The Beats Solo3 2019 Wireless are the update to the Beats Solo3 2018 Wireless. These colorful on-ear headphones have kept the well-built and iconic design that's emblematic of Beats' brand, as well as the same W1 chip as their predecessor for seamless pairing with Apple devices. With this updated version, their companion app is now compatible with Android devices, although it still doesn't offer much functionality. Unfortunately, while this new edition have an AUX port, they've done away with the AUX cable included with the 2018 model.
Our Verdict
The Beats Solo 3 are satisfactory for neutral sound. They have a bass-heavy sound profile, which muddies vocals and lead instruments. Their companion app also doesn't allow you to customize their sound profile to better suit your needs either. Their treble range is better balanced than their predecessor, so vocals and lead instruments sound clear and present. They're also consistent in their audio delivery as long as you ensure they're well-placed on your head.
- Good build quality.
- No EQ.
The 2019 edition of the Beats Solo 3 are okay for commuting and travel. While these on-ears are comfortable, they have a tight fit, which can become fatiguing when worn for several hours at a time. They barely block out bass-range noise like bus engines or passing traffic, and their bulky design can be hard to take with you on the go. On the upside, they offer over 38 hours of continuous playback time, so they easily last through long-distance plane trips.
- Long continuous playback time.
- Good build quality.
- Some leakage at higher volumes.
- Poor noise isolation.
The Beats Solo 3 are decent for sports and fitness. However, like most on-ear fits, they can easily fall off your head during moderate exercise. They're also bulky and can shift with dynamic movements. However, they feel durable enough to survive a few accidental drops if you bring them to the gym, and their wireless design means you won't get them caught on any equipment.
- Good build quality.
- Bulky design.
The 2019 model of the Beats Solo 3 are passable for office use. They're comfortable, but some users won't like their tight on-ear fit. They also don't support multi-device pairing and leak some audio at high volumes, which can annoy your coworkers. You can't block out noisy deskmates either since these have no ANC and poor passive noise isolation. They have a continuous battery life of over 38 hours, so you don't need to worry about charging them so often.
- Long continuous playback time.
- Good build quality.
- Some leakage at higher volumes.
- Poor noise isolation.
The Beats Solo 3 aren't recommended for wireless gaming. While you can connect them to a Bluetooth-enabled PC, the latency will be too high for gaming. They also aren't compatible with Xbox or PlayStation consoles.
The Beats Solo 3 are Bluetooth headphones. While they can be used with a wired connection, Beats doesn't include a TRS cable in the box.
The Beats Solo 3 Wireless are mediocre for phone calls. Their integrated mic has an alright recording quality, and your voice sounds natural, although slightly thin and muffled. However, it struggles to separate your voice from even moderately noisy environments, so you may need to take calls in quieter spaces. These headphones also struggle to reduce noise around you, making it hard for you to hear whoever's on the other line.
- Good build quality.
- Poor noise isolation.
Changelog
- Updated May 31, 2024: We've added a comparison between these headphones and the Beats Solo 4 Wireless in Sound Profile.
- Updated May 24, 2024: We've added a comparison between these headphones and the JBL Live 670NC Wireless in Bluetooth Connection.
- Updated Feb 14, 2024: This review was updated to include the 'Gold' and 'Silver' variants and to add new comparisons with the Sony WH-1000XM4, Beats Studio Wireless, Sony WH-CH720N, JBL Live 660NC, and Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation). Minor text changes were made throughout.
- Updated Oct 11, 2023: We've updated the Sports and Fitness verdict and Stability text to improve their clarity.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We tested the 'Club Red' variant of the Beats Solo 3, which was part of Beats' limited edition, and now discontinued, 'Club Collection'. This collection included the following colorways: 'Club Navy', 'Club Red', 'Club White', 'Club Yellow'. These variants differ from the original 2018 model only in style, as they have a color-block design. Over the years, more simple colorways have been added, and you can find these headphones in the following variants: 'Gold', 'Matte Black', 'Rose Gold', 'Satin Silver', 'Silver', and 'PRODUCT(RED) Citrus Red'. While they look and perform similarly to the 2018 edition, they don't have a 1/8" TRS cable in the box.
If you come across another variant, please let us know in the forums, and we'll update our review.
Popular Headphones Comparisons
Not much has changed between these headphones and their predecessor, the Beats Solo3 2018 Wireless. They perform very similarly in terms of battery life, design, and sound profile. Just like the 2018 model, they also have a W1 chip, making it easy to seamlessly pair with Apple devices. However, Beats doesn't include a TRS audio cable in the box anymore, meaning if you want to listen to audio passively, you need to supply the cable yourself. The Beats Studio Pro Wireless represent the next upgrade after a few years in between the release of both headphones, adding active noise cancellation. They have an over-ear fit, rather than on-ear, and are overall a better choice if you're looking for Beats headphones.
