with their 1/8" TRS cable, and their companion app offers a graphic EQ to help adjust their sound to your liking.

The Beats Studio3 Wireless are slightly better headset than the Beats Solo3 Wireless , thanks to noise cancellation. The Studio3 isolate a bit better in noisy conditions, which makes them a better option for commuting and travel than the Solo3. They also have a more comfortable over-ear design that most may prefer over the on-ear fit of the Solo3. The Solo3, on the other hand, are a bit more compact and have a much better battery life than the Studio variant. They also have a greater wireless range and better latency performance.

The Sony WH-H900N/h.ear on 2 Wireless have similar performance to the Beats Studio3 Wireless. The Sony have a better-balanced default sound profile and more customization options, thanks to their companion app. The Sony also have a sleeker-looking build quality that feels a bit more high-end than the Beats. The Beats, on the other hand, have a slightly stronger noise isolation performance and lower leakage. They also charge much faster and have a greater wireless range than the Sony. They're more stable for the gym and more comfortable for most users.

The  Bose QuietComfort 35/QC35 Wireless 2016  are a better headset overall than the Beats Studio3 Wireless. The Bose have a more comfortable over-ear fit and stronger noise cancellation that will isolate better in noisy environments. On the upside, the Beats have a better wireless range and a faster-charging battery life than the Bose. The Beats are also more stable for sports, and some will prefer their sleek and stylized over-ear design over the Bose's somewhat bland but more professional look.

The Beats Studio3 Wireless are better headphones than the Skullcandy Venue Wireless . The Beats have a more neutral sound profile as they pack a little less bass than the Skullcandy, and their treble is more mellow than harsh. They're better built and are more comfortable. Their ANC feature blocks more noise than the Skullcandy's, and the provided case is better. On the other hand, the Skullcandy can connect to two devices, and their bass isn’t as prone to inconsistencies as the Beats.

The Microsoft Surface Wireless Headphones are better for bass fans, while the Beats Studio3 Wireless have a more neutral sound quality with a not-so-veiled treble range. The Microsoft have a better and more complete control scheme that is satisfying to use. However, the feedback is better on the physical buttons of the Beats, but you get limited controls. Also, the Microsoft have better noise isolation performance and have about half of the Beats' battery life.

The  Bowers & Wilkins PX Wireless have a fairly similar performance to the Beats Studio3 Wireless. The Bowers & Wilkins isolate a lot better in noisy environments than the Beats, so they'll be more suitable for traveling and commuting. They also have a better more premium-looking build quality. Despite their adaptive audio reproduction, the Beats have more consistent audio delivery than the Bowers & Wilkins. They also have a sleeker over-ear fit that's more comfortable and more suitable for physical activities. The Beats also have longer battery life and charge a lot faster.

The Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 Wireless 2016 are a better wireless over-ear than the Beats Studio3 Wireless. The Beats have a slightly better-balanced default sound than the Plantronics. They're also more comfortable and portable and have a sleeker design that's stable enough for the gym and sports. On the other hand, the Plantronics have a better wireless range and battery life than the Beats. They also have easier-to-use controls with more functionality, and they sound a bit more exciting thanks to their deep and powerful bass range.

The Beats Studio3 Wireless are better mixed-use headphones than the Nura Nuraphone Wireless . The Beats are more comfortable, and they also come with an audio cable and an in-line microphone, which the Nura lacks inside the box. On the other hand, the personalization feature of the Nura is a unique experience you can’t get on the Beats headphones. The Nura also offer a longer battery life than the Beats.

The Beats Studio3 Wireless are slightly better headphones than the Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC . The Beats are noticeably more comfortable, slightly better built, and have a more premium feel than the Sennheiser. They also have a better-balanced sound profile, but our unit had significant phase mismatch and performed differently on various users. The ANC feature of the Beats is quite good, but the self-noise is pretty high and can be heard when no audio is being played through the headphones. The Sennheiser can connect to two devices simultaneously, and you can use them passively, which you can't do with the Beats.

The Sennheiser PXC 550 Wireless are marginally better than the Beats Studio3 Wireless if the most important thing for you is an accurate and neutral sound. The Beats are slightly more comfortable and have a noticeably better ANC feature, but when it comes to sound, the Sennheiser are more accurate. You can also customize the sound of the Sennheiser to your liking with their dedicated app, which the Beats don't have. They can also connect simultaneously to two devices, and you can use them wired when the battery is dead, which the Beats can't do.

Test Results

The Beats Studio3, like many other headphones from Beats' lineup, including the Beats Solo3 2019 Wireless , have a sleek and rounded look. The manufacturer's logo is on each ear cup. They're available in several understated or flashy colors to suit your preferences, which is great if you want something that matches your style.

These over-ears are very comfortable. The ear cups are well-padded, and the pressure is distributed well around your ears. While the headband isn't as cushioned as the ear cups and can feel rigid, it isn't too much of an issue. You can wear them for long listening sessions without feeling too much fatigue.

The Beats Studio3 have decent controls that are better than their predecessor, the Beats Studio Wireless . The controls are efficient and easy to use. The buttons also provide good tactile feedback, but they're completely flat, so it may be a bit tricky to distinguish when you're first using them.

The 'b button':

• One press: Plays and pauses audio. Also answers and ends calls. You can answer a second incoming call when you're on a call. This command also lets you switch between calls.
• One press and hold: Activates voice assistant. Rejects an incoming call.
• Double press: Skips to the next track.
• Double press and hold on the second press: Scan forward through your track.
• Triple press: Skips to the previous track.
• Triple press and hold on the third press: Scan backward through your track.

The ring surrounding the 'b button':

• One press above the 'b button': Raises the volume.
• One press below the 'b button': Lowers the volume.

The power button:

• Press and hold for one second: Turns the headphones on and off.
• Double press (while connected to a device): Turns the ANC on and off.

These headphones have a somewhat breathable design, but they're closed-back over-ears with a decent seal, so they trap a lot of heat. While it's not so noticeable if you're only listening to audio at your desk, trapped heat can make you sweat while using the headphones during a long walk.

These headphones are somewhat portable. They fold into a more compact format that's easier to transport with the provided hard case. While they won't fit in a pocket, you can place them in most small bags. However, they're still bulky, so they take up room however you want to store them.

These headphones come with a sturdy and compact hard case that can protect them against scratches, mild water damage, and falls.

The Beats Studio3 are well-built headphones. Their ear cups are made from dense plastic that feels sturdy, while their headband has a tough yet flexible metal frame. They're a bit thinner and less robust than the wired Beats Executive , and the plastic coating on the headband is prone to scratches and scuffs, but their overall build quality feels high-end and well-made.

These headphones have a stable fit. They don't move much when running, and since they're wireless, they won't accidentally fall off your head because the audio cable got hooked on something. However, they're still big over-ears and can slide a bit depending on the intensity of your workout routine.

• Beats Studio3 headphones
• Carrying case
• 1/8" TRRS cable
• USB-A to Micro-USB cable

These cans have a warm sound profile. The bass is slightly boomy, good for bass-heavy genres like EDM and hip-hop. However, the added bass muddies the rest of the mix while the treble response is somewhat weak, resulting in veiled vocals and instruments and weak sibilants like cymbals. They're also prone to inconsistencies in audio delivery and lack an EQ or presets to help you customize their sound to your liking.

These over-ears have mediocre frequency response consistency. Despite their noise cancelling and self-calibrating systems, they perform less consistently than other noise cancelling headphones, like the Sony MDR-1000X Wireless and the Sony WH-1000XM2 Wireless . Their bass and treble delivery vary based on fit, seal, and positioning. It can also be difficult to achieve a consistent listening experience, especially if you have thick hair or wear glasses, as these features can disrupt the headphones' seal on your head.

The bass accuracy is great. Although they lack a thumpy low-bass, the rest of the response is over-emphasized, which adds extra kick, warmth, and boom to your mixes. However, the extra high-bass makes mixes sound muddy. In songs like Satisfaction by Benny Benassi, the bassline has solid punch, which can sound energizing. However, it also bloats the rest of the mix.

Unfortunately, their bass delivery can vary noticeably across users: the quality of the fit, seal, and whether you wear glasses all affect how the bass sounds to you. Our response represents the average bass response, and your experience may vary.

These cans have very good mid accuracy. The low-mid is pretty overemphasized, which muddies and clutters the mix. However, the rest of the range is well-balanced. The mid-mid is fairly neutral, so vocals and lead instruments are present, but a small dip in the high-mid slightly weakens their detail and clarity.

