There are not many more popular names in the headphones industry than Beats by Dre. Beats headphones are popular due to their audacious design, robust bass, and the ability to integrate well with the Apple brand, which has turned into a way of life rather than a piece of music equipment. Two of their models are frequently a source of controversy: the Beats Solo 3 and the Beats Studio 3.
On the surface, they both appear high-end and stylish, and it won’t be easy to choose which one fits you. However, scratch a little deeper and you will find some critical differences in design, sound performance, noise cancellation and even the price.
The decision between them does not only mean picking the one that looks good, but it is also a matter of finding the one that fits your way of life, whether it is commuting to work every day, exercising at the gym, or listening to the sound of a professional speaker.
In this contest, we will dissect all the significant details behind the Beats Solo 3 vs Studio 3 struggle. Comfort and sound quality, battery life, and real-world performance: we will help you understand which pair is worth spending your money on.
Design & Comfort: Which One Feels Better on Your Head?
Headphones are a huge decision in terms of design and comfort. You do not listen to music, after all, you wear them for hours at a time. Beats Solo 3 and Studio 3 both have that classic Beats style: bright colors, smooth surfaces, and a trendy appearance that will be noticed in a crowd. There are a few large variations in the way they sit on your head, too.
The Beats Solo 3 are on-ear headphones, meaning the ear cups rest directly on your ears. They’re compact, lightweight, and highly portable, making them perfect if you’re someone who’s always on the go.
Slip them into your backpack or even hang them around your neck — they don’t feel bulky at all. However, because they press onto the ears, some people may find them slightly uncomfortable during very long listening sessions, especially if you wear glasses.
On the other hand, the Beats Studio 3 are over-ear headphones. This means the cushioned ear cups fully cover your ears instead of pressing on them. The larger design provides better comfort for extended use and helps create a natural seal, which improves sound quality and noise isolation. They are a bit bulkier than the Solo 3, but if comfort is your top priority, Studio 3 definitely has the edge.
Build quality on both models is solid, but the Studio 3 feels more premium with its soft ear cushions and sturdier headband. If you’re planning to wear headphones for long flights, work sessions, or marathon music binges, the Studio 3 is likely the better choice. Meanwhile, the Solo 3 works best for those who want something light, portable, and stylish without the extra bulk.
Sound Quality: Solo 3 vs Studio 3 in Real Listening Experience
When you buy headphones, sound quality is often the dealbreaker. Both Beats Solo 3 and Studio 3 deliver that signature Beats audio — deep bass, punchy lows, and crisp highs. But how they present that sound feels a bit different, thanks to their design and intended use.
The Beats Solo 3 has a sound profile geared toward casual listeners who love energy in their music. The bass is strong, making them perfect for hip-hop, EDM, and pop tracks. The mids and highs are decent, but they sometimes take a backseat to the bass-heavy tuning. For workouts, commutes, or anyone who wants to feel the beat, Solo 3 does its job well.
The Beats Studio 3, however, offers a more balanced and refined sound. The over-ear design helps create a wider soundstage, meaning music feels more immersive and natural.
While Studio 3 still leans into bass — it’s Beats, after all — the mids and highs are more detailed, making vocals, instruments, and background layers stand out better. If you’re watching movies or listening to podcasts, Studio 3’s clarity really shines.
In short, Solo 3 gives you a fun, bass-driven sound for casual listening, while Studio 3 steps things up with a more polished and professional-grade audio experience.
Noise Cancelling Power: Everyday Use vs Professional Listening
Here’s one of the biggest differences between the two models: noise cancellation.
The Beats Solo 3 doesn’t feature Active Noise Cancelling (ANC). Instead, it relies on passive isolation — the ear cups press against your ears to block out some surrounding noise. This works fine in moderately noisy environments, like a coffee shop or office, but you’ll still hear plenty of background sounds if you’re on a plane or busy street.
The Beats Studio 3, on the other hand, comes equipped with Pure Adaptive Noise Cancelling (ANC). This feature actively analyzes your surroundings and cancels out unwanted sounds, making it ideal for flights, long commutes, or loud offices. Whether it’s the hum of an airplane engine or chatter around you, Studio 3 does an excellent job of creating a quiet bubble so you can focus on your music or calls.
If you’re someone who frequently travels, works in noisy environments, or values peace, the Studio 3 is the clear winner here. The Solo 3 is still great for casual, everyday use, but it can’t compete with the immersive silence Studio 3 provides.
Battery Life & Charging: Which Lasts Longer?
Battery life can make or break your daily listening experience, and here’s where things get really interesting.