Check out our recommendations for the best Beats headphones, the best wireless Bluetooth headphones, and the best bass headphones.
The Beats Studio3 Wireless are better headphones than the Beats Solo3 2019. The Studio3 are over-ear headphones that are more comfortable and have a good-performing ANC feature. However, the Solo3 2019 deliver audio more consistently and have a better battery performance. Some users may also prefer their bass-heavy sound profile.
The Beats Solo Pro and the Beats Solo3 2019 are headphones with different strengths, and depending on your usage, you may prefer one over the other. The Solo Pro are more suitable for casual and office use. They feel better built, their sound profile is more neutral, and they have a great ANC to help cut down ambient noise around you. However, the Solo3 2019 have a better battery performance and a bass-heavy sound profile, which some users may like. They're better suited for sports, as their fit is more stable.
If you like very bass-heavy headphones, the Skullcandy Crusher Evo Wireless are better than the Beats Solo3 2019. The Skullcandy cans have a unique haptic bass slider and fit over-ears. Their mic is a bit better sounding. The companion app has slightly more customized sound options but higher latency. The Beats are more stable and fit on-ears. Thanks to their W1 chip they have lower latency with Apple devices. They use the older micro USB charging port but have a slightly longer battery life. However, you can't change their default sound profile, which is somewhat muddy.
The Sony WH-1000XM4 are much better by most metrics than the Beats Solo3 2019. With the Sony you get active noise cancelling, better connectivity with multi-device pairing, and LDAC codec support. Both are bassy headphones, but only the Sony have EQ in the capable app. They are discontinued, however, which can make it hard to find a pair. The Beats are on-ear headphones and do a poor job of blocking noise, and while you can connect them over Bluetooth or analog, they don't include a TRS cable. They have a W1 chip for seamless integration and device switching with Apple devices, but the app is very sparse.
The Beats Solo3 2019 and the JBL Live 670NC are both wireless on-ears, though the JBL feature ANC technology, which makes them a better fit for long commutes and journeys. Both headphones are similarly comfortable, portable, and well-built, though the JBL have a more comprehensive control scheme. When it comes to sound, both headphones pack a serious punch in the low-end, though the JBL have an especially boosted bass response. The Beats have a more balanced sound overall, though. While the JBL's ANC system doesn't do too much to block out background noise, the JBL's noise isolation performance is still a step up from the Beats for isolating you against engine rumble and background chit-chat. The JBLs also feature Bluetooth multi-point connectivity, so you can pair with two devices at once. That said, the Beats feature a W1 chip that allows you to pair seamlessly with Apple devices.
The JBL Live 660NC and the Beats Solo3 2019 are both middle-of-the-road headphones that neither excel nor fail at any given task. The JBL sound better for most music with some bass emphasis, but not so much as to sound overly muddy. They fit over-ears and have a shorter battery life, which is expected from active noise cancelling (ANC) headphones. The ANC cuts out more low-pitched noise as well. As on-ear headphones, the Beats are more portable and use passive isolation only, so you'll still hear the rumble of a bus engine. They have the W1 chip for improved connectivity to Apple devices, and they're more bassy to listen on.
The Beats Solo 4 are the next generation of the Beats Solo3 2019 with a couple of updates in performance. While both on-ears look pretty similar (colorways aside), the fourth-gen have a much more neutral sound profile with a tapped-down bass that's less boomy and muddy than their predecessor. They also deliver more treble, which makes vocals and instruments bright and detailed, if a little harsh at times. Although they don't have a W1 chip, they support quick pairing with iOS and Android devices. They have a longer continuous battery life, too. They even support Apple's Spatial Audio feature for a more immersive sound experience.
The Beats Studio Pro Wireless are better than the Beats Solo3 2019. The Studio Pro are over-ear headphones with ANC, so they can block out much more ambient sound. They work via Bluetooth, USB, and analog, so they're compatible with gaming consoles as well as phones and computers. On the other hand, you might prefer the Solo3's on-ear fit. They have a more bass-heavy sound profile, which you might prefer, especially for genres like EDM or hip-hop.
The Sony WH-CH520 Wireless are better wireless on-ears than the Beats Solo3 2019. The Beats are better built than the Sony, but they lack some key features that the Sony headphones provide. For instance, their companion app doesn't have a graphic EQ, meaning you can't change the sound if you're not a fan of the Beats' bass-heavy sound profile. The Beats also don't support multi-device pairing and have a shorter continuous battery life than the Sony, making them less ideal for use at the office. You'll want to consider the Beats if you're already in Apple's product ecosystem. Thanks to their H1 chip, they can pair seamlessly with Apple devices.
