6 Best Beats Headphones Options

1. Top Pick: Beats Solo Pro

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Editor’s Rating: 4.1/5

The Solo Pro are the best all-around Beats headphones currently out. They are on-ear headphones with active noise cancellation (ANC) – a feature more commonly seen in over-ear headphones. They have a more premium design than all other on-ear and over-ear headphones in the current Beats lineup, with a better build and more features. But they are also some of the most expensive, normally selling for around $300, which makes them the second-most expensive right behind the Studio3.

Design & Features

A pair of wireless headphones, the Solo Pro have closed-back ear cups that are unusually large for on-ear headphones, making them seem like over-ear headphones at first glance. Their build quality is good and less plasticky compared with previous Beats on-ear headphones. Their headband has visible metal parts while their ear cups are made of high-quality plastic. They fold into a more compact format and include a soft case for storage, but they are not as portable as the Solo3 due to their bulkier frame.

The Solo Pro are more breathable than over-ear headphones since their earpads don’t wrap around your ears, allowing for better ventilation. They are lightweight and have good weight distribution, but they are not suitable for long listening sessions, especially if you wear glasses. In addition to their limited headband adjustment range, they have a very tight clamp that makes them more fatiguing for long continuous use. They will loosen up with regular use, improving their comfort, but if you have a large head or wear glasses, they are still not the most comfortable pair of headphones.

Featuring buttons discreetly integrated into the right ear cup, the Solo Pro have a good on-cup control scheme. You get basic controls such as call and music management and volume adjustment, along with voice assistant activation. If the headphones are connected to a compatible Apple device, you also get hands-free Siri support, which is a big plus. For switching between ANC and talk-through modes, there is a separate button on the left ear cup. Unlike with many other wireless headphones, there is no power button on the Solo Pro; to turn them on or off, you simply need to unfold or fold them.

Performance

Aside from mic performance, the Solo Pro are good in most performance categories. They sound good, with a balanced sound signature, and have an excellent wireless range. With their Apple H1 chip, they connect easily with iOS devices and allow for audio sharing. They support Bluetooth 5.0 and are also compatible with Android, but they don’t support NFC technology and true multi-device pairing. They also lack a fully developed companion app for customization.

The Solo Pro provide good noise isolation, with their ANC feature helping them block a good amount of background noise in offices, airports, and public transport. They are especially effective at blocking out ambient chatter and high-frequency noises. While not on par with some of the best noise-canceling headphones, they are also decent at reducing low-frequency noises. In addition to their good noise isolation performance, the headphones have low sound leakage and feature a talk-through mode – enabled using the mode button on the left ear cup – for temporarily monitoring your surroundings.

Capable of running up to 22 hours per charge, the Solo Pro are suitable for all-day use at the office and particularly long flights and commutes. With both ANC and talk-through mode disabled, their battery life increases to 40 hours, which is one of the best marks among wireless headphones. They also have a quick-charge feature that gives them three hours of playback after a 10-minute charge, but they lack an audio cable for switching to wired mode when the battery is low. If you want to be able to use them in wired mode, you’ll need to buy the required Lightning audio cable.

Wrap-up

The Solo Pro are some of the best on-ear headphones on the market, with their noise-canceling feature making them more versatile and allowing them to easily stand out in the on-ear category. Although they have a few flaws that can be deal-breakers for some people, they are well-designed headphones with good sound quality and noise isolation and excellent battery performance. They are not the most comfortable on-ear headphones, especially out of the box, but they are great for casual everyday use.

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2. Budget: Beats urBeats3

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Editor’s Rating: 3.6/5

The urBeats3 are the most budget-friendly Beats headphones that you can get. They are basic wired in-ear headphones that are readily available for around $50 or less. Although they are not as packed with features as Beats wireless headphones, they are all-around earphones suitable for everyday use. They are available in two versions: an iOS model with a Lightning cable and an analog model with a 3.5 mm audio cable for most non-iOS devices.

Design & Features

With their typical in-ear design, the urBeats3 are not much different from many other wired earphones, but they stand out a bit more because of the familiar Beats branding on their earpieces. They include four ear tip options and are decently comfortable, but they are not as comfortable for long listening sessions as headphones with an earbud fit. Their build quality is also decent, with their earpieces and tangle-free flat cable both appearing durable. They are extremely portable and easy to carry with you for everyday use and have magnetic earpieces for better cable management.

Like many other wired earphones, the urBeats3 come with an in-line remote for controls. The remote has a three-button control scheme and a built-in mic, but the remote doesn’t offer full functionality for all devices. For the Lightning version, the remote allows for call and music management, volume control, and Siri activation on iOS devices. For the analog version, the remote functionality is not the same for all non-iOS devices. On some devices, the middle multi-function button allows for media controls and voice assistant activation, but on other devices, you can only play and pause the audio.

Performance

The overall performance of the urBeats3 is good. They are good-sounding earphones with a bass-heavy sound profile that many people will like. Their bass is powerful but not overly emphasized while their mid-range is clean and balanced. Their treble is also good and not too sharp. Although they are best used for bass-heavy music, they are a solid all-rounder suitable for most music genres. In addition to their good sound quality, their in-line mic is also good, but it’s not ideal for phone calls in very noisy places due to its subpar noise reduction capability.

With their tight in-ear seal, the urBeats3 are great at providing passive sound isolation. They are even better than some noise-canceling headphones when it comes to noise isolation performance. They are great at blocking out ambient chatter and high-frequency noises. Additionally, they reduce a decent amount of low-frequency noises, which is notable for earphones without an ANC feature. Their sound leakage is also low even at high volume, allowing you to increase the volume to further reduce ambient noise without disturbing people around you.

Since the urBeats3 are wired earphones with no active features that require a battery, you don’t need to worry about battery management. Unlike some wired earphones, you can’t convert them into wireless earphones with a Bluetooth module. Their audio cable – which terminates with either an Apple-friendly Lightning plug or a regular 3.5 mm analog plug for most non-Apple devices – is non-detachable. This means you can’t easily replace it, which is a big drawback for some people.

Wrap-up

If you have a limited budget for Beats headphones, the urBeats3 are the best option. They are versatile earphones that are suitable for casual everyday use. They sound good, provide great passive noise isolation, and have magnetic earpieces for better cable management. They are good for commuting, traveling, and office use, with their compact design making them extremely portable. While they are not as sweat-resistant as sports earphones, you can also use them for working out in the gym.

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3. Best Value: Beats Powerbeats

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Editor’s Rating: 4/5

In the current lineup of Beats headphones, the new Powerbeats – unofficially called the Powerbeats 4 – offer the best value for the money. They are obviously designed for sports, but they are also good for casual everyday use, especially considering their portability. In addition to launching at a lower price, they are also better-designed than their predecessor. They normally sell for around $150, but you can get them for an even lower price on some days.

Design & Features

The new Powerbeats are wireless in-ear headphones with a sporty neckband design. Unlike truly wireless earphones, they still include a short audio cable that connects to their earpieces. They are better-built and have a more comfortable in-ear fit than the urBeats3. They are lightweight and have a compact design that makes them easy to carry for everyday use. With their neckband design, you can simply wear them around your neck when not in use.

Featuring flexible ear hooks for better stability, the new Powerbeats are ideal for sports. They stay securely in your ears during both light exercises and more intense workouts, but unlike some neckband earphones, they lack a cable management clip for tightening the cable. Their IPX4 rating means they have good sweat protection while their in-ear design allows for excellent breathability. They come with four sizes of ear tips, giving you options to choose the most comfortable fit for your ears.

For controls, the new Powerbeats have buttons located on the two earpieces instead of the usual in-line remote seen in other neckband earphones. You can use the on-ear buttons to manage your calls and music, control the volume, activate your voice assistant, and initiate the Bluetooth pairing. If you have a compatible Apple device, you also get hands-free Siri controls, allowing you to play music, check the weather, and set timers, among many other things, without touching your mobile device.

Performance

The new Powerbeats are good in most performance categories. They are equipped with the Apple H1 chip, which allows for better integration with iOS devices, including faster pairing, lower latency, and better connection stability. They support Bluetooth 5.0 and have a good wireless range, but they can’t pair with two devices at the same time. Although their sound profile is not as exciting as that of other Beats headphones, their sound quality is also good. However, their integrated mic is unimpressive and struggles in loud environments.

Compared to the urBeats3, the new Powerbeats are significantly less effective at passively blocking out background noise due to their shallower in-ear seal. They are decent at reducing high-frequency noises, but their noise isolation performance is mediocre overall. That’s a good thing if you prefer better situational awareness, especially while running outdoors. But if you want to block out ambient noise and listen to your music in peace, there are much better sports earphones on the market.

Among wireless neckband earphones, the new Powerbeats are some of the best in battery performance, especially regarding battery life per charge. They can run up to 15 hours on just a single charge, which is an excellent mark for neckband headphones and makes them suitable for ultramarathons. They also charge fast, requiring less than two hours of charging time. Furthermore, their quick-charge feature – which gives them one hour of playback after a five-minute charge – is useful if they run out of power in the middle of your workout.

Wrap-up

The new Powerbeats are basically the neckband version of the truly wireless Powerbeats Pro, with their more streamlined design separating them from their predecessors. Their build quality, sweat resistance, on-ear controls, sound quality, and portability are good while their battery performance is great. They offer great value for the money, especially if you can get them at a discounted price, and are also good for casual everyday use despite being specifically marketed for sports.

