Beats Solo 3 have active noise cancelling, but it works differently than you might expect

Yes, Beats Solo 3 Wireless headphones include active noise cancelling (ANC), but the feature is less aggressive than what you'll find in over-ear models like the Sony WH-1000XM5 or Bose QuietComfort 45. The Solo 3 uses a single microphone per ear cup to detect and cancel ambient sound, which works reasonably well for steady background noise like airplane engines or traffic, but struggles with sudden or unpredictable sounds.

The noise cancelling on Solo 3 is also tied to battery life. When you turn ANC on, battery life drops from around 40 hours to approximately 30 hours. This trade-off matters if you're planning a long trip and want to stretch your charge as far as possible.

One practical limitation: the Solo 3 are on-ear headphones, not over-ear. The ear cups sit on top of your ears rather than sealing around them, which means they don't create the physical barrier that helps over-ear models block sound passively. This design choice makes them lighter and more portable, but it also means ANC has to work harder to achieve the same effect.

Key Takeaways

  • Beats Solo 3 include active noise cancelling that reduces steady background noise like engine rumble or traffic, but not sudden sounds like a door slamming.
  • Turning on noise cancelling reduces battery life from 40 hours to about 30 hours of listening time.
  • Because Solo 3 are on-ear rather than over-ear, they rely more on active cancellation and less on physical sound isolation than larger headphone models.
  • You can toggle ANC on or off using the button on the right ear cup, and the headphones will remember your preference when you reconnect.

How the noise cancelling actually works on Solo 3

The Solo 3 use a microphone in each ear cup to pick up ambient sound, then generate an inverse sound wave to cancel it out. This works best with consistent, predictable noise—the hum of an airplane cabin, the rumble of a train, or steady traffic. The system has less time to react to sudden noises, so you'll still hear a car horn or someone tapping on your shoulder.

The cancellation is also less complete than you might expect from the name. Most users report that ANC on the Solo 3 reduces volume rather than eliminating it entirely. If you're in a quiet room, you'll notice the difference. If you're in a loud environment, you may still need to turn up the volume on your music or podcast to hear it clearly over the remaining ambient sound.

Apple's H1 chip, which powers the Solo 3, handles the noise cancelling processing. The same chip manages Bluetooth connectivity and allows the headphones to switch between your Apple devices automatically if you're signed into the same iCloud account.

When noise cancelling drains your battery faster

Active noise cancelling requires constant processing power. The microphones are always listening, the chip is always calculating, and the speakers are always generating cancellation signals. This continuous work pulls power from the battery even when you're not playing audio.

With ANC off, the Solo 3 last around 40 hours on a single charge. With ANC on, expect closer to 30 hours. That's a meaningful difference if you travel frequently or forget to charge regularly. You can check your battery level by asking Siri or by looking at the battery indicator in Control Center on your iPhone or iPad.

If battery life is your priority, you can turn ANC off when you don't need it. The button on the right ear cup toggles between ANC on, ANC off, and Transparency mode (which lets outside sound in). Many users keep ANC off during everyday use and turn it on only during flights or commutes where the battery drain matters less.

Solo 3 versus other Beats models with noise cancelling

Beats makes several headphone models, and not all of them have noise cancelling. The Beats Studio Pro (over-ear) and Beats Fit Pro (earbuds) both include ANC, while the Beats Solo 4 (the newer on-ear model) also has it. The main difference between Solo 3 and these other options is form factor and seal quality.

The Studio Pro are over-ear, so they create a physical seal around your ears that blocks sound passively before the ANC even kicks in. This makes them better at noise cancelling overall, but they're bulkier to carry. The Fit Pro are earbuds with silicone tips that seal in your ear canal, which also helps with passive isolation. The Solo 3 sit on your ears without sealing, so they rely almost entirely on active cancellation.

If you already own Solo 3 and are happy with them, the noise cancelling is a bonus feature rather than the main reason to use them. If you're shopping for headphones specifically because you need strong noise cancelling—for example, for frequent air travel—an over-ear model like the Studio Pro would be a better choice.

Transparency mode and how to use it

In addition to ANC on and ANC off, the Solo 3 have a Transparency mode. When you press the noise control button on the right ear cup, you cycle through these three options. Transparency mode uses the microphones to amplify outside sound, so you can hear your surroundings without taking the headphones off.

This is useful when you need to hear announcements (like at an airport), talk to someone nearby, or stay aware of traffic while walking. The amplified sound comes through your headphones, so it's louder and clearer than it would be if you just lowered your music volume. You can also adjust how much outside sound comes through by changing the Transparency level in Settings on your iPhone.

Compatibility and setup

Beats Solo 3 work with any device that supports Bluetooth, but the full feature set—including the ability to toggle ANC and Transparency mode—requires an Apple device running iOS 12.1 or later, iPadOS 12.1 or later, or macOS 10.13.1 or later. If you pair them with an Android phone or non-Apple device, you can still use ANC, but you'll control it through the physical button on the headphones rather than through an app.

To set up noise cancelling on a new pair of Solo 3, hold them near your iPhone or iPad and follow the pairing prompt. Once paired, the ANC settings sync across all your Apple devices. If you want to adjust how much transparency sound comes through, go to Settings, then Bluetooth, tap the information icon next to your Solo 3, and look for the Transparency option.

Real-world performance: what to expect

In a quiet office or home, ANC on the Solo 3 creates a noticeable reduction in ambient sound. You'll hear a slight hiss or white noise as the system activates—this is normal and happens with most active noise cancelling headphones. In a loud environment like a coffee shop or train, the effect is less dramatic. You'll hear the difference, but you'll still be aware of your surroundings.

Many users find that the real benefit of ANC on Solo 3 isn't complete silence, but rather the ability to listen to music or podcasts at a lower volume. By reducing background noise, ANC lets you hear your content more clearly without cranking the volume up, which is easier on your ears during long listening sessions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use noise cancelling on Solo 3 without playing music?

Yes. You can turn on ANC and just listen to the ambient sound reduction without playing any audio. This is useful if you want to block out noise while you work or read. Keep in mind that ANC will still drain your battery even if you're not playing anything.

Does noise cancelling work better if I wear Solo 3 a certain way?

Yes. Make sure the ear cups are positioned directly on your ears and that the headband is snug but not painful. If the cups are tilted or loose, the microphones won't pick up ambient sound as effectively, and ANC performance will drop. The fit also affects how much passive sound isolation you get.

What's the difference between ANC off and Transparency mode?

ANC off means the noise cancelling is disabled, but outside sound still comes through naturally. Transparency mode actively amplifies outside sound through your headphones, so it's louder and clearer. Use ANC off for everyday listening and Transparency when you need to hear your surroundings clearly.

Will Solo 3 noise cancelling work on a plane?

Yes, and this is one of the best use cases for them. The steady engine noise on a plane is exactly the kind of sound ANC handles well. You'll notice a significant reduction in engine rumble, though you may still hear occasional announcements or conversation from nearby passengers.

Do I need to update my Solo 3 to use noise cancelling?

No. Noise cancelling is built into the hardware and works out of the box. However, you should keep your paired Apple device updated to iOS, iPadOS, or macOS to ensure you have access to all ANC controls and settings.