The Beats Solo3 2019 are the next generation of the Beats Solo3 2018. They're almost identical in design and perform very similarly. This model also has a companion app that can be used on Android in addition to iOS. That said, the 2018 model includes an audio cable so that you can listen to audio passively. You need to buy this cable separately if you want to use your 2019 model wired.
When comparing the Beats Solo3 2019 to the Sony WH-CH720N Wireless, you see some differences, mainly in features and style. While both are bass-heavy, you can't adjust that with the Beats. The Beats fit on-ears and come with the W1 chip to optimize Apple compatibility. Both are fairly plasticky feeling, although the Beats have metal hinges. Of the two, only the Sony have active noise cancelling, which isn't class-leading but still reduces more noise across the spectrum. You can also use the companion app to alter the EQ for the Sony, making them more flexible for different kinds of music. While you can listen on either pair using Bluetooth or an analog connection, the Sony use a newer Bluetooth version and come with a TRS cable.
The Beats Studio Buds + True Wireless are in-ears, while the Beats Solo3 2019 are on-ears, so they're tricky to compare. The Solo3's design makes them a bit more stable on the head and less prone to being dislodged by sudden movements. On the other hand, the Buds+ are more comfortable for most people, as they provide a variety of silicone tip sizes. The Buds+ have ANC so do a much better job than the Solo3 at isolating you from sounds like chatty coworkers or commuters, and they also leak less audio. The Buds+ are IPX4 rated for resistance against splashes of water and so better for working out.
The Beats Studio Wireless and the Beats Solo3 2019 both have some similar specs and use some older technology, like micro USB charging. The Solo3 2019 Wireless have the W1 chip to streamline the experience with Apple products and an albeit sparse app. They fit on-ears and sound rumbly and thumpy in the bass region. Whereas the Studio Wireless lack the W1 chip and don't have an app. They're over-ears, and their overemphasized high bass makes them sound muddy. The discontinued Studio Wireless have active noise cancellation, and it's not very impressive; however, it blocks more noise than the passive isolation on the Solo3 2019 Wireless. Unless you have a strong preference for over-ears and any active noise cancelling, the Solo3 2019 Wireless are slightly better, with more than triple the battery life and the W1 chip.
The JBL Live 400BT Wireless are better on-ear headphones than the Beats Solo3 2019. The JBL have a better-balanced sound profile and can passively isolate more sound. Their leakage performance is significantly better, and while their battery doesn't last as long as the Beats, there's an auto-off timer to help conserve battery life. They also come with a companion app that has a parametric EQ plus presets so you can tweak its sound to your liking. However, the Beats are more comfortable, feel better built, and come with a carrying case.
The Beats Solo3 2019 and the Apple AirPods Pro 2 are two different categories of headphones belonging to Apple's lineup. The Beats are pretty basic on-ear headphones with little app support, no active noise cancellation (ANC), and a longer battery life. They use the Apple W1 chip, so connections are optimized, and you can switch between Apple devices, but you don't get any extras like Spatial Audio. The Apple earbuds have the newer H2 chip (and U1 chip for the case), which offers benefits similar to the W1 chip. Otherwise, the Apple earbuds are wildly different in that you get ANC, Spatial Audio, touch controls, a portable in-ear fit, and a shorter continuous battery life. Overall, the Apple earbuds supply more features and are the better pick.
The Astro A40 TR Headset + MixAmp Pro 2017 are better for wired gaming and neutral sound than the Beats Solo3 2019. The Astro are more comfortable, better built, and have a better-performing boom microphone. They have a wired design and can be used with Astro companion software, which offers a graphic EQ plus presets. On the downside, some users have reported issues using the software, which can be a deal breaker if you want to use them on newer consoles. However, the Beats are better for casual use as they have a wireless design, a more stable fit, and their sound profile is more neutral out of the box.
The Jabra Evolve2 85 Wireless are better on-ear headphones for most uses than the Beats Solo3 2019. The Jabra are more comfortable and have a more neutral sound profile as well as an ANC feature that helps reduce ambient noise. Their mic performs better, and their companion app offers a graphic EQ and presets so that you can customize their sound profile. However, the Beats have a more stable fit and a longer, continuous battery life.
We've upgraded our Headphones Test Bench to 2.0! This update brings several key changes to our tests and usages, making it easier than ever to interpret our sound results based on your personal preferences. You'll also find a brand-new interactive graph tool featuring multiple targets (including our own!) for you to explore and compare.
