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.
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.
Photo: Stefan Vazharov/Best Products
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.
Photo: Stefan Vazharov/Best Products
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.
Up to 8 hours of battery life (24 hours with charging case)
Customizable controls
The Beats Studio Buds — our favorite wireless earbuds overall — are the best option for most upgraders and our favorite for most buyers. The impossibly compact earphones offer a comfy fit with button controls and the brand’s signature sound with stellar noise cancellation at a great price point. Plus, they can play equally nicely with iPhone and Android phones.
The earphones’ battery life is also great, especially considering how tiny they are. You can grab a pair of Studio Buds in black, white, or red.
The Beats Flex are among our favorite wireless earbuds, thanks to a sleek design, good sound quality, and seamless fit, all at an incredible $50 price point. Rather impressively, the product also works well with Android phones — there’s a mobile app for rapidly pairing the buds, as well as for keeping an eye on their battery status.
Thanks to their neckband design, the Flex earbuds have longer battery life than true wireless Beats earphones. You can charge them via a USB-C connector. While testing the Flex, I liked how conveniently the buds snapped together via magnets when not in use.
Up to 6 hours of battery life (24 hours with charging case)
Spatial audio support
The Beats Fit Pro are the brand’s latest, most feature-packed true wireless earbuds. Compared to the cheaper Beats Studio Buds, the Fit Pro earphones have a more secure fit with additional wingtips and Apple’s H1 chip. In addition to seamless Apple connectivity, the chip brings support for even more lifelike spatial audio with dynamic head tracking and hands-free access to Siri.
Of course, the buds also deliver great sound, dependable noise cancellation, and solid battery life. However, we wish their case were compatible with wireless charging, especially considering their price point. You can order the Fit Pro in black, white, gray, and purple, with each version sporting a contrasting Beats logo.
Up to 9 hours of battery life (24 hours with charging case)
Tactile button controls
The Powerbeats Pro completely wireless earbuds offer a secure around-ear fit and powerful sound, making them great for workout warriors. We also like the buds’ conveniently placed volume and playback button controls, which sets them apart from their newer siblings.
Other highlights of the earphones include long battery life and a charging case with an onboard Lightning connector. You can order the product in a multitude of colors.
Almost half a decade after their debut, the Beats Studio3 Wireless headphones are still the brand's finest over-ear option, offering reliable noise cancellation and great sound. Available in seven colors, the cans are also timelessly cool and instantly recognizable.
The product has solid battery life and a super convenient Fast Fuel charging feature. The latter will get you 3 hours' worth of playback after only 10 minutes.
Launched in 2016, the Beat Solo3 Wireless headphones are still a solid option to consider. They deliver excellent sound, effortless pairing with Apple hardware, and amazing battery life.
The cans' battery endurance comes courtesy of Apple's proprietary W1 chip. This hardware feature also enables the headset to deliver up to 3 hours of playback after only 5 minutes of charging.
Stefan VazharovSenior Technology EditorStefan is the senior technology editor for BestProducts.com, where he’s been covering the tech industry and testing the latest gadgets since 2015; He previously covered tech products for GSMArena.com and his work can also be found on Popular Mechanics.
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