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4. Beats Solo3

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Editor’s Rating: 3.9/5

The Solo3 are another option if you want Beats headphones that offer good value for the money, but only if you can get them for around $150 or less. They are wireless on-ear headphones that are suitable for different usages. While they have a less premium design than the newer Solo Pro, the third-gen Solo are better in some aspects and are more than just a cheaper alternative.

Design & Features

Available in more than a dozen colorways, the Solo3 are compact and lightweight on-ear headphones with small, circular ear cups. They are mostly made of plastic, but their build quality is good, with their metal-reinforced headband making for a sturdier frame. Compared to the Solo Pro model, they are more portable and easier to carry with you. They are lighter and have a smaller footprint when folded, which allows them to take up less space in your bag. A soft case is also included for storage, adding to the overall portability of the headphones.

Like their successor, the Solo3 have a tight clamp, but they are more comfortable to wear for extended periods than the Solo Pro. Their breathability is good while their well-padded ear cups help mitigate their tight clamp. They also stay more securely on your head, mainly due to their smaller and lighter ear cups and tight clamp. This makes them a better option for jogging and light workouts if you prefer on-ear headphones instead of sports earphones.

The Solo3 have a responsive and easily accessible on-cup control scheme. Their left ear cup has a multi-function button and volume buttons discreetly integrated into the backplate, which makes for a cleaner look. Using the multi-function button, you can manage your calls and music and activate Siri on compatible iOS devices. You also get a separate power button on the right ear cup that doubles as a Bluetooth button for initiating the wireless pairing setup.

Performance

The Solo3 are good-sounding headphones with a bass-heavy sound that many consumers will like, especially those who mainly listen to hip hop. They sound different from the Pro model, with their more powerful and more emphasized bass setting them apart from their relatively more neutral successor. They support Bluetooth 4.2 and include the Apple W1 chip for better connectivity with iOS smartphones and tablets. Their integrated mic is satisfactory enough for non-business calls in a quiet room while their wireless range is great.

Compared to the noise-canceling Solo Pro, the Solo3 have worse sound isolation. In addition to their higher sound leakage, they are worse at blocking out ambient noise. They are quite good at reducing noises in the high-frequency range. But they only reduce a small amount of background chatter and are terrible at blocking out low-frequency noises. If you want more effective noise isolation, your music volume needs to be higher than usual, but that would also lead to more audible sound leakage.

The battery performance of the Solo3 is excellent. Few other wireless on-ear headphones are capable of matching them in battery life per charge. They can run up to 40 hours on just a single charge, which means fewer charging breaks. If they run out of power in the middle of your work shift, you can plug them in for a quick charge – a five-minute charge gives them three hours of playback. Furthermore, if you get one of the earlier Solo3 models, you also get an audio cable for switching to wired mode.

Wrap-up

The Solo3 are great on-ear headphones that make a strong case for the best wireless on-ear headphones under $200. While their mostly plastic build is not exactly impressive, they are well-designed wireless headphones that sound good and have excellent battery life. They are travel-friendly due to their compact and foldable design and can connect with both iOS and Android devices, with their Apple W1 chip allowing for better connectivity with the former.

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5. Beats Powerbeats Pro

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Editor’s Rating: 4.1/5

The Powerbeats Pro are the best Beats headphones for sports, with their truly wireless format allowing for more freedom of movement. They are recommended for athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and casual runners and feature ear hooks that allow for excellent stability. They normally sell for around $250, making them the most expensive in-ear headphones in the current Beats lineup.

Design & Features

With their sleek ear-hook design, the Powerbeats Pro are basically the truly wireless equivalent of the fourth-gen Powerbeats. They are extremely compact and lightweight headphones with a comfortable in-ear fit that makes them suitable for extended use. Their ear hooks offset their shallow in-ear seal and help them stay more securely in your ears while their IPX4 rating means they have good protection against sweat. They include four sizes of silicone ear tips, along with a charging case and a Lightning charging cable.

The Powerbeats Pro are bulkier than most truly wireless earphones, with their ear hooks being the reason. Even their charging case is larger than usual and not as pocket-friendly as other cases. But they are still very portable and easy to carry for everyday use. Their charging case – which holds additional battery charges – protects them against scratches and minor physical impact when stored in your bag.

Like all other truly wireless earphones, the controls of the Powerbeats Pro are located on the earpieces themselves. Their earpieces have the same set of buttons, allowing you to access all the controls with either hand for convenience. With either earpiece, you can manage your calls and media, control the volume, and activate your voice assistant. The earphones also have an auto-pause feature and support hands-free Siri controls on compatible iOS devices.