The treble accuracy is okay. The response is underemphasized, resulting in veiled vocals and lead instruments. Sibilants like cymbals are also dull and lispy.

These headphones are prone to inconsistencies in treble delivery and are sensitive to fit and positioning. Our results represent the average response, and your experience may vary.

These headphones have a good peak and dips performance. There are a few deviations, but the headphones can follow their sound profile well overall. The peaks in the low to mid-bass and high bass to low-mid give a bit more kick and boom to your audio but also muddies the mix. A dip in the mid-mid nudges vocals and lead instruments to the back of the mix. The low-treble is also uneven, so the upper harmonics of vocals and lead instruments are alternatingly harsh and veiled. Sibilants like S and T sounds also sound a bit piercing.

The Beats Studio3's stereo imaging is disappointing. Beats usually ensure good quality control and ergonomics. However, since imaging varies across units, it's possible to encounter a product with mismatched drivers. Our unit's L/R drivers have a few spikes in the group delay's bass range, which indicates a loose bass. The rest of the response falls below the audibility threshold, resulting in more transparent imaging. While the drivers are matched regarding amplitude, they're very mismatched in frequency and phase response. The right driver is louder in the bass range than the left and is noticeable in bass-heavy songs.

The passive soundstage performance is poor. Even though these are over-ear headphones, they don't activate the outer ear with resonances, resulting in a small soundstage that seems to be coming from inside your head. Their closed-back design makes their soundstage seem less spacious, especially compared to open-back models.

These headphones support Apple's Spatial Audio, a feature that creates a more immersive audio experience. However, unlike the Apple AirPods (1st generation) Truly Wireless , you can't access this feature directly through your phone's volume settings. Spatial Audio is only available in supported apps with compatible content, like Apple Music, and using many of these services requires a subscription or additional fee.

The weighted harmonic distortion performance is decent. The response generally falls within good limits at moderate listening volumes, resulting in clear and pure audio reproduction. However, there's a peak in the low to mid-treble at higher volumes. It's hard to hear with real-life content, though.

These are the settings used to test the Beats Studio3. Our results are only valid when used in this configuration.

The Beats Studio3 have a decent noise isolation performance. However, they don't perform as well as competing models like the Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless , Bose QuietComfort 35 II/QC35 II Wireless 2018 , or the Microsoft Surface Wireless Headphones . While they barely reduce bass-range noise like bus or plane engines in the bass range, they do a better job of cutting down mid-range sounds like ambient chatter. They also do an outstanding job at blocking high-pitched noise like the hum of an AC unit. However, they produce a lot of self-noise with the ANC on, which can be distracting if there's no audio playing.

There have been a few user reports that after updating the headphones to firmware update 2.4.4, the headphones make a clicking noise in the left ear cup while in idle mode (power on and ANC on, but no audio playing). After updating our headphones to this firmware, we didn't hear any clicking sounds, regardless of whether audio was playing. However, if you've experienced this issue, please let us know in the discussions.

The leakage performance is great. Most leakage is found in the high-mid to mid-treble range, which sounds thin. In a noisy environment, people won't hear your audio if you have it cranked to a high volume.

These headphones have an integrated microphone. If you prefer to use these headphones wired, the cable also has an in-line microphone.

The integrated mic has a just okay recording quality. Your voice sounds slightly thin and lacking in detail and presence. There's also a bit of distortion present.

The microphone has disappointing noise handling. It struggles to separate your voice from ambient noise, even in moderately loud environments. As a result, if you're taking a call from a busy street, your voice will be drowned out.

The battery performance is good, and it's much better than that of the Beats Studio Wireless . At 23 hours of continuous playback on a single charge, they have almost twice the battery life. Battery life varies depending on use, though. They also only take about 30 minutes more to fully charge than the previous model. They also have a quick charge feature to give you about 2.5 hours of playback from 10 minutes of charging. Unfortunately, they don't have passive playback, so if the battery is completely dead, you can't use the headphones, even if you're using the analog cable.

The Beats app is disappointing. Like the Beats Solo3 2019 Wireless and the Apple AirPods (1st generation) Truly Wireless , the app has a few features available on iOS that aren't as well-implemented on Android. On iOS, they connect with a pop-up that displays basic battery information. You can also disable the ANC in the Bluetooth settings. However, this setting isn't available on Android, which is disappointing. However, you can always manually switch off noise cancelling by pressing the power button twice. If you're an Android user, the more recent Beats Studio Pro Wireless offer the same in-app features for Android and iOS.

The Beats Studio3 have decent Bluetooth compatibility. While they don't support multi-device or NFC pairing, they have a W1 chip for seamless pairing with other devices on your Apple device. They also have low latency on iOS and Android devices, which is nice if you stream video. However, their PC latency is much higher, which may cause audio and video syncing issues. That said, some apps and devices compensate for latency differently.

These headphones have a detachable 1/8" TRRS cable with an in-line remote microphone. However, you still need battery life left to use the analog cable. They also come with a micro-USB to USB-A cable for recharging the headphones.

The Beats Studio 3 are fully compatible with Bluetooth-enabled PCs when used wirelessly. You can also use their 1/8" TRRS cable to connect to PCs via their AUX port with full mic and audio compatibility. However, there needs to be battery life remaining to use the analog cable.

When connected via analog to the controller's AUX port, these headphones have full mic and audio compatibility on PlayStation consoles. The headphones don't support passive playback, so you'll need battery life remaining to use them wired.

These Bluetooth-only headphones aren't compatible with the Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S. However, if you use the provided audio cable, you can plug them into your controller for audio. However, the microphone won't work on these consoles. Additionally, since you can't use the headphones passively, there needs to be battery life remaining to use them via analog.

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Jeremy White

Beats Studio3 Wireless review: huge battery life with a solid sound

Superb wireless performance; top-notch battery; headphone socket

No auto shutdown; disappointing mid-range; hot ears!

Beats has done such a good job with the distinctive design and branding of its Studio line of over-ear headphones that you cannot help but notice the legions of people wearing them. They are almost ubiquitous. And while they seem to be winning on the aesthetic front, attracting a younger, “cooler” consumer, they have yet to win over the audiophile audience.

And it is perhaps with this mission in mind that Apple has launched the new Studio3 wireless headphones with active noise cancelling that are also packing Apple's W1 chip, which means you get the same seamless pairing as with the AirPods. But are they as good as Beats says they are? WIRED has been wearing them for two weeks to find out.

It’s fair to say that the designers at Beats have not been taxed too heavily with this new model for the lineup. The Studio3s adhere to the brand aesthetic religiously. What I have always liked about Beats over-ears is they do not stick out a mile from the side of your head, they have a slim profile for their category, and as such, if you go for the matt black version, can actually be quite subtle. As with all Beats products, though, go for brighter colours and you’d better have the swagger/wardrobe/youth to carry off the look.

The synthetic leather on the pads hint at where some cost savings have been carved out, though they are soft and very comfortable. And those who like feel and sturdiness of premium aluminium should look elsewhere, as the all plastic structure does not feel the finest quality, but it doesn’t creak either, to be fair.

One point of note was that after just one week, I noticed the black paint on the outer ear cup of my Studio3s had already started to rub off – this is far from ideal. Another design niggle was that after about 30 minutes use, my ears started to get uncomfortably hot in these headphones. The oval cut-outs in the pads do give enough room for my big ears, but it’s snug, and this maybe why my lugholes started to feel like they were in Southern Spain when the rest of me was in London.

The inclusion of a headphone socket is also pleasing to see - despite the fact that we really should all now be getting on board with wireless being the standard. The carry case is sturdy too, and comes with all your lead needs.

Colours : White, red, blue, black, grey, rose

Battery life : 22 hours of wireless playback with Pure ANC

Charging : Fast Fuel provides three hours of battery life with 10 minutes charge

Processor : Apple W1 chip

Price : £299.95

From the start you notice that W1 chip in play as pairing these cans is about as simple as it gets, and satisfyingly stress-free (especially with an iOS device). This is what we all wanted from Bluetooth connections from the very beginning: that the devices know each other are in proximity, sync in one tap and connection remains rock solid as long as the headphones are powered up.

Like with its watches and other recent headphones, Apple is doing great things with battery life on these accessories at the moment. It’s really great to know you are going to have enough juice to see you through a mammoth flight or road trip, and still have hours to spare on wireless connection, even with noise cancellation turned on constantly. With the Studio3s you get a very respectable 22 hours with wireless and ANC, besting Bose by two hours. But switch that active noise cancellation off and they will last up to 40 hours straight, which should be enough for whatever you are about to get up to. If you do need more charge, fast charging means you will get three hours of juice in just 10 minutes.

