Beats Solo 3 Wireless vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
The Verdict
The Beats Solo 3 Wireless and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) sit in the same category and end up appealing to slightly different buyers. The Beats Solo 3 Wireless is the cheaper of the two at $199 versus $449, a difference of about $250. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) is the newer release, which usually means a faster chipset and longer software support. Beats Solo 3 Wireless stands out for 40-hour battery life is phenomenal — charges once a week for most users, while Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) is praised for 30 hours battery with anc, 45 hours without. Use the side-by-side spec table below to compare cameras, displays, battery life and connectivity in detail and decide which one fits your priorities.
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 Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) if…
- →30 hours battery with ANC, 45 hours without
- →USB-C lossless digital audio support
- →Improved adaptive ANC algorithm
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- Bluetooth 4.0 is outdated — lacks modern codec support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 Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
Pros
- 30 hours battery with ANC, 45 hours without
- USB-C lossless digital audio support
- Improved adaptive ANC algorithm
- Multipoint Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity
- New Cinema Mode for spatial video audio
Cons
- Price increased to $449
- 250g is heavier than some competitors
- No aptX Lossless codec support
Full Specifications
| Spec | Beats Solo 3 Wireless | Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancelling | ||
| Type | on-ear | over-ear |
| Weight | 215 g | 250 g |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 40 hrs | 30 hours (ANC on), 45 hours (ANC off) |
| Charging | Lightning, 5 min = 3 hrs (Fast Fuel) | USB-C |
| Drivers | Fine-tuned acoustics 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 | Immersive Audio (spatial audio), Cinema Mode for video, USB-C lossless digital audio, Adaptive ANC algorithm, Google Fast Pair, Spotify Tap |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wired option | ||
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive |
| Bluetooth | 4.0 with Apple W1 chip | 5.4 |
| Multipoint | ||
| Water Resistance | None | — |
Want to compare a third product?
Add another product for a 3-way comparison.
Related Comparisons
- Beats Solo 3 Wireless vs Sony WH-1000XM6
- Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) vs Sony WH-1000XM6
- Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) vs Bose QuietComfort Headphones
- Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) vs Bose QuietComfort 35 II
- Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) vs Sennheiser HD 660S2
- Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) vs Sony WH-1000XM4
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 Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen).