All products featured are independently chosen by us. However, SoundGuys may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links. See our ethics statement.
1 / 8Beats
Beats Solo 3
The Beats Solo3 Wireless held up well over the years, but is beginning to show its age.
Overall Rating & value for money
7.2/ 10
7.2
0.010.0
A 7.2 puts its overall rating in the top half of on-ear headphones we've measured.
Measured on 16 of the 64 we've cataloged.
6.2/ 10
6.2
0.010.0
A 6.2 puts its value for money in the bottom quarter of on-ear headphones we've measured.
Measured on 16 of the 64 we've cataloged.
See the lab data ↓Frequency response · Isolation · Audio quality
No one has reported on this pair yet.
Be the first. We ask a few quick questions about living with it, then check the note before publishing.
Own the Beats Solo 3?
Be the first owner to write in — three answers, four quick reads, shown under a pseudonym.
Key specs
Battery Life Wireless
45.13 hAbove average45.13 h
7 h100 h
above average for on-ear headphones — based on 43 of 64 we've cataloged.
Full Charge Minutes
120 minAbove average120 min
2 min240 min
above average for on-ear headphones — based on 36 of 64 we've cataloged.
IP Rating
NoneMost commonNone67%IP548%IP558%IPX48%
None is the most common — on 67% of the 12 on-ear headphones we've cataloged (of 64).
Weight
215 gAbove average215 g
6 g328 g
above average for on-ear headphones — based on 55 of 64 we've cataloged.
Battery
- Battery Life Wireless
- 45.13 h
- Full Charge Minutes
- 120 min
- Charging Method
- Micro-USB
- Capacity
- 350 mAh
- Battery
- Yes
- Fast Charging
- Yes
Build
- IP Rating
- None
- Material Chassis Primary
- Plastic
- Material Ear Cups
- Memory foam, Synthetic leather
- Water Resistance
- No
- Material Headband
- Metal with soft material underside
Design
- Weight
- 215 g
- Clamping Force
- 250-350 g
- Color Options
- Black (glossy), black (matte), grey, and other color variants
- Ear Pad Type
- Pleather foam
- Foldable
- Yes
- Headband Type
- Adjustable over-head
Connectivity
- Connection Type
- Bluetooth, wired-3.5mm
- Headphone Jack
- Yes
- Bluetooth Codec
- AAC, SBC
- Bluetooth Version
- Class 1
- Cable Type
- 3.5mm single-ended
- USB Charging
- Yes
Microphone
- Microphone
- Yes
- Noise Reduction Type
- None
Sound
- Acoustic Design
- Closed-back
- Driver Count
- 1
- Driver Type
- Dynamic
- Frequency Response Signature
- Bass-heavy with reduced treble
- Noise Cancellation Type
- None
Features
- Companion App
- No
- Control Type
- Physical buttons
- Voice Assistant Support
- Siri
Lab data
How we test ›Objective measurements from the SoundGuys test lab — overlay other models to see how this one compares.
Beats Solo 3SoundGuys Headphone Preference Curve
Measured frequency response (dB relative) against the SoundGuys Headphone Preference Curve. When the measurement goes above the dashed line, that frequency is louder than our preference curve, and when it goes below: it's quieter. Use the curve for comparison purposes only, as your taste may vary.
| Frequency (Hz) | Response (dB) |
|---|---|
| 20 | 8.3 |
| 25 | 8.8 |
| 32 | 9.1 |
| 40 | 9.1 |
| 50 | 8.6 |
| 63 | 8.6 |
| 80 | 9.9 |
| 100 | 9.7 |
| 125 | 8.7 |
| 160 | 6.7 |
| 200 | 6.2 |
| 250 | 5.4 |
| 315 | 3.7 |
| 400 | 1.8 |
| 500 | 0.3 |
| 630 | -1.0 |
| 800 | -1.3 |
| 1000 | 0.1 |
| 1250 | 2.5 |
| 1600 | 5.3 |
| 2000 | 6.9 |
| 2500 | 8.9 |
| 3150 | 13.1 |
| 4000 | 13.3 |
| 5000 | 11.4 |
| 6300 | 11.5 |
| 8000 | 9.2 |
| 10000 | 3.0 |
| 12500 | -1.8 |
| 16000 | -12.7 |
| 20000 | -21.9 |
Beats Solo 3
Passive isolation (dB) with ANC off — how much ambient noise the fit blocks on its own. Higher on the chart means more attenuation.
