If you want long battery life and a foldable everyday pair, choose Beats Solo3; if you need active noise cancellation and multipoint pairing, choose Sony WH-1000XM5. For side sleepers, though, neither is an in-ear design, so I would not choose either primarily for sleeping on your side.
Beats Solo3 vs Sony WH-1000XM5 at a Glance
• Beats Solo3’s strength: Up to 40 hours of battery life, a foldable design, and Fast Fuel charging. Trade-off: It is an on-ear model, not an in-ear option for side sleeping.
• Sony WH-1000XM5’s strength: Active noise cancellation, automatic optimization, and multipoint connection. Trade-off: Its stated battery life is up to 30 hours, less than Beats’ claimed maximum.
• Beats Solo3 suits: People who value long listening time, portability, and compatibility with iOS and Android.
• Sony WH-1000XM5 suits: People who want noise cancellation, clear-call features, and easy switching between two paired devices.
• For side sleepers: Neither product is described as an in-ear earbud, so shoppers seeking in ear earbuds for side sleepers should look at a different category.
Beats Solo3 is an on-ear wireless headphone with cushioned ear cups and an adjustable fit. Its headline practical advantage is battery life: up to 40 hours of listening on a charge. For a commuter, student, or frequent listener who would rather charge less often, that’s a meaningful point in its favor. The foldable design also makes it easier to pack away than a fixed, non-folding headband design.
How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Fast Fuel is useful when a low battery catches you out: five minutes of charging is specified to provide up to three hours of playback. The W1 chip and Class 1 Bluetooth connectivity are part of its wireless setup, and the headphones are compatible with both iOS and Android devices. That broad compatibility makes them a reasonable fit for someone who uses different mobile platforms over time.
I’d consider Solo3 if long battery life and a foldable form matter more to you than noise cancellation. I’d skip it if active noise cancellation is a must, since that feature is not listed for this model. And if you’re searching for the best wireless headphones for side sleepers, keep in mind that an on-ear headphone is not the same thing as a compact earbud designed to sit in the ear.
Sony’s WH-1000XM5 is an over-ear wireless headphone built around active noise cancellation. Two processors work with eight microphones, and the Auto NC Optimizer adjusts noise cancellation according to wearing conditions and the environment. That feature set makes it the more relevant choice here for someone who wants to reduce surrounding sound while travelling or working in a noisy space. The supplied information specifically describes reducing high- and mid-frequency sounds, including airplane noise and voices.
The Sony also focuses on calls and device switching. Four beamforming microphones and voice-processing features are intended to pick up the wearer’s voice clearly, while multipoint connection lets the headphones pair with two Bluetooth devices and switch between them. That could suit someone who moves between a phone and computer during the day. The battery is rated for up to 30 hours, with quick charging specified as three minutes for up to three hours of playback when using an optional compatible USB-PD adapter.
Its over-ear design has soft-fit leather, a carrying case is included, and the headphones have touch controls. I’d choose Sony if noise cancellation, call features, or two-device connectivity are central to your routine. I would not treat it as a side-sleeping solution, though: it is an over-ear headphone, not an in-ear earbud, and the listed features do not establish that it is comfortable for lying on one side.
• Best for longer stated battery life → Beats Solo3. It specifies up to 40 hours, compared with up to 30 hours for Sony.
• Best for active noise cancellation → Sony WH-1000XM5. Its noise control is listed as active, with multiple microphones and automatic optimization.
• Best for a foldable design → Beats Solo3. Its streamlined design folds for carrying.
• Best for pairing with two devices at once → Sony WH-1000XM5. Multipoint connection supports two Bluetooth devices.
• Best for a quick top-up after a very short charge → Sony WH-1000XM5. Three minutes is specified for up to three hours of playback; Beats specifies five minutes for up to three hours.
• Best for someone using either iOS or Android → Beats Solo3. Compatibility with both is explicitly listed.
• Best for calls in noisy surroundings → Sony WH-1000XM5. Its beamforming microphones and voice processing are designed for clearer voice pickup.
• Best for side sleeping or extra-bass earbuds → Neither. Both products are headphones rather than in-ear earbuds, and the listed details do not identify either as a side-sleeping or extra-bass earbud option.
The search for the best extra bass wireless earbuds for side sleepers points toward a different kind of product than either of these. These models are wireless headphones; the supplied specifications don’t give a basis for calling either one an extra-bass earbud or a purpose-built sleep option.
My Verdict
In my opinion, I’d choose the Sony WH-1000XM5 for everyday listening if I wanted noise cancellation, clearer-call features, and multipoint pairing. Beats Solo3 is the more compelling fit if I valued its longer stated battery life and foldable design more.
For side sleepers, my recommendation is neither: both are over-ear or on-ear headphones, not in-ear earbuds designed around sleeping comfort. I’d shop specifically for low-profile in-ear options instead.
FAQ
Neither is identified as an in-ear earbud. Beats Solo3 is on-ear, while Sony WH-1000XM5 is over-ear, so the listed designs do not make either an obvious choice for sleeping on your side.
Beats Solo3 specifies up to 40 hours of listening time. Sony WH-1000XM5 specifies up to 30 hours, with a quick-charge feature that can provide up to three hours of playback after three minutes using an optional compatible USB-PD adapter.
Sony lists active noise cancellation and an Auto NC Optimizer that adjusts it for wearing conditions and surroundings. Active noise cancellation is not listed among the Beats Solo3 features provided here.
Sony WH-1000XM5 supports multipoint connection with two Bluetooth devices, making it the more direct fit for switching between a phone and computer. Beats Solo3 is compatible with iOS and Android, but multipoint pairing is not listed for it.
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