Beats are classics for a reason. Here’s a guide to help you find the best wireless headphones or earbuds for you.
Beats were infamous at this point, not only for their impact on the audio industry, but also for their prominent branding and unique sound that turned off audiophiles. But even if not every pair of headphones and earbuds reach audiophile standards, they have captured the public’s attention over the past decade, and at a time when nearly everyone is buying MP3 players and smartphones that come with free, cheap wired earbuds. , making premium headphones cool. .
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The allure of Beats has faded since Apple acquired the company and subsequently launched its own wireless earbuds and headphones, but the quality of Beats headphones has only improved since then. There are quite a few options available these days, each with advantages and disadvantages. Whether you’re interested in over-the-ear, on-ear, or in-ear headphones, Beats has options worth considering.
We test and rate the entire range for in-depth Beats reviews, but for our money, the Beats Studio Buds+ manage to deliver the increasingly popular wireless earbud form factor at an affordable price while still sounding vibrant and full. They do come with their own compromises, so if you’re curious about what Beats has to offer, read through this guide and find out what works best for you.
Best Beats headphones: Our top picks
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Beats Studio Buds+
Best Overall Beats Headphones
Beats Studio Buds+ take the experience we enjoyed with the original Studio Buds and hone in on the key area of noise cancellation. Significantly improved noise cancellation, a more comfortable in-ear fit, and longer battery life all greatly enhance the experience. We like the wireless charging and the on-wear sensor that automatically pauses your music when you remove the earbuds from your ears, but these are still a great pair of headphones at a great price.
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Beats Studio Pro
Best Premium Beats Headphones
The newest Beats headphone is the Beats Studio Pro, and they now easily outshine their predecessors. New custom 40mm drivers improve clarity across the entire frequency range, plus high-resolution playback via USB-C Audio if you prefer a wired connection instead of Bluetooth. The Studio Pro doesn’t include premium features like the Studio Buds+ do, but overall it doesn’t take away from the benefits of a very good pair of premium headphones.
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Beat Flex
Best Budget Beats Headphones
The Beats Flex are comfortable, very lightweight, and come in some fun colors – and work very well with iOS. This is thanks to the older W1 chip on the board. With these (wired) wireless earbuds, you get 12 hours of battery life, which is really impressive for the price, and magnets in the earbuds allow them to pop out easily without worrying about them getting tangled.
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BeatsPowerbeats Pro
The best rhythm for fitness
The Beats Powerbeats Pro are the company’s flagship earbuds, with unique earhooks that make them unabashedly workout-oriented. They’re based on the same technology as Apple AirPods, but are sweat- and water-resistant. Unfortunately, they don’t have noise canceling, but the battery life is very good, good for nine hours of continuous listening, and you can charge them twice from the charging case when you’re out and about.
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Beats Fit Pro
Best Alternatives to AirPods Pro Beats
There are several wireless headphones in the Beats range, but the Beats Fit Pro manages to take the sweet spot above the Powerbeats Pro and Studio Buds+. Its standout features are very powerful active noise cancellation, solid sound quality, spatial audio support, and easy pairing with Apple devices. Android users can make do here, but their experience is much better on the newer Beats Studio Buds+. The color selection is great too.
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Beats Solo 3 Wireless
Best in-ear Beats headphones
The Solo 3 Wireless are quite old now, but still use Apple’s W1 wireless chip, which makes them better than traditional Bluetooth headphones. You’ll get longer battery life, greater Bluetooth range, and improved connectivity options for iPhone users. There are touch-sensitive controls on the left earcup for skipping tracks and changing volume. Beats claims a battery life of up to 40 hours, and you can get 3 hours of playback from a 5-minute charge.
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Beats Studio Headphones
Best mid-range Beats earbuds
The Beats Studio Buds delivered crisp, solid sound in nearly every scenario we tested them in (including trains, workouts, and casual wear), and the active noise cancellation was excellent. Like their Apple counterparts, though, the biggest advantage of the Studio Buds is convenience. They are small, easy to carry, have a long lifespan and are comfortable to wear. If you want better noise cancellation, fit, and sound quality, the Beats Studio Buds+ are a step up from these headphones, but as it stands, these headphones are still a great value.
Best Beats Headphones: The Bottom Line
There’s something to like about all the headphones in the Beats range, but the best overall are the Beat Studio Buds+. They don’t offer universally great sound, but what they do do is good enough, and they do so through compact wireless earbuds that come in stylish colors and solid active noise cancellation. For something that sounds better, the Beats Studio Pro sound even better and are more immersive thanks to their over-ear design. But you don’t have to spend that much on physical wireless headphones — the Beats Flex lets you do that for under $100.
How we picked the best Beats headphones
Pocket-lint has reviewed almost all Beats headphones currently on the market, and is very familiar with the pros and cons of Beats headphones, as well as the pros and cons of headphones in general. We started with fit, looks and sound quality in mind, but tried to leverage the range’s individual features to find options that suited a number of different scenarios. The final list includes over-ear headphones, wireless earbuds, and devices that work with Android phones and iOS phones alike.
FAQ
Q: When will Beats release new headphones, should I wait?
As the rumor goes, soon. MacRumors writes that references to “Beats Solo 4 Wireless” headphones have appeared in the iOS 17.4 beta, suggesting they should be announced and released soon. As for how they’ll differ from the Beats Solo 3 Wireless, at least they’ll support personalized spatial audio for a more immersive listening experience, and likely have a USB-C port for charging. If these new additions, as well as other unknown features, might affect you, it might be worth seeing if they’re coming soon.
Q: Why don’t I need wireless headphones?
Ultimately, it all comes down to taste, but there are real advantages to using wireless headphones. New Year wireless headphones have larger drivers that produce louder, fuller sound. The extra space also leaves room for a larger battery and provides a way to control the headphones without default voice controls or just a single button. Honestly, padded earcups feel a lot better than little rubber tips in your ears.