For a full breakdown, check out our changelog, which includes detailed commentary from our test designer explaining the rationale behind our update.
We'd also love to hear your thoughts: your feedback helps us keep improving, so join us in the comments!
Test Results
These on-ear headphones look identical to the previous model. They have a sleek and curved look with no sharp edges, and a recessed manufacturer's logo is on either ear cup. They were originally available in several multicolor designs as part of the now discontinued 'Club Collection.' Since then, they're only available in: 'Gold,' 'Matte Black,' 'Rose Gold,' 'Satin Silver,' 'Silver,' and 'PRODUCT(RED) Citrus Red.'
The Beats Solo 3 feel decently comfortable. The ear cups are well-padded, but their clamping force can cause fatigue over time, depending on the shape of your head. Their headband doesn't have much padding, so it doesn't feel comfortable enough for long listening sessions as it puts pressure on the top of your head. If you wear glasses, the on-ear fit, in combination with the clamping force, can cause discomfort when your ears are pressed against the arms of the glasses.
These headphones have alright controls. Most of the physical controls are on the outside of the left ear cup and are built into the logo's design. They feel very responsive and clicky, which helps you know when you've properly entered a command. However, the headphones lack any L/R indication on the ear cups, making it difficult to quickly know which side the controls are on.
The inner 'b' button:
- Single press: Plays and pauses audio. Also answers and ends calls.
- Double press: Skips the track forward.
- Triple press: Skips the track backward.
- Press and hold: Activates voice assistant.
The outer circle button:
- Single press on the top side: Raises the volume.
- Single press on the bottom side: Lowers the volume.
Power button on the right ear cup:
- Single press: Turns the headphones on and off.
- Press and hold: Puts them into pairing mode.
These headphones have okay portability. They have hinges to fold up slightly to take up less space, making it easier to slide them into your bag. However, they're still bulky, especially if you put them in their case, and the ear cups don't rotate lay flat either.
These headphones have a good soft case. It has a zipper to keep your headphones fully enclosed, and the material feels thick. It'll protect your headphones from dust, scratches, and minor falls but won't shield them from water damage or moderate drops. It's also pretty bulky, which makes it hard to take them on the go.
These headphones have good build quality. They're made from sturdy and premium-feeling plastic and have metal joints for folding. The faux leather padding also feels plush. However, the outer shell feels a little rigid and could crack if bent.
The 2019 model of the Beats Solo 3 have a stable fit, just like the last generation model. If you're listening to audio at your desk or during a walk in the park, they won't move around or shift much in positioning. They also don't have any cables to catch on something and pull them off your head. However, they're not the best choice for high-intensity workouts like box jumps, as they can fall off with large head movements.
The Beats Solo 3 have a bass-heavy sound profile that delivers intense thump and boom to genres like EDM and hip-hop. The extra bass clutters vocals and lead instruments, which are already nudged back in the mix. While the treble response isn't recessed, due to the tuning's low-end emphasis, the cymbals and upper harmonics sound warm and less detailed. Unfortunately, their companion app doesn't offer any way to customize their sound. If you're looking for more neutral sounding on-ears, you'll want to check out the Beats Solo 4 Wireless, which are the next generation of these headphones.
The Beats Solo 3 have a good frequency response consistency. If you have thick hair or wear glasses, you may experience a slight drop in bass. Treble delivery is more noticeably inconsistent depending on fit and position, though. However, once you get a good fit, you can achieve a more consistent sound.
These headphones have passable bass accuracy. It's overemphasized across the entire range, so EDM songs like Hand in the Fire by Mr. Oizo feat. Charli XCX have lots of thump and rumble. However, if you don't like extra bass, you'll find your mixes sound overly bloated.
These headphones have very good mid accuracy. There's overemphasis continuing from the bass range into the low-mid, making mixes sound muddy and cluttered. A dip in the mid-mid also nudges vocals and lead instruments to the back of the mix, an effect made more noticeable by the exaggerated bass. However, the high-mid is very neutral, resulting in clear and present vocals and instruments.
The treble accuracy is excellent. Harmonics and sibilants like T and S sounds and cymbals, sound detailed and clear.
These headphones have satisfactory peaks and dips performance. The left and right drivers are mismatched in the low-bass and mid-bass, which means that the left driver produces more thump and rumble than the right driver. Luckily, outside of the bass range, the L/R drivers are fairly well-matched. There's a big peak between the high bass to the low mid, resulting in a boomy, muddy sound. The dip in the mid-mid pushes vocals and lead instruments to the back of the mix, while a couple of peaks in the low treble add a bit of harshness. Another peak in the mid-treble makes sibilants piercing. Overall, the headphones don't demonstrate especially impressive control over their sound profile.
