Beats Solo Pro vs Solo 3: Who is The Best?

If you’re looking for a cheap pair of headphones for regular use and are torn between the Beats Solo Pro and Solo 3, you’re not alone.

Choosing between them can be difficult due to their similar names and attributes. But don’t worry, you’ve arrived at the correct place. In this side-by-side comparison, I’ll look at their minor pricing discrepancies, analyze their benefits and cons, and emphasize their similarities and variances.

By the end of this comparison, you’ll have a better idea of which Beats headphone is right for you. Let’s compare the Beats Solo Pro versus Solo 3 and see which one wins based on your choices.

Beats Solo Pro vs Solo 3: Who is The Best? –  A Complete Guide

Before going into the details, take a short look at the table below to learn the fundamentals of these headphones.

With that initial knowledge, let us begin the comprehensive comparison, dissecting each component step by step. When looking for a new pair of headphones, the design and build are generally the first things we notice. Isn’t that true? Let’s start with that.

Specification

Features	Beats Solo 3	Beats Solo Pro
Features	Beats Solo 3	Beats Solo Pro
Bluetooth Chip	Apple W1 chip.	Apple H1 chip.
Driver Size	40 mm.	40 mm.
Battery Life	Up to 40 hours.	Up to 22 hours (with ANC). Up to 40 hours (without ANC).
Charging Time	2 hours.	1 hour 45 minutes.
Fast Charging Feature	3 hours of playback from a 5-minute charge.	3 hours of playback from a 10-minute charge.
Charging Cable Type	USB-A to USB Micro-B.	Lightning to USB-A.
Codec Support	SBC, AAC.	SBC, AAC.
Number of Microphones	1.	6.
Color	Matte Black, Gloss Black, Siver, Citrus Red, Gloss White, Gold, Rose Gold, Mickey’s 90th-anniversary edition.	Black, Gray, Ivory.
Active Noise Cancellation	No.	Yes.
Weight	7.5 ounces.	9.4 ounces.
Check Details	See More	See More

What’s in the box

Beats Solo 3	Beats Solo Pro
Apple AirPods Pro	Headphone
Carrying Case	Protective Case
Quick Start Case	Headband
Warranty Card	Warranty Card

Fit & Comfort

Moving on to comfort, both the Beats Solo 3 and Beats Solo Pro provide a noteworthy level of comfort thanks to their substantially padded ear cups.

These headphones also provide a snug fit thanks to their adjustable headbands and suitable clamping force, preventing needless sliding during head movement.

Their on-ear design excels in breathability, promoting airflow and preventing heat buildup under the ear cups. The Solo Pro, on the other hand, has a bigger on-ear appearance that may be mistaken for over-ear headphones at first glance. 

Despite being significantly heavier than the Solo 3, its weight distribution is well-managed, resulting in a minimally apparent weight difference. Notably, the Solo Pro has thicker ear cushions, albeit the tighter clamp may impair overall comfort, making it less ideal for longer use than the Solo 3.

The Solo 3’s more relaxed fit, on the other hand, ensures fatigue-free listening throughout extended periods. Because comfort is important in headphone choices, this element could be decisive in deciding between the two models.

Design & Build

Starting with their physical characteristics, both the Beats Solo 3 and Beats Solo Pro are on-ear headphones that come in a number of colors, as seen in the previous table.

The Beats Solo 3 bears a strong resemblance to the 2018 Wireless model. These headphones feature a primarily plastic build that emanates sturdiness and a high-end feel, with a sleek and gently curved shape devoid of rough edges.

Despite the plushness of its synthetic leather cushioning, the presence of a plastic coating makes it rather rigid, with the potential to shatter if bent.

In contrast, the Beats Solo Pro has a fashionable and luxurious design that is emphasized with a metallic headband and a matte finish. 

This headphone’s broader headband maintains the original Beats style, while its on-ear structure appears larger, almost approaching over-ear headphones—especially obvious if you have smaller ears or a smaller head size.

Aside from the headband, numerous metallic components are integrated into the body, including the point where the headband joins the earcups.

While the design and build quality of the Solo 3 are commendable, the Solo Pro takes the lead in this area due to its superior aesthetics and craftsmanship.

Although the outward appearance of a headphone contributes to its attraction, the comfort element remains a critical consideration before making a final decision.

Portability

The Beats Solo 3 is marginally more portable than the Solo Pro, although the difference is not significant. With its standard on-ear headphone size, the Solo 3 takes up less space in a suitcase and is less noticeable when worn around the neck.

In contrast, the Solo Pro, while bigger for on-ear headphones, is still less burdensome than its full-sized over-ear counterparts, making them acceptable for daily usage on the road.

With portability taken care of, let’s move on to the most important aspect of headphone performance: sound quality.

