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.
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 much to block out background noise, the JBL's noise isolation performance is still a step up from the Beats, isolating you more effectively against engine rumble and background chatter. The JBLs also feature Bluetooth multi-point connectivity, allowing you to pair with two devices simultaneously. That said, the Beats feature a W1 chip that allows for seamless pairing with Apple devices.
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