Audio & Headphones
Beats Solo Buds Review: The Cheapest Way Into Beats
- Brand:
- Beats
- Ages:
- 13+ years
- Updated:
- 2026-07-17
The verdict
The Solo Buds strip Beats down to the essentials — good battery life, small size, and a low price — while cutting ANC and app customization entirely. It's an easy recommendation as a cheap, reliable everyday earbud, not as a noise-cancelling travel companion.
Pros
- At $79.99, it's the cheapest wireless earbud Apple/Beats makes, undercutting most name-brand competitors
- Remarkably compact and light — the earbuds and case together weigh just 32 grams
- Rated up to 18 hours of battery life, unusually long for a budget earbud without ANC
- Works equally well across iPhone and Android, unlike some Apple-ecosystem-exclusive earbuds
Cons
- No active noise cancellation at all — this is a basic listening earbud, not a travel or commuting ANC pick
- No equalizer or sound customization through an app
- The compact case has no battery of its own, so the earbuds must be sufficiently charged before storing, unlike cases that top up buds automatically
- Fixed, non-adjustable fit with no swappable tip sizes on some versions limits customization for smaller or larger ears
This review is based on Apple/Beats' published specifications for the Solo Buds and the consistent findings across independent reviews since its 2024 launch, which position it firmly as a budget, no-frills alternative to the pricier Beats and AirPods lineups.
What you get for $79.99
The Solo Buds deliver solid everyday sound, a genuinely long 18-hour battery rating, and cross-platform compatibility with both iPhone and Android — features that would normally cost more from a name brand. The case is also strikingly small and light, making it an easy everyday-carry earbud.
What was cut to hit that price
There's no active noise cancellation, no companion app, and no EQ adjustment — this is a stripped-down earbud built for simplicity, not features. The case also lacks its own battery, meaning the earbuds themselves must hold enough charge before being stored, an unusual design choice worth knowing before buying.
Who it's for
Best for anyone who wants a reliable, affordable everyday earbud with strong battery life and doesn't need noise cancellation or app customization. Skip it if ANC or sound tuning flexibility matters — look at pricier Beats or AirPods models instead.
Frequently asked
- Do the Solo Buds have noise cancellation?
- No — they have no active noise cancellation or transparency mode. They rely purely on passive fit for isolation, so they're a basic listening earbud, not a travel-focused ANC pick.
- How long does the battery last?
- Beats rates it at up to 18 hours per charge, which is notably long for an earbud without ANC, and a 5-minute quick charge adds about an hour of playback.
- Do they work well with Android phones?
- Yes — unlike some Apple-ecosystem earbuds, the Solo Buds are designed to work equally well on iPhone and Android, without losing core functionality on either platform.
- Is the Beats Solo Buds worth buying?
- Yes, if you want an affordable, long-lasting everyday earbud and don't need ANC or app customization. If those features matter to you, a pricier earbud like the AirPods 4 with ANC is the better fit.
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