Sound Quality

Despite their identical design, the Beats Solo 3 and Solo Pro have separate sound characteristics. The Solo 3 has a bass-heavy sound that is suited for genres like EDM and rap, where the low frequencies are prominent, delivering punchy and booming bass.

This makes it a favorite among bassists, but those looking for a neutral tone may prefer the Solo Pro. Notably, the Solo 3’s midrange is slightly underemphasized, resulting in some muddiness in vocals and lead instruments.

The highs, while detailed, can be uninteresting. In comparison, the Beats Solo Pro has a more neutral sound profile that is ideal for a wide range of genres, including classical music. 

While the bass remains highlighted, the precision and lack of muddiness make it stand out. When compared to the midrange, the Solo Pro provides a more precise and forward presentation.

Its highs are crisp and precise, although they can sound piercing when combined with high-pitched singers or instruments.

In conclusion, the Solo 3 shines in bass-heavy genres, whilst the Solo Pro provides a more balanced sound ideal for a wide range of musical tastes.

Noise Cancellation

The Beats Solo Pro features active noise cancellation, which is missing from the Solo 3 model, which depends on passive isolation.

Evaluating the ANC of the Solo Pro indicates its effectiveness across a wide range of sound frequencies. While not as good as top noise-cancelling headphones like the Sony WH-1000XM3 or Bose QC 35 II, it exceeds the Solo 3.

The ANC effectively blocks out voices, making it great at removing office-related background noise and discussions. This makes it an excellent choice for concentrating whether studying or working. The Solo Pro also helps to reduce airline and bus engine noise. 

The Solo 3, on the other hand, relies exclusively on its closed-back design for passive noise isolation, making it less ideal for crowded or noisy areas. In such circumstances, boosting the level to cover background noise provides a fix, albeit not the most convenient.

Furthermore, the Solo 3 struggles to reduce mid-range ambient chatter and fails to block out bass-range noise like bus engines. However, it performs slightly better with higher-pitched noises, such as air conditioning sounds.

Overall, the addition of active noise cancellation in the Solo Pro offers it an advantage in noise isolation capabilities over the Solo 3.

Microphone or Call Quality

The Beats Solo 3 and Solo Pro both have built-in microphones, with the Solo Pro handling noise better. While the Solo Pro’s microphone produces some moderate noise when speaking, your voice is still audible even in noisy environments.

Phone calls made on a busy street should still be clear to the recipient. The Solo 3’s microphone, on the other hand, falls short in noise handling. Even in moderately busy locations, it struggles to isolate your sound from ambient noise, causing your voice to be dominated during calls.

This specific distinction denotes a victory in this category. The following section will go over their battery life in detail.

Battery Life

The Beats Solo 3 has a 40-hour battery life, making it ideal for multi-day use. With a few hours of daily use, it can easily last a week on a single charge.

The Beats Solo Pro, on the other hand, has a battery life of up to 40 hours when both ANC and transparency mode are turned off.

When using ANC, the battery life drops to 22 hours, which is still respectable for a noise-cancelling headphone. Both versions support rapid charging, with a full charge taking less than two hours. 

While the Solo 3 appears to surpass the Solo Pro in terms of battery life, it is crucial to note that the Solo 3 lacks ANC functions. When considering the tradeoffs required for each model, the overall outcome should be deemed a tie in this area.

Control System

Moving on to the control mechanisms, the Beats Solo 3 and Solo Pro have identical layouts. All playback and call management options are located on the left earcup.

The left “b” button controls play/pause and answer/end calls, while a double push skips track forward and a triple press skips backward. Holding down the button engages voice control. To adjust the volume, press the upper half of the “b” button to increase and the lower part to decrease.

The main difference is that the Beats Solo Pro has a dedicated button on the left earcup for switching between ANC and transparency modes.

Notably, the Solo 3 comes with an audio cord that includes a remote with the standard three-button arrangement, enabling rudimentary control capabilities in wired mode.

Connectivity

The differences in connectivity between the Beats Solo 3 and Solo Pro are minor. Both headphones use class 1 Bluetooth technology and have outstanding wireless ranges.

However, none allows NFC or multi-device pairing. Pairing is simple, especially with Apple products. While latency is low on iOS and Android devices, it can be very significant on PCs. Notably, the Solo 3 has the added benefit of supporting both wired and Bluetooth modes.

It comes with a 3.5mm audio cable for connected connectivity in situations where low latency or battery concerns are important. 

In comparison, the Solo Pro may be used wired, however, this needs the purchase of a Lightning to 3.5mm audio connection separately. Given the parallels and small differences, this round ends in a tie.

