On-Ear
AKG N60NC Wireless
76Great
$300
Full review dataAKG N60NC Wireless vs Beats Solo3: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the AKG N60NC Wireless comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 76. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: AKG N60NC Wireless - Great overall at around $300.
On-Ear
Beats Solo3
68Good
$379
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
AKG N60NC Wireless
Sound7.5
Noise cancelling7.0
Battery6.5
Value7.0
Beats Solo3
Sound6.5
Battery9.0
Calls6.0
Value6.0
Specifications
| Spec | AKG N60NC Wireless | Beats Solo3 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | On-Ear | On-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $300 | $379 |
| HearWiki score | 76 / 100 · Great | 68 / 100 · Good |
| Released | 2018 | 2016 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver size | 40 mm | 40 mm |
| Drivers per side | 1 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 10Hz-22kHz | 20Hz-20kHz |
| Impedance | 32 Ω | 32 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 111 dB/mW | - |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 4.0 | Class 1 Bluetooth |
| Bluetooth version | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX | SBC, AAC |
| Multipoint pairing | No | No |
| Wireless range | 10 m | - |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 15 h | 40 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | 30 h | - |
| Full charge time | - | 120 min |
| Quick charge | - | 5 min = 3 h |
| Wireless charging | No | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | Yes | No |
| ANC type | feedback | none |
| Transparency mode | No | No |
| Companion app | No | No |
| Custom EQ | No | No |
| Wear detection | No | No |
| Controls | buttons | buttons |
| Voice assistant | - | Siri |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 199.4 g | 215 g |
| Water resistance | none | none |
| Foldable | - | Yes |
| Detachable cable | Yes | Yes |
| USB-C | No | No |
| Model code | - | Beats Solo3 Wireless |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 1 | 2 |
What reviewers said
AKG N60NC Wireless
The AKG N60NC Wireless is a compact, travel-focused pair of on-ear headphones with effective hybrid noise cancellation and a lively, balanced sound signature. They're comfortable and portable, making them a solid choice for commuters, though their wireless performance isn't quite as polished as the wired mode and battery life falls short of top competitors.
- Pro:Compact and lightweight design ideal for travel
- Pro:Effective noise cancellation for its size
- Pro:Entertaining, well-balanced audio quality
- Con:Wireless sound quality is slightly inferior to wired mode
- Con:Noise cancellation can weaken with jaw movement
- Con:Battery life is decent but not class-leading
Beats Solo3
The Beats Solo3 is a wireless on-ear headphone that prioritizes marathon battery life and effortless pairing with Apple devices above all else. Its sound is energetic and bass-forward, which suits casual listening, but the tight fit and lack of refinement make it less ideal for critical or all-day use. While it lacks modern features like ANC or USB-C, its robust battery and portability keep it relevant for commuters and gym-goers.
- Pro:Exceptional 40-hour battery life
- Pro:Simple and stable wireless pairing for Apple users
- Pro:Lightweight and foldable for easy travel
- Con:Tight clamping force may cause discomfort over time
- Con:Bass-heavy tuning can overshadow vocals and instruments
- Con:No active noise cancellation or transparency mode
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
Compare something else
Swap either side out, or start again from the picker.