Beats = bass, that was the sell when the headphone line launched back in 2008. And it worked, quickly gaining a devoted following among fans of hip-hop and blatant product placement. But if you were looking for a more refined sound – which we were – they left you feeling a little cold.
Beats has since rowed back a bit on the bass, offering a more mature presentation, albeit one that's still fun and energetic enough to get your head nodding. Since being acquired by Apple, Beats headphones work seamlessly with iPhones and other Apple products, offering extra functionality such as hands-free Siri support and compatibility with the Find My app. But they also offer a standalone Android app, which AirPods don't, marking a real point of difference between the two ranges.
Beats headphones can still struggle in terms of outright sound quality, but the best pairs, which we’ve outlined below, offer a combination of modern design, handy features, and all-day comfort that makes them a great option for many.
All of the below have been tested by our expert reviews team. We have almost 50 years' experience – and our reviewers over 100 years' experiences between them – so we know a thing or two about what makes a decent pair of headphones. For more information, see our how we test page.
- Beats Studio Buds vs Beats Fit Pro: which wireless Beats earbuds are best?
I've been writing about headphones since Beats was just a glint in Dr. Dre's eye. I've covered it all, from its launch (when it was known as Beats by Dre) in collaboration with Monster Cables, its short spell being owned by smartphone maker HTC, and its acquisition by Apple. Its headphones have improved over the years, and while they still fall short of the best on the market, they are a lot of fun, and bring some of Apple's trademark usability to Android users. These are the best pairs we've tested.
The quick list
Best overall
The Studio Buds are proof that Beats is growing up, with a more refined sound that's unlike any Beats that have come before them.
Best for exercise
Comfortable and feature-packed, the Beats Fit Pro are the ideal workout companion, and a great alternative to AirPods.
Best budget
Entry-level in-ear headphones don't come much more fun than these. They sound pretty decent too, for the money.
The best Beats headphones we recommend in 2024
Why you can trust What Hi-Fi? Our expert team reviews products in dedicated test rooms, to help you make the best choice for your budget. Find out more about how we test.
Best overall
The Studio Buds are unlike any Beats headphones that have come before them: gone are the over-ear clips, the brash branding and lurid colourways. Instead, they're demure – understated even – with a true wireless design and one-touch wireless pairing not only to iOS, but Android devices too.
They're the smallest and subtlest of any Beats headphones, with impressive longevity. Battery life totals up to 15 hours with noise cancelling on, or 24 with it disabled, while a five-minute Fast Fuel charge gives up to an hour of playback if you need to dash out the door.
Apple Music users can enjoy Spatial Audio for available tracks mixed in Dolby Atmos without having to enable it in their phone's settings (as with other headphones). They can also speak to wake Apple's Siri personal assistant. Active noise cancellation adjusts 48,000 times a second to mute background noise, though it doesn't have adjustable levels, just on or off.
Sonically, the Beats Studio Buds are more refined than the usual bass-heavy Beats sound, marking these out as a cut above the rest of the pack. We even prefer its balance over the newer, pricier Studio Buds +. A refreshing change of direction from Apple's subsidiary.
Read the full Beats Studio Buds review
Best for exercise
The Beats Fit Pro are the usual stylish, workout-friendly, active noise-cancelling earbuds, yes, but they also have glimmers of brilliance.
The wingtip design promises a more secure fit so they don't fall out of your ears mid-burpee. The Beats app for Android allows non-Apple users to enjoy the features of Apple’s own brand products, which are usually closed off to anyone not in the iOS ecosystem. The performance has been taken up a notch too, with better noise-cancelling, better sound and the addition of Spatial Audio. And they come in at a very reasonable price.
It's a good job too, as the wireless earbuds market is now more competitive than ever. But the Beats Fit Pro show that Beats can mix it up with the best at their price level. While it's just shy of achieving the full five stars, this is by far the most enjoyable and balanced-sounding Beats buds we've heard. Looks like Beats might have just come of age...
Read the full Beats Fit Pro review
Best budget
The Beats Flex are a step up from Apple's bog-standard EarPods. They’re available in some fresh hues (including the Yuzu yellow sample before you), they charge via USB-C, have a 12-hour battery life, and courtesy of one-tap audio share you can split sounds with nearby Beats or AirPod headphones (provided you have an iPhone 8 or later running at least iOS 14). They're very affordable, too.
