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Beats By Dre Executive Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price: ~£260
Form factor: over-ear
Connectivity: wired
Battery life: N/A hours
Active noise cancellation (ANC): yes

Beats By Dre Executive review. Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among headphones and if it is worth buying.

7.0

Very good

6.7

Good

7.8

Very good

3.2
Gaming
Score components:
35.0%
0.0
Audio latency
25.0%
0.0
Low-latency game mode
20.0%
10
Can be used as a headset
12.0%
10
Noise-canceling microphone
8.0%
0.0
Battery life
3.3
Travel
Score components:
28.0%
10
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
24.0%
0.0
Battery life
18.0%
2.2
Weight
16.0%
0.0
Multipoint support
14.0%
1.0
Ambient sound mode
5.2
Calls
Score components:
28.0%
10
Noise-canceling microphone
24.0%
10
Can be used as a headset
18.0%
0.0
Multipoint support
16.0%
0.0
Battery life
14.0%
0.0
Companion app
4.8
Workout
Score components:
28.0%
2.2
Weight
24.0%
9.0
Water resistance
20.0%
4.0
IP rating
16.0%
0.0
Battery life
12.0%
10
Can be used as a headset

Best prices in UK

Best rankings

#9 in Best Beats Headphones
#28 in Best Wired Headphones
#275 in Best Noise Cancelling Over Ear Headphones
#276 in Best Over Ear Headphones
#330 in Best Headphones with Mic
#333 in Best Noise Cancelling Headphones

Verdict

The Beats Executive is a premium over-ear headphone featuring high-definition titanium-coated drivers and active noise cancellation (ANC) powered by two AAA batteries. Distinguished by its sophisticated brushed aluminium alloy and leather construction, it offers a foldable design for portability and an inline remote/mic cable for iOS compatibility. While it excels with clear highs, a balanced sound profile compared to other Beats models, and a professional aesthetic, its main drawbacks include the requirement of battery power to play audio (no passive mode), audible 'hiss' from the ANC circuitry, and the ongoing expense of replacing disposable batteries.

Technical Specifications of Beats By Dre Executive

Overall score

7.0

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Popularity

What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the headphones.

When it matters: When you prefer headphones that have already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.

Sound

8.4

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Active noise cancellation (ANC)

What it is: Reduces background noise using active technology

When it matters: When blocking office, travel, or aircraft noise is a priority.

Importance: HIGH

Driver type

What it is: Type of speaker driver technology used

When it matters: When the underlying sound character and driver technology matter to you.

Importance: MEDIUM

dynamic

Driver size

What it is: Diameter of the speaker driver unit

When it matters: When you want extra hardware context behind how the headphones may handle bass weight, scale, or overall presentation.

Importance: MEDIUM

Number of drivers

What it is: Total number of speaker drivers per earcup

When it matters: When multi-driver designs are part of your buying criteria.

Importance: LOW

Lowest frequency

What it is: Lowest audio frequency the headphones can reproduce

When it matters: When deeper bass extension matters for your music or movie listening.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <=10 Hz

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Calls & Controls

9.0

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Noise-canceling microphone

What it is: Built-in microphone reduces background noise during calls

When it matters: When you take calls in busy spaces and want your voice to stay clearer.

Importance: MEDIUM

Can be used as a headset

What it is: Shows whether the headphones can handle voice chat and calls in addition to normal audio playback.

When it matters: When one pair needs to cover music, calls, meetings, and gaming chat.

Importance: MEDIUM

Number of microphones

What it is: Total number of built-in microphones

When it matters: When call pickup quality and beamforming support matter to you.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=2

Boom microphone

What it is: Includes detachable boom microphone for voice clarity

When it matters: When you need stronger voice clarity for gaming, streaming, or work calls.

Importance: LOW

Microphone SNR

What it is: Signal-to-noise ratio of the microphone

When it matters: When call clarity matters and you want your voice picked up more cleanly instead of buried in background hiss.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >80 dB

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Connectivity

6.2

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Connectivity

What it is: Available connection methods (wired, wireless, Bluetooth, etc.)

