We've tested over 20 pairs of Beats headphones. They're a popular brand that makes stylish and comfortable headphones. The brand was acquired by Apple in 2014, which means that some models come with features meant for users of the Apple ecosystem. While they were known for their excessively bass-heavy sound signature in the past, some newer models sound more well-balanced.
Updates
- 12/05/2024 Beats Studio Pro Wireless updated
- 07/24/2024 Beats Solo Buds reviewed
- 07/15/2024 Beats Studio Buds + True Wireless updated
- 05/31/2024 Beats Solo 4 reviewed
- 02/14/2024 Beats Solo3 2019 updated
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Best Beats Headphones
Neutral Sound7.9Commute/Travel7.7Sports/Fitness7.2Office7.2Wireless Gaming5.6Wired Gaming6.8Phone Calls6.0Type Over-earEnclosure Closed-BackWireless YesTransducer DynamicNoise Cancelling YesMic YesThe best headphones by Beats we've tested are the Beats Studio Pro Wireless. These well-built over-ears come in a variety of sleek and subdued colors to suit your style, like deep brown and navy. They also have an active noise cancelling (ANC) system; while it's not as powerful as flagships from competitors like Bose or Sony, it can still reduce an impressive amount of ambient sound like office chatter. They occasionally sell at a compelling discount, which can make the slightly less powerful ANC a compromise worth considering. With their ANC on, they last over 28 hours continuously, and you can even use them wired in a pinch, although you can only receive audio, so you won't be able to use the mic.
Their somewhat excited sound profile makes them versatile enough for most audio content with ample thump and sparkle. They also have a built-in DAC (digital-to-analog converter), which allows you to stream lossless audio from your device when paired with their USB-C cable. You can also access a few EQ presets that are only available when using the USB-C connection. While these cans don't have an H2 chip for seamless pairing with Apple devices, they still support Spatial Audio for virtual surround sound.
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Best Beats Earbuds
Neutral Sound7.2Commute/Travel7.7Sports/Fitness8.1Office6.9Wireless Gaming5.2Wired Gaming5.1Phone Calls6.5Type In-earEnclosure Closed-BackWireless Truly WirelessTransducer DynamicNoise Cancelling YesMic YesThe best Beats earbuds we've tested are the Beats Fit Pro True Wireless. These buds are the sportier sibling of the Beats Studio Buds + True Wireless, but even if you're not looking for earbuds for the gym, they offer a few extra features that make them a great choice for everyday use. They have an H1 chip, so you can easily pair them with iPhones and MacBooks, and they have Apple's virtual surround sound feature, Spatial Audio (although it only works with iOS devices). Their ANC system also offers better overall performance than the Studio Buds +, helping to attenuate a wide range of noise, including rumbly bus and plane engines.
They have a slightly V-shaped sound profile out of the box, so audio has a little extra rumble and punch. Vocals and lead instruments are present and bright but can sound a bit harsh. Unfortunately, they don't have sound customization features, but overall, their sound is well-balanced enough for various genres. They have a fairly comfortable fit, but the buds have a bulky design that might bother you if you have ears on the smaller side, in which case the Studio Buds + might be a better choice.
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Best Beats Sports Headphones
Neutral Sound7.6Commute/Travel6.9Sports/Fitness8.3Office6.7Wireless Gaming5.9Wired Gaming5.7Phone Calls6.3Type In-earEnclosure Closed-BackWireless Truly WirelessTransducer DynamicNoise Cancelling NoMic YesIf you're looking for the best Beats by Dre headphones to use during workouts, then the Beats Powerbeats Pro Truly Wireless are up your alley. Instead of the Beats Fit Pro True Wireless' stability fins, they have malleable hooks that wrap around your ears for added stability when moving around. This design is more comfortable for most people and helps ensure your earbuds don't fall out of your ears during intense workouts. They're also rated IPX4 for water resistance, have roughly 11 hours of continuous battery life, and come with an Η1 chip for seamless pairing with Apple devices.
Compared to other older Beats headphones, they have a more balanced sound profile. You might prefer their sound if you're not a fan of bass-heavy tunings or listen to a lot of podcasts or audiobooks while exercising. Unfortunately, they don't have sound customization options, and their companion interface is very limited. They won't isolate you from much ambient sound, so they aren't ideal if you want to escape distracting noise at the gym, either. However, you might not mind their low level of noise isolation if you're running outdoors, as this makes it easier to monitor your environment. The brand has also released their successor, the Beats PowerBeats Pro 2, which improves upon the predecessor by including ANC, an improved H2 chip, and heart-rate sensors—that said, we haven't tested them yet.