| Frequency (Hz) | Attenuation (dB) |
|---|---|
| 21 | 9.3 |
| 26 | -5.6 |
| 33 | 0.8 |
| 41 | 0.4 |
| 52 | -0.4 |
| 65 | -0.1 |
| 82 | -0.2 |
| 103 | 0.2 |
| 130 | 0.8 |
| 163 | 0.9 |
| 205 | 0.7 |
| 259 | 1.1 |
| 325 | 3.0 |
| 410 | 4.1 |
| 516 | 5.8 |
| 613 | 7.4 |
| 772 | 9.1 |
| 972 | 10.5 |
| 1220 | 13.2 |
| 1540 | 14.0 |
| 1940 | 17.4 |
| 2440 | 21.7 |
| 3070 | 26.5 |
| 3870 | 15.9 |
| 4870 | 24.8 |
| 6130 | 28.1 |
| 7720 | 37.4 |
| 9720 | 31.6 |
| 12200 | 24.3 |
| 15400 | 37.1 |
| 19400 | 43.6 |
Beats Solo 3
4.8
2.8
4.7
4.7
Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (1–5), modeled from the measured response. Higher is better across timbre, distortion, and immersiveness — add other models to see where this one lands.
SoundGuys review
Isolation5.7
Battery life9.8
Comfort & fit7.5
Connectivity7.5
Design7.0
Portability7.7
The verdict
The Beats Solo3 Wireless is an old set of headphones but still works reliably well with iPhones, due to W1 chip integration and AAC support. Siri fanatics may want to look into the Beats Solo Pro noise canceling on-ear headphones; otherwise, the Beats Solo3 Wireless holds up well today with just a few features showing its age.
✓Liked: Class 1 Bluetooth, AAC support, W1 chip, Battery life, Fast Fuel charging
✕Could be better: Discomfort after one hour, Pain with glasses, microUSB charging, Dubious construction
Owners
How we verify ownersNobody who owns the Beats Solo 3 has written in yet.
Owner notes are not paid for, not solicited from specific owners, and not edited by us. The commission SoundGuys may earn on this page comes from retail links, never from notes.
Own the Beats Solo 3?
Three answers, four quick reads, one sentence nobody tells you before buying. Shown under a pseudonym.
Features & Opinions
More from the team ›Commentary and deep dives from the SoundGuys editorial team.
The Beats 360 fix the one thing AirPods Max owners can't replaceThe Beats 360 leak is packed with specs, but one detail stands out to anyone whose AirPods Max headband has worn out.
Adam BirneyManaging EditorBeats is dead. It just doesn't know it yet.Once the pulse of the headphone world, Beats is starting to flatline.Adam BirneyManaging EditorThe truth about lossless audio on Bluetooth speakers. It’s pointless.Spoiler alert: your mono beach speaker isn’t built for critical listening.
Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterI've reviewed headphones for over a decade: Here are 5 things I wish they did differentlyHeadphone companies: help me help you
Christian ThomasEditor-at-large5 ways headphones are going to change in 2027Here's where things are headed.Christian ThomasEditor-at-largeWired vs wireless headphones: Which should you buy?Wired headphones do not automatically sound better.
Tom TriggsContributor
Adam BirneyManaging EditorBeats is dead. It just doesn't know it yet.Once the pulse of the headphone world, Beats is starting to flatline.Adam BirneyManaging EditorThe truth about lossless audio on Bluetooth speakers. It’s pointless.Spoiler alert: your mono beach speaker isn’t built for critical listening.Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterI've reviewed headphones for over a decade: Here are 5 things I wish they did differentlyHeadphone companies: help me help youChristian ThomasEditor-at-large5 ways headphones are going to change in 2027Here's where things are headed.Christian ThomasEditor-at-largeWired vs wireless headphones: Which should you buy?Wired headphones do not automatically sound better.Tom TriggsContributorMore On-Ear Headphones
See our top picks ›
On-Ear Headphones
Phiaton 900 Legacy
8.0/10SoundGuys scoreRead our review ›
$54.98at Amazon
Buy on Amazon
On-Ear Headphones
beyerdynamic DT 240 PRO
7.3/10SoundGuys scoreRead our review ›
$54.29at Amazon
Buy on Amazon
On-Ear Headphones
Marshall Major IV
7.3/10SoundGuys scoreRead our review ›
$103.82at Amazon
Buy on Amazon
On-Ear Headphones
Marshall Major V
7.2/10SoundGuys scoreRead our review ›
$129.99at Amazon
Buy on Amazon
On-Ear Headphones
Koss Porta Pro Limited Edition
7.0/10SoundGuys scoreRead our review ›
$59.99at Amazon
Buy on Amazon