The Beats Solo Buds, the company’s newest budget earbuds, I was eager to give them a listen. The Solo Buds are Beats’ latest venture into budget-friendly audio gear, following the release of its midrange on-ear headphones, the Beats Solo 4.
There are plenty of great earbuds out there for less than $100 (some less than $60), so how do the Solo Buds fare in a jam-packed market with so many distinguished competitors? Read on as I try to answer that question.
What are the Beats Solo Buds’ best features?
Right out of the box, you get a teeny-tiny case shaped for maximum pocketability, four ear tips to ensure a tight fit, and earbuds. The Solo Buds come in matte black, gray, purple, and transparent red. I love the soft purple color option, and the case is convenient for bringing them anywhere.
These earbuds will please people who want long battery life and some iOS-specific features for less than $100. The Solo Buds will best serve people who don’t require extra features or stellar sound from their earbuds but want a no-frills solution that will do the trick for casual use.
What I’d like to see in the next model
I’d like to see Beats pump more valuable features into this $80 pair of earbuds that its competitors include in their products, like active noise cancellation, lighter and less uncomfortable touch controls, an IP rating, in-ear detection, and multipoint Bluetooth.
The Solo Buds’ sound feels flat and tinny at times, especially at low-to-mid volume. These are earbuds for people who don’t demand impressive audio quality and value spending less money on name-brand earbuds. Beats omitted active noise cancellation from the Solo Buds, and I heard everything in my environment when I listened to music. Higher-quality sound and noise-canceling tech would make these earbuds far more competitive.
At debut, the Solo Buds are overpriced; if they go on sale this holiday season for $40 to $50, buy them if you want a pair of bare-bones earbuds. These earbuds are for people who want comfortable, affordable buds with a long battery life. If that’s you, you’ll enjoy these earbuds.
If, however, you want earbuds for even less money that have a charging cord, noise-canceling, and an IP55 waterproof rating, consider the JLab JBuds ANC 3
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