Our Verdict
Decent for mixed usage. These in-ears can be used for a variety of use cases since they are portable, isolate against noise well, and have decent sound quality. They can block low-end noise during your commute as well as stay in your ears for physical activity. Unfortunately, their microphone doesn’t seem to fare well when connected to gaming consoles, and their short cable won’t be ideal for watching TV. On the upside, their wired connection offers no latency and they are easy to carry around.
- Decent audio reproduction.
- Good microphone recording quality.
- Great passive isolation performance.
- Typical in-ear fit might not be comfortable for everyone.
- Limited control scheme on Android.
Decent for neutral listening. The Beats urBeats3 have a powerful, extended, and consistent bass, a fairly well-balanced mid-range, and a very good treble. However, their bass is slightly thumpy, which some may prefer. Also, there’s a small recess in the mid-range which could push the vocals and leads back in the mix. Additionally, there’s a bit of unevenness in higher frequencies, meaning some S and T sounds will lack detail and some will be too bright. Overall, these headphones are fairly versatile but will be better suited for bass-heavy music. They won’t be the ideal choice for vocal-centric genres.
Decent for commuting. Their in-ear fit creates an airtight seal that blocks a good amount of low-end noise like the rumble of a plane or bus engine. They are also very portable and easy to carry around. You can also watch video content during your commute without any delay, which can be convenient for some. Unfortunately, they won’t be comfortable for everyone and might not be ideal for the longest rides and flights.
Good for sports. These headphones are very portable and easy to carry around to the gym. You can also easily run with these, especially if using the stability fins. They shouldn’t pop out of your ears during sports, and since their bud design is very small you shouldn’t feel a big difference in temperature. These headphones are very lightweight, but they won’t offer the freedom of a wireless design, so you might find the cable to be in your way.
Passable for the office. These headphones won’t offer the freedom of a wireless design, but they still have a decent audio reproduction for you to enjoy your favorite tracks while working. Also, the in-ear design doesn’t leak much, so you shouldn’t bother people surrounding you by listening at higher volumes. While you won’t have to worry about a battery life, these headphones won’t be ideal since their fit isn’t the most comfortable to wear during a full work day.
Okay for gaming. These wired headphones will offer a latency-free gaming experience, which is great. However, they won’t be the most comfortable headphones for long gaming sessions. Also, their microphone doesn’t work properly with consoles like the PS4 and Xbox One, which is unfortunate considering its good recording quality. They also won’t be customizable like some gaming headsets we’ve reviewed so far.
Changelog
- Updated Mar 24, 2020: Converted to Test Bench 1.4.
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.1.
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.
- Updated May 14, 2019: Review published.
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Popular Headphones Comparisons
The Beats urBeats3 are fairly versatile in-ear headphones that set themselves apart by their great in-line microphone, but they won’t necessarily stand out for their sound quality or any interesting features. They are overall decent for most use cases and should still satisfy most people. See our recommendations for best in-ears and earbuds, the best earphones with a mic, and the best headphones for running.
The Beats urBeats3 Earphones and the Beats BeatsX Wireless are very similar, but the BeatsX are wireless while the urBeats3 are wired in-ears. They have a very similar sound signature and they have a near-identical fit. However, you get stability fins with the urBeats3. The microphone is noticeably better on the urBeats3 which is better for calls, but some may still prefer the freedom of a wireless design. The BeatsX have an around-the-neck wireless design while the wired urBeats are pretty typical in-ears.
The Beats urBeats3 Earphones are better-mixed usage headphones than the Apple EarPods thanks to their great passive isolation. The Beats closed-back design blocks noticeably more ambient noise than the open-ear Apple, which makes them the better option for commuting and offers more bass. On the other hand, the Apple's one-size-fits-all design is fairly more comfortable. The stability fins of the Beats could help you find a better fit for sports activities.
The Beats urBeats3 Earphones are better-wired in-ears than the TIN Audio T3. They don’t sound as sharp as the TIN, and they have an in-line remote with controls and a microphone, which the TIN is lacking. The stability fins of the Beats could be helpful for a more secure fit inside the ear for sports activities. On the other hand, the TIN headphones are better-built, and their detachable cable is a nice feature since it's easy to replace if broken.
The Bose SoundTrue Ultra In-Ear might be a slightly better option over the Beats urBeats3 Earphones, thanks to their very comfortable earbud-like tips that don’t enter the ear canal as deeply. They also have a slightly more accurate audio reproduction. On the other hand, the Beats have a noticeably better microphone, and their in-ear fit isolates more noise than the Bose, making them a better option to use in public transit.
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