Beats has been as much about brand and style as it has about sound quality and features, so it’s no surprise that all of its on-ear/over-ear options seem to boast more color choices than upfront audio specs. The Beats Solo3 are the company’s most approachable headphones when it comes to price, but that doesn’t make them cheap. At $200, they are still reaching into the high-end personal audio market despite their lower-end status among Beats options. So in what has become a very competitive headphone market in the last couple of years, where do the Solo3 land? Let’s take a look. The Beats Solo3 ship pretty simply. Inside a couple of layers of cardboard packaging, you will find the headphones, a soft carrying case, a USB-A to USB Micro-B charging cable, and a small carabiner (used for looping onto the soft case and clipping to things, I guess). Beats also includes a set of pamphlets that clearly explain setup and use, as well as a sticker, if that’s your jam. Though the headphones do acc...

Several color options; Great battery life; Strong compatibility with Apple products;

Poor bass; Tight fit causes listening fatigue;

The Beats Solo3 Wireless are the first pair of headphones to utilize the new Apple W1 chip that can be found in earphones like the AirPods . This, along with the Beats logo and branding, helps explain the $299.95 price.

Powerful, bass-forward (but balanced) audio performance; Apple W1 chip enhances experience with iOS devices; Detachable cable with inline remote for passive listening

A bit overpriced; Headband can get uncomfortable during longer listening sessions

It's time for another crack at the Beats Solo formula, which has already produced some of the most popular headphones in the world. The sound hasn't been radically changed in the Beats Solo 3 Wireless, and neither has the design.

Fun; energetic sound; Excellent battery life

Dominant bass; Some mid-range clogging; Expensive

The Beats Solo 3 headphones' amazing battery life make them better for iPhone 7 users than any other on-ear headset. They're expensive and a bit heavy on the bass, but the Beats Solo 3's 40-hour battery life is worth the price.

Superb Battery Life; Easy Setup for iPhone; iPad and Mac Users; Easy to Find Deeply Discounted; Compact Design

Plastic Feels Cheap; Overpriced at Full MSRP of $299; Sound Quality Good; Not Great; Android Users Miss Out on Best Features

In case you missed the news, Apple owns Beats these days. The Beats Solo 3 Wireless are the first of the company's headphones that seem made in the Apple image.

Excellent wireless stability; Good Bluetooth-phone interaction; Energetic; punchy sound

Firm headband pressure; Lack of fidelity for price

The Beats Solo Wireless are already now in their third generation. Developed as a listening companion for iPhone 7 devices without conventional headphone jack connections, these new additions to the Beats line-up boast an impressive operational life before the battery requires a recharge.

The Beats Solo3 Wireless are the first pair of headphones to utilize the new Apple W1 chip that can be found in earphones like the AirPods ($124.99 at Amazon) . This, along with the Beats logo and branding, helps explain the $299.95 price. The W1 chip does offer greater convenience for iOS users, while the headphones themselves deliver a solid, bass-forward listening experience. Alas, it's an experience that feels more in line with less expensive options. If you're a fan of the Beats aesthetic and want to know whether the Solo3 Wireless provide a strong audio experience, the answer is yes—but at $300, there are stronger options. Design Available in glossy black, white, gold, rose gold, or silver models, the supra-aural (on-ear) Solo3 Wireless ($181.49 at Amazon) feature exceptionally comfortable earpads and a slightly less comfortable headband—its underside is notably less padded. During short listening sessions, the headphones are quite comfortable, but you might feel a bit of f...

The Beats Solo3 Wireless headphones use Apple's W1 chip for easier connectivity with iOS devices and deliver a balanced Bluetooth audio experience for bass lovers, but feel a tad expensive.

Powerful, bass-forward (but balanced) audio performance; Apple W1 chip enhances experience with iOS devices; Detachable cable with inline remote for passive listening

A bit overpriced; Headband can get uncomfortable during longer listening sessions

Fun, energetic sound; Excellent battery life;

Dominant bass; Some mid-range clogging; Expensive;

W1 for the win.

Great battery life; Long range

Expensive; Sound quality; Feels brittle

At a hair under $300, the Beats Solo 3s are certainly priced like a premium product, but you wouldn't know it from handling them. A cascade of glossy plastic trickles down from the headband to encase the ear cups.

Rock-solid wireless performance; Entertaining sound; especially with modern electronic music; Light and comfortable

Flimsy; plastic-rich construction; Not great at handling acoustic music; You won't get the most out of these without an iOS device