The Beats Solo Buds are the most affordable true wireless earbuds in Apple’s lineup, priced at $79.99. While they deliver big bass and bright highs, they make some compromises compared to their more expensive siblings and competitors.
Design and Comfort
The Solo Buds features a sleek, compact design available in four colour options: Arctic Purple, Matte Black, Storm Gray, and Transparent Red. They use the Beats Proprietary Platform and custom 8.2mm dynamic drivers to deliver audio.
The earbuds fit securely thanks to the included ear tips and feel relatively comfortable, even for extended wear. They use Bluetooth 5.3 and support AAC and SBC codecs. Android users can take advantage of Google Fast Pair and multipoint pairing, while iPhone users get Apple-centric features like Audio Sharing and seamless Apple Watch pairing.
The Solo Buds’ controls are handled via a button on each earbud, which allows for playback, call management, track skipping, and voice assistant activation. iPhone users can also assign volume control to the press-and-hold gesture.
Battery Life and Charging
One of the Solo Buds’ strengths is their impressive battery life of up to 18 hours per charge. The earbuds can provide an hour of playback with just five minutes of charging, and a full charge takes 80 minutes.
However, the charging case is a departure from the norm. It lacks a built-in battery, instead relying on USB-C charging from an external power source. This means the case cannot charge the earbuds on its own. The case is also missing an LED charging indicator.
Features and Software
The Solo Buds offer a minimalist feature set compared to more premium options. They lack active noise cancellation (ANC), transparency mode, and an adjustable EQ. While they support spatial audio, they don’t include head tracking.
On iOS, the earbuds integrate with the Settings menu, allowing you to check battery levels, rename the buds, and configure controls. Android users can access similar features through the Beats app.
Sound Quality
The Solo Buds deliver a sound profile that emphasizes bass and treble, with good separation between registers. While lacking in dynamics, they manage to provide decent detail and avoid the muddy low-end often found in budget earbuds.
Spatial audio support enhances the listening experience on compatible platforms like Apple Music and Amazon Music Unlimited. However, the lack of head tracking limits the immersive potential.
Call Quality and Water Resistance
The Solo Buds excel in call quality, utilizing noise reduction algorithms to prioritize the user’s voice and filter out background noise effectively. They also provide a side-tone feature, allowing you to hear your own voice during calls.
One notable omission is the lack of an official IP rating for water resistance. While the earbuds have withstood sweat during testing, the absence of an IPX4 rating or higher may be a concern for active users.
Comparison to Competitors
When compared to similarly priced competitors, the Solo Buds face some challenges. The $99.99 Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC earphones offer ANC, a cross-platform app with EQ, and better Bluetooth codec support, earning them an Editors’ Choice award.
Other budget options like the $99.99 Sennheiser CX Plus True Wireless also include ANC and transparency mode, features missing from the Solo Buds.
Conclusion
The Beats Solo Buds offer a solid foundation with their lightweight design, comfortable fit, and impressive battery life. However, their stripped-down feature set, lack of water resistance, and competition from feature-rich alternatives may make them a harder sell for some consumers.
Ultimately, the Solo Buds are a good choice for those seeking a budget-friendly, cross-platform option with a focus on sound quality and call performance. But for users prioritizing additional features like ANC and transparency mode, exploring other options might provide better value for money.
