It's fair to say that no other brand has had the impact on the headphones market that Beats has in the past 15 years. While their take on styling and sound might not have always pleased the audiophile crowd, there's little argument of just how much they captured public attention. They made paying (not inconsiderable) money for headphones cool again - in an era where cheap bundled buds were the go-to option for most.
Apple saw this potential and acquired Beats almost 10 years ago now. The line up has going from strength to strength ever since, refining sound, improving features and sticking with the same snazzy approach to design. There's now a considerable range to choose from, though, so finding the best Beats for you can feel like a bit of a minefield.
Whether you're interested in over-ear, on-ear or in-ear headphones, there are now multiple options to explore at a number of different price points.
We've tested and rated the entire range for our in-depth Beats reviews, but this is a good place to get familiar with what's available. Keep reading to find out which are the best Beats headphones you can buy now.
Top picks: The best Beats headphones to buy
Beats Studio Pro
The Studio Pro succeed the popular Studio Wireless 3, bringing a number of improvements, including USB-C Audio and Spatial Audio with Dynamic Head Tracking, as well as a refined design and up to 40 hours battery life.
- Great sound
- Good noise cancellation
- USB-C audio for 24-bit/48kHz playback
- Foldable, portable design
- Smaller earcups may not suit larger ears
- No wear detection
The latest over-ear Beats headphones are the Beats Studio Pro, and they now overtake their predecessors - the Beats Studio Wireless 3 - as my recommendation for best Beats headphones for those who like an over-ear fit, and get the nod for Best Beats headphones overall.
That's because, simply put, they sound the best. Completely reworked internals include a brand new custom 40mm driver aimed at pushing clarity across the frequency range, and it gives them the edge when it comes to sound quality. Noise cancelling is great here too, and there's even USB-C audio for high-res music playback over a wired connection.
The iconic over-ear design looks as good as ever, and is really comfy for me - however Beats has slimmed down the earcups this year meaning larger ears may not fit entirely within them. It's a shame not have premium features like wear detection here either - but overall it doesn't take away from the strong performance elsewhere that make these the go-to Beats for me.
Beats Studio Buds+
Fantastic true wireless earbuds, that push things on a little from the original Studio Buds, in terms of performance, noise cancellation and fit.
- Fun, energetic sound
- Good noise cancellation
- Comfortable fit
- Treble lacks some refinement
- No wireless charging case
- No wear sensor
The Beats Studio Buds+ take the experience we enjoyed in the original Studio Buds and hones it into much improved product for today's market - and I think that makes them the best Beats headphones to buy if you like an in-ear fit.
Sound remains as full bodied and energetic as we remember it, but we now have significantly improved noise cancelling, a more comfortable fit and better battery life, which all add to the experience considerably.
There are still some things missing, like wireless charging and a wear sensor, but these are a fantastic pair of headphones at a great price. Best of all, with the universal compatibility they offer, they appeal to Android users just as much as they do Apple's - something Beats has honed since it released the Beats Fit Pro.
If you don't need a more workout-ready fit or are an Android user looking for seamless usability, these offer one of the best all-round Beats in-ear experiences.
Beats Powerbeats Pro
Amazing true wireless earbuds, these are ideal for exercising in.
- Unmatched design and sound for exercise
- Exceptional battery life
- No wireless charging case
- No noise cancelling
The Beats Powerbeats Pro are the company's flagship in-ear buds that give you complete freedom when running or in the gym - they're unashamedly workout-orientated with the distinctive ear hooks, but can easily be used for general listening, too.
They're based on the same technology as the Apple AirPods, but have the benefit of being sweatproof and waterproof. They're extremely light in your ears and come in a charging case.
You get some super sound across the spectrum, but you don't feel like they're pressing into your ear; thanks to the range of tips, you don't have to get a complete seal to ensure great sound.
They don't have noise cancelling, so don't expect that, but battery life is brilliant with nine hours of constant listening, while you can charge them twice over again from the case. Our only gripe is - like all Beats buds - that the case is not able to charge wirelessly.
