Best Beats Headphones: Which to Buy, and What About Bass
Beats sells eight headphones and earbuds, from the $70 Flex to the new $350 Beats 360. Battery, noise cancelling and price for each, and a pick by type.
The pick depends on the type you want. Over the ear, the new Beats 360 at about $350. On the ear, the Beats Solo 4 at about $200. Everyday earbuds, the Beats Studio Buds + at about $170. For the gym, the Powerbeats Pro 2 at about $250. On a tight budget, the Beats Solo Buds at about $80.
We have not picked by bass, and nobody honestly can from published figures. Beats gives no bass measurements for any model, and it now describes most of its range as balanced. What it does say about the sound of each one is below, taken from its own pages. We have not listened to any of them.
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What Beats says about bass
People search for Beats and bass together, but that is not how Beats describes its headphones today. The word it uses most is “balanced”:
- Beats Studio Pro: “a powerful, balanced sound profile”.
- Beats Solo 4: “powerful, balanced Beats sound”.
- Powerbeats Pro 2 and Powerbeats Fit: “powerful, balanced sound”. Beats adds that new venting on the Pro 2 improves bass.
- Beats Solo Buds: “cleanly balanced tuning”, with laser-cut vents that Beats says improve bass performance.
- Beats Studio Buds +: a two-layer driver that Beats says gives cleaner bass.
- Beats Flex: “accurate bass”, from a driver whose flexible outer layer “drives a high output of bass”.
- Beats 360: Beats calls it its best-sounding headphone so far and talks about power and precision across the range. It makes no bass claim.
None of that says one model has more bass than another, so we will not either. Two things from Beats’ pages are worth knowing if bass matters to you. First, fit: Beats says on the Powerbeats Fit page that a great fit means great sound, packs four or five sizes of ear tip with its earbuds, and offers a fit test for that model on iPhone and Android. Second, Beats lists no bass control or adjustable equaliser on any product page. The Studio Pro has three fixed sound profiles, and only when playing over a USB-C cable.
The Beats range compared
Prices are from Beats’ US site, which sells through Apple, rounded up to the dollar. Battery figures are Beats’ own.
| Model | Type | Price | Noise cancelling | Battery | Water rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beats 360 | Over-ear | about $350 | Yes | Up to 32 hours with it on | IPX4 |
| Beats Studio Pro | Over-ear | about $300 | Yes | Up to 40 hours, 24 with it on | None listed |
| Beats Solo 4 | On-ear | about $200 | No | Up to 50 hours | None listed |
| Powerbeats Pro 2 | Sport earbuds with ear hooks | about $250 | Yes | Up to 10 hours, 45 with the case | IPX4 |
| Powerbeats Fit | Sport earbuds with wingtips | about $200 | Yes | Up to 7 hours, 30 with the case | IPX4 |
| Beats Studio Buds + | Earbuds | about $170 | Yes | Up to 9 hours, 36 with the case | IPX4 |
| Beats Solo Buds | Earbuds | about $80 | No | Up to 18 hours | None listed |
| Beats Flex | Earbuds joined by a neck cable | about $70 | No | Up to 12 hours | None listed |
The earbud figures are with noise cancelling off. With it on, Beats gives 8 hours and 36 with the case for the Powerbeats Pro 2, and 6 hours and 24 with the case for both the Powerbeats Fit and the Studio Buds +.