The Beats Solo 3 is famous for its impressive 40 hours of battery life on a single charge. That’s almost two full days of continuous listening! It also features Fast Fuel charging, which gives you about 3 hours of playback from just a 5-minute charge. For busy people who don’t want to worry about charging too often, Solo 3 is a champion.
The Beats Studio 3 offers up to 22 hours with ANC turned on and up to 40 hours with ANC off. So technically, it can match the Solo 3’s longevity, but only if you don’t use noise cancellation.
With ANC on, the battery drains faster, though 22 hours is still enough for long trips and daily use. Like the Solo 3, it also supports Fast Fuel, giving around 3 hours of playtime with just 10 minutes of charging.
Therefore, when battery life is most important to you, Solo 3 will beat Studio 3, unless you can afford to compromise ANC to get more playtime. Studio 3 has a good balance of the two, should you want both settled performance and noise-cancelling features.
Connectivity & Extra Features: Apple’s W1 Chip Advantage
One of the strongest selling points of both Beats Solo 3 and Studio 3 is their seamless connectivity, thanks to Apple’s W1 chip. This little piece of technology makes pairing with Apple devices almost effortless. Just bring your headphones close to your iPhone, and you’ll see a pop-up to connect instantly. Once paired, the headphones automatically sync across all your Apple devices linked to the same iCloud account — from your iPad to your MacBook.
For everyday use, this means no fumbling with Bluetooth menus or constantly re-pairing devices. Both Solo 3 and Studio 3 handle this beautifully, offering stable connections and smooth transitions between devices.
Another handy feature is on-ear controls. Both models allow you to play, pause, skip tracks, and take calls directly from the ear cups. The built-in microphone also works well for phone calls, though Studio 3 provides slightly better clarity in noisy environments, thanks to its noise-cancelling system.
When it comes to portability, the Solo 3 is more compact, folding down into a smaller case, making it ideal for travel or gym bags. The Studio 3 is bulkier but offers a more immersive, feature-packed listening experience.
Simply put, the two models offer tremendous connectivity and intelligent capabilities, yet it is up to you to decide whether you require a smaller size with the Solo 3 or a bigger screen with the Studio 3.
Price & Value for Money: Do You Get What You Pay For?
When it comes to buying headphones, price often decides everything. Here’s how Solo 3 and Studio 3 stack up.
The Beats Solo 3 is usually priced lower than the Studio 3, often making it the more budget-friendly option. For the money, you’re getting great battery life, strong bass-driven sound, and Apple’s smooth connectivity features. If you don’t need noise cancellation and prefer something lightweight, Solo 3 gives you excellent value.
The Beats Studio 3 is more expensive, but that higher price comes with added benefits — Active Noise Cancelling, a more comfortable over-ear design, and richer sound quality. For frequent travelers, commuters, or anyone who wants a premium listening experience, the extra investment feels justified.
That being said, you should take into account your lifestyle. When you listen primarily at home, exercise, or need fun and stylish headphones, then Solo 3 offers you all you want without straining your budget.
However, when you need a professional-grade, all-rounder Headphone that is capable of performing in harsh environments and in long sessions, Studio 3 would be more useful in the long term.
Final Verdict: Which One Should You Choose?
At the end of the day, both the Beats Solo 3 and Studio 3 are excellent headphones — but they’re built for different types of listeners.
If you’re someone who values portability, long battery life, and a punchy bass sound for casual listening, the Beats Solo 3 is the smarter choice. It’s lightweight, stylish, and perfect for everyday use, especially if you’re often on the go or don’t need advanced features like noise cancellation.
On the other hand, if you want a richer, more immersive audio experience with the added benefit of Active Noise Cancelling, the Beats Studio 3 is worth the extra investment. It’s designed for longer listening sessions, travel, and anyone who wants to block out distractions and dive deep into their music or work.
Think of it this way: Solo 3 is your fun, daily companion, while Studio 3 is your premium escape from the world. Neither is a bad choice — it simply depends on what fits your lifestyle and budget.
So before you buy, ask yourself: do you want light, simple, and long-lasting headphones, or do you want premium comfort, noise cancellation, and studio-level sound? Your answer will guide you to the right pair.
FAQs
Which is better, Beats Solo 3 or Studio 3?
Beats Solo 3 is better for portability and battery life, while Studio 3 is better for comfort, sound balance, and noise cancellation. The choice depends on your needs.
Are Beats Solo 3 being discontinued?
As of now, Beats Solo 3 has not been officially discontinued. However, newer Beats models may gradually replace it in the future.
Did they discontinue Beats Studio 3?
Beats Studio 3 is still available, but like many older models, its availability may reduce as updated versions are released.
How long will Beats Solo 3 last?
With proper care, Beats Solo 3 can last 3–5 years or more. Battery health and daily usage habits play the biggest role in lifespan.