When it matters: When the headphones need to match how you listen across wired and wireless devices.

Importance: HIGH

Bluetooth version

What it is: Version of Bluetooth technology supported

When it matters: When wireless stability, efficiency, and feature support matter more than treating Bluetooth as a box-check spec.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=5.0

N/A

Maximum Bluetooth range

What it is: Maximum wireless operating distance from source device

When it matters: When you move around rooms and want fewer dropouts from your source device.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=10 m

N/A

Audio latency

What it is: Delay between audio and video in wireless mode

When it matters: When you watch video or play games and need sound to stay in sync.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: <60 ms

N/A

Multipoint support

What it is: Supports simultaneous connections to multiple devices

When it matters: When you switch often between a phone and a laptop during the day.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A

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Features

3.2

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Ambient sound mode

What it is: Allows external sounds to pass through for awareness

When it matters: When you need to stay aware of traffic, voices, or announcements.

Importance: MEDIUM

EQ support

What it is: Allows customization of sound profile via equalizer

When it matters: When the stock tuning is not enough and you want to shape bass, mids, or treble to match your taste.

Importance: MEDIUM

Companion app

What it is: Dedicated mobile app for customization and updates

When it matters: When software customization, updates, and extra controls matter.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A

Adjustable ANC levels

What it is: Allows adjustment of noise cancellation intensity levels

When it matters: When you move between quiet rooms, offices, streets, and public transport and do not want one ANC setting for every situation.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=4

N/A

Voice assistant support

What it is: Compatible with voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant

When it matters: When hands-free control is part of your daily routine.

Importance: LOW

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Battery

4.6

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Battery life

What it is: Playback time on a single charge

When it matters: When you commute, travel, or work long shifts and do not want charging breaks to interrupt listening.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >45 hours

N/A

Battery life with ANC

What it is: Playback time with active noise cancellation enabled

When it matters: When you plan to keep noise cancellation on for most of the day.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >40 hours

Charging time

What it is: Time required for a full battery charge

When it matters: When you often need the headphones ready again after short breaks.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <=2 hours

N/A

Quick charge

What it is: Provides quick playback time with short charging period

When it matters: When a short top-up needs to deliver useful playback before you leave.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A

Battery capacity

What it is: Total energy storage of the internal battery

When it matters: When you are estimating how much battery headroom the design may have before relying only on the official runtime claim.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=720 mAh

N/A

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Design

5.9

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Brand name

What it is: The manufacturer or brand of the product.

When it matters: When you prefer a specific ecosystem, support network, or design philosophy.

Importance: MEDIUM

Beats

Form factor

What it is: Overall design type of the headphones (over-ear, on-ear, in-ear, etc.)

When it matters: When comfort, portability, and isolation depend on the overall headphone style.

Importance: HIGH

over-ear

Weight

What it is: Total weight of the headphones

When it matters: When long listening sessions make wearing comfort more important.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <150 g

Acoustic design

What it is: Type of acoustic design (open-back, closed-back, semi-open)

When it matters: When you need the right balance of isolation, leakage, and soundstage.

Importance: HIGH

closed-back

Clamp force

What it is: Amount of clamping pressure applied to the head

When it matters: When comfort and fit security matter during long sessions.

Importance: MEDIUM

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Beats By Dre Executive vs the average headphone

Why is Beats By Dre Executive better than the average headphone?