Beats Fit Pro
A superb blend of comfort and sound quality, whether you want to exercise or use them for everyday listening.
- Spatial Audio and dynamic head tracking
- Super noise cancelling and sound
- The fit is comfortable and secure
- No wireless charging case
- Not full support for Android
There are several in-ear buds in the Beats line up, but the Beats Fit Pro buds blend together the benefits of a few of them, making them great do-it-all earbuds.
The Powerbeats Pro might be the go-to pick for hardcore workouts, and the Studio Buds+ offer incredible features at a good price, but the Fit Pro manages to sit right in the sweet spot of these two options and provide a superb experience whatever the occasion.
The standout features are the very capable ANC, solid sound quality, Spatial Audio and easy pairing for Apple users, thanks to the H1 Chip. Android users can make do here, but the experience on the newer Beats Studio Buds+ is far better.
The only big disappointment is - you guessed it - the lack of a wireless charging case. It's something Beats just doesn't seem keen on offering.
However, these are still excellent buds, and ideal for those who like AirPods Pro, but want a bit more of a workout-ready pair. The colour options are great too.
Beats Solo 3 Wireless
A solid set of on-ear cans for those that prioritise battery life and portability.
- Great connectivity for Apple users
- Long battery life
- Very snug fit
- Too much bass for some
The Solo 3 Wireless on-ears were introduced quite a while ago now, but handily still feature Apple's W1 wireless chip. It promises greater battery life, a greater Bluetooth range and improved connectivity options for iPhone users (so Android users may prefer to look at newer Beats for the best experience).
Touch-sensitive controls are present on the left ear cup for skipping tracks and changing volume. Beats claims up to 40 hours of life - and they do last so long - but, naturally, you can also plug in a 3.5mm cable for a wired connection with compatible devices. Alternatively, you can charge them up for five minutes to get three hours of playback time.
In terms of sound, they serve up a slightly older Beats sound signature that pushes bass more strongly than you might hear more recently - but it's well considered and far from overwhelming. If you're after a powerful yet portable pair of headphones, the Solo 3s are for you.
Beats Studio Buds
With good pairing support for Android and iOS users, as well as balanced sound and a neat design, these are a basic but very effective pair of wireless buds.
- Affordable and great-sounding
- Android Fast pair support
- No H1 chip for cross-device Apple pairing
- The charging case isn't wireless
The Beats Studio Buds are the cheapest wireless earbuds in the Beats line up, and show Beats can impress at this level too.
The sound is crisp and solid in pretty much every scenario we've tested - including trains, workouts and casual wear - with active noise-cancelling a really nice addition, too.
Like its Apple cousins, though, the biggest benefit of Studio Buds is the convenience. They're small enough to carry around easily, they last for long periods and are also comfortable to wear.
The Beats Studio Buds+ offer a step up from these if you'd like better noise cancellation, fit and sound quality, but as it stands, these buds still offer tremendous value.
Beats Flex
Amazing budget wireless audio, with a battery life that's impressive for this price range.
- Extremely affordable
- Excellent battery life
- Very snug fit
- Too much bass for some
They're comfortable to wear, are really light and come in some fun colours - all while working superbly with iOS. In this case, that's thanks to the older W1 chip on board.
You get 12 hours of battery life, which is really impressive for the price, and they're really great for a hectic lifestyle. If you want some Beats without breaking the bank, these are the obvious solution.
FAQ
Q: How to choose the best Beats headphones for you?
Firstly, you need to think about what you'll be using the headphones for most, and where. You probably already have an idea whether earbuds or full headphones would be best for your needs, but it's a good place to start if you haven't.
No matter the conclusion you've come to in the above question, Beats are almost certain to offer something to suit - whether that's headphones for the gym (have a think about fit and waterproofing), travelling or commuting (think about design, battery life and noise cancelling) or that prioritise sound quality over portability, Beats should have you covered.
You can read our full reviews for further insight into how they are to use, but our summaries above should give you an idea of which headphones would be the best for your needs.