Greatest Beats headphones 2024 for all budgets, as examined and really useful by our reviewers
The very best Beats headphones come in several kinds to swimsuit a spread of preferences, from premium over-ears with sturdy noise cancellation to small and sensible wi-fi earbuds, to fitness-focused buds with a super-stable match.
OK, so the long-awaited Powerbeats Professional 2 are rumored for a 2025 launch, however we won’t say when for particular. These are the perfect Beats headphone and earbuds merchandise you should buy, proper now, all examined by our professional group.
The very best Beats headphones observe the lead of the perfect wi-fi earbuds and greatest noise-cancelling headphones from different producers: they’re full of the newest sensible options akin to spatial audio, quick pairing and auto-switching. This makes most Beats merchandise pretty premium, if a step down from Apple’s AirPods lineup, and so they’re additionally usually discounted – preserve your eyes peeled for a cut price in our greatest Beats headphones offers information, too.
Based mostly on our testing of the entire Beats line-up, we predict the perfect Beats earbuds for most individuals are the Could 2023-launch Beats Studio Buds Plus. We expect the perfect Beats headphones are the Beats Studio Professional, that are the corporate’s July 2023 over-ears cans. You possibly can learn extra about all of the choices we price extremely under although, so let’s get to that…
The Fast Record
1. Beats Studio Buds Plus
The very best Beats earbuds general
An important-looking and compact pair of true wi-fi buds which might be extremely snug to put on with stable ANC.
Learn extra under
Load the subsequent merchandise…
The very best on-ear Beats headphones
We did not love these over-ears as a result of their excessive worth, however they give the impression of being nice, have some good options, and provide a wonderful 50 hour battery life.
Learn extra under
The very best Beats buds for battery life
These buds do not sound the perfect, with poor bass and no ANC. However they’re small, low cost and long-lasting with a formidable 18 hours of non-step use. That is wild for earbuds.
Learn extra under
Matt Bolton
I have been testing and reporting on cutting-edge audio merchandise since 2012, stretching again to iPod dock audio system and early neckband wi-fi earbuds. I’ve used a ton of Beats merchandise through the years, in addition to AirPods and many massive Beats opponents. The listing under relies on my expertise with the merchandise, in addition to that of our professional reviewers and editors.
December 16, 2024
Added the Powerbeats Professional 2 leaks and rumors, up to date the intro to replicate our present decisions and talked about the on-ear Beats Solo 4, and why they didn’t make this listing.
The very best Beats headphones in 2024
Why you’ll be able to belief TechRadar We spend hours testing each services or products we overview, so that you will be positive you’re shopping for the perfect. Discover out extra about how we take a look at.
The very best Beats earbuds general
The Beats Studio Buds Plus earbuds are an improve to the Beats Studio Buds, and are an completed purchase. First up, they’re a number of the best-looking true wi-fi earbuds in the marketplace. They do not have the lengthy stems many manufacturers have – we’re you, AirPods – however are as an alternative very compact with a clear design.
Talking of design, these buds are extremely snug and among the many greatest we have examined in that regard. This implies not solely are they an excellent possibility for all-day listening however as a result of they keep put they seem to be a stable selection for figuring out.
Throughout our testing, we additionally rated the battery life on provide right here, which is a stable six hours from the buds and 24 hours in complete from the case with ANC on – about common in comparison with different earbuds, however higher than the essential Studio Buds. Noise cancellation can also be value mentioning, after we had been reviewing these buds we managed to dam out a lot of the noise in a comparatively loud gymnasium surroundings.
Nonetheless, we additionally commented that the Buds Plus have a crisp sound signature that is not completely pure for music – although it does make cellphone calls come by clearly. We mentioned it is just a little on the “edgy” aspect, and that you just get a greater sound steadiness by stepping as much as the AirPods Professional 2.
All in all, these are an excellent pair of earbuds, however we would not blame anybody by grabbing the common Beats Studio Buds for a cheaper price as an alternative.
