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Beats Solo Buds · Photo source

Beats Solo Buds
Photo 1 of 20

Beats Solo Buds · Photo source

Beats

Solo Buds

Released June 2024

Beats Solo Buds are Beats' cheapest true wireless earbuds, without noise cancelling, suited to iPhone and Android users who want long battery life and a very small case on a budget.

Type
In-ear
Noise cancelling
No
Battery
18 h
With case
–
Best codec
AAC
Weight
5.7 g

What reviewers say

Reviewers agree these are small, portable and quick to pair, and TechRadar praises their comfort and long battery life per charge. Both think too much has been cut for the price, including noise cancelling and a battery in the case; TechRadar found the sound short on bass and clarity, and SoundGuys doesn't recommend them.

From soundguys.com and techradar.com

Specifications

Report a wrong or missing spec

Sound

Type
In-ear
Noise cancelling
No
Transparency mode
No
Bluetooth codecs
SBC and AAC
Drivers
Dual-layer drivers, axial-aligned with the acoustic nozzle; laser-cut vents to improve bass and relieve pressure; 8.2 mm (The Guardian)

Battery

Listening time (maker's claim)
Up to 18 hours
Wireless charging
No
Battery life detail
The case has no battery of its own; it charges the earbuds over USB-C, including from a phone, tablet or laptop; tested by Apple with 256 Kbps AAC tracks at 50% volume
Charging case
USB-C, with no built-in battery; Beats calls it the smallest, lightest case it has made
Fast charging
5 minutes of charging gives up to 1 hour of playback (Fast Fuel)

Design

Weight (each earbud)
5.7 g
Bluetooth
5.3
Controls
Single multifunction button on each earbud
Microphones
Microphones with a noise-learning algorithm for calls
Fit and ear tips
Ergonomically angled nozzles; ear tips in four sizes (XS, S, M, L); earbuds 2.05 × 1.85 × 1.9 cm
Case weight
22 g
Water resistance detail
No water resistance rating published
Works with
One-touch pairing and automatic pre-pairing across your devices on both iOS and Android, plus Find My (iOS) or Find My Device (Android); Class 1 Bluetooth
Colours
Matt Black, Arctic Purple, Transparent Red, Storm Grey (Beats UK)
In the box
Earbuds, case, ear tips in four sizes (XS, S, M, L), warranty card (no USB-C cable or power adapter)

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Up to 18 hours of playback from the earbuds on one charge
  • Very small, light case (22 g), and 5 minutes of charging gives up to 1 hour
  • One-touch pairing on both iOS and Android, with Find My or Find My Device

Cons

  • No noise cancelling or transparency mode
  • The case has no battery, so it can only charge the earbuds while plugged in
  • No water resistance rating

Closest rivals

Model
TypeNoise cancellingBatteryWith caseBest codecWeightReleased
SonyWF-C510
In-earNo11 h22 hAAC4.6 gSept 2024
SonyWF-C500
In-earNo10 h20 hAAC5.4 gOct 2021
Anker soundcoreAeroFit 2
Open-earNo10 h42 hLDAC10 gOct 2024

Sources

  1. beatsbydre.com/uk/earbuds/solo-buds
  2. apple.com/uk/shop/product/muvx3zm/a/beats-solo-buds-true-wireless-earbuds-arcti…
  3. kyodonewsprwire.jp/release/202405281393
  4. theguardian.com/technology/article/2024/jun/19/beats-solo-buds-review-apple-bud…

Photo: beatsbydre.com

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