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Best Budget Beats Headphones
Neutral Sound6.9Commute/Travel7.7Sports/Fitness8.1Office7.0Wireless Gaming5.4Wired Gaming5.3Phone Calls6.0Type In-earEnclosure Closed-BackWireless YesTransducer DynamicNoise Cancelling NoMic YesIf you're shopping for a pair of budget headphones, the best option from this brand are the Beats Flex Wireless. These lightweight earbuds come in a few bright colors and have a flexible neck cable. Although they lack in-ear stabilizers like the Beats Fit Pro True Wireless, they're comfortable and well-built, and they will stay in your ears if you use them for workouts. They last about 11 hours continuously, so they can get you through your daily commute and workday without recharging. Apple users will appreciate their W1 chip, making it simpler to pair them with iOS devices like iPhones.
Like many of this manufacturer's products, they provide a bass-rich listening experience, with extra rumble and punch that works well for genres like EDM and hip-hop. Unlike some budget headphones, they have a companion app. However, its functionality is limited—only allowing you to toggle auto-pause and auto-call answering on and off. It doesn't include an EQ or presets for sound customization. Their mic has a passable recording quality but can't separate your voice from loud ambient sounds, so they aren't suitable for making calls from a busy street or bus. That said, if you want simple headphones, they have a solid performance for casual music and podcast listening sessions. If you want to drop the cable, it'll up the price of entry with the Beats Solo Buds as the next option from the brand.
Compared To Other Brands
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Comfortable designs.
Most of the better Beats by Dre headphones are comfortable and suitable for use over long periods. While their over-ear designs are the most comfortable entries in their lineup, their on-ear and in-ear headphones tend to be more comfortable than similarly designed models by other brands.
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Decently well-balanced sound.
While older Beats headphones tend to have a bass-heavy sound that lacks detail, recent models are better balanced. However, they still deliver the rumbly and punchy bass that fans have come to expect. -
Stylish and sturdy designs.
Beats tend to shine compared to other headphone brands in their design. They have sleek, premium-looking products that stand out with bold color schemes. While they may not all feel as durable as other brands, their more recent models have a sturdy build quality that further emphasizes their premium price range.
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Expensive.
Beats headphones tend to be rather pricey, especially compared to other brands. The quality of the more recent models we've tested better matches their premium price point. However, they still feel a bit expensive for what they offer. -
Noise cancelling not on par with the competition.
Beats have a couple of models with active noise cancelling. Though more recent releases perform well, they're still not on par with similarly priced headphones from Sony or Bose. Check out our article on the best noise cancelling headphones for more info.
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No customization options.
Most Beats have an extremely limited interface for Android and iOS that doesn't offer customization features.
Beats vs Apple
Since Apple owns Beats, some of their headphones have the same features for iOS users, like an H1/H2 chip and Spatial Audio. The brands still have distinct styles and product lines, but both make sturdy, well-built headphones. Apple noise cancelling headphones tend to have an edge over Beats', making it the better brand if noise cancellation is important and you're in the ecosystem. However, Beats has a wider range of styles and prices, like sports earbuds and budget options. If you want to check out Apple's lineup, check out our list of the best Apple headphones.
Beats vs Sony
Sony makes a wider variety of headphones than Beats, including gaming headsets. Their headphones are more likely to have very strong noise cancelling, especially over-ear models, and many have companion apps that include sound customization features. That said, Apple users might prefer Beats' iOS-specific features. Beats headphones are consistently well-built, while some Sony models can have a plasticky, cheaper-feeling build. If you're looking for more options, check out our recommendations for the best Sony headphones.
Overall, Beats make sleek and modern-looking headphones that feel like fashion accessories. Although older models have a mediocre-at-best sound quality, more recent releases have a balanced sound that doesn't completely sacrifice bass. However, their headphones are expensive for what they offer, especially since the more feature-packed models aren't on par with those of their competitors.
Lineup
Beats have a slightly unorthodox naming convention for their headphones, but they offer various models for different uses. Their product names can give you an idea of the style and features of a certain pair of headphones.
- Solo = Mostly on-ear headphones and basic true wireless earbuds.
- Studio = Includes over-ear and earbud models with ANC.
- Powerbeats = In-ears with ear hooks that are designed for sports use.
- Fit = Earbuds with a more conventional design (without ear-hooks) meant for sports.
- Flex = Wireless earbuds with a neck cable design.
- urBeats = A discontinued line of wired earbuds.
Recent Updates
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We've updated the article to mention the Beats PowerBeats Pro 2.
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We've checked this article for clarity and product availability, but our recommendations have remained the same.
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Sep 24, 2024 : We made only minor changes to the text for clarity and consistency but haven't changed our picks.
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Aug 01, 2024 : This article's picks remain unchanged, but it has been updated to mention the Beats Solo Buds True Wireless in the section on the Beats Flex Wireless and to make minor text edits for clarity.
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May 10, 2024 : This review has been checked for accuracy with minor text changes.
Conclusion
Beats have made great improvements to their lineup. They're still a fashion-forward brand that focuses on bold color schemes and sleek modern designs, but their recent models sound much better balanced than what they've put out in the past. Their products are still a bit pricey for what they offer, especially their noise cancelling headphones, which don't deliver the same level of noise isolation that models from competing brands provide.