By Ryan Waniata

By Jaina Grey

By Medea Giordano

By Julian Chokkattu

You get the familiar Studio 5-LED indicator lights next to the power button to show roughly how much battery is charged when you switch them on. And speaking of that power button, it is annoyingly small and recessed so that you often spend time fumbling about feeling for it. The button controls on the left ear cup work much better but do illicit a cheap-sounding clunk for the wearer when pressed.

There’s another issue with that power button, unlike the Bose QC35s, the Studio3s have no auto-off feature when they are left inactive for a period of time. Why on earth not? This seems a ridiculous option to leave out. On more than a few occasions I returned to my Beats headphones to find them still on – and it was only thanks to that impressive battery life that they weren’t rendered useless as a result.

Apple's W1 chip enables its new Pure Adaptive Noise Canceling technology, which supposedly calibrates itself up to 50,000 times per second to adjust for head movement, fit and the shape of your ear. It also apparently switches to compensate for whatever environment you are listening in. Of course, this means they sound should be uniform wherever you are, and that is on the whole the impression I got from these cans.

I have heard better NC in other headphones, but what is on offer here is still very good and mercifully with a much lower level of background hiss that you get with some other NC headphones. Apple said in its briefing that these were designed to have the very best noise cancelling around. They haven’t quite hit this mark, but they are not far off.

The first thing you notice when listening with the Studio3s is that there is a lack of a bass onslaught on your hearing. This is surprising for the brand, and for some, including myself, it is welcome – initially at least. After a while I could not help but wonder if Apple, in its attempt to make a more grown-up sound for the Studio3s, had gone slightly too far.

On podcasts and talk radio, this soundscape worked very well, but switching to some classic Pink Floyd or funk-laden Meters left me feeling on occasion that something was missing not only in the bass but the mid ranges as well.

This is picking holes to a degree, mind you. It is doubtful that many will don a pair of Studio3s and be disappointed with the sound reproduction.

If you are after good-looking wireless noise-cancelling headphones then you will not be sad to have gone for the Studio3s. They deliver a nice sound, though not audiophile by any means, and are no longer bass monsters. Some will prefer a more engaging soundstage, but most will want the monster battery life on offer here and ease of use. As for the “best noise cancelling on the market”? No, not this time. But Beats could well be getting there.

This article was originally published by WIRED UK

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Beats PowerBeats 3 review

Fitness-focussed in-ears get the w1 treatment.

TechRadar Verdict

Solidly built and with a great battery life, the PowerBeats 3 get a lot of things right - but at this price point they need to do a little more to make them a worthwhile purchase. They're acceptable all-rounders with great battery life and solid bass response, but there are cheaper headphones out there that do much of what the PowerBeats 3 do, but better.

Great battery life

Solid bass response

Good wireless range

A bit bass-heavy

Fit could be better

Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

With the PowerBeats 3 we have a pair of dedicated fitness headphones from Beats – and they come fitted with the W1 chip, giving them even greater power within the Apple ecosystem.

What this Apple tie-in means is that once connected to an iPhone, these wireless earbuds will be recognized by an iPad, MacBook or Apple Watch linked to your iCloud account – so you can say goodbye to lengthy pairing sessions... at least in theory.

The W1 chip also brings with it a robust and long-reaching connection, meaning you can wander much further from your music without experiencing any jumping or cutting out. 

However, since the Powerbeats 3 were released the W1 chip has been usurped by Apple's mightier H1 chip, which you'll find in the 2019 Apple AirPods , AirPods Pro , and Beats Powerbeats Pro - and with the release of the fourth-gen Powerbeats , workout enthusiasts have more recent options for high-quality audio. 

If you can still find them on sale, though, the Powerbeats 3 are still worth considering.

As anyone into fitness will tell you, headphones that you plan on running or working out with need to fit well. The ear-hook design of the PowerBeats 3 is designed to stop them from falling out at all, with a range of tips to ensure a snug fit – though it wasn't always perfect in our experience.

If you’re in the market for a set of Beats buds that won’t fall out, then it’s going to cost you a little more than others on the market. Where you can get some Bluetooth headphones for as little as $20 / £15, the PowerBeats 3 were priced at a steeper $199.95 / £169.95 / AU$259.95 at launch – but for that you do get some considerable upgrades.

• Looking for more? These are the best running headphones you can buy

Beats PowerBeats 3: design

The design of the PowerBeats 3 doesn’t really deviate too much from the previous iterations, with the buds housed on long plastic oblongs, connecting to your ears with rubberiszd hooks – and of course, the obvious Beats logo on the side for the cachet owning such a brand confers for some.

There are a variety of tips in the box, with flanged buds among our favourites. However, while the hook design does stop the headphones falling off your head completely, it means that the seal in the ear isn’t always total – the hook pressing against the outside of one’s ear can prise the buds out slightly, so noise isolation ends up not being perfect.

Initially the hooks were far too wide, and the PowerBeats 3 fell out the ear and dangled around too often. However, the hooks will bend slightly, and if you narrow the angle you’ll get a pretty comfortable fit.

They did start to come loose once during a 5K race, where there was no time to stop and refit them properly (and thus were just left to flap about a bit), but otherwise we had no issue with fit during testing.

The power button, which is flush along the top of the oblong units the buds are attached to, can be hard to find with the finger – especially if you didn’t realize it was there at first, as we did. And as it’s not proud from the unit, turning the PowerBeats 3 on and off with gloves is a nightmare, with guesswork really your only option.

The inline remote is strong and easy to use though, with pronounced buttons and a strong build quality making it easy to click to change the volume, take a call or skip tracks with double or triple taps.

Good build quality is something we expect from Apple products, and the PowerBeats 3 offer just that – everything from the logo to the attached toggle (to let you customize the length of the cord dangling around your neck) feels premium, and helps make the higher cost more palatable.

Beats PowerBeats 3: sound quality and connection

Where many fitness headphones err on the tinny side when it comes to sound quality, preferring to pump up the volume so your music can be heard when pounding the streets or grunting through weight-lifting, the PowerBeats 3 do have a richer sound to them.

The bass is higher than you’ll find on many other headphones, but not to an insane level – the buds don’t reverberate in your ears, just give more of a fullness to what you’re listening to.

It's the level of bass that makes the headphones feel like a pair of sports earbuds. Bass response is tight rather than booming, but we'd be lying if we said it didn't overwhelm on occasion. Perfect for when your on a workout, but less good when you want a more laid-back, relaxed listen. 

That's not to say the headphones don't have mids and highs aplenty, but they can get a little trapped behind that bass. 

Detail is also good from the PowerBeats 3, with lots of pleasing little touches apparent in your favorite songs. 

The volume is actually a touch lower than it could be, as the fact they don’t always fit snugly meaning that you’re not always able to hear the action in noisy environments – but then again, that might be a helpful thing for saving your eardrums later in life.

The connection on the PowerBeats is strong throughout their use – although we did have a couple of issues with them during the test. It only occurred on a run in -6C (21.2F) temperature, but twice the PowerBeats just shut off and needed to be re-paired with the iPhone 7 Plus to get music playing again.

This initial connection can sometimes be tough to work out. The way most people use Bluetooth headphones is to place them on their head then turn the power on, using the audio prompts to confirm connection.

However, with the PowerBeats 3, turning them on doesn’t offer an instant audio signal that they’ve been powered on – you need to wait a few seconds to hear a sound confirming connection with the phone.

However, holding the power button for too long initiates pairing mode, so it became a choice between just guessing how long before the headphones were turned on or doing so before placing them on.

And even then, there were times when we needed to re-pair the headphones by holding them close to an iPhone or iPad – it’s cool to see the pop-up box appear when in proximity to the headphones, but it’s unclear why it was needed from time to time. 

However, outside of these issues we found the range of the headphones to be excellent, allowing us to venture much further from our phone than is typical without the connection dropping off. 

Beats PowerBeats 3: battery life

One of the most impressive things about the PowerBeats 3 is the battery life on offer, with it being nothing short of excellent. 

While the decision to use microUSB as a charging port might seem odd for an Apple product, it does mean that many people will have a few suitable cables lying around – and there’s obviously one included in the box.

Given the fact these headphones are designed to work so well with products in the Apple ecosystem, it won’t be a surprise if future models are Lightning-connected instead.

In terms of battery longevity, we used the PowerBeats 3 for four to five days on average before needing to charge them again, and that’s with both regular runs and general commuting use.

For instance, a two-hour run at the weekend saw just a 20% drop, which was an excellent performance from headphones that don’t look like they’ve got massive batteries inside.

