Beats Solo3 Wireless vs JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear Headset: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear Headset comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 79. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear Headset - Great overall at around $130.

On-Ear

Beats Solo3 Wireless

54Average

$200

Full review data

On-Ear

JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear Headset

79Great

$130

Full review data

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear Headset leads on 7 of 7 measures.

Beats Solo3 Wireless
JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear Headset

HearWiki score

Sound

6.3

7.4

Noise cancelling

6.5

Battery

8.7

9.2

Calls

4.8

8.0

Value

4.8

8.0

Price (USD)

$200

$130

Generation & platform

The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?

New platform

JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear Headset (2024) against Beats Solo3 Wireless (2016). The JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear Headset is the newer platform here: Bluetooth 5.3 against 4.0 and ANC type Hybrid against None. It also adds Multipoint pairing, USB-C, Transparency mode and Custom EQ.

Solo3 Wireless2016
Epic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear Headset20248 yr newer

What differsSolo3 WirelessEpic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear Headset

Bluetooth: 4.0; 5.3
ANC type: None; Hybrid
Multipoint pairing: No; Yes
USB-C: No; Yes
Transparency mode: No; Yes
Custom EQ: No; Yes
Companion app: No; Yes

Level on: Top codec.

Specifications

Solo3 WirelessEpic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear Headset

Type: On-Ear; On-Ear
Price (USD): $200; $130
HearWiki score: 54; 79
Released: 2016; 2024
Availability: Still sold new; Still sold new
Driver: 40 mm dynamic; 40 mm dynamic
Driver type: dynamic; dynamic
Driver size: 40 mm; 40 mm
Drivers per side: 1; 1
Frequency response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz; 20 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance: 32 Ω; 32 Ω
Sensitivity: -; 94 dB/mW
Bluetooth: 4.0; 5.3
Codecs: SBC, AAC; SBC, AAC
Multipoint pairing: No; Yes
Latency: -; 50 ms
Wireless range: -; 9 m
Battery life: 40 h; 90 h
Battery life (ANC on): -; 60 h
Full charge time: 120 min; -
Quick charge: 5 min → 3 h; 10 min → 6 h
Wireless charging: No; -
Active noise cancelling: No; Yes
ANC type: none; hybrid
Transparency mode: No; Yes
Companion app: No; Yes
Custom EQ: No; Yes
Wear detection: No; No
Controls: buttons; buttons
Voice assistant: Siri; Yes
Weight: 215 g; 128 g
Case weight: -; 80 g
Water resistance: none; none
Foldable: Yes; -
Detachable cable: Yes; No
USB-C: No; Yes
Pad material: -; leather
Connector: -; USB-C
Microphones: 1; 5
Microphone type: -; MEMS
Mic sensitivity: -; -38 dBV
Call noise reduction: -; Yes
Call NR technology: -; 2-mic ENC

Specification comparison of Beats Solo3 Wireless vs JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear Headset
Spec	Beats Solo3 Wireless	JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear Headset
Type	On-Ear	On-Ear
Price (USD)	$200	$130
HearWiki score	54 / 100 Average	79 / 100 Great
Released	2016	2024
Audio
Driver	40 mm dynamic	40 mm dynamic
Driver type	dynamic	dynamic
Driver size	40 mm	40 mm
Drivers per side	1	1
Frequency response	20 Hz - 20 kHz	20 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance	32 Ω	32 Ω
Sensitivity	-	94 dB/mW
Wireless
Bluetooth	4.0	5.3
Codecs	SBC, AAC	SBC, AAC
Multipoint pairing	No	Yes
Latency	-	50 ms
Wireless range	-	9 m
Battery
Battery life	40 h	90 h
Battery life (ANC on)	-	60 h
Full charge time	120 min	-
Quick charge	5 min → 3 h	10 min → 6 h
Wireless charging	No	-
Features
Active noise cancelling	No	Yes
ANC type	none	hybrid
Transparency mode	No	Yes
Companion app	No	Yes
Custom EQ	No	Yes
Wear detection	No	No
Controls	buttons	buttons
Voice assistant	Siri	Yes
Design
Weight	215 g	128 g
Case weight	-	80 g
Water resistance	none	none
Foldable	Yes	-
Detachable cable	Yes	No
USB-C	No	Yes
Pad material	-	leather
Connector	-	USB-C
Calls
Microphones	1	5
Microphone type	-	MEMS
Mic sensitivity	-	-38 dBV
Call noise reduction	-	Yes
Call NR technology	-	2-mic ENC

What reviewers said

Beats Solo3 Wireless

The Beats Solo3 Wireless are lightweight, foldable on-ear headphones known for their exceptional 40-hour battery life and punchy, bass-forward sound. They offer easy pairing with Apple devices and solid wireless performance, but their tight fit and average audio fidelity leave them better suited for casual listening than critical use.

Pro:Exceptional battery life (40 hours)
Pro:Lightweight and foldable design
Pro:Fast charging capability

Con:Tight clamping force can cause discomfort
Con:Bass-heavy sound can muddy vocals and details
Con:Micro-USB charging port is outdated

JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear Headset

The JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless On-Ear Headset is a lightweight, versatile option designed for office and remote work, featuring hybrid active noise cancellation, Bluetooth 5.3, and multipoint connectivity. It offers impressive battery endurance, clear call quality with multiple microphones, and a simple button-based control scheme, all wrapped in a comfortable, portable design.

Pro:Exceptional battery life, even with ANC enabled
Pro:Lightweight and comfortable for long work sessions
Pro:Hybrid ANC effectively reduces moderate ambient noise

Con:Occasional Bluetooth connectivity quirks reported
Con:No water resistance rating
Con:Limited codec support (only SBC and AAC)

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

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