Beats Solo Buds Are Down to $39 at Walmart.
Beats Solo Buds are a popular choice among wireless over-ear headphones. They’re currently $39 (originally $69) at Walmart, which is even cheaper than the lowest price on Amazon—$49.95. They’re a budget-friendly alternative to Apple’s other in-ear headphones, a great choice for those on a budget who want high-quality sound.
Compared to the more expensive Beats Studio Buds and Studio Buds+, they’re quite basic, as CNET notes . They don’t include a charging case, active noise cancellation (passive noise isolation only), or other advanced features, but that’s to be expected for a much lower price. Nevertheless, they deliver balanced sound with bright highs and deep bass, which is further enhanced when playing Dolby Atmos tracks. Battery life is up to 18 hours, and thanks to fast charging via USB-C, five minutes of charging gives you about an hour of playback.
Since the case doesn’t have a built-in battery, it’s more compact, and pairing with iOS and Android devices is seamless. While the earbuds don’t have an official IPX rating, they are claimed to be sweat- and water-resistant and come with four ear tip sizes for a more comfortable fit. While the microphone quality isn’t up to the level of the Studio Buds line, the noise-canceling algorithms and custom-designed microphones are excellent for everyday calls.
If you don’t need active noise cancellation (ANC) and are looking for compact, affordable headphones with excellent sound, the Beats Solo Buds are a great choice for casual music listening, especially at just $40. However, if you plan to wear them while sweating heavily, in humid environments, or on your commute to work in a very noisy environment, you might want to consider the Beats Studio.