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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize a full headphone experience with potentially better overall sound quality and don't mind a larger and slightly less portable design, the Beats Solo 3 may suit you. They are over-ear headphones that provide robust build quality with a foldable design and have a longer battery life for extended use. However, if you prefer something more lightweight, compact, and optimized for exercise with higher convenience for calls and meetings, the JBL Live Pro 2 earbuds would be a better choice. They offer good noise isolation, sweatproof certification, a more comfortable fit for long periods, and wireless charging, which the Beats Solo 3 lack. Keep in mind the JBL option may be more budget-friendly as well. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Beats Solo 3
- The Beats Solo 3 has no clear advantages over the JBL Live Pro 2.
Advantages of the JBL Live Pro 2
- Very good for exercise
Key differences
Phone Calls
4.7
5.2
The JBL Live Pro 2 and Beats Solo 3 are both poor for phone calls, though the JBL Live Pro 2 is somewhat better.
Noise Reduction
5.3
9.1
The JBL Live Pro 2 is excellent for noise reduction, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
Battery
41.5 Hours
8.3 Hours
The Beats Solo 3 has 41.5 hours of battery life. The JBL Live Pro 2 has 8.3 hours of battery life.
Build Quality
8.0
7.0
The Beats Solo 3 has very good build quality, while the JBL Live Pro 2 has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
6.3
5.9
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Beats Solo 3 to be only fair for music, while the JBL Live Pro 2 is poor.
Gaming
5.3
5.3
The JBL Live Pro 2 and Beats Solo 3 are both poor for gaming.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.8
5.8
The JBL Live Pro 2 and Beats Solo 3 are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks.
TV and Video
5.6
5.5
The Beats Solo 3 and JBL Live Pro 2 are both poor for TV and video.
Cost
$117
$120
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Beats Solo 3 has a price of $117 and the JBL Live Pro 2 costs $120.
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How the Beats Solo 3 and the JBL Live Pro 2 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Beats Solo 3 | JBL Live Pro 2 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$117 | $120 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Beats | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2016 | June 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.3/10 | 5.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.7/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.3/10 | 5.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 5.9/10 | 8/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 41.5 Hours | 8.3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 0.8 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 4.2 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 24 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 5.4/10 | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8/10 | 7/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 5.7/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 213.1 Grams | 4.8 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Beats Solo 3
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Lily Katz | May 2023
"The Beats Solo3 Wireless is an old set of headphones but still works reliably well with iPhones, due to W1 chip integration and AAC support. The Beats Solo3 Wireless holds up well today with just a few features showing its age."
JBL Live Pro 2
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Dig into reviews and images
What HiFi?
What HiFi? | February 2023
"The JBL Live Pro 2 TWS occupy an interesting space in the wireless earbuds market. They’re a step up from cheap wireless earbuds and allow you to access better sound quality without having to make the jump to more premium options from the likes of Bose, Sony and Sennheiser. They’re an entertaining listen, easy to use and manage to pack in a lot of useful features. We think they’re well worth a listen."
Get a great deal on the Beats Solo 3 or the JBL Live Pro 2
About Beats
Beats is an American, consumer-focused, audio products manufacturer. Founded originally by American rapper and producer Dr Dre, the company is now a subsidiary of Apple. Beats sells a wide range of audio products, including several models of headphones, earbuds and speakers as well as full car audio systems.
About JBL
JBL is an American audio equipment manufacturer. Owned by Harman International which is, itself, owned by Samsung Electronics. JBL markets a wide array of monitoring speakers, professional headphones and consumer market headphones and earbuds. It was founded in 1946 by James Bullough Lansing (whose initials give the company its name) and has become one of the most prolific audio companies ever. Their products were responsible for audio during the 1969 Woodstock Festival.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
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