Beats Solo Buds already sound like a better deal than AirPods 2

Apple launched the new Beats Solo family of wireless headphones on Tuesday. While the Beats Solo 4 are available for pre-order starting today, the company also announced new Beats Solo Buds wireless earbuds. With a price range of $79 and 18 hours of battery life, the Beats Solo Buds already seem like a better deal than the older AirPods 2.

Beats Solo Buds are better than AirPods 2

The new Beats Solo Buds are a more affordable option for those looking for good wireless earbuds. Despite lacking more advanced features like active noise cancellation, hearing detection for auto play/pause, and transparency mode, they certainly stand out from other, even more expensive options.

For example, Apple still sells the AirPods 2 for $129 – they’re the cheapest AirPods you can buy today. But considering the whole package, it’s easy to say that the Beats Solo Buds are a better option than the entry-level AirPods.

The AirPods 2 also lack ANC. However, due to their more conventional design, without a silicone tip, Apple’s cheapest wireless earbuds aren’t a good option for those who want to use them in noisy environments. The Beats Solo Buds, meanwhile, come with four sizes of silicone tips (just like the AirPods Pro) and offer passive noise isolation.

People looking for more discreet earbuds might also prefer the Beats Solo Buds over the AirPods 2, which still have that long stem. The new Beats headphones are very small, while the case is also very compact.

When it comes to battery life, there is also a huge difference between the Beats Solo Buds and the AirPods. According to Apple, the Solo Buds can be used for up to 18 hours with their built-in battery. AirPods 2, on the other hand, last up to 5 hours on a single charge. But there is a catch.

AirPods 2 have a charging case with its own battery. This means that when your AirPods run out of battery, you can use the case to charge them four more times. The Beats Solo Buds case doesn’t have a battery, so you won’t be able to use the earbuds without plugging them into a charger after 18 hours of use.

For some people, having the freedom to wear the headphones for 18 hours straight is definitely a huge benefit. Despite this, the Beats Solo Buds can be charged using a USB-C cable, while the AirPods 2 still rely on Lightning.

Another advantage the Beats Solo Buds have over the AirPods 2 is the fact that they support some more modern features, such as full integration with Apple’s Find My network. It also works with Google’s Find My Device on Android.

AirPods 2 still have an advantage over the new Beats

Of course, there are some aspects in which the AirPods 2 do even better. Thanks to Apple’s H1 chip, AirPods have features like fast switching between devices and ear detection.

The Solo Buds have quick pairing, but you have to manually select them as the audio source on another device. And if you take the earbuds out of your ear, they’ll keep playing until you put them back in the case.

Overall, here are the biggest advantages of the new Beats Solo Buds over AirPods 2:

• Price ($79 vs. $129)
• Passive sound insulation with silicone tips
• More compact design
• 18 hours of battery life (compared to 5 hours)
• USB-C for charging (vs Lightning)
• Find my support
• Color options

Rumors suggest that Apple will update its entry-level AirPods later this year. But in the meantime, the Solo Buds are a better option for customers looking for affordable wireless earbuds.

The new Solo Buds will be available in the US in June. You can choose from four different colors: matte black, storm gray, arctic purple and transparent red. If you’re looking for AirPods, check out some great deals on Amazon.