Read This Before You Buy a Pair of Beats Headphones
Read This Before You Buy a Pair of Beats Headphones
Beats by Dre audio products keep getting better, and you'd be hard-pressed to find a celebrity who hasn't endorsed them, from legendary athletes to Dr. Dre — one of the iconic brand’s founders. The LA-based audio maker’s headphones and earbuds have earned a sterling reputation for delivering cool design, high-quality sound, and seamless pairing with many devices, especially Apple-made ones.
Today’s Beats product lineup consists mainly of true wireless earbuds. Depending on your budget and preferences, you can also opt for wireless headphones with stone-cold classic status and super affordable neckband earbuds.
Best Beats Headphones
- Best Beats for Most Consumers: Beats Studio Buds
- Budget Beats: Beats Flex
- Most Feature-Packed Beats: Beats Fit Pro
- Most Secure Fit: Powerbeats Pro
- Over-Ear Beats: Beats Studio3 Wireless
- Classic Beats: Beats Solo3 Wireless
How We Tested
I’ve been testing headphones and earbuds for over a decade, including every Beats by Dre iteration that debuted between 2011 and today. The process consists of evaluating the products’ design, comfort, durability, and audio performance. The latter involves rocking out to an eclectic selection of Apple Music playlists, listening to podcasts, making calls, and participating in virtual meetings.
Of course, I also evaluated the products’ battery life and connectivity features, including the ability to integrate into Apple’s hardware ecosystem. I put the products through their paces by connecting them to both Apple and Android phones.
What to Consider
Form Factor
True wireless earbuds are the latest, most up-to-date Beats products, so we recommend them the most. Save for 2019’s Powerbeats Pro, each true wireless pair of Beats will get you an amalgam of good sound and stellar noise cancellation. And the more you spend, the better it will be. If you're looking to exercise with your next pair of Beats, keep in mind that only the brand's true wireless earbuds have an official rating for water resistance.
The on- and over-ear wireless headphones that the brand offers today have been around for a while and are still plenty appealing. The cans also perform well in wired mode.
W1 or H1 Chip
The Apple-made chips make all Beats products that pack them great for Apple users. That said, you should know that the H1 chip brings futureproof Bluetooth connectivity, more effortless switching between Apple devices that use the same iCloud account, and hands-free Siri access, among other benefits.
If budget permits, we highly recommend a set of Beats that packs the H1. The Beats Studio Buds actually don't have either chip on board, but we discovered that the component's lack is not a dealbreaker after testing them.
It’s important to know that, for the time being, the Apple H1 chip is only available on Beats earphones. If you're looking for wireless cans that have it, the splurge-worthy AirPods Max headphones are your best option.
A Note for Android Users
If you rock an Android phone, we have good news for you: The Beats have a companion app, allowing you to keep an eye on their battery, customize their controls, and update their firmware. Apple users can access their Beats’ settings even more seamlessly via the control center of their iPhone or iPad.
From affordable neckband buds to premium true wireless earphones, you can find the right Beats for your lifestyle and budget here in our guide.
Now that it's part of Apple, Beats Audio boasts a more extensive product lineup. We'll help you find the right pair of best Beats headphones or earbuds.
