The Solo Buds are the brand's lowest-priced wireless earbuds and package many AirPods features into the brand's tiniest design to date.
For
- Convenient, compact design
- Promising performance
- Spatial Audio support
- Compatible with iPhone and Android
- Numerous high-end features
- Stellar iOS integration
Against
- No charging case
- No charging cable included
- Unstable fit
The Buds Studio+ are a sleek-looking upgrade to the original Studio Buds that improves on ANC and battery life.
For
- Iconic style, compact design
- Effective noise cancellation
- Improved battery life over the original
- Good comfort levels
Against
- No wireless charging case
- Lacks on-ear detection
- Awkward to get in and out of charging case
- Loose fit
Beats true wireless resume is nearly flawless. From the excellent PowerBeats Pro, which remain a top seller, to the flagship goliath that is the Fit Pro, the company has consistently put out some of the best wireless earbuds that money can buy.
Its two latest models – the Solo Buds and Studio Buds + – carry several traits of the best Beats headphones. That includes bass-forward sound, instantaneous pairing with all Apple devices, and stylish designs that pay homage to the brand’s trendy aesthetic. Best of all, they’re both relatively affordable at their respective price points.
These are two affordable investments for Apple and Android users on a budget. As for the better pickup, our comparison has the answer.
Beats Solo Buds vs. Beats Studio Buds+: Specs compared
| Header Cell - Column 0 | Beats Solo Buds | Beats Studio Buds Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $79 / £62 / AU$120 | $169 / £179 / AU$269 |
| Wireless charging case | No | No |
| Chip | H1 | H1 |
| Battery life (rated) | 18 hours (per charge) | 9 hours (ANC off); 6 hours (with ANC and/or transparency enabled); up to 36 hours total (with charging case and ANC off) |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.3 with SBC and AAC | Bluetooth 5.3 with SBC and AAC |
| Durability | IPX4 (buds only) | IPX4 (buds only) |
| Size | 0.81 x 0.73 x 0.75 inches (per bud); 2.6 x 1.4 x 0.96 inches (charging case) | 0.9 x 0.8 x 0.6 inches (per bud); 2.83 x 1.0 x 2.0 inches (charging case) |
| Weight | 0.2 ounces (per bud); 0.7 ounces (charging case) | 0.17 ounces (per bud); 1.7 ounces (charging case) |
Beats Solo Buds vs. Beats Studio Buds+: Price and availability
Beats launched the Solo Buds at $79 / £62 / AU$120, which fall below the $99 AirPods 2 and make them the most affordable true wireless entry in the Apple or Beats catalog. The Studio Buds+ carry a higher MSRP at $169 / £179 / AU$269, though the buds are occasionally on sale (we’ve seen them as low as $130). Both models can be purchased on popular online retailers like Amazon and Best Buy or the Apple/Beats website.
The Solo Buds’ pricing is too good to pass up, though their compromises may sway you towards the Studio Buds+, when on sale.
Winner: Beats Solo Buds
Beats Solo Buds vs. Beats Studio Buds+: Design
The Solo Buds are Beats tiniest buds yet and maintain signature details such as the iconic B logo and vibrant colorways: Arctic Purple, Matte Black, Storm Gray, and Transparent Red. They’re built from sturdy plastic with IPX4 certification for sweat and water resistance. The oval-shaped design rests pleasantly on the ear and provides a secure fit. Beats constructed the case to be compact and conveniently portable, and it bears resemblance to the Pill portable speaker.
The Studio Buds+ look exactly like the original Studio Buds. However, Beats updated this version with newer components and sleeker colorways like Transparent, which gives the buds and charging case a see-through appearance that’s inspired by the Nothing Ear (1). It looks awesome in person. These buds have the same build quality, comfort, and IP rating as the Solo Buds. The case is light and travel-friendly as well.
Winner: Beats Studio Buds+
Beats Solo Buds vs. Beats Studio Buds+: Controls
Each model carries multifunctional buttons to execute a variety of functions: call management, digital assistant, playback, volume. The controls are responsive and produce solid tactile feedback to ensure listeners of intended actions being met. Where the Studio Buds+ have the edge is “Hey Siri” voice activation to instantly fire up Apple’s AI bot for accurate hands-free voice commands. The Solo Buds require you to manually enable the feature.