Four ear tip options give a good chance of finding a decent fit, and the cable is flat, like a strand of tagliatelle. Magnets keep the earbuds together when not in use.
Pairing is a doddle (even more so using an Apple device). They don't support some iOS features, including automatic switching to another device or hands-free Siri support. And there’s no noise cancelling either. But with the correct seal you’ll still enjoy good levels of passive noise isolation.
Audio quality is good, but not great. There's just not the same impact that the best Beats headphones manage to pull off. Still, the Flex offer a considered, smooth sound profile that’s preferable to one that is harsh or bright through the upper frequencies. A solid Beats bet at this end of the market.
Read the full Beats Flex review
Also consider
The best Beats alternatives we've tested:
Panasonic RZ-S500W: These are oldies but goodies, and their advanced years mean a discount is more likely. Sound quality is very good indeed, they have excellent noise cancelling and their build quality is second to none. Hard to believe they were Panasonic's first true wireless earbuds.
Sony WF-C700N: These are a step up from the Sony WF-C500, and a little pricier, but still comparable to most of Beats' output. Active noise cancellation comes as standard, with all the usual quality we've come to expect from Sony.
JBL Live Pro 2 TWS: If you want a pair for the track or gym, these are a good shout. They offer lots of features and decent performance at a reasonable price.
How to choose the best Beats headphones for you
All of these Beats pairs are wireless, so it really comes down to what you prioritise: low-end or portability. The Studio Buds are an altogether rather sedate offering, though still impressive in a more understated way, than peppier models such as the engaging sound profile of the Beats Fit Pro or, by way of comparison, the punchy and more mature Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II.
Beats offers some brash colourways too – check out the Yuzu yellow of the Beats Flex, while the various shades you get with the Fit Pro is a neat alternative for those bored of Apple AirPods' all-white design. And active types will want a pair made for exercise, like the Beats Fit Pro with their clever ear-hook design that keep the buds from falling by the wayside during your marathon training.
We've included other specs like weight and battery life too, to give you an idea of what they're like to live with on a day-to-day basis.
How we test headphones
Testing headphones is all about real-world use. While we do have state-of-the-art testing facilities in London, Reading and Bath, we take headphones out and about on crowded commuter trains and the London Underground, to packed pubs and busy shopping centres. In short, we use them as if we had bought them – that's as true for Beats headphones as it is for those from any other brand. It's the only way to get a true representation of what they're like to use.
We compare each pair to the best in their class, too – and this is where Beats pairs tend to come unstuck. Because while they might sound pretty decent in isolation, the headphone market is fiercely competitive, and the truth is you can get better for your money.
We give each pair we test a fair crack of the whip, partnering them with a range of devices and listening to all different styles of music. We also make sure to test other features like noise cancellation, as well as Siri and Find My for compatible Beats headphones.
We agree all our review verdicts as a team, not as individual testers – that eliminates personal preference while also ensuring thoroughness. We are completely impartial, with no input from sales or PR people, so we can give you the best possible buying advice. It's how we've always done it in our nearly 50 years in the business, and how we always will.
MORE:
Not bothered by branding? These are the best wireless earbuds, full-stop
Our best running headphones will keep you moving
The best noise-cancelling headphones
F.A.Q.
Is Beats as good as AirPods?
It depends. Beats is owned by Apple, so its headphones share certain features with AirPods. But unlike AirPods, Beats has its own Android app, so all features are available to all users, whether they use iOS or Android. The best AirPods do have better sound quality though.
Which Beats are worth buying?
The ones featured here! Sadly Beats does have quite a few three-star models to its name, but all of the above earned four stars. If the price is right, they could suit you.
Are Beats headphones noise cancelling?
Not all Beats headphones are noise cancelling. Of those featured here, the Beats Studio Buds and Beats Fit Pro are noise cancelling, but the Beats Flex aren't.
Recent updates
- 23rd July 2024: Switched to new Best Buy format. Rewrote intro. Added author block, Also Consider, How to Choose, How We Test, F.A.Q. and Recent Updates.
- 7th September 2023: Removed Beats Powerbeats Pro and Beats Solo 3 Wireless from main list. Updated intro. Added new images.
- 29th June 2023: Removed Beats Solo Pro from main list.
- 15th December 2022: Added Beats Fit Pro to main list. Added picture captions.