Over-ear
Beats 360, about $350
The newest model. Beats says it has up to 1.75 times the total noise cancellation of the Studio Pro, and it is the first over-ear Beats with a sweat and water rating, IPX4. The ear and headband cushions come off and can be swapped, and Beats sells extra cushion kits. Battery is up to 32 hours with noise cancelling on. It weighs 294.5 grams and folds flat. Beats 360 on Amazon
Beats Studio Pro, about $300
The older over-ear, and $50 less. It has noise cancelling and a transparency mode, up to 40 hours of battery with both off and 24 with either on. What it has that the 360’s page does not list is wired listening: a 3.5 mm input, and lossless audio over USB-C through a built-in DAC. It weighs 260 grams. Pick it over the 360 if you plug in often or want the lighter pair. Beats Studio Pro on Amazon
On-ear
Beats Solo 4, about $200
The only on-ear model. It has no active noise cancelling. Beats points to the passive isolation of the cushions instead. In exchange it has the longest battery in the range, up to 50 hours, and weighs 217 grams. It takes lossless audio over USB-C or the 3.5 mm cable, and Beats says the 3.5 mm cable works with no battery power at all. Beats Solo 4 on Amazon
Sport earbuds
Powerbeats Pro 2, about $250
Earbuds with hooks that go over the ear. Beats lists noise cancelling, heart-rate sensors for workouts, a volume rocker on each earbud, Apple’s H2 chip and a case that charges wirelessly. Battery is up to 10 hours per charge and 45 with the case. Powerbeats Pro 2 on Amazon
Powerbeats Fit, about $200
Beats calls this the next generation of the Beats Fit Pro. It has no hook: a flexible wingtip tucks under the ridge of the ear. It has noise cancelling and the older H1 chip, and lasts up to 7 hours per charge and 30 with the case. Buds and case together weigh 61.3 grams against 77.7 for the Pro 2. The extra $50 for the Pro 2 buys the hooks, the heart-rate sensors and three more hours per charge. Powerbeats Fit on Amazon
Everyday earbuds
Beats Studio Buds +, about $170
Small earbuds with noise cancelling, a transparency mode and an IPX4 rating. Up to 9 hours per charge and 36 with the case. Beats lists the same quick-pairing and find-my features for iPhone and for Android, which makes these the easy choice if your household has both. Beats Studio Buds + on Amazon
Beats Solo Buds, about $80
The cheapest true wireless Beats. No noise cancelling, and the case is only a case: Beats says it does not charge the earbuds. You plug the case into a USB-C cable to charge them. The earbuds themselves last up to 18 hours, which is the longest per charge of any Beats earbud. Beats Solo Buds on Amazon
Beats Flex, about $70
Two magnetic earbuds on a cable that sits round the neck. Beats says the music pauses when you take them out and resumes when you put them back. Up to 12 hours, on Apple’s W1 chip. At $10 less than the Solo Buds, it only makes sense if you want earbuds that hang round your neck between songs. Beats Flex on Amazon
iPhone or Android
Beats says every model works with both. On Android, the Beats 360, Studio Pro, Solo 4, Studio Buds + and Solo Buds get one-tap pairing and tracking through Google’s own tools, and the two Powerbeats models use the Beats app. Spatial audio that follows your head is the exception: Beats’ pages describe it working with an iPhone or iPad. Our guide to earbuds with spatial audio explains which phones each maker’s system needs.
Which to pick
- Flights and commuting: the Beats 360, for the strongest noise cancelling Beats claims and 32 hours with it on.
- You also listen by cable: the Beats Studio Pro, or the Solo 4 for $100 less if you can live without noise cancelling.
- Running and the gym: the Powerbeats Pro 2. The Powerbeats Fit if you dislike ear hooks.
- Earbuds for everything else: the Beats Studio Buds +.
- Least money: the Beats Solo Buds, as long as you are happy charging them by cable.
- Bass first: Beats ties sound to fit and seal on its own pages. Choose earbuds and use the right tip size, or an over-ear pair, and do not pay extra for a bass claim Beats does not make.
If you are not set on Beats, see our guide to JBL headphones.
What happened to the old list
- Beats Studio3: no longer on Beats’ product list. The Studio Pro and Beats 360 are the over-ear models now.
- Beats Fit Pro: replaced by the Powerbeats Fit.
- Powerbeats Pro: replaced by the Powerbeats Pro 2.
- Beats EP: gone. Beats’ product list has no headphone that is wired only.
- Beats Studio Buds: replaced by the Studio Buds +.
Quick answers
Which Beats headphones have the most bass?
Beats does not say. It publishes no bass figures and describes most current models as balanced, so any ranking by bass is opinion.
Can you turn up the bass on Beats?
Beats’ product pages list no bass control. On an iPhone, Apple’s guide shows an EQ setting for the Music app under Settings, Apps, Music. It changes the sound of that app only.
Which Beats are best for working out?
The Powerbeats Pro 2, with ear hooks, an IPX4 rating and heart-rate sensors. The Powerbeats Fit is the smaller option, and the Beats 360 is the only over-ear model with a sweat rating.
Which Beats have noise cancelling?
The Beats 360, Studio Pro, Powerbeats Pro 2, Powerbeats Fit and Studio Buds +. The Solo 4, Solo Buds and Flex do not.
Do Beats work with Android?
Yes. Beats lists Android support on every current model, with the Beats app for settings.
Prices move, so confirm on Beats’ or Apple’s store before you pay.