Learn our full Beats Studio Buds Plus overview
The very best Beats headphones general
Beats newest high-end headphones preserve the identical type of design we’re used to from earlier hits such because the Studio 3, however usher in new audio tech and options to compete with the newest from the likes of Sennheiser and Sony. Now, we predict these corporations do that higher for the value (see our Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wi-fi overview or our Sony WH-1000XM5 overview for extra), however there is not any doubt that the Beats Studio Professional are probably the most spectacular Beats cans so far.
We preferred the sound, and in our overview we mentioned “as all the time with Beats, there’s some highly effective bass right here” which had songs “thumping away to our delight”, with out missing “crispness and respectable element”. We additionally famous that “For Apple customers, assist for personalised spatial audio and Dolby Atmos gives a noticeable increase, alongside head monitoring.” (Android customers nonetheless get spatial audio, however no head monitoring.) We’re additionally massive followers of the inclusion of wi-fi lossless sound over USB-C. Lively noise cancellation is the perfect of the Beats vary.
Like all current Beats buys, these have characteristic choices for each iPhone and Android. On each platforms, you get quick pairing and assist for his or her respective Discover My networks to find misplaced units. On iPhone, you additionally get the spatial audio assist talked about above. On Android, you additionally get auto-switching between Google-compatible units.
For the value, it is a disgrace the Beats Studio Professional lack wear-detection (to auto-pause if you take them off), and do not have system switching or audio sharing for Apple units, like AirPods units and another Beats merchandise do – however when you’re in search of Beats’ richest sound and greatest noise cancellation up to now, in a really snug and slick design, these are what you want.
Learn our full Beats Studio Professional overview
The very best mid-price Beats earbuds
The Beats Studio Buds are rock-solid true wi-fi earbuds with energetic noise cancellation, and assist for Apple’s Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos format when used with iPhone. They sound good for his or her worth (which is normally a lot decrease than their official listing worth, since they’re just a few years previous), with a vigorous sound high quality that elevates the highs and lows of your music, and really feel supremely snug to put on for lengthy intervals of time.
They are not with out some drawbacks, although. Chief amongst them is their lackluster name high quality and below-average battery life. With noise cancellation turned on, you get 5 hours (15 hours with the case), and their noise cancellation isn’t precisely class-leading, both. Nonetheless, they’re small, gentle and really snug to put on.
Saying that, they are much cheaper than the likes of the AirPods Professional 2, and if you get then on a reduction, we just like the steadiness of options to value. At this sort of worth, although, we might strongly suggest that individuals additionally take a look at the Sony WF-C700N – we gave these 5 stars.
Learn our full Beats Studio Buds overview
The very best Beats earbuds for figuring out
Consider the Beats Match Professional as the unique Apple AirPods Professional with just a few modifications and at a cheaper price. They’ve a strong characteristic set that features energetic noise cancellation, spatial audio assist and hands-free Siri on iOS, in addition to a outstanding wing tip design, which helps to carry them in your ears actually solidly if you’re figuring out.
They’ve barely higher battery life and a smaller carrying case than the older Powerbeats Professional, although these have an much more safe match. Given the lighter and fewer aggressive design, in addition to a lot of additional options, we predict most individuals will favor the Beats Match Professional of the 2 exercise buds – however for really hardcore actions the place you want there to be zero likelihood of them falling out, the Powerbeats Professional should still be the higher selection.
The Match Professional aren’t excellent, although. Noise cancellation and sound high quality are each considerably weaker than AirPods Professional 2 or Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2, which do not value an excessive amount of extra. And though the wing ideas maintain them in place, throughout our testing we discovered that some folks did not like the additional stress they add to the outer ears, although this varies by individual. It is also value mentioning that Android customers gained’t fairly get the total expertise (i.e. spatial audio and hands-free voice help) that iOS customers get.
However though they are not excellent, these are a secure-fitting, workout-friendly set of buds that provide the advantages of standard premium wi-fi buds.
Learn our full Beats Match Professional overview
The very best funds Beats headphones
Beats Flex are the most cost effective earbuds the corporate makes, and are a rarity on the planet of wi-fi earbuds nowadays: they’ve a neckband! Some folks favor this for comfort and they also’re tougher to lose, and it means they’ve extra battery life in a single cost than any of Beats’ true wi-fi earbuds at 12 hours.
