When Beats Solo Buds ($79.99) launched in June 2024, they created quite a stir in the wireless earbud market. Coming in at half the price of the Beats Studio Buds Plus ($149.99), they made many wonder if the extra features of the premium model were worth the difference. Let's break down everything you need to know to make the right choice.
Wireless earbuds have come a long way since Apple first removed the headphone jack from iPhones. Today's models pack impressive technology into tiny packages, but not everyone needs every feature. The key is matching your needs to the right product without overpaying for features you won't use.
Three main factors typically drive purchasing decisions:
The Solo Buds deliver surprisingly good sound for their price point. They use a new dual-layer driver system that produces clear audio with decent bass response. While they won't compete with audiophile equipment, they're perfectly suitable for everyday listening, podcasts, and video calls.
The Studio Buds Plus step things up with a more sophisticated acoustic platform. They offer noticeably better sound separation (where you can hear different instruments more clearly) and support spatial audio - a feature that creates a 360-degree sound field when watching movies or listening to compatible music. For home theater use, this makes the Studio Buds Plus notably better, especially when watching movies on streaming services that support spatial audio.
This is where the models really diverge. The Solo Buds rely solely on passive noise isolation - meaning they block sound by physically sealing your ear canal. This works okay in quieter environments but won't help much on airplanes or noisy commutes.
The Studio Buds Plus feature active noise cancellation (ANC), which uses microphones to detect external noise and create inverse sound waves to cancel it out. They also include a transparency mode that lets you hear your surroundings when needed - helpful for quick conversations or staying aware while walking outside.
Interestingly, the cheaper Solo Buds actually win in pure battery life, offering 18 hours of listening time. The Studio Buds Plus provide 8 hours per charge, extending to 24 hours with their charging case. However, using ANC reduces this to about 5 hours per charge.
Both models support fast charging - 5 minutes of charging gives you about an hour of playback. The Studio Buds Plus case supports wireless charging, while the Solo Buds case requires USB-C charging.
Both models come with multiple ear tip sizes, but their designs differ slightly. The Solo Buds are slightly lighter and some users find them more comfortable for extended wear. The Studio Buds Plus have a more secure fit that's better for exercise, though both are sweat-resistant.
In my testing, both models performed well for their intended purposes. The Solo Buds surprised me with their audio quality - they're notably better than many budget wireless earbuds. For casual listening and video calls while working from home, they're more than adequate.
The Studio Buds Plus, however, showed their worth during travel and in noisy environments. The ANC made a significant difference on a recent flight, and the spatial audio feature genuinely enhanced movie watching on my iPad.
Both models offer:
The Studio Buds Plus add:
The Solo Buds deliver exceptional value at $79.99. They handle the basics well and offer better battery life than many competitors. For home use, casual listening, and video calls, they're a smart choice.
The Studio Buds Plus at $149.99 justify their premium with ANC, better sound quality, and additional features. They're the better choice for commuters, frequent travelers, or anyone who wants superior audio quality and noise cancellation.
Choose the Solo Buds if:
Choose the Studio Buds Plus if:
The extra $70 for the Studio Buds Plus buys you significantly better sound quality, noise cancellation, and special features. Whether that's worth it depends entirely on your use case and budget. For pure home theater use, the spatial audio support makes the Studio Buds Plus the clear winner, but the Solo Buds remain an excellent value for general use.
Both models represent different approaches to the wireless earbud market. The Solo Buds show that good wireless audio doesn't have to be expensive, while the Studio Buds Plus demonstrate the benefits of paying more for premium features. As technology continues to advance, we'll likely see even more features trickle down to lower price points, but for now, these two options offer clear choices for different types of users.
| Beats Solo Buds ($79.99) | Beats Studio Buds Plus ($149.99) |
|---|---|
| Noise Cancellation - Critical for commuting and noisy environments | |
| Passive isolation only | Active Noise Cancellation with Transparency mode |
| Battery Life - Important for all-day use without recharging | |
| 18 hours continuous playback | 8 hours (24 total with case), 5 hours with ANC on |
| Sound Quality - Impacts overall listening experience | |
| Good basic sound profile with dual-layer drivers | Enhanced audio with spatial audio support and superior bass response |
| Microphone Quality - Crucial for calls and meetings | |
| Basic single mic system | Advanced mic array with voice targeting |
| Water Resistance - Important for exercise and outdoor use | |
| IPX4 (splash resistant) | IPX4 (splash resistant) |
| Device Integration - Affects ease of use across multiple devices | |
| Basic Bluetooth pairing | Enhanced integration with Find My device and seamless switching |
| Charging Options - Impacts convenience | |
| USB-C only | USB-C and wireless charging case |
| Fit Options - Critical for comfort and sound isolation | |
| 4 ear tip sizes (XS, S, M, L) | 3 ear tip sizes (S, M, L) |
| Price Value - Consider features vs. budget | |
| Excellent value for basic features | Premium features justify higher price if needed |
The Beats Studio Buds Plus ($149.99) are significantly better for movie watching due to their spatial audio support and active noise cancellation. The Beats Solo Buds ($79.99) lack these features, making them less ideal for home theater use.
The Beats Solo Buds cost $79.99, while the Beats Studio Buds Plus are priced at $149.99, representing a $70 difference.
No, the Beats Solo Buds only offer passive noise isolation. For active noise cancellation, you'll need the Beats Studio Buds Plus.
The Beats Solo Buds offer longer continuous playback at 18 hours, compared to the Studio Buds Plus which provide 8 hours (or 5 hours with ANC on).
Both models can connect to TVs with Bluetooth capability. However, the Studio Buds Plus offer better audio quality and spatial audio support for enhanced movie viewing.
The Studio Buds Plus feature a superior microphone array with voice targeting, making them better for calls compared to the basic mic system in the Solo Buds.
Yes, both the Solo Buds and Studio Buds Plus are compatible with iOS and Android devices, offering easy pairing with both platforms.
The Solo Buds are slightly lighter and come with four ear tip sizes, while the Studio Buds Plus offer three sizes. Both are comfortable, but Solo Buds may have a slight edge for extended wear.
While both models can be used for gaming, neither is specifically optimized for it. The Studio Buds Plus offer lower latency and better sound quality for gaming.
The Studio Buds Plus are superior for streaming services due to spatial audio support and active noise cancellation, providing a more immersive experience than the Solo Buds.
Only the Studio Buds Plus support wireless charging. The Solo Buds require USB-C charging.
For home theater use, the Studio Buds Plus justify their higher price with spatial audio and superior sound quality. The Solo Buds are better suited for casual listening and may not provide the immersive experience home theater enthusiasts seek.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: bestbuy.com - store.appogee.com - therunningchannel.com - cnet.com - apple.com - beatsbydre.com - expercom.com - appleinsider.com - target.com - youtube.com - middlebury-college-store.shoplightspeed.com - connection.com - rtings.com - beatsbydre.com - youtube.com - bestbuy.com - abt.com - odpbusiness.com - marketplace.uvation.com - target.com - panthertech.fiu.edu - support.apple.com - youtube.com - beatsbydre.com
