Let's dive into the world of true wireless earbuds and help you decide which one might be right for you. Both released in late 2021, these earbuds have had time to prove themselves in the real world, with firmware updates and long-term testing giving us a clear picture of their capabilities.
Before we compare our contenders, let's quickly cover what makes true wireless earbuds special. Unlike traditional Bluetooth earphones that might have a wire connecting the earbuds, true wireless earbuds are completely independent units that sync wirelessly with each other and your device. They've come a long way since their early days, with better battery life, more reliable connections, and sophisticated features like active noise cancellation (ANC).
The Jabra Elite 7 Pro launched at $199, though you can often find it for around $180 now. Meanwhile, the Beats Solo Buds entered the market at a more accessible $79 price point. This significant price difference sets up different expectations for each product.
The Elite 7 Pro features custom 6mm drivers (the tiny speakers in each earbud) that deliver clear, detailed sound. What's particularly interesting is how Jabra has tuned these over time through firmware updates. At launch, some users reported mixed audio quality, but updates have significantly improved the sound profile. The bass is punchy without being overwhelming, and the mids (where most vocals live) are well-represented.
Despite its budget price, the Solo Buds deliver surprisingly good audio quality. The dual-layer driver design helps prevent distortion, especially in bass-heavy tracks. While they don't match the Elite 7 Pro's clarity in complex musical passages, they hold their own for everyday listening.
This is where the price difference really shows. The Jabra Elite 7 Pro includes what they call MultiSensor Voice technology, which combines bone conduction sensors (that detect vibrations from your voice through your jaw) with traditional microphones. In practice, this means excellent call quality even in windy or noisy environments. Having tested these in downtown traffic, I can confirm they're remarkably good at isolating your voice.
The Beats Solo Buds use standard microphones with noise-reduction algorithms. They're perfectly fine for calls in quiet environments but struggle more in challenging conditions.
Battery technology has improved significantly since the early days of wireless earbuds. The Elite 7 Pro offers 8 hours of playback with ANC on, plus an additional 22 hours from the charging case. The Solo Buds provide 18 hours total (including case recharges), which is respectable for their price point but notably less than the Jabra.
Both support fast charging, though Jabra's implementation is more efficient:
Comfort is subjective, but both manufacturers have made smart design choices:
Both earbuds support the basic Bluetooth 5.0+ features you'd expect, but there are some key differences:
Jabra Elite 7 Pro:
Beats Solo Buds:
While neither product is specifically designed for home theater use, the Jabra Elite 7 Pro's lower latency and multipoint connection make it more suitable. You can connect to both your TV and phone simultaneously, though be aware that like most Bluetooth audio devices, there might be slight audio delay in video content.
Having tracked both products since their release, the Jabra Elite 7 Pro has maintained a strong reputation for durability, backed by its IP57 rating and regular firmware updates. The Solo Buds have proven reliable for their price point, though their lower water resistance rating makes them more vulnerable to damage from sweat or rain.
Choose the Jabra Elite 7 Pro if:
Choose the Beats Solo Buds if:
While both products are from 2021, they remain competitive in their respective price brackets. Jabra has continued to support the Elite 7 Pro with meaningful updates, while the Solo Buds represent solid value in the budget category. Keep in mind that newer models might offer features like Bluetooth 5.3 or better battery life, but the core functionality of these products remains strong.
The true wireless earbud market continues to evolve, but both these options represent solid choices in their respective price brackets. The Jabra Elite 7 Pro justifies its premium price with superior features and build quality, while the Beats Solo Buds prove that good sound quality doesn't have to break the bank.
Remember, the best choice depends on your specific needs and budget. Consider how you'll primarily use the earbuds and choose accordingly. Either way, both options represent significant improvements over their predecessors and offer reliable performance for their intended use cases.
| Jabra Elite 7 Pro | Beats Solo Buds |
|---|---|
| Price - Your budget will likely be the first deciding factor | |
| $199 (premium features justify cost) | $79 (excellent value for basic needs) |
| Battery Life - Critical for all-day use without recharging | |
| 8 hours + 22 from case (30 total) | 5 hours + 13 from case (18 total) |
| Water/Dust Protection - Important for workout or outdoor use | |
| IP57 (fully waterproof, dustproof) | Basic water resistance (not rated for submersion) |
| Call Quality - Critical if you take frequent calls in noisy environments | |
| MultiSensor Voice with bone conduction (exceptional) | Basic microphones (adequate for quiet environments) |
| Active Noise Cancellation - Key feature for commuting or office use | |
| Adjustable ANC with 5 levels | No ANC |
| Connectivity - Important for switching between devices | |
| Multipoint connection (2 devices at once) | Single device connection only |
| Size/Weight - Affects comfort during long sessions | |
| 5.4g per bud, 44g case (compact) | 5.7g per bud, 22g case (ultra-compact) |
| Included Ear Tips - Critical for finding your perfect fit | |
| 3 sizes (Small, Medium, Large) | 4 sizes (XS, S, M, L) |
| Fast Charging - Helpful for quick top-ups | |
| 5 min = 1.2 hours playback | 5 min = 1 hour playback |
| Sound Quality - The most subjective but important factor | |
| Balanced with customizable EQ (detailed, refined) | Good bass response (fun, energetic signature) |
The Jabra Elite 7 Pro is better for movie watching due to lower latency and multipoint connectivity, allowing you to connect to both your TV and phone simultaneously. While both earbuds work for video content, the Jabra Elite 7 Pro provides a more seamless experience.
The Jabra Elite 7 Pro costs $199, while the Beats Solo Buds is priced at $79. The price difference reflects the Jabra's advanced features like ANC and superior call quality.
Only the Jabra Elite 7 Pro supports multipoint connection, allowing connection to two devices simultaneously. The Beats Solo Buds can only connect to one device at a time.
The Jabra Elite 7 Pro offers superior battery life with 30 total hours (8 hours per charge plus 22 from case), while the Beats Solo Buds provides 18 total hours.
The Jabra Elite 7 Pro is better suited for TV watching due to its longer battery life and multipoint connectivity. However, both may experience slight audio delay common to Bluetooth devices.
The Jabra Elite 7 Pro features adjustable ANC with 5 levels, while the Beats Solo Buds doesn't offer ANC. This makes the Jabra significantly better for immersive movie watching.
The Jabra Elite 7 Pro has IP57 water resistance rating, making it safe for rain and even submersion. The Beats Solo Buds has basic water resistance but isn't rated for heavy water exposure.
The Jabra Elite 7 Pro offers more refined sound with customizable EQ, while the Beats Solo Buds provides good bass response but less detailed audio. For home theater use, the Jabra's sound quality is notably superior.
Yes, both the Jabra Elite 7 Pro and Beats Solo Buds work with all streaming services as they use standard Bluetooth connectivity.
The Jabra Elite 7 Pro features superior MultiSensor Voice technology with bone conduction, while the Beats Solo Buds uses basic microphones. The Jabra is significantly better for calls.
While both can be used for gaming, neither is optimized for gaming due to Bluetooth latency. The Jabra Elite 7 Pro has slightly lower latency but dedicated gaming headphones would be better.
Both are comfortable, but the Jabra Elite 7 Pro includes three ear tip sizes and advanced fit testing through its app. The Beats Solo Buds offers four sizes but lacks fit testing features.
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: nextpit.com - jabra.com - youtube.com - techradar.com - soyacincau.com - soundguys.com - jabra.com - jabra.com - headsetadvisor.com - jabra.com - youtube.com - jabra.com - 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
