If you want a compact on-ear pair for workout commutes and everyday carry, choose Beats Solo3; if you need longer battery life and over-ear coverage for workout recovery, choose JBL Tune 720BT. For the workout itself, neither is an open-ear design, so fit and how much of your surroundings you need to hear should guide the choice.
Beats Solo3 vs JBL Tune 720BT at a Glance
• Beats Solo3: Its adjustable, cushioned on-ear fit, foldable design, and up to 40 hours of listening time suit everyday carry; the trade-off is shorter stated battery life than JBL’s.
• JBL Tune 720BT: Up to 76 hours of battery life, customizable EQ, and over-ear coverage make it a strong choice for long listening sessions; the trade-off is a larger over-ear format.
• Choose Beats Solo3 if you want compact on-ear headphones with Apple W1 and Class 1 Bluetooth connectivity.
• Choose JBL Tune 720BT if you want more listening time per charge and the option to adjust the sound through an app.
Beats Solo3 is the more compact, on-ear pick. Its cushioned ear cups and adjustable fit are intended for everyday use, while its foldable design makes it easier to pack away than a full-size, non-folding headset. The listed weight is 7.6 ounces, a useful detail for anyone deciding what they want to carry through a workday or commute.
Battery life is rated for up to 40 hours. When the battery is low, a five-minute charge is stated to provide three hours of playback. That quick-charge feature can be helpful if you discover you need headphones shortly before heading out. Apple’s W1 chip and Class 1 Bluetooth are part of the connectivity package, and the headphones are compatible with both iOS and Android devices.
How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-19 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
For workout use, remember that Solo3 is an on-ear headphone, not an open-ear earbud. The product details support a compact, adjustable fit, but don’t establish that it will suit every workout or remain secure through every kind of movement. If you’re searching for the best on ear headphones for workout, think first about whether an on-ear fit is comfortable for your routine and whether you need to hear more of your surroundings. I wouldn’t assume the listed features make it an ideal exercise headset for everyone.
JBL Tune 720BT is an over-ear wireless headphone built around long listening time. Its battery is rated for up to 76 hours, and its stated recharge time is two hours using a USB-C cable. A five-minute charge is described as providing three additional hours of music. For long stretches of listening, those figures give it a clear advantage over Beats Solo3 on battery capacity.
Sound personalization is another reason to consider JBL. The JBL Headphones app lets listeners select preset EQ modes or adjust the EQ curve. That gives you more control over the sound than the information provided for Solo3. JBL also describes its sound as Pure Bass, though that label alone doesn’t tell a buyer exactly how the headphones will sound with every genre or personal preference.
The 720BT uses Bluetooth 5.3 and has controls for media, calls, and volume. It supports hands-free calling with Voice Aware, which lets you hear your own voice during a call. The headphones fold flat for packing. Taken together, those features fit someone who wants a wireless pair for extended listening at home, while traveling, or during a long day away from a charger.
The trade-off is the over-ear format. Some people prefer it for the coverage around the ears; others would rather carry or wear a smaller on-ear model. The listed information does not establish a water-resistance rating or a workout-specific fit, so I wouldn’t choose it on the assumption that it is designed for sweat or vigorous exercise. If you’re looking for the best kids headset for workout, neither model’s listed details establish child-specific sizing or workout suitability. Check the fit and intended use rather than treating either as a dedicated kids’ sports headset.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for longer battery life → JBL Tune 720BT. Its stated maximum is up to 76 hours, compared with up to 40 hours for Solo3.
• Best for app-based sound adjustment → JBL Tune 720BT. Its companion app offers preset EQ choices and manual adjustment.
• Best for Apple W1 connectivity → Beats Solo3. It includes the W1 chip and Class 1 Bluetooth, while also supporting Android devices.
• Best for quick top-ups → A tie on the stated five-minute figures. Both are described as providing three hours of playback or music after a five-minute charge.
• Best for over-ear coverage → JBL Tune 720BT. Its product details identify an over-ear shape; Solo3 is on-ear.
• Best for fold-flat packing → JBL Tune 720BT. Its design is described as folding flat, while Beats is described as foldable. Choose based on the form factor you prefer to carry.
• Best open ear earbuds for workout → neither. These are on-ear and over-ear headphones, not open-ear earbuds. If hearing surrounding sounds is central to your workout, look for a product type designed for that need.
I’d choose the JBL Tune 720BT for most long listening sessions because its up-to-76-hour battery life and adjustable EQ are meaningful everyday advantages.
I’d choose Beats Solo3 instead if a foldable on-ear design and Apple W1 connectivity matter more to me than extra battery time.
For workout use, I would not treat either as a purpose-built exercise pair based on the listed features alone.
My overall pick is JBL for listening flexibility, but Beats is the more appealing fit for someone who specifically wants on-ear headphones.
Neither product’s listed features establish a workout-specific fit or sweat resistance. Beats is on-ear, while JBL is over-ear, so consider which format feels more suitable for your activity and whether you need to stay aware of nearby sounds.
JBL Tune 720BT is rated for up to 76 hours, while Beats Solo3 is rated for up to 40 hours. Both are described as providing three hours of playback or music after a five-minute charge.
Yes. The JBL Headphones app offers preset EQ modes and lets you adjust the EQ curve. The provided Solo3 details do not specify a companion app or EQ adjustment.
They are headphones, not earbuds. Beats Solo3 is an on-ear model, and JBL Tune 720BT is an over-ear model. Neither is described as an open-ear design.
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