Charging times are also swift, with just a few minutes on charge easily enough to see you home if you’ve realised they’re empty just ahead of your train ride.

The PowerBeats 3 are well-made, long-lasting and with good sound quality, which is a pleasing trio of merit for fitness headphones.

The fit is pretty good, and for people with more ‘enclosed’ ears likely almost perfect. Some might struggle to get a good seal with the tips, thanks to the hooks holding the buds at a slightly wider angle, but overall the PowerBeats are comfortable to wear.

The main sticking point will be the price, which isn’t going to be alien to Beats customers. If you’re just after a pair of headphones you can throw on before you go for a run, there are plenty of other cheaper options out there which will pump sound into your ears if that’s all you’re after (check out the Optoma NuForce BE6i as a good example). 

Likewise if you want a non-fitness focussed pair of headphones there are cheaper, better-sounding alternatives out there. 

Where the Powerbeats 3 impress is when used as a combination of the two – being able to drift from fitness speakers to headphones you can use walking down the street, these stay in place and offer great sound quality.

• Check out our guides to the best wireless headphones and the best in-ear headphones .

Gareth has been part of the consumer technology world in a career spanning three decades. He started life as a staff writer on the fledgling TechRadar, and has grown with the site (primarily as phones, tablets and wearables editor) until becoming Global Editor in Chief in 2018. Gareth has written over 4,000 articles for TechRadar, has contributed expert insight to a number of other publications, chaired panels on zeitgeist technologies, presented at the Gadget Show Live as well as representing the brand on TV and radio for multiple channels including Sky, BBC, ITV and Al-Jazeera. Passionate about fitness, he can bore anyone rigid about stress management, sleep tracking, heart rate variance as well as bemoaning something about the latest iPhone, Galaxy or OLED TV.

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Beats Studio3 Wireless review: Beats' best headphone looks the same, performs better

You can argue over whether Beats made a mistake not redesigning its flagship headphone on the outside, but it does perform significantly better and now costs less online.

• Maggie Award for Best Regularly Featured Web Column/Consumer

Update, June 1, 2018

The Beats Studio3 Wireless reviewed here was released in September 2017, and it remains one of our top picks for wireless noise-canceling headphones. While we don't rate it as highly as the Sony WH-1000XM2 and Bose QuietComfort 35 II , the price for the Beats Studio3 Wireless has dropped in recent months -- you can get it for less than $225  (£200 or AU$400) online. That makes it a more attractive option in this category.

Beats Studio3 Wireless

The bottom line.

Check out CNET's best headphones for more information on competitive products.

The original review of the Beats Studio3 Wireless -- first published November 30, 2017 and otherwise mostly unchanged -- follows.

When you've got a good thing going, why rock the boat? 

That's the philosophy behind Beats' flagship noise-canceling headphone, the Studio3 Wireless, which costs $215, £200 or AU$400. Aside from a few new color options it looks virtually identical to its predecessor , which was released four years ago. 

My first reaction to seeing the "new" high-end Beats was probably the same as yours: "Wait, it has exactly the same design as the one that came out in 2014. Really?"

Yes, really. Thanks to some stitching tweaks, the earpads are slightly softer, which makes it a touch more comfortable, but that's about it. 

Dig a little deeper, however, and changes inside abound. The new Beats is a better performing headphone on several fronts, including sound, battery life and noise canceling.  

Same on the outside, different on the inside.

I wasn't able to crack the headphone open to see those changes, but Beats says it has completely redesigned the guts or DNA of this headphone, with not only new drivers but new circuitry that includes Apple's W1 chip found in other Beats wireless headphones -- the PowerBeats3 Wireless , the Solo3 Wireless and the BeatsX -- and Apple's AirPods . 

That W1 chip makes connecting the headphone to Apple devices dead simple and also helps deliver better battery life. It's now up to 22 hours with wireless and noise canceling on, double that of the previous model .  

Battery life numbers vary with volume levels, so you may not get quite that amount, but I was able to consistently hit at least 20 hours of playback and sometimes more before I had to recharge (that's slightly better than the Bose QuietComfort 35 II battery life). Turn off noise canceling and that number goes up to 40 hours. Meanwhile, the Beats Fast Fuel feature gives you three hours of playback from just 10 minutes of charging.

Yes, this headphone works with non-Apple Bluetooth audio devices -- I paired them to a  Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus , for example -- but their special pairing feature is limited to Apple devices running  iOS 10  or later,  WatchOS 3  or later or MacOS Sierra or later. 

Stepped-up sound quality and stronger noise canceling

Aside from the battery life, the two big upgrades here are to the sound quality and noise canceling. I compared this new Studio Wireless to the older version and this model sounds slightly cleaner, with better bass definition and a bit more natural sound. It's not a huge difference -- we thought the 2014 Studio Wireless sounded good -- but it's noticeable.

Beats' sound is well known for bass bloat, but on the Studio Wireless that's a thing of past. These are relatively well-balanced headphones. There's plenty of bass but it's not overpowering or boomy. In fact, the bass was arguably a little more articulate than the bass on Sony's WH-1000XM2 , which is one of the best-sounding Bluetooth headphones.

That Sony has a little bit more transparency and may be the better headphone to listen to over longer listening sessions. But the Beats was arguably the more dynamic, exciting headphone. For instance, it brought a little more energy to Rag 'n Bone Man's "Human" track. And the Beats is going to be a good fit for those who listen to a lot of EDM and hip-hop. Or as fellow CNET editor Ty Pendlebury remarked, "It's really good headphone for people who listen to pop music."

Compared to my current favorite in this class, Bose's QuietComfort 35 II, it's something of a toss-up for sound quality. The Bose has a bit more open soundstage and I felt I could hear separate instruments more distinctly. But the Beats' treble sounded a bit sweeter. They're both enjoyable headphones to listen to, but I rated the Bose higher mainly because it's a little more comfortable and folds flat to fit in a more compact carrying case.

I personally think Beats' headphone's inability to fold flat for travel is a weakness. I rarely used the carrying case because I found it too bulky. If there's a design upgrade Beats needs to make, it's to add another hinge. Most other premium wireless noise-canceling headphones (Sony, Bose, Bowers & Wilkins PX ) folds flat, which allows for a slimmer case that fits better in your bag. 

The headphones fold up to fit in the same somewhat bulky hard carrying case that came with the previous model -- but they don't fold flat.

The upgrade in noise canceling is more pronounced. Beats' new proprietary noise cancelling technology, which it's calling Pure Adaptive Noise Canceling or Pure ANC, is constantly monitoring your environment and calibrates the noise canceling to the sound around you, whether it's plane, train, restaurant or wind noise.

Similar to Sony's MDR-1000X and new WH-1000XM2 , the headphone also has a microphone on the inside of each earcup to calibrate the noise canceling to the fit of the headphone, adjusting for "leakage caused by hair, glasses, different ear shapes and movement of your head as you go about the day," company reps told me.

Beats says the W1 chip is what allows the adaptive noise canceling to be always monitoring the world without draining the battery.

I mainly used the headphones in the streets of New York and on the subway. While the noise canceling is a slight step behind those of the Bose's and Sony's, I was still pretty impressed. It's significantly more effective than the previous model's noise cancellation. It's almost as good at muffling voices in a open office environment as the Bose QC 35 II, but the Beats has a very faint hiss, while the Bose doesn't. You won't hear that hiss when your music is on, but turn the music off and you hear it. 

It's also worth mentioning this headphone works well as a headset for making phone calls. As you're talking, you can hear your voice, which keeps you from talking too loudly. Callers said they could hear me clearly.  

The stitching on the earpads has been tweaked to make the pads slightly softer.

Am I disappointed Beats didn't upgrade the exterior design of this headphone? Yeah, a little. While Beats claims it was very pleased with the headphone's acoustic design and ergonomics and wanted to unlock its full potential with new components, I think there's some room for improvement on the design front.

Fold-flat gripes aside, this was and still is a comfortable, durable headphone that's enjoyable to listen to and worked reliably with rock-solid Bluetooth performance. Beats has taken a good wireless noise-canceling headphone and significantly increased its performance. It may not be better than competing models from Bose and Sony, but I still liked it a lot. Of course, it would be nice if it cost a little less.   

