Beats Solo 3 Wireless vs Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II
The Verdict
Beats Solo 3 and Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II serve different use cases despite both being premium audio products. Solo 3 offers exceptional battery endurance at 40 hours on a single charge, plus Fast Fuel technology that delivers 3 hours of playback from just 5 minutes of charging, making it ideal for travel and extended listening sessions. The on-ear design provides comfort for longer wears and easy accessibility. However, it lacks active noise cancellation, which significantly limits its utility in noisy environments. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II deliver industry-leading ANC with CustomTune auto-calibration that adapts to your ear canal, along with transparency modes for ambient awareness. Their 6-hour battery per charge suits daily commutes, and USB-C with wireless charging offers modern convenience. The earbuds weigh only 6.24 grams each, providing a truly portable solution. Multipoint connectivity lets you seamlessly switch between devices. Sound quality differs by preference: Solo 3 emphasizes punchy bass through its tuned driver, while Bose prioritizes balanced audio with EQ customization. For frequent travelers prioritizing battery life and portability, Solo 3 excels. For urban commuters or office workers needing ANC and environmental awareness features, Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II prove superior. The $100 price difference reflects these feature disparities. Choose based on your environment: long-haul travel favors Solo 3, while daily noise-heavy commuting favors Bose.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Beats Solo 3 Wireless if…
- →40-hour battery life is phenomenal — charges once a week for most users
- →Fast Fuel gives 3 hours from just 5 minutes of charging
- →W1 chip makes pairing with Apple devices instant and seamless
Buy the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II if…
- →Best-in-class ANC that rivals over-ear headphones
- →CustomTune calibrates noise cancellation and sound to your ears
- →Compact and lightweight at 6.24 g for comfortable all-day wear
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Beats Solo 3 Wireless
Pros
- 40-hour battery life is phenomenal — charges once a week for most users
- Fast Fuel gives 3 hours from just 5 minutes of charging
- W1 chip makes pairing with Apple devices instant and seamless
- Foldable and portable for commuting and travel
- Iconic Beats styling in multiple color options
Cons
- On-ear clamping force causes discomfort during extended sessions
- Bass-heavy sound signature lacks detail in mids and highs
- No ANC — you're paying for brand and battery, not noise cancellation
- Lightning charging port instead of USB-C
- Bluetooth 4.0 is outdated — lacks modern codec support
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II
Pros
- Best-in-class ANC that rivals over-ear headphones
- CustomTune calibrates noise cancellation and sound to your ears
- Compact and lightweight at 6.24 g for comfortable all-day wear
- Multipoint Bluetooth for dual-device connectivity
- Qi wireless charging case for convenience
Cons
- Only AAC and SBC codecs — no LDAC or aptX
- 6-hour battery with ANC is relatively short
- IPX4 is basic splash resistance
- $299 is expensive for true wireless earbuds
- Call quality can be inconsistent in windy environments
Full Specifications
| Spec | Beats Solo 3 Wireless | Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II |
|---|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancelling | ||
| Type | on-ear | in-ear |
| Weight | 215 g | 6.24 g (each) |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 40 hrs | 6 hrs (ANC on), 24 hrs total with case |
| Charging | Lightning, 5 min = 3 hrs (Fast Fuel) | USB-C, Qi wireless, 20 min = 2 hrs playback |
| Drivers | Fine-tuned acoustics driver | 9.3mm dynamic driver |
| Features | Apple W1 chip for seamless Apple pairing, Fast Fuel charging (5 min = 3 hrs), Foldable design for portability, On-ear controls, RemoteTalk cable for wired use | CustomTune auto-calibrating ANC and sound, ActiveSense transparency mode, Aware Mode for hearing surroundings, Bose Music app with EQ, Touchpad controls |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wired option | ||
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth | 4.0 with Apple W1 chip | 5.3 |
| Multipoint | ||
| Water Resistance | None | IPX4 |
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This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
Explore more in headphones, see all Beats products or all Bose products. View full details for the Beats Solo 3 Wireless or the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II.