The Beats Solo 3 have great imaging. Although we've tested a couple of headphones from Beats that have less than stellar imaging performances, like the Beats Studio3 Wireless and Beats Studio Buds + True Wireless, these products seem to be outliers. Generally, Beats has good quality control and ergonomics, which ensure proper driver matching. Our unit's L/R drivers are also well-matched. The weighted group delay is below the audibility threshold, resulting in a tight bass and transparent treble reproduction. The drivers are also very well-matched in phase, amplitude, and frequency response, which is important to accurately place objects like voices and instruments in the stereo image.
The Beats Solo 3 have a poor passive soundstage. Due to their on-ear design, they have limited interaction with your outer ear, which is one of the factors in creating a large and out-of-head soundstage. As a result, sound seems like it's coming from inside your head rather than from speakers placed in the room around you. These headphones also have a closed-back design, so their soundstage is perceived as less open and spacious than open-back headphones.
The weighted harmonic distortion performance is impressive. All frequencies fall within good limits, resulting in a clean and pure audio reproduction.
These are the settings used to test these headphones. Our results are only valid for these test settings.
The Beats Solo 3 have poor noise isolation performance. They block out almost nothing from the bass range and struggle to cut down mid-range noise, which will frustrate commuters looking for a reprieve from loud bus engines and chatty passengers. They do a bit better with higher-pitched noise, like the whir of a PC fan.
This is expected for on-ear headphones with passive-only isolation because they rely on clamping force to press against your ears to seal out noise, along with the isolating properties of the ear pads. Too much force and headphones become uncomfortable, even if they possibly isolate better. Over-ears like the Beats Studio Pro Wireless demonstrate that sealing around the entire ear isolates better.
These headphones have a mediocre leakage performance. A significant portion of their leakage is in the treble range, so escaping audio sounds thin. If you like to listen to your audio at a high volume, people around you will likely hear it.
The integrated mic's recording quality is okay. Your voice sounds a bit thin, slightly nasal, and muffled. The audio quality has audible compression. The person on the other end of the line may have a little bit of trouble hearing you clearly.
The mic's noise handling is sub-par. It struggles to separate your voice from ambient noise, even in moderately loud environments. If you take a call from a busy street, your voice is drowned out.
These headphones have great battery performance. The manufacturer advertises them to have 40 hours of continuous playback, and we measured just over 38 hours, so they'll last through a few workdays without needing a recharge. However, battery life can vary depending on use. They also have a 'Fast Fuel' quick-charge feature, which can deliver three hours of continuous battery life after being charged for five minutes, according to the manufacturer. You can use these headphones wired via their AUX port if you want to save power, too. Unfortunately, a 1/8" TRS cable isn't included in the box, which is disappointing. They also use the older micro USB standard for charging, which might be annoying if all your devices have the updated USB-C standard and you don't want to carry another charging cable.
These headphones have a disappointing companion app. The Beats app is a built-in pop-up on iOS devices that displays basic battery information when you first connect with your device, which is convenient but doesn't offer much more. It doesn't come with a graphic EQ or presets, so you can't adjust the sound to suit your tastes. There's a Find My Beats feature. You can download this app for Android, but it offers the same minimal functionality.
These headphones have satisfactory Bluetooth connectivity. While they don't have multi-device or NFC pairing and run on an old Bluetooth version, they have a W1 chip, making it easy to seamlessly pair with other Apple products and switch between Apple devices on the same iCloud account. If you're looking for a pair of on-ears with Bluetooth multipoint connectivity, it's worth checking out the JBL Live 670NC Wireless instead. Owing to the W1 chip, they have the least audio lag with Apple devices, although you'll still experience video out of sync with audio. If you want to use them with PCs, you'll notice a lot more latency, which can be disruptive when streaming video. Some devices and apps compensate for latency differently.
These headphones only come with a USB-A to micro USB charging cable. However, while they have an AUX port and support an analog connection, they don't come with a 1/8" TRS cable, which is an odd omission.
These headphones are fully compatible with Bluetooth-enabled PCs for audio and microphone support. You can also use a 1/8" TRS cable to connect them via analog, but this cable doesn't come in the box, and you can only receive audio.
You can connect these headphones to PS4 and PS5 consoles via an analog connection. However, you can only receive audio and need to buy this cable separately. If you need to strategize with friends, you'll need headphones with a compatible mic.
You can only use these headphones wired with Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S consoles. You can only receive audio, and the cable isn't included in the box. You won't have mic support if you need to speak with friends during gameplay.