We've currently tested 18 pairs of Beats headphones. They're a popular brand that makes stylish and comfortable headphones. The brand was acquired by Apple in 2014, which has meant that some models come with features meant for users of the Apple ecosystem. Also, while they used to be known for their excessively bass-heavy sound signature, some newer models sound more well-balanced.
Updates
- 02/27/2023 Beats Solo3 2019 Wireless updated
- 01/23/2023 Beats Fit Pro True Wireless updated
- 11/30/2022 Beats Studio Buds True Wireless updated
- 11/04/2022 Beats Flex Wireless updated
- 10/29/2021 Beats Studio3 Wireless updated
Best Beats Headphones
-
Best Beats Headphones
Neutral Sound6.8Commute/Travel7.4Sports/Fitness7.2Office7.1Wireless Gaming5.5Wired Gaming7.1Phone Calls6.2Type Over-earEnclosure Closed-BackWireless YesTransducer DynamicNoise Cancelling YesMic YesThe best Beats headphones we've tested are the Beats Studio3 Wireless. While these over-ears are an older and more dated product, their flashy and colorful design helps them stand out from the crowd. Like other products from Beats, they have a W1 chip, so you can seamlessly pair them with other devices in your Apple ecosystem. They also have a noise cancelling (ANC) system that does a decent job of blocking background noise. Although they struggle to cut down the low rumble of bus and plane engines, they do a better job of reducing ambient chatter at the office. With their ANC on, they last 23 hours continuously too, which will be more than enough for long days on the go.
They've got extra punch and boom from these headphones, making them a solid choice for genres like pop. Unfortunately, the extra bass muddies vocals and instruments while sibilants like cymbals are dark. Their sound delivery is dependent on the headphones' fit, positioning, and seal, so it's important to take the time to ensure a proper fit to achieve a more consistent sound.
-
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 earbuds are a sportier sibling of the Beats Studio Buds True Wireless, but even if you're not looking for sports earbuds, they offer a few extra features you might like. They have an H1 chip, so you can easily pair them with iPhones and MacBooks, and have Apple's virtual surround sound feature Spatial Audio (although it only works with iOS devices). Their ANC system also offers a better overall performance than the Beats Studio3 Wireless too, helping to reduce a wide range of noise, including the low rumble of bus and plane engines.
Out of the box, they have a slightly v-shaped sound profile, 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 a variety of genres. They have a fairly comfortable fit, but the buds have a bulky design that might bother people with smaller ears.
-
Best Beats Sports Headphones
Neutral Sound7.6Commute/Travel6.9Sports/Fitness8.3Office6.7Wireless Gaming5.9Wired Gaming5.8Phone Calls6.3Type In-earEnclosure Closed-BackWireless Truly WirelessTransducer DynamicNoise Cancelling NoMic YesIf you're looking for earbuds to use during workouts, the Beats Powerbeats Pro Truly Wireless are the best option we've tested from Beats. Instead of stability fins like the Beats Fit Pro True Wireless, they have malleable hooks that wrap around your ears for added stability when you're on the move. 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 some other older Beats headphones, they have a more neutral sound profile, which you might like if you're not a fan of a bass-heavy sound or listen to a lot of podcasts or audiobooks while you're exercising. Unfortunately, they don't have sound customization options, and the 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. However, you might not mind their low level of noise isolation if you're running outdoors, as you can more easily monitor your environment.
-
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 Beats are the Beats Flex Wireless. These lightweight earbuds come in a few bright colors and have a flexible neck cable. They're comfortable, well-built, and will stay in your ears if you use them for workouts. They last about 11 hours of continuous use, so they can get you through your daily commute and workday without recharging. Apple users can 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, it only lets you 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 daily music and podcast listening.
Compared to other brands
- Comfortable designs. Most Beats headphones are comfortable to wear and are suitable for use over long periods. While their over-ear designs are the most comfortable, their on-ear and in-ear headphones tend to be more comfortable than similarly designed models.
- 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 headphones that stand out with bold color schemes. While they may not all feel as durable as other brands on the market, their more recent models have a sturdy build quality that further emphasizes their premium price range.
- 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 some of the newer ones perform well, they're still not on par with similarly priced noise cancelling headphones from Sony or Bose.
- No customization options. While most Beats have an extremely limited interface for Android and iOS, this interface doesn't offer customization features.
Beats vs Apple
Since Beats is owned by Apple, some of their headphones come with the same features for iOS users, like H1 chips 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. 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 best Apple headphones article.
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. Still, 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 their competitors.
Lineup
Beats has a slightly unorthodox naming convention for their headphones, but they do offer a decent variety of models for different uses. Their product names can give you an idea of the style and features of a certain pair of headphones.
- Solo = On-ear headphones.
- 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 earhooks) meant for sports.
- Flex = Wireless earbuds with a neck cable design.
- urBeats = A discontinued line of wired earbuds.
Recent Updates
-
Apr 06, 2023: We've replaced the Beats Solo Pro Wireless with the Beats Studio3 Wireless as the Solo Pro have been discontinued.
-
Feb 08, 2023: Added information that compares Beats to Sony and Apple.
-
Oct 31, 2022: Updated text and checked that the recommended products are in stock.
-
May 16, 2022: We've checked our picks for accuracy and product availability. However, there hasn't been a change in our recommendations.
-
Mar 30, 2022: We've checked our picks for accuracy and product availability. There hasn't been a change in our recommendations.
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 a lot 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.