In contrast to quite a lot of cheaper (and even mid-price) earbuds, additionally they have auto-play/pause if you take them out of your ears, which we like, and so they really feel fairly premium general. You additionally get fast-pairing with iOS units. However given that they are each pretty previous and are additionally funds (by Beats commonplace), they’re unsurprisingly missing in different options, together with energetic noise cancellation. Contemplating you will get tons of superior options within the Earfun Air Professional 3 (in a real wi-fi design!) for a similar worth, we might largely suggest Beats Flex once they’re discounted.
The sound, equally, is enjoyable and punchy in Beats’ standard method, however lacks some element and constancy, and positively is not what you’d impartial. Once more, it isn’t an enormous drawback for the value, however when you can step as much as the Studio Buds, you may get an enormous increase in high quality.
Learn our full Beats Flex overview
The very best Beats earbuds for a rock-solid match
The PowerBeats Professional are right here as a result of they’re principally unattainable to make them fall out of your ears. This will likely be literal music to the ears of those that want one thing for high-intensity coaching, or mountaineering, or biking on bumpy paths, or the rest that will trigger common earbuds to worm their method out of your ears.
The arm that wraps round your ear is the essential half, clearly, and it does imply that these buds have an enormous carry case, and are usually heavier than different buds (however that weight is not all sitting in your ear canal, in order that they’re nonetheless very snug).
They’re pretty previous now, (and the hotly-anticipated Powerbeats Professional 2 are allegedly within the pipeline) so although they’ve quick pairing with iOS, they lack the extra superior options of Beats’ different true wi-fi earbuds: no energetic noise cancellation, no spatial audio, and so forth. So our suggestion is admittedly constructed round that match: if you would like the mod-cons, get Beats Match Professional; if you would like unloseable earbuds for figuring out, get Powerbeats Professional.
Learn our full Beats Powerbeats Professional overview
The very best Beats on-ear headphones
The Beats Solo 4 are on-ear headphones and do not fully cowl your ears, just like the Beats Studio Professional above. Because of this they do not provide the type of immersive ANC you’d anticipate from different earbuds and headphones on this information. Having mentioned that, it is best to anticipate spectacular passive isolation from exterior noise, which some folks truly favor.
Though all Beats headphones look nice, the Beats Solo 4 are extremely trendy with a glossy profile, selection of colours and icon Beats emblem on the cups. If you need a pair of on-ears which might be a vogue assertion, these headphones definitely say quite a bit. In our overview we mentioned they carry you a cosy and safe match, though they grew to become a bit uncomfortable after extended use as a result of they actually do hug your head – nice for figuring out, not so nice for all-day put on. Not everybody feels this manner about on-ear headphones, however for these on the TechRadar group who don’t love that type of match, even the super-push ear padding of the Solo 4 could not repair it.
We discovered that the sound high quality is not the perfect on this listing (and pales in comparison with different equally priced headphones, such because the Sony ULT Put on Headphones), however we rated it properly for most individuals, and the inclusion of Apple’s Spatial Audio tech sweetens the deal when you watch quite a lot of films. The Beats Solo 4 provide loads of nice options too, like a formidable 50 hour battery life (which they’d no drawback assembly in our assessments) and lossless wired playback by way of 3.5mm and USB-C.
These headphones aren’t excellent, however when you’re in search of a classy pair of on-ears – particularly when you plan on taking them out operating or to the gymnasium – then they may be the proper selection for you.
Learn our full Beats Solo 4 overview
The very best Beats buds for battery life
The Beats Solo Buds are removed from excellent, however they’re small, gentle, low cost and pack in a really spectacular 18 hours of battery life with none type of charging – that is mind-blowing for at this time’s earbuds. Because of this when you love lengthy listening classes and hate having to take your buds out to cost them, they may be the perfect for you – however you’ll have to make some sacrifices.
In addition to providing an excellent battery life, we additionally price the design of the Beats Solo Buds. They give the impression of being cool and are available a number of totally different shades – among the best issues concerning the Beats model. Each the buds and their case are slim and lightweight with a thought-about design that we wrote in our overview is “created from a gloriously easy matte plastic that feels nice beneath your fingertips”. They arrive with a spread of silicone ear ideas, which helps you get the proper match. Our reviewer mentioned: “I can truthfully say that the Beats Solo Buds are a number of the most snug I’ve ever tried.”
