Reviews
3.8
894 reviews
Brilliant Beats Ear-Buds
Shane· Review provided by johnlewis.com · December 6, 2024
Having only used wireless earphones from Apple over the last few years I was very keen to try out these Beats Solo Buds, especially as I have been having problems using my Airpods on my Windows Laptops.
This neat Beats packaging came with comprehensive set up instructions in countless languages of my choice, four different size of ear fits and a pocket sized black charging case. I was slightly disappointed the package didn't come with the USB-C charging wire but fortunately I already own a few of these so that wasn't a major set back.

Connecting the ear buds to my devices was very easy, I would go as far as to say it was easier to connect these to my iPhone & iPad than in was with my latest pair of Airpods. My windows laptop was also connected fairly comfortably, ready to go within a few minutes.

The sound and microphone quality when playing music/podcasts, watching live sport/TV and also when making audio / video calls through these earbuds is excellent. I was delighted that I encountered no such joltery sound issues when using my windows laptop, meaning I no longer have the need to dial into calls off my phone!

Exercising while wearing wireless earphones is also something that's extremely important to me, being very into my running especially! I have taken my earbuds out on several runs now and haven't experienced any problems with them falling out despite occasional large gusts of wind that have made other options struggle in the past!

One weakness that these Ear-buds have versus their Apple alternatives is that the noise cancellation - adaptive flexibility options are not as good and therefore in loud situations like the tube I have found I've struggled to hear quieter media such as podcasts.

Overall, I would highly recommend these Beats Solo Buds to a friend due to their strong quality, excellent value and reliability. I'm finding them extremely useful in my day to day life using them for running, while community and getting the most uplift at work!
Great headphones for iOS users
StartPoint· Review provided by johnlewis.com · November 20, 2024
The overall package is really neat, the case is small and sturdy, and the magnetic snap to put the earbuds back feels secure. However, I really struggled to get the ear buds out of the case! The raised part is actually quite small and I couldn't get my fingers around them very well. I also found it quite difficult to put them into my ears - unless I was holding both earbuds, I was never sure if I'd lined them up properly.

The translucent red case looks great, and I like the bright statement colour of the red earbuds. As for the comfort - you basically forget you've put them in. I also found them far more comfortable than AirPods Pro which have more of an oval shape than the Beats' round tip. The only downside I have for the comfort is the buttons, I haven't got the hang of hitting the button on the bud, and it feels like I'm just pushing it further into my ear when I try.

They sound great, Beats tend to be heavier on the bass than Sennheisser for example - and that's what I like - I listened to a range of music and podcasts and was very happy with the results. I also want to call out sound isolation. I tested them on a busy train, and walking along a busy road, neither caused any issues, they blocked out the exterior sound excellently - if you have any issues with this, try a different tip size.

The mic did a pretty good job and in normal conditions and was actually far clearer than comparable headphones I own, but did struggle on busy roads.

Setting up the headphones - and switching between Apple devices - was super quick and simple. They reconnect on putting them in your ears and then you're good to go.

The headphones appear in the Find My app, and can play a sound if marked as lost, but if I'm honest, the sound was so quiet I don't think it would actually help you to find them.

They really are great headphones, so if you're an iOS user who likes headphones with a bit more bass, and doesn't need the higher end audio features, I'd definitely consider them.
A commuter's best friend
Bea· Review provided by johnlewis.com · November 22, 2024
These headphones are definitely small but mighty. They're incredibly light and compact and fit easily into small bags or pockets, making them ideal for carrying with me on the commute. I use them a few hours a day and the battery lasts around a week. The case is very slim, and snaps closed firmly, keeping the headphones from falling out at the bottom of my bag. They're also magnetic, which I found helpful when putting them back in the case as they jump into place very easily.

I often struggle with in-ear headphones staying in place, so I was pleased to see these come with several different sizes of ear tips. They were easy to remove and replace with a smaller size which has made for a much comfier fit. The earbuds feel secure enough that they won't fall out when I run and they don't have to be painfully squeezed into my ears.

I've been really impressed with the quality of the sound and noise cancelling, considering the size and price. They're on the more basic end of the spectrum for Beats, but the sound is really crisp and clear and completely undetectable for anyone passing by. I don't think they're technically noise cancelling, but they do cushion external sound; if someone is speaking to me while I've got them in, I have no idea. I've also experimented with playing music through them when they're not in my ears, and you can't hear anything at all - perfect for loud but unobtrusive Taylor Swift listening while on a busy train!

One negative is that they don't filter outside noise when used for phone calls. I tested a few phone calls outside of the house, and while I could hear the caller very well, they could only hear the background noise surrounding me and not what I was saying. This isn't such an issue if you only take calls in quiet environments, but it's something to be aware of if you like to chat when you're on the move.
A Compact Powerhouse with Room for improvement
JamBisho· Review provided by johnlewis.com · December 6, 2024
These Solo Buds make a striking first impression. Their tiny case is impressively portable (although don't support wireless case charging).

These buds offer an amazing amount of playback on a single charge. The seamless pairing with both iOS and Android devices, coupled with the inclusion of Find My functionality, enhances their practicality.

When it comes to audio quality, the Solo Buds shine-but only under specific conditions. To experience their full potential, the ear tips must create a snug fit in the ear. Without this secure seal, the sound is noticeably tinny and lacks depth, particularly in the bass frequencies. Unfortunately, the four included ear tip sizes didn't suit my ears perfectly, leaving comfort and sound quality at odds. While a snug fit yields impressive clarity and bass reproduction, it also creates a "plugged-in" sensation that makes it hard to gauge your own voice during calls-a common issue with noise-isolating earphones.

Conversations on calls are clear, and the Bluetooth connection is undoubtedly stable with minimal dropouts. However, the lack of auditory feedback while on calls can make it difficult to regulate your speaking volume, leading to an unintentional tendency to shout, plus there's the issue with it's potential tinny sound due to trying to balance a comfortable fit with the ear tips.

The earbuds' design is sleek and clearly ergonomically developed. Still, the comfort levels depend largely on whether you can achieve the right fit with the provided tips.

Overall, these earphones are a great product which I would be willing to recommend, but just not suitable for me.
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