Since Apple acquired Beats in 2014, Cupertino has taken a long road until it got the core of Beats right. While the music company was a fundamental part of Apple’s now-successful music streaming service, we couldn’t say the same about its product lineup.
For almost a decade, Beats headphones and earbuds were confusing to choose from. Some offered Apple custom audio chips, while others focused on Android. In between, the company would keep updating old headphones and earbuds with special collaborations.
Over the past few years, it seems Beats has been cleaning up its lineup to offer its most consistent products to date. With the release of Beats Solo Buds, I think the company has finally achieved that, as it is now delivering a consistent sound throughout its lineup, in addition to fair prices and well-made products.
This is our Beats headphones buying guide, which will help you find the best Beats product for your needs at the best price.
Beats Solo Buds: Something to begin with
Beats Solo Buds are the latest addition to the Beats lineup. By replacing the 2021 Beats Studio Buds, the company focused on offering a great price point for those looking for affordable earbuds that still sound good. Although they lack some of Beats’ signature bass, they last up to 18 hours on a single charge, have a very thin charging case, and offer great features for both Apple and Android devices. All of that for $79.99.
Who should get these earbuds: Those looking for affordable earbuds without losing comfort and sound quality with style.
Beats Studio Buds+: The best cost-benefit
Of all Beats earbuds and headphones, Beats Studio Buds+ are my favorite choice. Released in 2023, it improves all the weak features of the first Studio Buds earbuds. It has a cool design, a similar sound quality to the AirPods Pro 2, and costs way less than Apple’s premium earbuds. With up to nine hours of listening time (and 36 hours when charging it with the case), it seems these earbuds never let you down. They cost $169.95, but they’re often heavily discounted now.
Who should get these earbuds: Those looking for a product with AirPods Pro 2-like sound quality but with a different design and more affordable price.
Beats Fit Pro: Beats’ AirPods Pro competitor
One of the oldest products in the Beats lineup, the Beats Fit Pro, was released in 2021. At the time, it was the best alternative for those who found AirPods Pro uncomfortable. It has the same features but more battery and a different fit wing design. Beats Fit Pro is one of the best earbuds available in the market. They cost $199.95 but are usually available for $50 less.
Who should get these earbuds: Those looking for the same audio quality as AirPods Pro but with an improved design and comfort.
Beats Solo 4: Big sound, great comfort
Beats is back on its roots with Beats Solo 4. It offers the new signature Beats sound, which focuses on bass while still delivering clean vocals and rich sound. With up to 50 hours of wireless listening (or endless time with a wired connection), these headphones are similar to what you’d expect from a Beats product but with a way better construction. They’re available for $199.99 but are usually found at lower prices.
Who should get these headphones: Beats Solo 4 offers big sound at an affordable price; however, it only has passive noise cancellation.
Beats Studio Pro: Everything you want
As I mentioned before, all of these earbuds and headphones have a similar sound, which I think is great. Consistency is the keyword for this new Beats era. However, what’s the difference between all of these products? The perks they offer. With Beats Studio Pro, you’ll get ANC, Transparency, Spatial Audio with Dynamic Head-Tracking, and Profile Modes for different moments, such as playing a game, watching a movie, or listening to your favorite song. These headphones are all about the details and great battery life. They’re available for $349.99 but are usually found at lower prices.
Who should get these headphones: Beats Studio Pro offers the ultimate Beats experience with every key feature you might desire. It has some functions that even AirPods Max lacks—and it costs way more.
Beats headphones buying guide wrap-up
These are the main Beats headphones and earbuds you should be looking for with this buying guide. After testing all these products, I assure you you won’t be disappointed with your choices. The Los Angeles company is embarking on a new era of audio products with improved sound quality and even more perks for both Android and iOS users.
