Beats Solo3 Wireless vs JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 78. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

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

On-Ear

Score breakdown

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

JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless leads on 7 of 7 measures.

Beats Solo3 Wireless
JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless

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 (2024) against Beats Solo3 Wireless (2016). The JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless 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 Wireless20248 yr newer

What differsSolo3 WirelessEpic Work ANC Wireless

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

Type: On-Ear; On-Ear
Price (USD): $200; $130
HearWiki score: 54; 78
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; 60 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
Water resistance: none; none
Foldable: Yes; No
Detachable cable: Yes; -
USB-C: No; Yes
Microphones: 1; 5
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
Spec	Beats Solo3 Wireless	JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless
Type	On-Ear	On-Ear
Price (USD)	$200	$130
HearWiki score	54 / 100 Average	78 / 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	60 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
Water resistance	none	none
Foldable	Yes	No
Detachable cable	Yes	-
USB-C	No	Yes
Calls
Microphones	1	5
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

The JLab Epic Work ANC Wireless is a budget-friendly on-ear headset built for long workdays, combining hybrid active noise cancellation with a clear transparency mode for staying aware. Its standout 60-hour ANC battery life, solid call quality via five mics, and multipoint Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity make it a practical choice for office or remote use. While it lacks water resistance and folding hinges, its comfort and feature-packed design earn it strong marks for the price.

Pro:Excellent battery life with ANC on
Pro:Effective hybrid noise cancellation
Pro:Clear microphone for calls

Con:No water resistance
Con:Not foldable for easy transport
Con:Only SBC and AAC codecs

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

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