Performance

Featuring the Apple H1 chip for better connectivity with iOS devices, the Powerbeats Pro are good-sounding earphones suitable for listening to music and general media consumption. Like other newer Beats headphones, they support Bluetooth 5.0. They are compatible with both iOS and Android devices and have a great wireless range and connection stability. Their integrated mic is subpar, though, but it’s slightly better than that of many other truly wireless headphones.

If you want to block out ambient noise while running or working out in the gym, the Powerbeats Pro are not the sports earphones that you should be looking at. They are quite decent at reducing the sound of air conditioning units and fans, but they are mediocre against background chatter and low-frequency noises, especially the latter. On the bright side, their weak passive noise isolation is beneficial if you prefer to be more aware of your surroundings, especially while training outdoors.

Regarding battery performance, the Powerbeats Pro are some of the better ones among truly wireless headphones, with their nine-hour battery life per charge allowing them to last longer than other sports earphones – including the Jaybird Vista and the Jabra Elite Active 65t. With the additional charges in the charging case, their total battery life is around 24 hours. The earphones also have a quick-charge feature that allows them to get one and a half hours of playback after just five minutes of charging.

Wrap-up

There are other Beats headphones that are also suitable for sports use. But if you want the best, go for the Powerbeats Pro. Many of their features – including their ear hooks, IPX4 rating, ambidextrous on-ear controls, and cable-free design – are beneficial for sports. Their build quality, battery performance, and sound quality are good while their integration with iOS devices is excellent. If you don’t mind their weak passive noise isolation, they are also decent earphones for casual everyday use.

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6. Beats Studio3

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Editor’s Rating: 4/5

The Studio3 are noise-canceling headphones that are good for all-around use. Compared to the on-ear Solo Pro, they have a less premium build and fewer features, but their over-ear design is much more comfortable for extended use. They are also more portable, which is notable since on-ear headphones are generally more portable than over-ear headphones. They are the priciest Beats headphones currently out, normally selling for around $350, but you can get them for less than $300 during a sale.

Design & Features

A pair of wireless over-ear headphones, the Studio3 are stylish headphones with closed-back ear cups and a metal-reinforced headband for a sturdier frame. They are lightweight and not as bulky as other over-ear headphones. While they are less breathable than the Solo Pro, they have a significantly more comfortable over-ear design and are more suitable for extended use. They have a tight and secure fit without giving up too much in comfort, which also makes them decent headphones for light workouts.

The Studio3 are more portable and easier to carry for everyday use than the Solo Pro. They fold into a more compact format and have a smaller footprint, mainly due to their slimmer ear cups. They also include a hard case – a more appropriate accessory for a product selling for $300 or more, which can’t be said for the soft case included with the Solo Pro. A hard case is more travel-friendly and offers better protection against physical impact and water spills.

For controls, the Studio3 have a set of buttons discreetly integrated into the left ear cup, along with a separate power button. The power button is also for initiating the Bluetooth pairing and toggling the noise cancellation. Using the discreet buttons on the left ear cup, you can manage your calls and music, control the volume, and activate Siri; the headphones also include an audio cable with an in-line remote that allows for the same functions, but only on compatible iOS devices.

Performance

The Studio3 include the Apple W1 chip, which is an older Apple headphone chip but still allows for smooth integration with iOS devices. They support Bluetooth 4.2 and have an excellent wireless range and connection stability. Their integrated and in-line mics are decent enough for calls, but both are not recommended for phone calls in loud places. The Studio3 are also good-sounding headphones, but their sound profile is not as exciting as that of other Beats headphones, with a noticeably lighter bass.

Although their passive seal is inconsistent and depends on your head shape and whether you wear glasses, the Studio3 are good at blocking out ambient noise and have low sound leakage. Their ANC is very effective against background chatter and high-frequency noises. But they are rather disappointing against low-frequency noises; while they still reduce a decent amount of noise, their performance in the low-frequency range is unimpressive for noise-canceling headphones.

Battery performance is also another strength for the Studio3. They can run up to 22 hours per charge in wireless mode with ANC enabled and up to an incredible 40 hours without ANC. Their quick-charge feature allows them to gain three hours of playback after just 10 minutes of charging time. If you want to conserve power, you can switch to wired mode using the included audio cable – a missing accessory on the similarly expensive Solo Pro. On the other hand, the Studio3 still include a micro USB charging cable, which is not Apple-friendly.

Wrap-up

If comfort and portability are the most important aspects for you, the Studio3 are a better option than the newer Solo Pro. Although they have a less premium design and fewer features, they offer many of the things that our top pick brings to the table – including good noise cancellation, excellent battery performance, discreet on-cup controls, and seamless integration with iOS. They are just as good for all-around use, but they are more portable and much more comfortable to wear for extended periods.

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