Studio3 Wireless key specs

• Redesigned acoustic components and an upgraded manufacturing process
• Integrated Apple W1 chip, which enables one-step Bluetooth connection to iPhone via proximity pairing. Additionally, iPhone users can switch between devices logged into the same iCloud account to easily move from an iPhone conversation to watching a movie on your MacBook . (The headphone also works with Android and other Bluetooth-enabled devices.)
• Nearly double the battery life of the Beats Studio3's predecessor, totaling 22 hours of wireless playback with Pure ANC on
• Turning Pure ANC off you get up to 40 hours of nonstop playback in low power mode without sacrificing audio quality
• Fast Fuel feature gives you up to three hours of playback after just 10 minutes of charging via the included Micro-USB cable (headphone must be powered to use)
• Class 1 Bluetooth provides optimal connectivity for fewer drop-outs and extended range from your iOS or Android devices
• Built-in controls and microphone allow you to make calls, skip songs, control your volume and activate Siri
• Pure ANC uses advanced algorithms to continuously monitor your listening environment, so that it can best block out ambient noise -- not only on an airplane, but also in a noisy café or a busy office
• Pure ANC also evaluates fit and adjusts for leakage caused by hair, glasses, different ear shapes and movement of your head 
• Additionally, Pure ANC simultaneously checks what you're hearing while noise canceling is applied against the original music content to adjust and ensure optimal audio fidelity
• The headphone comes in four base colors (white, red, blue and matte black) and two special-edition colors (shadow gray and porcelain rose)

The buttons and controls are the same. 

Score Breakdown

Featured Article

After five years, Beats Studio 3’s replacement is finally here

The studio pro brings enhanced sound quality, spatial audio and — most importantly — usb-c for $349.

Next week, Beats will have debuted its first product 15 years ago. The headphone maker quickly established itself as a status symbol, on the strength of partnerships with musicians and sports influencers. It was a rare feat in the world of consumer electronics, where cool factor largely takes a back seat to functionality.

For Beats, that sometimes meant sacrificing quality in those days. Its early products were notorious for overcompensating with overwhelming bass. In the decade and a half since, however, the company has improved products beyond the design language. More recent headphones have offered a much more well-rounded experience, and the company was ahead of the game when it came to adaptive noise-canceling technologies.

While Apple’s 2014 acquisition of Beats was primarily about hitting the ground running with a Spotify competitor, Apple has largely been a good steward. As a headphone maker, Beats continues to operate as its own brand, and while the companies do clearly share technologies (including Apple’s in-house silicon), Beats can continue focusing on the things that made it successful in the first place.

I likely say some version of this every time the company releases a new pair of headphones, but Beats isn’t — and likely will never be — an audiophile brand. If you prioritize sound quality above all else, I still recommend Sony’s WH-1000XM5 in the over-ear category. If you’ve asked me to recommend a pair of plane headphones in the past couple of years, I’ve almost certainly recommended them.

Beats, meanwhile, are vibing headphones. They’re the headphones you wear to pump yourself up. There’s a reason you see a lot more people at the gym lifting weights in them than any other company. It’s the same reason they’re one of the rare things in this world that can unite LeBron, Draymond Green, James Harden and Kevin Durant. They’re tuned and built for action. Touches like the large play/pause button on the ear cup make them much easier to operate on the go.

That certainly applies to the Beats Studio Pro. The new $350 headphones are very much in line with the brand’s trajectory. They’re effectively the long-awaited successor to 2017’s Beats Studio 3 . They’re good walking around headphones. I’ve been wearing them a lot while cleaning my apartment. But if I’m looking to, say, appreciate the nuances of my favorite jazz album, I’m reaching for the Sony’s.

They continue to offer excellent noise-canceling and are quite comfortable. Coupled with a stated 40 hours of battery life on a charge, I wouldn’t hesitate to pop them in my carry-on for a long trip. They also fold up nicely and compactly. The audio quality has continued to be refined, but I would hesitate to recommend them over several pairs when it comes to offering the most well-balanced music-listening experience.

In terms of breathability, well, that’s all relative. It’s been humid and in the 90s here in New York, so I’ve largely avoided wearing them outside during the day. But I would say that for all over-ear headphones. They’re nice and snug and will probably stay comfortably on your head when going for a run, but I’ve reserved the Studio Buds+ for my morning workouts. I just can’t comfortably sweat with over-ear headphones on. I’m not LeBron James, as surprising as that might seem. I would also need to have them in perpetual transparency mode when navigating the city — it’s generally easier to be more alert in earbuds.

There are some nice touches here. The ability to continue listening while the headphones are charging is great — and not something everyone offers. Active noise-canceling and transparency are disabled when plugged in, but that’s mostly not a big deal. Those features, meanwhile, can be used when utilizing the 3.5 mm port — a must-have for flights. The color palette is more muted, which makes them a bit more versatile.

Spatial audio is present — that’s the Apple influence. I have yet to be convinced that it isn’t superfluous on headphones. It makes a lot more sense on speakers like the HomePod, which can offer a much more dramatic presentation of audio in a three-dimensional space. Here, it’s more about keeping the audio source fixed in space as you turn your head (Apple platforms only). Compatibility with lossless audio is far more useful, especially as that feature is one of Apple Music’s biggest selling points over Spotify.

Design wise, they’re not a huge departure from the Studio 3s — more of a refinement. In fact, that can probably be used to sum up the entirety. In spite of the five-year gap and the name change, the Studio Pros are a huge step up from the Studio 3s. And they bring some nice updates. Keep in mind, the 3s are so old they still feature micro USB — a mind-boggling fact in 2023. Also, kudos to Beats/Apple for maintaining the $349 price point after half a decade, particularly in an era when the price of electronics is continually on the rise.

If you’ve gravitated toward Beats in the past, you’ll find plenty to like here. They’re on sale starting July 23.

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Beats Solo 3 Wireless review

Expert's Rating

Our verdict.

The Beats Solo 3 Wireless are potentially amazing headphones – assuming you’re happy with the familiar plastic (and durable) design to start with. We’re impressed with the features on offer here, particularly the best battery life we’ve ever seen on a pair of wireless headphones. Sound quality is good, but more than most headphones you need to be a fan of bass-dominant music for the Solo 3 Wireless to suit you. If you’re likely to listen to other genres far more, then we’d recommend looking elsewhere.

Price When Reviewed

Best prices today: beats solo 3 wireless.

Apple’s range of Beats by Dre headphones are now in their third-generation and the Solo 3 Wireless provide a good combination of price, design and sound quality. We’re most impressed with the amazing battery life, but do you listen to the right music to make the most out of them? Find out in our full review.

Beats Solo 3 Wireless: Price and Availability

The Solo 3 headphones cost £249/$299 which is fairly pricey for on-ear wireless headphones, but they’ve got decent specs and features so it’s not outrageous

You can get them directly from Apple but if you head to Amazon you can save around £50, depending on what colour you want.

At under £200, they’re a pretty good value deal.

Beats Solo 3 Wireless: Design and Build

You’ll no doubt be familiar with the Beat style, which has remained similar through the generations and is unlikely to change any time soon. Apple even says “Beats Solo3 Wireless stays true to its predecessor”.

The Solo 3, like other headphones in the range, is instantly recognisable and that’s a big reason to buy and use Beats headphones. It’s unsurprising considering how difficult it is to avoid the brand when switching on the TV, especially with sportsmen and women.

Whether you’re a fan or not, the Beats brand is undeniably cool and trendy.

Although at this price we’re accustomed to materials like metal, the Solo 3 Wireless stick to a plastic build. It doesn’t feel as premium compared to rival brands but does mean they are lightweight and durable – it’s somewhat astonishing how much you can bend and twist the headband with no sign of breaking.

The headphones come with a padded case but you might not even feel the need to use it. It might come down to which colour you choose, as our sample is glossy black so more susceptible to scratches.

Even so we haven’t seen anything major from having them loose in a rucksack every day, and the headband doesn’t adjust from the right setting which makes for a nice change.

You’ll probably spend quite a while choosing a colour as the Solo 3 Wireless come in no less than 14 different options. Some are block colour, while others have a two-tone approach.

So far we’re pretty impressed as long as you don’t mind the plastic design. Our only real complaint is that, despite the soft cushions, the headphones get a little uncomfortable after a while due to the inwards pressure.

Beats Solo 3 Wireless: Features and Sound Quality

Before we get to sound quality, there are various features that the Solo 3 Wireless offer – they help to justify the price.

For starters, the headphones have Apple’s W1 chip which means easy pairing. You just need Bluetooth on and the Solo 3 near the device you want to pair. A notification will pop up and you’re away.

That said, this all happened with our iPhone X but the first time we played music it came out of the phone speaker so we had to dive into the settings menu to connect to the headphones.

