(Image credit: The Verge)
Introducing the latest innovation from Beats, the Solo Buds, marking their debut as the first true wireless earbuds under $100 from both Beats and Apple. Available for online purchase starting at $79.99, these sleek earbuds come in four vibrant colors: black, purple, red, and gray, with in-store availability beginning June 20th. The red variant stands out with a unique translucent case reminiscent of the popular Studio Buds Plus, adding to its stylish appeal. Having tested the Solo Buds myself, I can attest that the candy red case truly catches the eye, while also boasting the smallest carrying size among all Beats earbuds.
However, to achieve this competitive pricing, Beats made a strategic decision: unlike most competitors, the Solo Buds’ case does not include a built-in battery for on-the-go recharging. Instead, the earbuds themselves offer an impressive 18-hour battery life, requiring recharging via USB-C once depleted. This approach is designed to potentially extend the overall lifespan of the Solo Buds by reducing the frequency of charge cycles. It’s an important factor to consider when evaluating these innovative earbuds.
(Image credit: The Verge)
The Solo Buds provide excellent isolation through their silicone ear tips, effectively minimizing ambient noise. Beats includes four sets of tips, including an extra-small option for personalized comfort. I found the buds exceptionally comfortable, enhanced by laser-cut venting that prevents ear clogging and ensures a pleasant listening experience.
In terms of sound quality, the Solo Buds rank comfortably in third place compared to the Beats Fit Pro and Studio Buds Plus. They can sound a bit flat on many of my usual test tracks unless I ensure a tight seal by adjusting them firmly in my ears. Occasionally, tracks like Billie Eilish’s “Birds of a Feather” match well with their tuning, but others, like Pearl Jam’s “Wreckage,” lack impact.
The Solo Buds deliver a balanced sound with good channel separation and controlled bass, offering a clean listening experience. Unlike cheaper wireless buds that may sound muffled, these maintain clarity. Despite Beats’ claims about their “fully custom acoustic architecture” and “ergonomically angled acoustic nozzles,” the Solo Buds, priced at $80, don’t perform miraculously better than expected.
(Image credit: The Verge)
Initially, I struggled with the physical controls until I discovered the specific touch-sensitive area above the “b” logo on each earbud. Pressing the entire surface won’t activate the controls effectively.
Like most recent Beats products, the Solo Buds are platform-agnostic, offering seamless one-tap pairing and Find My / Find My Device features on both Android and iOS. These are valuable features considering the price point, even though advanced features like head tracking spatial audio and multipoint connectivity are absent.
Despite any sound quality concerns, the Solo Buds are likely to attract strong sales due to their appealing $79.99 price tag and the enduring brand influence of Beats among athletes and celebrities. However, consumers should also explore alternatives in this price range, such as offerings from Anker’s Soundcore, JBL, EarFun, and others, which may include noise cancellation and battery cases, albeit with different battery life capabilities.