Beats is known for consistently making some of the best headphones on the market for years now, so it's always a safe choice to go with one of its pairs. Whether you prioritise comfort, battery life, or extra features like noise cancellation, Beats have a selection of headphones that will suit your specific needs.
One of the best features of Beats headphones is that they tend to come with noise controls either attached to or on the headphones themselves, meaning you can adjust your audio settings on the fly. Combine that with a reliable wireless connection and superb audio quality, and you've got some of the best headphones on the market.
Editor's Choice:
• Best battery life Beats headphones - Beats Solo3 Wireless On-Ear Headphones
• Best Beats headphones for comfort - Beats Studio3 Wireless Over-Ear Headphones
• Best Beats headphones for exercise - Beats Powerbeats Pro Wireless Earphones
• Best value Beats headphones - Beats Flex Wireless Earphones
• Best Beats headphones for commuters - Beats Fit Pro
Despite being premium headphones, Beats come in a variety of models that all excel in different aspects, and you won't have to put much pressure on your wallet to get that rich audio experience.
Without further ado, here is our guide to the best Beats headphones for all your needs...
Best battery life Beats headphones
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The Beats Solo3 On-Ear Headphones is a superb design that does a bit of everything right while excelling at some aspects too. The audio controls are on the side of the left ear cup, giving you full control over your volume and playback speed.
Of course, where the Solo3 really shines is with its simply amazing 40 hours of battery life. We're confident that's more than enough for even the most avid audio fanatic.
The on-ear design might not be for everyone, and we do wish it was noise-cancelling, but those are two relatively minor downsides when compared to everything this pick aces.
Pros
- Amazing battery life
- Simple-to-use audio controls
Cons
- Might press ears during long sessions
Best Beats headphones for comfort
If comfort is more of your priority, then the Beats Studio3 Over-Ear Headphones are for you. They represent a strong combination of form and fashion. The padded cups will keep your ears cosy and covered, while also providing you with solid noise cancellation. The variety of colours on offer means you can choose a pair that truly suit you.
You still get many of the great features you would want from Beats headphones, namely noise controls, but this time in a bigger package. It's worth noting that your audio won't turn off automatically and you need to do it manually with this set, otherwise, it will chew through the 22-hour battery life.
Pros
- Comfortable fit
- Nice selection of colours
Cons
- Does not turn off automatically
Best Beats headphones for exercise
Exercise is always better with music, but if you're tired of headphones and earbuds falling out as you work out, consider picking up the Beats Powerbeats Pro. The adjustable and wireless design hooks over your ears, ensuring these headphones won't come loose during exercise. If you're planning a long run or intense workout, these make for an excellent companion.
The Powerbeats are also remarkably durable. Since they're made with fitness in mind, they're sweat and water-resistant. You even get an enhanced degree of audio controls, as you can adjust each piece individually.
Pros
- Sturdy and resilient
- Stay in place very well
Cons
- Easy to misplace
Best value Beats headphones
For a more budget-friendly and affordable pair of headphones, the Beats Flex Wireless Earphones have you covered. Although they are wireless, the buds and connected to each via wire. This might be a drawback for some, but it results in a surprisingly solid 12-hour battery life for its small size.
The noise controls are a step back from other Beats models, and there is no noise cancellation, but the audio quality is still great and suitable for most situations, plus we can't complain much for this price.
Pros
- Budget-friendly
- Great battery life for the size
Cons
- Noise controls are so-so
Best Beats headphones for commuters
Trains and buses can get quite noisy, making it difficult to get the most out of your headphones, but the Beats Fit Pro have superb noise cancellation that will keep your journey to and from work calm and enjoyable.
The wing tips design keeps the pair flexible and able to be adjusted to fit your ear, so they shouldn't fall out often. Even with the tiny size of Beats Fit Pro, you'll get plenty of quality, balanced audio with active and effective noise cancellation. Although they only manage about 6 hours on their own, the charging case bumps that up significantly.
Pros
- Impressive noise cancellation
- Great sound quality
Cons
- Battery life is noticeably less than other Beats options
FAQs
How to choose a pair of Beats headphones?
Battery - While audio quality is always important, good battery life will make your listening experience all the better. In general, larger headphones that go over or on your ears will have lengthy batteries that can last for 20+ hours, whereas smaller earphone designs will be somewhere between six and 12 hours.
Depending on your listening habits, you'll want to consider which would work best for you. If you only listen to music on a short commute, the latter should work fine, but for those who listen to music, podcasts, or audiobooks quite regularly, you'll definitely appreciate the longer time between charges.
Charging case - Speaking of charging, you may notice that some of the earphone and earbud models come with a charging case. Not only does this act as a handy bit of portable and secure storage for your headphones, but it can seriously enhance your listening time.
You can charge your earphones normally by placing them in the case and charging it through a connection, but you can also charge the case separately, allowing you to bring a constant source of energy refill to keep your audio powered for much longer.
Comfort - Of course, all the fancy features and superb audio quality will only get you so far; you need to consider comfort as well.
You want headphones that won't agitate your ears or cause you any discomfort when listening for long periods of time. This will come down to personal preference, usually deciding between in-ear, on-ear, or over-ear designs.
In-ear, on-ear, or over-ear?
In-ear - Tiny, compact, and ultra-portable, in-ear headphones are the pick for anyone looking for a space-conscious pick that's ideal for travelling, especially abroad. They tend to have smaller battery lives than other models, but a compatible charging case can fix that.
On-ear - A solid middle-ground design that does a little bit of everything. Compact yet still sturdy, providing great sound while keeping a good battery life. The only drawback is that the cups being placed on the ears can cause some discomfort over long listening sessions. If you want a jack of all trades, this design is a good choice.
Over-ear - A personal favourite, over-ear headphones cup over your ears, fully encompassing them. This means less sound leaks out, and less pressure is placed on your ears. The main downside, however, is that they tend to be quite large and bulky. If you don't mind the extra size, these are a great choice, but if packing or storage space is an issue, consider one of the other designs.
Kyle Purves is a Commercial Content Writer for What’s The Best, with an avid interest in all things gaming and tech.
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