There are buttons on the side of the left earcup to control playback, volume and calls. They’re not touch sensitive but that’s a good thing as good old traditional buttons are far more reliable and they don’t require a hefty push to work.

More important is the epic battery life on offer here. Up to a staggering 40 hours, according to Apple and you can get three hours from a quick five minute charge. This means you’ll be able to use the headphones for days if not weeks without needing to worry, which is a rare thing for wireless headphones.

Should you get caught (you can check battery level via five LEDs by tapping the power button) out and the battery does die, you can simply plug in the RemoteTalk cable to use them with anything that has a 3.5mm jack (not the iPhone X without an adapter). This has an in-line control and mic.

When it comes to sound quality, the Solo 3 Wireless aren’t like a lot of headphones we’ve tested. Whether you’ll like them will come down to your personal taste and largely the type of music you listen to.

Beats were well known for being too bass heavy and therefore unbalanced in frequency response. Although things have changed a bit now we’re on the Solo 3 Wireless, it’s still something of an issue for us.

We started off listening to The Prodigy and we were pretty blown away, with no running in the Solo 3 Wireless sounded awesome. However, switching to something completely different means they can sound like a different pair of headphones or like there’s an intermittent issue stopping them work properly.

Listen to songs you know, and the Solo 3 Wireless can sound muddy and uncertain in sound, with no care or accord for the intricacies of some music. We found this to be the case when listening to music genres like folk where individual instruments and vocals are integral.

You will get somewhat used to how they sound for various genres over time, but compare them to some other decent headphones and you’ll realise what you’re missing out on.

Move towards pop and EDM (electronic dance music) and these sorts of processed tracks are well suited to the headphones.

The tuning is much better than original Beats, as there’s far more attention to the mid-range but we still find it often gets pretty drowned out by the bass. When it comes to high-end, the Solo 3 Wireless just aren’t as clear and crisp when compared to headphones around this price.

Author: Chris Martin , Reviews Editor

Tech Advisor's Reviews Editor, Chris has been reviewing all kinds of tech for over 10 years and specialises in audio. He also covers a range of topics including home entertainment, phones, laptops, tablets and more.

Recent stories by Chris Martin:

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Beats Solo 3 Review: My Honest Thoughts on the Trendy Headphones

With top-notch battery life, a foldable design and more, these on-ear headphones are worth it.

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You've probably spotted someone wearing the trendy Beats Solo 3 at the gym or on your morning commute. Featuring the Apple W1 chip, these headphones connect instantaneously to Apple devices (and yes, they're compatible with Android devices too).

On top of their powerful battery life, intuitive controls and minimalist design, there are many reasons why someone would be drawn to the Solo 3. To find out whether these noise-isolating headphones are the right choice for you, and how they compare to other top-performing headphones on the market today, our pros put them to the test.

Below you'll find everything you need to know about these on-ear headphones and whether or not they're worth it for you, and where there's room for improvement.

Beats Solo 3

There’s no denying that the Beats Solo 3 headphones have an appealing look. Not only are these sleek on-ear headphones more compact and minimalist than most over-ear counterparts, but they're available in metallic shades like gold, rose gold and silver as well as classic shades like black and red.

When testing out the headphones myself, I found on-ear controls easier to use than other headphones that try to incorporate complicated and confusing gestures. Beats keeps things simple with a small button on the right earcup that turns the headphones on and off, while a large “b” button on the left earcup lets you pause or play tracks with a quick press. A double tap skips to the next song, while a triple tap goes back a track. You can also adjust the volume from this same button.

While the Beats do feature a headphone jack so you can establish a wired connection (like when you want to use an airplane’s entertainment system), keep in mind that it doesn't come with a 3.5mm AUX cable. The brand suggests purchasing the Beats RemoteTalk cable separately, though we wish it came included.

When I initially put on the Beats, they felt comfortable and fit securely over my ears. Though I was worried the band would be too big for my head, the fit was perfect (and easily adjustable if needed). They're great headphones if you’re someone who has trouble wearing in-ear earbuds, or if you tend to find over-ear headphones a bit too bulky.

Unfortunately, the Beats started to feel uncomfortable after roughly 30 minutes. They put intense pressure on my ears, and the tightness was made worse when my glasses began to painfully dig into the sides of my head. Because I'm someone who frequently takes long-haul flights and has a lengthy commute, the Solo 3 likely won't replace my go-to over-ear headphones anytime soon, which are ultimately more comfortable for extended use and better at blocking out sounds.

Sound quality

When streaming music, I found the Beats Solo 3 audio quality to be crisp and clear. While it wasn't as exceptional as other headphones I've tested, most casual listeners will be satisfied with the Solo 3’s performance while audiophiles should search elsewhere. If you're willing to spend just a bit more, the Bose QuietComfort are an excellent alternative that offers fantastic sound quality, noise cancellation and a super comfortable fit. Or if you have even more wiggle room in your budget, you could consider the Bose 700 , our top-performing nosie-cancelling headphones in recent Lab tests, or 2024 Good Housekeeping Travel Awards winner, the Sony XM5 .

Noise isolation

When testing the Beats out on a flight, I found that their on-ear design isolated noise out well, though not nearly as effectively as other noise-cancelling headphones or earbuds.

Because the Beats Solo 3 don’t feature active noise cancellation, a technology that uses built-in microphones to actively pick up and listen to the sounds around you and produce a counter soundwave to neutralize background noise, it’s normal that I could still hear low frequencies like the hum of the plane over my music. The headphones did help mask out conversations around me as well as announcements, but if you’re looking to tune out the world entirely you’re better off spending a bit more and investing in noise-cancelling headphones.

The Solo 3 headphones feature noise isolation by the nature of its design, which helps block out external noise by covering up your ears. However, the lack of active noise cancellation means that these headphones don't feature any type of transparency mode that lets sound through with the press of a button. To hear someone speaking clearly, you'll have no choice but to take off the headset.

Battery life

According to Beats, the Solo 3 should last up to 40 hours. For comparison's sake, that’s 20 hours more than some of the best headphones out there like the Bose 700 or the AirPods Max . Because the Beats don’t feature active noise cancellation, they require less power overall and should last you several days without needing a boost.

When it comes to charging, the Solo 3 use microUSB. Fortunately, you'll still get fast charging (in fact, a 5-minute charge should provide 3 hours of playback). On the downside, you'll be stuck bringing the microUSB cable with you everywhere as opposed to the more versatile USB-C that most devices these days rely on.

Portability

If there's one feature I love about the Beats Solo 3, it's their portability. When traveling, the headphones easily fit into my mini travel backpack without me having to fight for space. Plus, they're super lightweight at under half a pound and even more compact. The Beats fold up neatly when you're ready to store them in their softshell carrying case that comes included. Admittedly, the case isn't the sturdiest I've seen, but it'll protect the headphones from any scratches they could collect in a backpack or purse. Just keep in mind that the case is a bit flimsy and won’t protect as effectively as a hard-shell case would in the case of a spilled water bottle or an accidental drop.

Bottom line: Are the Beats Solo 3 worth it?

The Beats are sleek, compact and connect seamlessly to iPhones once initially set up, similar to AirPods. That means that you likely won't have to go into your Bluetooth settings to establish a connection to start streaming music. Connecting to Android is also easy, though not quite as fluid.

At under $150, the Solo 3 are reasonably priced and offer impressive battery life as well as solid noise isolation. The sound quality doesn't disappoint. But if you're looking for super comfortable headphones to wear for hours at the office or premium noise cancellation is a priority, our pros advise checking out some of our favorite noise-cancelling headphones and earbuds. By investing a little bit more, you can ultimately find a better bang for your buck.

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

Product Reviews Analyst and Writer Olivia Lipski tests and reviews the latest gadgets and gear in tech, travel, fitness, home and more, including audio equipment like AirPods alternatives , JBL earbuds and AirPods Max vs. Sony XM5 . Not only does she bring years of product review experience to GH, but since joining in 2021 she tests at least 25 pairs of earbuds and headphones per year and rotates them out as she takes flights, commutes to the Hearst Tower or walks her dog.

Olivia (she/her) is a media and tech product reviews analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute , covering tech, home, auto, health and more. She has more than five years of experience writing about tech trends and innovation and, prior to joining GH in 2021, was a writer for Android Central, Lifewire and other media outlets. Olivia is a graduate of George Washington University, with a bachelor's degree in journalism, political science and French, and she holds a master’s degree in communications from Sciences Po Paris.

