Beats Solo Buds, Apple’s latest addition, is a tiny powerful comfortable earbuds which more than able to provide fantastic sound experiences with less money. It offers good sound quality, fit and cross-platform features from one of its popular Studio Ear Buds but at a cheaper price with a nicer and sleek design.
Like last year’s Buds+, Solo Buds offers smooth integration with Android and Apple devices and best in both platforms. The price of this earbuds is slightly lower than the other Beats devices but it cuts few important features here. The price is around £80.00 whereas other Beats devices (true wireless) prices are nearly double. It is available in four different colours.
If anyone compare Solo Buds with other two like Studio Buds and Buds+, they all look quite similar in design and colour. The shape of the Solo Buds is a bit improvement on the other two in case of the greater comfort as it touches fewer parts while its on the ear. They are lighter in weight and compact design case or buds holder. It comes with four sizes earbuds rubber tips which ensure the top quality fitting on the ear.
One of the main difference between other earbuds and Beats Solo Buds is the later one does not come with the in-case battery from where usually earbuds get charge while they not in use. Instead the Solo Ear Buds, each earbuds contains good capacity battery which can last up to 18hrs between charges. As the case does not have on board battery hence the size is compact and pocketable. While you connect the case with USB C cable and Power, it makes a little chime some with lights on. The “b” marked logo on top of the earbuds controls the playback, volume adjustment or voice assistant.
Robust Sound with no Active Noise Cancelling (ANC)
As the price is cut compare to other Beats earbuds, its not give you the experience enjoy the Active Noise Cancelling feature instead it has passive noise cancelling. The Silicone earbuds tips (comes in different sizes) block out noise from outside world passively which means it is reasonably does it jobs but can not remove the rattling noise like other high end Beats earbuds.
The drivers in the Solo Buds are the same as Beats high end earbuds too so they are capable of proving high quality audio experience. Solo buds does not come with equalizer or no other adjustments and lack of spatial audio. Solo Buds produce a great quality audio experience with decent bass where the high notes and treble are well balanced and therefore this earbuds sound very good for the money.
For phone call, the sounds quality is good in quiet or noisy environments. It blocks background noise from getting on to the call but the caller voice is a bit compressed hence the quality of audio slightly reduced. Each earbuds is equipped with a unique-designed microphone run by a noise-cancelling algorithm to help deliver more exceptional call quality even in a noise environments.
Cross-Platform Supported Earbuds
The biggest advantage of this earbuds is its extensive support cross-compatibility with Android and iOS. In the Apple device, it supports greater integration compare to its competitors. For Android devices, it supports features like quick paring, syncing as well as spatial audio. In case of you misplaced it, the earbuds can easily be located as it is integrated with Apple’s or Google’s Find My Systems features.
Battery Life
The battery should last at least 500 full-charge cycles with 80% of its original capacity though Apple does not provide any indication of battery lifespan. The company provides free recycling schemes, trade-in offers, and out-of-warranty battery replacement services. A 5-minute charge gives you life to the earbuds for 1 hour of playback session.
Price
The price for Beats Solo Buds is £79.99 as compare to the Beats Studio Buds is £160.00. The price for Studio Buds+ is £180 while Apple’s AirPods 3 cost £170.00. The price for Nothing Ear (a) is £89.00 and Fairphone Fairbuds price is around £129.00. In addition to the base price of this item, one needs to invest a bit extra to get USB C charging cable or Power Adapter as Beats Solo Buds does not include those two accessories in the packaging.
Verdict
The Beats Solo Buds is a great budget earbuds with great sound quality and is a good value for money. Fantastic battery life with compact case and comfortable tiny lightweight earbuds which comes with an ergonomic nozzle for a natural fit. It has a multi-functional single button on top of the earbuds and provides quick paring with iOS and Android devices.
Some of the few features are missing compare to the Beats other buds and some competitors. With lack of ANC which might play a vital role in terms of the deal breaker. For iOS devices there is no Handsfree Siri Support. There is no ratings for water resistance or No Spatial Audio for Apple iOS devices. The Solo Ear Buds are not repairable and the battery is not replaceable which makes them disposable.
Positive
Great Sound
Compatible for iOS and Android, Cross-compatibility
Good Battery Life
Tiny Compact Case
Lightweight earbuds
Natural Fit with ear
One button multifunction
Great Price
Negative
No ANC
No Water Resistance rating
No Apple Spatial Audio
No Pause while earbuds remove
Non-repairable
Not include USB C Cable and Power Adapter
Specifications
Battery life: 18 hours
Bluetooth: Class 1, 5.3
Connectivity: Bluetooth, SBC, AAC
Water Resistance: None
Drivers: 8.2 mm
Earbud weight: 5.7g each
Case Weight: 22g
Earbud Dimensions: 16.7 x 18.5 x 18.9 mm
Case Dimensions: 34.7 x 66.1 x 237mm
Battery: Rechargeable Li-ion