Winner: Beats Studio Buds+
Beats Solo Buds vs. Beats Studio Buds+: Sound quality
The Solo Buds sound great for their price. Beats equipped them with a two-layer dynamic diaphragm transducer and laser-cut micro-venting holes that help with bass response and passive noise isolation. You’ll enjoy punchy bass and a well-balanced frequency range that suits many music genres. Sound can be personalized in iOS through the EQ setting with 20+ presets. Spatial audio is automatically enabled when indulging in Dolby Atmos-mixed content, and performance is decent. Audio can also be shared with another AirPods or Beats headphones owner.
Not only do the Studio Buds+ offer these same features, but they come with fine-tuned drivers developed from scratch that produce cleaner bass with “ultra-low distortion.” Music and movies sound livelier, and bass remains impactful on high-energy tracks. Spatial audio operates the same way, though it is slightly better on these buds. Active noise cancellation refines the listening experience by effectively blocking out unwanted noises from the soundstage. Whether it’s basic ANC mode or the impressive transparency mode to increase situational awareness, the technology doesn’t compromise sound quality.
Winner: Beats Studio Buds+
Beats Solo Buds vs. Beats Studio Buds+: Special features and apps
Both sets of buds benefit from Apple’s ecosystem, hosting similar features that are tied to iOS, along with Google integration via Beats’ proprietary chipset. Aforementioned features like audio sharing, EQ, and spatial audio are accounted for. Others include audio switching, control customization, Find My integration, microphone assignment, and one-tap pairing with iOS and Android devices (Google Fast Pair).
The Studio Buds+ are more advanced with ANC at the helm. That and battery life (more on that later) are what differentiate the two products from a functionality standpoint.
Winner: Beats Studio Buds+
Beats Solo Buds vs. Beats Studio Buds+: Call quality and connectivity
Call quality on Beats wireless earbuds has been moderately good. These two releases are sufficient for making calls when in a pinch. Callers on the opposite end will be able to make out sentences, though ambient noise presence can disrupt conversations. Connectivity is strong on both sets of buds. The Solo Buds and Studio Buds+ easily pair to recognized devices, plus they can extend range up to 50 feet in open spaces.
Winner: Tie
Beats Solo Buds vs. Beats Studio Buds+: Battery life
On paper, the Solo buds are the longest lasting wireless earbuds on the market…per charge, that is. They generate up to 18 hours when fully charged, which is nearly triple the AirPods Pro 2’s playtime. Unfortunately, the case they come with doesn’t have a battery, so you get zero charges or additional playtime. There isn’t even a USB-C cable bundled with the package. At least the buds support Fast-Fuel charging (5 mins = 1 hour of playtime).
Meanwhile, the Studio Buds+ generate 9 hours per charge, depending how you use the buds. The charging case holds up to 36 hours total, providing multiple charges for additional playback. Quick charging is equal to the Solo Buds.
Winner: Beats Studio Buds Plus
Beats Solo Buds vs. Beats Studio Buds+: Verdict
| Header Cell - Column 0 | Beats Solo Buds | Beats Studio Buds Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Price and value (5) | 5 | 4 |
| Design (15) | 12 | 13 |
| Controls (10) | 7 | 8 |
| Sound quality (25) | 18 | 20 |
| Special features and apps (25) | 17 | 20 |
| Call quality (10) | 7 | 7 |
| Battery life (10) | 7 | 8 |
| Total Score (100) | 73 | 80 |
We wouldn’t blame you for gravitating towards the Solo Buds, which are half the price of their elder sibling. They deliver strong audio and single-charge battery life (up to 18 hours) in a super-chic design that appeals to fashionistas and trendsetters. Access to upscale features like Find My Integration and spatial audio add to their value.
However, the Studio Buds+ offer greater performance. It’s not just about their powerful noise cancellation, satisfying audio or slightly bigger feature set. Battery life is the key, and it’s much bigger and more practical on these buds. Spending $169 seems a bit steep, especially when you can get much of the same performance from the best cheap wireless earbuds. That doesn’t diminish their elite status.
More from Tom's Guide
- Best AirPods 2024: Top Apple models tested and rated
- AirPods Max 2 and AirPods 4 on track for later this year
- Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro vs. Bose QC Ultra Earbuds
Best deals