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Beats Solo3 Wireless review

Published on February 12, 2024

Beats Solo3 Wireless

Beats , an Apple subsidiary, has historically determined what’s fashionable among consumer audio products. Its Beats Solo3 Wireless may be a few years old, but the on-ear aesthetic could easily fit into the company’s modern lineup. If you don’t need the latest and greatest features, the Solo3 will serve you well with its W1 chip integration, fast charging, and exceptionally long battery life.

We’ve spent two weeks with the Beats Solo3 Wireless to better inform you if it’s good for your needs.

Editor’s note: this Beats Solo3 Wireless review was updated on February 12, 2024, to answer more FAQs.

iPhone owners will benefit from the W1 chip of the Solo3, though it’s not quite as efficient as the newer H1 chip. What’s more, AAC support ensures reliable high-quality streaming on iPhones, iPads, and Macbooks.

Fashion-conscious listeners will enjoy the subdued design of the Beats Solo3 Wireless. This headset is available in a wide variety of colors, guaranteed to scratch your style itch. The on-ear design may not be the most comfortable, but its low profile compliments almost all outfits.

What’s it like to use the Beats Solo3 Wireless?

The Beats Solo3 Wireless is akin to other Beats headphones . Our original review unit featured a glossy black finish, which proved a fingerprint magnet. However, our current matte-grey model effectively resists oil smudges but remains easily scuffed. The hard plastic seems durable enough, but the hinges and headband flexibility are cause for concern. A pleather material hugs the foam ear pads, making these a fine option for vegans.

Clamping force may pose an issue for listeners prone to tension headaches: by nature of the on-ear design , an undue amount of pressure is placed on the ears to isolate the listener from their surroundings and keep the headset in place. If you wear glasses, do yourself a favor and skip on-ears altogether. You’ll be much more comfortable with earbuds or over-ear headphones .

Beats include a few accessories with its Solo3 Wireless; you’re afforded a soft zippered carrying case with a carabiner, 3.5mm aux cable, and micro-USB charging cable. Yes, these headphones precede Apple’s push for its proprietary Lightning cable. The zippered case is an okay inclusion and great for anyone with limited bag space as you can just hook it on externally, but if you actually want to protect the Solo3 Wireless, get a hardshell case .

How do you control the Beats Solo3 Wireless?

The Beats Solo3 Wireless includes a 3.5mm input for your headphone jack . Assuming you have a compatible smartphone, you can enjoy high-quality wired audio with ease. When listening in wired mode on an Android phone, the cable controls are ineffective, and you won’t be able to adjust the volume or control playback, which you can still do from an iPhone and wired connection. Below are the controls when listening wirelessly.

How do you connect the Beats Solo3 Wireless to an iOS or Android device?

The W1 chip is programmed to immediately communicate with a nearby iOS device. When you initially power the headset on, a pop-up card will prompt you to pair the Solo3 Wireless to your iPhone. Once a connection is established between the two devices, all of your other iCloud source devices will recognize the Beats Solo3 Wireless. This same chip also gives the wireless range a huge boost. If the phone is in your pocket or backpack, you won’t have an issue at all. We can get to around 30 meters easily without skipping at all.

While quick pairing was initially only supported on Apple devices, the Beats Solo3 Wireless now also supports fast pairing on Android. A card will pop up on your Android device when you power up the headphones, enabling you to connect the headphones to your device with a single tap.

The headset supports AAC for high-quality streaming on iPhones . If you have an Android, you’re better off forcing SBC streaming, as AAC’s performance is a bit inconsistent  across non-iOS devices. Then again, you could always reach for that included headphone cable, too.

How long does the battery last on the Beats Solo3 Wireless?

Our battery testing yielded an incredible 45 hours and 8 minutes of playback before the headset was drained. As if this weren’t impressive enough, the Beats Solo3 Wireless Fast Fuel technology is remarkable: just five minutes of charging supplies approximately 180 minutes of playtime. This is great for listeners in a pinch and is sure to get you through a round-trip commute to and from work.

If you’re on iOS, there is a handy battery widget that you can add in the widgets section of your phone in order to keep track of the battery life of all of your connected devices. If you don’t feel like pulling out your phone every time you want to check the battery life of your Beats Solo3 Wireless (or if you’re on Android), there’s another simple way to check battery life as well. Simply press and release the power button, and it will light up the LED lights corresponding to how much battery is left.

How well does the Beats Solo3 Wireless block noise?

Since these are on-ear headphones, isolation is just okay. High-frequency noises are well-tempered, but low-frequency noise, like a jet engine, can easily cut through the Solo3 Wireless. When you wiggle your ears or even move your head, you may displace the headset a bit, which will only worsen the isolation. If you want more effective isolation but like the look of on-ears, you may want to consider over-ear headphones or hunt around for the Beats Solo Pro. The Solo Pro has an exceptionally strong clamping force, which was too painful for me, but isolates well in tandem with noise canceling technology.

No, the Beats Solo3 Wireless does not have active noise canceling (ANC). If you’re after noise canceling headphones, there are plenty of other options to choose from that are superb. You can go with the Sony WH-1000XM5 or XM4  if you want top-of-the-line ANC or even the IPX4-rated Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700 , which are surprisingly good and have a sleek design.

Hold up! Something’s different:

This article’s frequency response and isolation charts were measured with our old testing system. We have since purchased a  Bruel & Kjaer 5128 test fixture  (and the appropriate support equipment) to update our testing and data collection. It will take a while to update our backlog of old test results, but we will update this review (and many others!) once we’re able with improved sound quality measurements and ANC performance plots. These will be made obvious with our  new chart aesthetic (black background instead of white). Thank you for bearing with us, and we hope to see you again once we’ve sorted everything out.

How does the Beats Solo3 Wireless sound?

The Beats Solo3 Wireless has a less emphatic bass response than other Beats products. Yes, low notes are amplified over mids and treble, but not so much so as to completely degrade audio quality. The relatively gentle bass emphasis can’t make up for the fact that the dynamic drivers under-emphasize treble frequencies quite a bit. This can make it hard to hear the nuances of an, especially during a cacophonous musical section (e.g., the bridge in any Dave Matthews Band song). If you like hip-hop and pop, this is the sound signature for you. It won’t be winning any awards from us, but will please a large portion of general consumers.

Yes, if you own an Apple device, you can listen to Spatial Audio on the Beats Solo3 Wireless. Keep in mind you’ll only hear Spatial Audio on content mixed for Dolby Atmos or other spatialization software, so this feature works best for users who subscribe to Apple Music .

Lows, mids, and highs

Midrange clarity takes a small hit due to bass emphasis; Generator ^ Second Floor by Freelance Whales really showcases this issue when the consistent drum kicks come in about 40 seconds into the song. Other parts of the song become hard to hear as the bass kicks start and the banjo all but disappears. Even the vocals are hard to hear until the bass kicks drop out of the song.

The upside of the quiet treble is that listeners are less likely to suffer from “listening fatigue” due to loud, high-pitched frequency reproduction. The finger-pick scratches in Naked As We Came by Iron & Wine can lend a nice live feel to the song but often make me feel uncomfortable through other consumer headsets. Yet, the “scrape” sound is barely noticeable with the Solo3 Wireless.

Sound leakage is pretty real with this pair of headphones, though. If you’re listening with the volume above 60%, the people next to you will probably be able to sing along.

Can you use the Beats Solo3 Wireless for phone calls?

The microphone isn’t great. In fact, it would be accurate to qualify the microphone quality as bad. The low-end attenuation and old hardware does a poor job of concentrating on the designated speaker’s voice and transmitting it clearly.

Beats Solo3 Wireless microphone demo (Non-standardized):

How do these sound to you, should you get the beats solo3 wireless.

Initially, the Solo3 Wireless was an exciting headset that had unique features that let you easily connect to an iOS device, thanks to the W1 chip. Today, this feature isn’t novel; rather, it’s expected, and there are other, more comfortable on-ear headphones around. That said, the Beats Solo3 Wireless is still a fine option, but just not worth its original price.

If you do decide to go with this headset, you’ll still get important features like top-notch battery life, great Bluetooth connection with AAC support, and quick charging, all in an attractive, portable form factor.

Beats Solo3 Wireless vs Beats Studio 3: Which is the better on-ear headphones?

If you want to stay with the Beats brand, the Studio3 Wireless has about the same build quality and design as the Solo3. What might tip you over to the Studio3, however, is the fact it has noise canceling. The ANC is fine, though not great, but combined with decent isolation, you get an overall listening experience that blocks out some distracting sounds — especially at higher frequencies. You still get the W1 chip and only SBC and AAC Bluetooth codec options, but there’s the option of using a 3.5mm wired connection, too.

