ZDNET Key Takeaways
- The new Beats Solo Buds They are affordable headphones at $80 and available to purchase now.
- Their compact size, fun colors, and 18-hour battery life make them attractive to Beats devotees.
- Other headphones offer features these headphones lack, such as active noise cancellation and multipoint Bluetooth, for less money.
Today, you can buy headphones with upgraded features for less than $100, thanks to advances and greater accessibility to audio technology, such as noise cancellation and sound quality. As a result, headphones and earphones continue to get better and better, and you don’t need to shell out hundreds of dollars to get a decent pair, making the budget headphone market more competitive than ever.
Also: Best Budget Headphones – Tested and Reviewed by Experts
So when Beats sent me the Beats Solo Buds, the company’s newest budget headphones, I was eager to hear them. The Solo Buds are Beats’ latest foray into budget audio gear, following the launch of its mid-range over-ear headphones, the Beats Solo 4.
There are plenty of great headphones for under $100 (some under $60), so how do the Solo Buds fare in a market packed with so many distinguished competitors? Please continue reading as I try to answer that question.
What are the best features of the Beats Solo Buds?
Right out of the box, you get a tiny case shaped for maximum pocketability, four ear tips to ensure a perfect fit, and headphones. The Solo Buds come in matte black, grey, purple and clear red. I love the soft purple color option and the case is convenient to take with you anywhere.
The Solo Buds are comfortable to wear with no pressure buildup after hours of continuous listening, and I appreciate the four XS, S, M, and L ear tips.
Also: Beats just updated its most popular line of headphones and they sound great
The headphones are very loud and the audio playback from the microphones sounded clear when I recorded a voice memo. At 18 hours, the headphones are sure to offer at least a week of battery life if you use them for working out at the gym or a few days for desk listening while working in the office.
These headphones will please people who want long battery life and some iOS-specific features for under $100. The Solo Buds will be most useful for people who don’t require extra features or stellar sound from their headphones, but want a simple solution that works for occasional use.
What I would like to see in the next model.
I’d like to see Beats include more valuable features in this pair of $80 headphones than its competitors include in their products, such as active noise cancellation, lighter and less cumbersome touch controls, IP rating, in-ear sensing, and multipoint Bluetooth.
The Solo Buds’ sound feels flat and tinny at times, especially at low to medium volumes. These are headphones for people who don’t demand impressive audio quality and value spending less money on brand name headphones. Beats omitted active noise cancellation from the Solo Buds and I heard everything in my surroundings when listening to music. Higher quality sound and noise cancellation technology would make these headphones much more competitive.
Most people use headphones for exercise, and most headphones have an official IP rating to notify consumers how much sweat and water their headphones can withstand before irreparable damage occurs. Unfortunately, Beats decided not to formally test IP the Solo Buds. I asked Beats if the Solo Buds have any protection against water or sweat damage, and a Beats spokesperson confirmed that they have some defense against liquid intrusion. I concluded that Beats probably tested these headphones for water ingress, but I excluded an official rating to keep the retail price at $80.
Also: Best Headphones – Tested and Reviewed by Experts
Beats could improve the comfort of the Solo Buds through touch controls. Unlike other headphones that use light touches to pause, play or skip music, these headphones come with buttons that you press and click. While pausing and resuming, I had to press hard for the button to register, which uncomfortably pushed the earbuds further into my ear.
My final complaint with the Solo Buds is that the package does not include a USB-C charging cable. I guess it’s because these headphones debuted in time for the iPhone 15USB-C-ification; People can use the USB-C cables they already own to charge these headphones. By omitting the cord, Beats can cite environmental friendliness while reducing manufacturing costs. Still, I can imagine some non-USB-C smartphone owners getting frustrated when they have to search around their house for an old USB-C cable to charge their new headphones.
ZDNET Buying Tips
After a few days of testing and listening, I discovered that the Beats Solo Buds They can’t compete with other budget headphones I’ve tried and loved. You might be better off looking elsewhere for a pair of headphones with all the features that Beats didn’t add to the Solo Buds. There are some thoughtful features that I enjoyed, but ultimately, I’m looking forward to the improvements and advancements that Beats will make in the next model of this product.
At their debut, the Solo Buds are overpriced; If they go on sale this holiday season for between $40 and $50, buy them if you want a basic pair of headphones. These headphones are for people who want comfortable, affordable headphones with long battery life. If that’s you, you’ll enjoy these headphones.
However, if you want headphones for even less money that have a charging cable, noise cancellation, and an IP55 waterproof rating, consider the JLab JBuds ANC 3. For stylish headphones with enhanced software features, consider the Nada Ear (a) headphones.