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Beats Solo Buds vs Huawei FreeBuds Neo: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the Huawei FreeBuds Neo comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 85. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: Huawei FreeBuds Neo - Outstanding overall at around $109.

Score breakdown

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

Huawei FreeBuds Neo leads on 6 of 7 measures.

  • Beats Solo Buds
  • Huawei FreeBuds Neo
HearWiki score
64
85
Sound
6.3
8.0
Noise cancelling
-
8.0
Battery
7.8
8.0
Calls
4.8
8.0
Value
6.0
9.0
Price (USD)
$73
$110

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

Huawei FreeBuds Neo (2026) against Beats Solo Buds (2024). The Huawei FreeBuds Neo is the newer platform here: Top codec LDAC against AAC and ANC type Adaptive against None. It also adds Water resistance (IP55).

  • Solo Buds2024
  • FreeBuds Neo20262 yr newer
What differsSolo BudsFreeBuds Neo

Platform

Top codec
AAC
LDAC
ANC type
None
Adaptive

Everyday features

Water resistance
Not rated
IP55

Specifications

Solo BudsFreeBuds Neo
Type
True Wireless
True Wireless
Price (USD)
$73
$110
HearWiki score
64
85
Released
2024
2026
Availability
Still sold new
Sold new
Driver
2× 8.2 mm dynamic
dynamic
Driver type
dynamic
dynamic
Driver size
8.2 mm
-
Drivers per side
2
-
Frequency response
-
10 Hz - 48 kHz
Bluetooth
5.3
-
Codecs
SBC, AAC
LDAC
Multipoint pairing
Yes
-
Battery life
18 h
10 h
Battery life (ANC on)
-
6.5 h
Battery incl. case
-
40 h
Wireless charging
No
-
Active noise cancelling
No
Yes
ANC type
-
adaptive
Transparency mode
-
Yes
Companion app
-
Yes
Custom EQ
-
Yes
Controls
buttons
touch
Weight
5.7 g
4.8 g
Case weight
22 g
-
Water resistance
none
IP55
Detachable cable
No
-
USB-C
Yes
-
Microphones
-
4

What reviewers said

Beats Solo Buds

The Beats Solo Buds are a budget-friendly true wireless option that focuses on core audio quality and exceptional battery life, offering a secure fit ideal for workouts. They deliver a clean, dynamic sound with Bluetooth 5.3 and multipoint support, but cut costs by omitting active noise cancellation, wireless charging, and any water resistance, making them a bare-bones pick for casual listeners who value simplicity and long playtime.

  • Pro:Excellent battery life of 18 hours
  • Pro:Secure, comfortable fit for sports and fitness
  • Pro:Clean, punchy sound for the price
  • Con:No active noise cancellation or transparency mode
  • Con:No wireless charging or water resistance
  • Con:Limited controls with no in-ear detection

Huawei FreeBuds Neo

The Huawei FreeBuds Neo are lightweight, comfortable true wireless earbuds with adaptive active noise cancellation and a robust feature set for their price. They offer solid call quality, a lively sound signature, and practical extras like transparency mode and app support, making them a versatile mid-range option for travel and daily use.

  • Pro:Comfortable and lightweight fit
  • Pro:Effective adaptive ANC
  • Pro:Good call quality with 4 mics
  • Con:Battery life with ANC is modest
  • Con:May not satisfy audiophiles seeking specialized tuning
  • Con:Touch controls may require adjustment

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

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