Beats Solo3 Wireless vs Beats Solo Pro: Which is the better on-ear headphones?

The Beats Solo Pro is an updated version of the Solo 3 Wireless and the Solo Pro has better build quality, Bluetooth 5.0, and even active noise canceling to block out the world around you. However, the Solo Pro is discontinued. Still, if you can manage to find a vendor that’s still selling surplus stock, this headset is worth a look if you want on-ears. You’ll need to get used to wireless-only playback, though, since there’s no 3.5mm headphone jack here.

What are some alternatives to the Beats Solo3 Wireless?

If you want to stay within the Apple ecosystem and get premium ANC performance, we recommend the AirPods Max . That said, the AirPods Max costs $549 USD and is pretty cost-prohibitive for most, but if you have the money, you’ll enjoy seamless device switching, great sound quality, Apple Spatial Audio with head tracking, and more. The build quality is a huge step up from the Beats Solo3 Wireless, as it should be, and you get grade-A active noise canceling that outperforms the Bose flagship headset and rivals Sony’s .

Another noise canceling option to consider is the JBL Tune 660NC . This set of cans retains the on-ear design while providing ANC and a lightweight build. They could start to feel tight and pinchy for some people, but if you insist upon an on-ear design, they’ll fit that use case nicely. Plus, they’re definitely far cheaper than the AirPods Max.

There are headphones in the $200 USD and below range available with better audio quality and greater comfort. One of our favorites is the Jabra Elite 45h . These headphones last over 54 hours and support Bluetooth multipoint. This means you can connect to two devices at a time. Another option for listeners who are rough with their gear is the V-MODA XS headset. These are MIL-STD 810G tested, meaning they can withstand a whole lot before breaking. Unlike the Beats Solo3 Wireless, the headband can be bent every which way, and if you do come across any issues, V-Moda has a stellar warranty program .

What are some more portable alternatives to the Solo3 Wireless?

If you’re interested in the Beats Solo3 Wireless to the gym, then you might want to check out the PowerBeats Pro instead. The Powerbeats Pro is designed for athletes and has ear hooks that keep the buds in place. You can exercise without issue, knowing that the buds have an IPX4 certification that protects them against sweat. Battery life is exceptionally good and lasts more than 10 hours on a single charge. The Beats Fit Pro is a more compact option with noise canceling, but we have trouble recommending the Fit Pro due to its known ANC performance issues. There’s also the Beats Studio Buds , which checks all the same boxes as the Fit Pro but with a more low-profile design.

Considering that the Beats Solo3 Wireless headphones are still going for about $200 USD, we’d be doing you a disservice if we didn’t point out that at that price range, you’re not too far off from the price tag of the AirPods Pro . The AirPods Pro earbuds are much smaller and improved from the standard AirPods. The AirPods Pro is great for working out thanks to the IPX4 rating, and frequent flyers will appreciate the solid active noise canceling.

Frequently asked questions about the Beats Solo3 Wireless

In 2024, the Beats Solo3 are still available for purchase and are sticking around for the foreseeable future. The Beats Solo Pro , however, is being discontinued.

Yes! The Beats Solo3 Wireless comes with an included 3.5mm headphone connector, so you can use the headset either wired or wirelessly.

The Beats Solo3 Wireless can connect to pretty much any Bluetooth device, although if your device uses an older version of Bluetooth, the range and connectivity may not be as good. The Beats Solo3 Wireless features Class 1 Bluetooth, which means it can theoretically connect to devices at a range of hundreds of meters.

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Beats Tour (2nd generation)

• Edit source
• View history

The 2nd-generation Beats Tour , also known as the Beats Tour v2 and Beats Tour² , are wired earphones that were released by Beats by Dr. Dre in 2013, succeeding the original Beats Tour .

• 1 New features
• 3 External links

New features [ ]

The new Tours were redesigned for an improved fit with optional wingtips to hold them more securely in the ear. They also include ControlTalk and a microphone for incoming calls when connected to a mobile phone. They were available in black (with red), red, titanium (with black), and white (with red).

Gallery [ ]

External links [ ]

• Beats Tour at Beats Electronics (archived 2014-12-28, 2013-07-02 )
• Beats Tour (titanium and black) at Apple (archived 2015-03-02, 2014-10-07 )
• Beats Tour (white and red) (archived 2015-03-21, 2014-10-29 )
• Beats Tour (red) (archived 2015-07-02, 2014-10-12 )

The Tour Pro Is A Concept We Hope To See In Beats’ TWS Lineup In The Future

Given the option, most of the people we know would rather pick TWS earbuds from Beats by Dre instead of the AirPods. It’s already 2022 and Apple is still sticking with a single colorway and keeping the controversial stems. Thankfully, its sub-brand retains a unique and vibrant identity. If the latter is developing a new model, we’re hoping it’s something like this Tour Pro concept.

Did we mention that stems on TWS earbuds should go? Some would argue that those sections are there for a reason. It holds sensors and other components crucial to the AirPods’ functionalities. If so, how come other models can pack even better features without the stems?

Junwoo Kim approaches the matter in a clever way. Currently, Beats’ TWS lineup all do not have stems. The concept designer, on the other hand, envisions the Tour Pro with them except they’re hollow. However, these are intended to help users grip the earbuds without accidental contact with the touch-sensitive surface.

Likewise, its ergonomic contour provides a snug fit for your ears. The Tour Pro uses silicone tips just like the AirPods Pro but sports a slimmer housing. On the touch control area is a debossed Beats logo, while an engraving of the script is on the edges where the skeleton stems extend from.

He notes that active noise canceling and transparency mode are on board. It comes with a clamshell charging case with a USB-C port for charging. No word on the battery life and other technical specifications though. The Beats Pro Tour earbuds should work seamlessly with Apple’s exclusive ecosystem of devices along with third-party via Bluetooth connectivity.

Image courtesy of Junwoo Kim

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⚾️ Last 5 Super Regionals bids on the line

🥎 WCWS semifinals first pitch at 3:06 p.m. ET

DIII baseball finals

NCAA | May 26, 2024

Sixteen regional sites selected for the 2024 ncaa di baseball championship.

INDIANAPOLIS – The NCAA Division I Baseball Committee announced the 16 regional sites for the 77th annual NCAA Division I Baseball Championship.

The 16 regional sites, with host institutions and records are as follows: 

• Athens, Georgia – Georgia (39-15)
• Chapel Hill, North Carolina – North Carolina (42-13)
• Charlottesville, Virginia – Virginia (41-15)
• Clemson, South Carolina – Clemson (41-14)
• Bryan-College Station, Texas – Texas A&M (44-13)
• Corvallis, Oregon – Oregon State (42-14)
• Fayetteville, Arkansas – Arkansas (43-14)
• Greenville, North Carolina – East Carolina (43-15)
• Knoxville, Tennessee – Tennessee (50-11) 
• Lexington, Kentucky – Kentucky (40-14) 
• Norman, Oklahoma – Oklahoma (37-19) 
• Raleigh, North Carolina – NC State (33-20) 
• Santa Barbara, California – UC Santa Barbara (42-12) 
• Stillwater, Oklahoma – Oklahoma State (40-17) 
• Tallahassee, Florida – Florida State (42-15)
• Tucson, Arizona – Arizona (36-21)

By being awarded a regional, all 16 host institutions have also been selected to the 64-team championship field.

Each regional field features four teams, playing in a double-elimination format. All 16 regionals are scheduled to be conducted from Friday, May 31 to Monday, June 3 (if necessary).

UC Santa Barbara is hosting for only the second time and for the first time in Santa Barbara (it hosted at a neutral site at Lake Elsinore in 2015).

Florida State is hosting a baseball regional for the 36th time in tournament history, the most by any school. Oklahoma is hosting for the first time since 2010.

Arkansas, Clemson, Kentucky, Oklahoma State and Virginia each hosted regionals in 2023 and Oklahoma State is hosting for a third consecutive season.

The full 64-team field, top-16 national seeds, first-round regional pairings and site assignments will be announced at Noon (ET), on Monday, May 27. The one-hour program will be shown live on ESPN2. The committee will set the entire 64-team bracket through both the super regionals and the first round of the Men’s College World Series and will not reseed the field after play begins. 

Selection of the eight super regional hosts will be announced on www.NCAA.com/mcws , Tuesday, June 4 at 10 a.m. (ET). 

There are 30 Division I Conferences which will receive an automatic berth in the field of 64, along with 34 at-large selections. The Men’s College World Series begins play Friday, June 14, at Charles Schwab Field Omaha in Omaha, Nebraska.  

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