Beats Solo2 Wireless vs Beats Solo3: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Beats Solo2 Wireless comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 72. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Score breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Specifications
| Spec | Beats Solo2 Wireless | Beats Solo3 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | On-Ear | On-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $300 | $379 |
| HearWiki score | 72 / 100 · Good | 68 / 100 · Good |
| Released | 2015 | 2016 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver size | - | 40 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-20kHz | 20Hz-20kHz |
| Impedance | 45 Ω | 32 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 115 dB/mW | - |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | - | Class 1 Bluetooth |
| Bluetooth version | - | 4.0 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC |
| Multipoint pairing | No | No |
| Wireless range | 9 m | - |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 12 h | 40 h |
| Full charge time | - | 120 min |
| Quick charge | - | 5 min = 3 h |
| Wireless charging | No | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | No |
| ANC type | - | none |
| Transparency mode | - | No |
| Companion app | - | No |
| Custom EQ | - | No |
| Wear detection | - | No |
| Controls | buttons | buttons |
| Voice assistant | - | Siri |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 205 g | 215 g |
| Water resistance | none | none |
| Foldable | - | Yes |
| Detachable cable | - | Yes |
| USB-C | No | No |
| Model code | - | Beats Solo3 Wireless |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 1 | 2 |
What reviewers said
Beats Solo2 Wireless
These on-ear wireless headphones offer a bold, engaging sound with a comfortable fit and a practical 12-hour battery life. While they perform well across many genres, their lack of noise cancellation and limited codec support keep them from being top-tier in feature-rich environments. They are a solid, stylish choice for everyday listening, especially if you value a lively presentation over advanced tech.
- Pro:Long 12-hour battery life
- Pro:Comfortable fit for extended use
- Pro:Bold, engaging sound profile
- Con:Weak noise isolation for loud spaces
- Con:No active noise cancellation
- Con:Only supports SBC codec
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.
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