Let’s speak about that 18 hours of battery life. Did it ship throughout testing? Successfully. We performed steady audio at half quantity on the buds and acquired 17.5 hours from them. Nonetheless, it is value mentioning you aren’t getting further energy from the case, so the 18 hours is all you get. As an alternative, the case is for connecting to an influence supply to cost solely, not for juicing up your buds on the transfer.
However now onto what the Beats Solo Buds are, sadly, missing. There isn’t any noise cancellation and the general sound high quality right here is weak. In our overview, we wrote: “The sound struck me as anemic, with a weak low finish and a muffled treble; it gave me the uncomfortable sensation of my ears being filled with cotton wool.” Additionally they do not get tremendous loud, which is nice on your ear well being however not good if you would like immersive sound, particularly as a result of they do not cancel exterior noise. This doesn’t suggest you will not discover them to be a good and enjoyable pay attention at instances – we rated them for area and readability when listening to sparser recordings – however if you would like highly effective bass and top-performing audio, you may be disenchanted.
You possibly can positively discover higher performing and sounding buds. The Beats Studio Buds Plus on the prime of this information could be a extra dependable possibility for most individuals. However there are few that’ll final so long as 18 hours for a funds worth. At solely $79.99 / £79.99 / AU$129.95 they’re the most cost effective that Beats has ever produced.
Learn our full Beats Solo Buds overview
The very best Beats headphones: FAQs
Is Beats owned by Apple?
Sure. The corporate was initially based by music producer Dr Dre again in 2006. In 2014, it was purchased by Apple for a reported $3 billion and continues to be owned by Apple at this time. Beats merchandise profit from entry to distinctive options Apple normally reserves for the perfect AirPods, akin to Personalised Spatial Audio, however additionally they embody Android-friendly options and app assist, which AirPods don’t.
That are the perfect Beats headphones to purchase?
That relies upon what you are in search of. If you need the newest and biggest earbuds, it is best to get the Beats Studio Buds Plus, although if you would like higher worth, the common Beats Studio Buds are nice. If you need headphones, the brand new Beats Studio Professional are the best-performing, however they do come at a premium worth.
Are Beats headphones value it?
Beats headphones provide stable audio high quality, sturdy characteristic lists, and luggage of favor. Additionally they usually come at a premium worth, with cheaper options out there that come shut when it comes to options. Nonetheless, Beats merchandise at the moment are repeatedly out there with main reductions of as much as 50% off, which makes them much better worth. So, sure, they’re value it – however largely when you get them once they’re cheaper. Maintain your eye on our listing of Beats headphones offers for present provides!
How we take a look at the perfect Beats headphones
We have examined the entire greatest Beats headphones on this information. Often when we’ve got a listing of the perfect headphones, we choose the cream of the crop and anticipate them to hit particular standards to be included.
This information is just a little totally different as we have included the entire newest Beats headphones you should buy after which ranked them primarily based on which we predict are the perfect and prone to enchantment to the widest vary of individuals.
To try this, we examined the headphones placing them particularly by their paces within the areas they’re designed to excel. For instance, we examined the consolation ranges of the Powerbeats Professional, particularly after we had been exercising, to see in the event that they deserved the title of greatest exercise buds. Equally, we made positive we examined the Beats Studio Professional headphones for his or her noise cancellation talents.
Nonetheless, there have been some standards that we needed to see from all of the headphones, together with a snug and stable design, high quality audio and good worth for cash.
The result’s a information to the perfect Beats headphones that is genuinely helpful and simple to know, whether or not you are in search of operating headphones, cheaper headphones or simply headphones to sit down again and calm down with.
Newest updates to this Beats headphones information
December 16, 2024
Added the Powerbeats Professional 2 leaks and rumors and up to date the intro to replicate our present decisions.
October 9, 2024
Added the Beats Solo Buds as our choose for the ‘greatest buds for battery’ primarily based on our current testing.
July 1, 2024
Added the Beats Solo 4 as the perfect on-ear Beats possibility.
