When it comes to wireless earbuds in 2024, we have more great choices than ever. Today, I'll help you compare two popular options: the budget-friendly Beats Solo Buds ($79.99) and the premium Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro ($189.99). Let's break down everything you need to know to make the right choice.
Wireless earbuds have come a long way since the first AirPods launched in 2016. The technology that makes these tiny devices work has improved dramatically, especially in areas like battery life, sound quality, and noise cancellation. Modern earbuds now pack impressive features into incredibly small packages, including:
The Beats Solo Buds surprised many reviewers with their balanced sound. Unlike earlier Beats products that were famous (or infamous) for heavy bass, these earbuds offer a more neutral sound profile. This means you'll hear music more like the artist intended, without extra bass boosting or treble emphasis.
In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro takes sound quality to another level. With dual drivers (separate speakers for high and low frequencies) and support for high-resolution audio codecs, they deliver noticeably better detail and clarity. If you're someone who can tell the difference between MP3s and lossless audio files, you'll appreciate the Buds3 Pro's superior sound.
Here's where we see the biggest differences between these earbuds:
The Beats Solo Buds offer:
The Galaxy Buds3 Pro include all that plus:
Battery life remains one of the most important practical considerations. The Beats Solo Buds excel here, offering up to 18 hours of total playback time with their charging case. That's impressive for earbuds in this price range.
The Galaxy Buds3 Pro provide about 20 hours total with their case, but only about 5 hours per charge with ANC enabled. However, they support wireless charging, which the Beats don't offer.
Having tested both models, here's how they perform in different situations:
While neither product is specifically designed for home theater use, the Galaxy Buds3 Pro's 360-degree audio and lower latency make them a better choice if you plan to use them with your TV or tablet for movie watching. Just remember that you'll need a compatible Samsung device to get the full effect of these features.
The price difference between these earbuds is significant: the Beats Solo Buds cost less than half as much as the Galaxy Buds3 Pro. This raises an important question: are the extra features worth the premium price?
For Samsung users who will take advantage of all the smart features, the Galaxy Buds3 Pro can justify their higher price. The superior sound quality, better noise cancellation, and advanced features like real-time translation provide genuine value.
However, the Beats Solo Buds offer remarkable value at their price point. They deliver solid performance in all the essential areas: sound quality, battery life, and ease of use. For many users, especially those on a budget or those who mainly listen to music and podcasts, they're the smarter choice.
Consider these questions to help make your choice:
Both these earbuds represent different approaches to wireless audio. The Beats Solo Buds prove that you don't need to spend a fortune to get good wireless earbuds, while the Galaxy Buds3 Pro show what's possible when you push the technology to its limits.
For most users, I'd recommend the Beats Solo Buds. They hit a sweet spot of features and value that's hard to beat. However, if you're a Samsung user who will take advantage of the advanced features, or if you simply want the best possible sound quality, the Galaxy Buds3 Pro are worth their premium price.
Remember that technology moves quickly in this space. While both these models are current as of early 2024, new competitors and updates arrive regularly. Whatever you choose, both options represent solid choices in their respective price categories.
| Beats Solo Buds ($79.99) | Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro ($189.99) |
|---|---|
| Battery Life - Longer playtime means less frequent charging and better for travel | |
| 18 hours total (with case) | 20 hours total (with case), 5.2 hours per charge with ANC |
| Sound Quality - Better sound means more detail and enjoyable listening | |
| Balanced sound, basic codec support | Dual drivers, high-res codec support, superior detail |
| Noise Cancellation - Better ANC means less distraction in noisy environments | |
| Basic noise reduction | Advanced adaptive ANC with customizable levels |
| Water Resistance - Higher rating means better protection during workouts | |
| IP57 (water and dust resistant) | IP57 (water and dust resistant) |
| Special Features - Extra capabilities can justify higher cost if you'll use them | |
| Basic touch controls, Find My device | 360° audio, real-time translation, voice detect, multipoint connection |
| Ecosystem Integration - Better integration means easier setup and more features | |
| Best with Apple devices, basic Android support | Best with Samsung devices, good with all Android |
| Charging Options - More charging options means more convenience | |
| USB-C only | USB-C and wireless charging |
| Size and Weight - Lighter weight means more comfort for long sessions | |
| 5.7g per bud, 22g case | 5.4g per bud, 46.5g case |
| Value Proposition - Consider if premium features justify the cost difference | |
| Excellent value for basic features | Premium price for advanced features |
The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro ($189.99) is superior for movie watching due to its 360° audio support and lower latency. While the Beats Solo Buds ($79.99) work fine for basic video viewing, they lack spatial audio features that enhance the home theater experience.
Both can connect to TVs with Bluetooth capability. The Galaxy Buds3 Pro offers better latency performance and multi-device switching, making it more suitable for TV viewing. The Beats Solo Buds may experience slight audio delay with some TVs.
The Beats Solo Buds offer 18 hours total with the charging case, while the Galaxy Buds3 Pro provide 20 hours but only 5.2 hours per charge with ANC enabled. For long viewing sessions, the Beats may be more reliable.
Neither is ideal for competitive gaming due to Bluetooth latency. However, the Galaxy Buds3 Pro has lower latency and better sound quality, making it the better choice for casual gaming sessions.
The Galaxy Buds3 Pro features superior adaptive noise cancellation that adjusts to your environment. The Beats Solo Buds offers basic noise reduction that's adequate for most situations but less effective overall.
The Galaxy Buds3 Pro supports true multipoint connection, allowing easy switching between devices. The Beats Solo Buds can pair with multiple devices but requires manual switching.
Both are comfortable, but the Beats Solo Buds are slightly lighter at 5.7g per bud versus 5.4g for the Galaxy Buds3 Pro. However, individual fit varies by ear shape.
Both handle calls well, but the Galaxy Buds3 Pro offers superior call quality with AI-enhanced noise reduction. The Beats Solo Buds provides clear but basic call performance.
The Galaxy Buds3 Pro delivers clearer dialogue thanks to its dual-driver system and advanced audio processing. The Beats Solo Buds offers good but basic dialogue clarity.
The Galaxy Buds3 Pro justifies its higher price for dedicated home theater use with premium features. The Beats Solo Buds provides excellent value for casual viewing.
Neither product supports native audio sharing between two pairs of earbuds. You'll need to use your device's audio sharing features if available.
The Galaxy Buds3 Pro integrates better with home theater setups due to its spatial audio features and lower latency. While the Beats Solo Buds works adequately, it's less optimized for home theater use.
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 - head-fi.org - soundguys.com - yankodesign.com - youtube.com - techradar.com - phonearena.com - cdw.com - soundguys.com - youtube.com - samsung.com - cnet.com - samsung.com