Support for Bluetooth Codec 

As you may be aware, the Beats Solo Pro features the H1 processor, which provides a number of benefits. This chip offers smooth communication across your iCloud devices and easy switching between them. It also helps to extend headphone battery life and improve sound quality when linked to iOS devices.

In comparison, the Solo 3 uses the W1 chip, the forerunner to the H1 processor. While both devices perform similar operations, the H1 chip is more efficient.

Voice access to Siri, for example, is available with both chips, but the H1 chip allows you to summon Siri simply by saying “Hey Siri,” without the need to tap any buttons.

With these advantages in mind, my preference in this round is for the Beats Solo Pro. After presenting a full array of comparisons between the Beats Solo Pro and Solo 3, it’s time to reveal the ultimate victor.

App Feature

• Investigate the additional capabilities provided by the specific applications for each headphone.
• Equalizer settings for sound customization.
• Firmware changes to increase performance.
• Battery status and management are available in real-time.

Extra Feature

• Beyond sound quality and comfort, look for any unique features that each headset has to offer.
• Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) for immersive listening.
• Transparency mode is useful for remaining aware of your surroundings.
• Automatic play/pause functionality whether removing or wearing headphones.
• W1 chip for rapid connecting with Apple devices.
• Fast Fuel technology allows for speedy charging (3 hours of playing from 5 minutes of charging).
• On-ear controls for playback, calls, and voice assistant.

Beats Solo 3 Vs Beats Solo Pro: Pros And Cons

When comparing the Beats Solo 3 and Beats Solo Pro headphones, consider the following pros and cons:

Which is the Winner?

As we’ve seen, the Beats Solo Pro wins in the majority of categories, with the exception of those that are tied. Given these results, I wholeheartedly recommend the Beats Solo Pro over the Beats Solo 3. This headset has better sound quality, a larger feature set, and a more sturdy design.

Furthermore, with improved isolation and active noise cancellation, the Solo Pro is better prepared to reduce ambient noise in noisy conditions. The use of the sophisticated Apple H1 chip also offers a more dependable wireless connection.

With the final winner announced, if you are still unsure or dissatisfied with either option, the following section provides an alternative for your consideration.

Alternative Options

There are a few alternatives to the Beats Solo Pro and Solo 3 that are worth considering:

Sony WH-1000XM4: If money isn’t an issue, the Sony WH-1000XM4 is a fantastic pick. This noise-canceling headset is well-known for its superior comfort and neutral sound profile. Furthermore, you may adjust the music with Sony’s Headphones Connect app, adapting it to your preferences.

Beats Studio3 Wireless: Another potential option, the Beats Studio3 Wireless, provides high-performance wireless noise canceling that works smoothly across iOS and Android devices. With a quality listening experience and a 22-hour battery life, this Beats headset is an intriguing option for anyone looking for a blend of style and performance.

With these options in mind, you now have a full guide to assist you in making an informed selection. It’s time to call it a day.

Beats Solo Pro vs Solo 3: Who is The Best – FAQs

What are the main differences between Beats Solo Pro and Solo 3?

While both headphones have similar designs, the Solo Pro boasts active noise cancellation (ANC) and a more balanced sound profile, whereas the Solo 3 depends on passive isolation and emphasizes bass. Solo Pro also includes the latest H1 chip for improved connectivity.

Which headphone has the best sound quality?

Beats Solo Pro has a better-balanced sound profile that is ideal for a wider range of genres. It has precise bass without being overbearing, clean mids, and detailed highs. Solo 3, on the other hand, has a bass-heavy sound characteristic that may appeal to bass aficionados.

Do both headphones provide noise cancellation?

Yes, only the Beats Solo Pro has active noise cancellation (ANC) technology, which considerably minimizes external noise. The Solo 3 relies on its closed-back construction for passive noise isolation but lacks active noise cancellation.

Which headset is more comfortable to wear for an extended period of time?

Both headphones are comfortable, featuring soft padding and adjustable headbands. However, the enhanced weight distribution and earpad design of the Solo Pro provides more comfort over long listening sessions than the Solo 3.

How long do the Beats Solo Pro and Solo 3 batteries last?

The battery life of the Beats Solo Pro is up to 40 hours with ANC turned off and up to 22 hours with ANC enabled. Solo 3 has a battery life of up to 40 hours, making it perfect for extended usage without regular charges.

Final Thoughts

I hope our comparison of the Beats Solo Pro and Solo 3 has helped you make an informed decision. The better design, noise suppression, and balanced sound profile of the Solo Pro make it an appealing option.

While the Solo 3 provides comfort and battery longevity, the Solo Pro improves the experience with enhanced features. The H1 chip improves connectivity, and ANC improves the hearing experience.

Beats Solo Pro is the recommended selection for performance and current features. This comprehensive evaluation is intended to help you choose the finest headphones for your needs.