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.
The test engineers and product analysts at the Good Housekeeping Institute have been testing audio gear for decades, from noise-cancelling headphones to the best AirPods, cheap earbuds and more. To test the Beats Solo 3, our tech experts wore them around busy NYC streets, on airplanes and in the office over the past few weeks to assess everything from their comfort to performance, noise isolation and more. 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.
Pros
- Sleek, minimalist design
- Noise isolating
- Secure on-ear fit
- Long battery life
- Folds up into a compact size for easy portability
- Includes carrying case
- Available in 5 shades
Cons
- Can feel tight after extended use
- Doesn't feature active noise cancellation or transparency mode
- AUX cable not included
- MicroUSB charging
| Type | On-ear |
|---|---|
| Battery life | Up to 40 hours |
| Colors | Matte black, rose gold, citrus red, gold, silver |
| Noise cancellation | No |
| Weight | 0.47 lbs |
| Charging | MicroUSB |
Design
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.
Comfort
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.
