This article is part of our series Battle of the Brands, in which we compare category-leading products to their counterparts to determine which are actually worth your money.
The AirPods 2 helped popularize true wireless earbuds and remain a top seller, thanks to continuous software updates and a price tag that often dips below $100. However, the older they’ve gotten, the more competitive the market has become. For instance, some of the best budget earbuds boast stronger specs and perform similarly to, if not better than, Apple’s second-gen buds.
Such is the case with the all-new Beats Solo Buds. This entry-level release features a variety of new technologies and shares many of the same perks that made the AirPods 2 a smash hit. Throw in Beats’ bass-forward sound profile, plus an incredibly tiny design, and you have the brand’s most impressive buds to date.
It’s not an exaggeration to view the AirPods 2 and the Solo Buds among the best Apple headphones and best Beats headphones available, respectively, but only one can be considered the better value. We’ve spent the past week thoroughly testing both products to determine a winner.
Beats Solo Buds vs. Apple AirPods 2 at a glance
Quick specs comparison
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Active noise cancellation | No | No |
| Ambient noise | No | No |
| Battery life (rated) | 18 hours | 5 hours (buds); 24 hours (charging case) |
| Wireless charging | No | Yes (optional) |
| Fast charging | 5-minute charge = 1 hour | 15-minute charge = 3 hours |
| Sweat and water resistance | None | None |
| Ear tip sizes | XS, S, M, L | None |
| Software support | Android, iOS | iOS |
| Weight | 0.2 ounces (per bud) | 0.14 ounces |
| Colors | Article Purple, Matte Black, Storm Gray, Transparent Red | White |
| Charging | USB-C | Lightning |
| Price | $80 | $89 |
Sound is more dynamic and wider on the Solo Buds
The Solo Buds have more going for them in the audio department. On top of custom-built acoustic architecture, they come with dual-layer drivers that dish out crisp, vibrant and well-balanced sound. The in-ear design creates a tight seal for engrossing audio. Not to mention there’s spatial audio support that turns on automatically when indulging in Dolby Atmos content, and the results are pleasing.
Audio quality on the AirPods 2 is decent for the price. You get clean vocal output and punchy bass when listening in quiet settings. The open-ear design lets in a lot of ambient noise. Swapping out the EQ in iOS can enhance performance, as does enabling the sound features on the best music streaming services like Apple Music and Tidal. Bear in mind that the same can be done with the Solo Buds.
One holds a charge significantly longer, and the other has higher overall battery life
According to Beats, the Solo Buds offer 18 hours of continuous playtime. There’s one caveat: The charging case doesn’t have an additional battery to hold extra charges. Meanwhile, the AirPods 2 max out at five hours per charge, but their charging case stores up to 24 hours.
Fast Fuel charging is stronger on the Solo Buds (reference the comparison chart at the top). Reverse charging is supported on both devices to juice them up when connected to a compatible device. The AirPods 2 have a wireless charging case that’s sold separately. Wireless charging is MIA on all Beats wireless earbuds, including the Solo Buds.
The Solo Buds have broader ecosystem integration
The Solo Buds employ Beats’ proprietary chipset that’s optimized for multiplatform use. This not only gives iOS/macOS users the same feature set as the AirPods 2 (minus “Hey Siri” voice activation), but it also paves the way for new features like spatial audio. Most importantly, the Solo Buds also play nicely with Google-powered devices. Android users get key features like one-tap Fast Pair and Find My Device, as well as Beats app support to enable different functions. Another great perk is multipoint technology to pair two Android devices simultaneously.
Despite using the older W1 processor, the AirPods 2 run smoothly when paired to Apple devices. They carry several trademark features, including audio sharing, automatic switching, Find My support and “Hey Siri” voice activation. Everything works well. Users can customize the controls and EQ via iOS settings.
Basic designs with minimal protection
The AirPods 2 were seen as contemporary-looking buds when they launched several years back. Nowadays, their design is deemed generic. The Solo Buds are Beats’ most plain-looking buds to date, but the multiple colorways and iconic B logo give them some style. Neither set of buds comes with an IP rating, meaning there’s no dust, shock, sweat or sweat resistance.
Bottom line
Bigger specs at a lower launch price make the Beats Solo Buds the best budget Apple buds out there. You’ll enjoy emphatic sound, lengthy playtime on the go and serviceable features that create seamless functionality between mobile platforms. These aren’t as feature-filled as the brand’s midrange Studio Buds and Studio Buds Plus, nor do they hold extra charges like all other true wireless models. Still, they stand out as the better value compared to Apple’s beginner buds.
At five years old, the AirPods 2 remain a solid pickup for brand enthusiasts who want excellent Apple functionality at an attainable price. Signature features like audio sharing and one-tap pairing keep them operating at an elite level. Voice calling is still some of the best in the category. Sound is acceptable, though it’s significantly improved on the AirPods 3 and AirPods Pro series. The lack of multiplatform support and newer technologies are what do the AirPods 2 in.