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Active noise cancellation
Beats By Dre Executive supports active noise cancellation, the average headphone does not. 27.4% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
What it is: Reduces background noise using active technology
When it matters: When blocking office, travel, or aircraft noise is a priority.
Importance: HIGH
Beats By Dre Executive supports active noise cancellation, the average headphone does not. 27.4% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
Clear call microphone
Beats By Dre Executive offers a clear call microphone, while the average headphone does not. 45.6% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
What it is: Built-in microphone reduces background noise during calls
When it matters: When you take calls in busy spaces and want your voice to stay clearer.
Importance: MEDIUM
Beats By Dre Executive offers a clear call microphone, while the average headphone does not. 45.6% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
Direct 3.5 mm plug
Beats By Dre Executive includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average headphone does not. 38.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
What it is: Shows whether the headphones end in a built-in 3.5 mm male plug instead of relying on a separate detachable cable.
When it matters: When direct wired compatibility with older devices or adapters matters.
Importance: MEDIUM
Beats By Dre Executive includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average headphone does not. 38.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
On-device controls
Beats By Dre Executive includes on-device controls, the average headphone does not. 46.8% of headphones support on-device controls.
What it is: Physical controls available directly on headphones
When it matters: When you need playback, volume, or call controls to be easy to reach without pulling out your phone.
Importance: MEDIUM
Beats By Dre Executive includes on-device controls, the average headphone does not. 46.8% of headphones support on-device controls.
In-line controls
Beats By Dre Executive includes in-line controls, the average headphone does not. 36.4% of headphones support in-line controls.
What it is: Controls available on in-line remote of wired cable
When it matters: When your wired setup depends on cable-mounted buttons or call controls.
Importance: LOW
Beats By Dre Executive includes in-line controls, the average headphone does not. 36.4% of headphones support in-line controls.
Wind noise reduction
Beats By Dre Executive reduces wind noise, the average headphone does not. 34.1% of headphones support wind noise reduction.
What it is: Reduces wind interference for clearer outdoor calls
When it matters: When you take calls outdoors while walking, cycling, or commuting.
Importance: LOW
Beats By Dre Executive reduces wind noise, the average headphone does not. 34.1% of headphones support wind noise reduction.
Foldable design
Beats By Dre Executive has a foldable design, the average headphone does not. 61% of headphones are foldable.
What it is: Earcups or headband can fold for compact storage
When it matters: When you travel often and want easier storage in a bag.
Importance: LOW
Beats By Dre Executive has a foldable design, the average headphone does not. 61% of headphones are foldable.
Quick mic mute
Beats By Dre Executive includes a quick mic mute, the average headphone does not. 33.5% of headphones support a mute function.
What it is: Ability to mute microphone during calls
When it matters: When you need to silence the mic quickly during meetings or multiplayer games.
Importance: LOW
Beats By Dre Executive includes a quick mic mute, the average headphone does not. 33.5% of headphones support a mute function.
Foldable design
Beats By Dre Executive has a foldable design, the average headphone does not. 61% of headphones are foldable.
Active noise cancellation
Beats By Dre Executive supports active noise cancellation, the average headphone does not. 27.4% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
13x higher input power handling
Beats By Dre Executive has a higher max input power than the average headphone (1,300 mW vs 100 mW). The average headphones handle max input power of 100 mW.
12 dB SPL higher sound pressure level
Beats By Dre Executive has a higher sound pressure level than the average headphone (115 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL). The average headphones reach a sound pressure level of 103 dB SPL.
Removable battery
Beats By Dre Executive has a removable battery, the average headphone does not. 7.6% of headphones have a removable battery.
Direct 3.5 mm plug
Beats By Dre Executive includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average headphone does not. 38.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
Clear call microphone
Beats By Dre Executive offers a clear call microphone, while the average headphone does not. 45.6% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
On-device controls
Beats By Dre Executive includes on-device controls, the average headphone does not. 46.8% of headphones support on-device controls.
In-line controls
Beats By Dre Executive includes in-line controls, the average headphone does not. 36.4% of headphones support in-line controls.
Wind noise reduction
Beats By Dre Executive reduces wind noise, the average headphone does not. 34.1% of headphones support wind noise reduction.
Quick mic mute
Beats By Dre Executive includes a quick mic mute, the average headphone does not. 33.5% of headphones support a mute function.

Calls & Controls

Why is Beats By Dre Executive worse than the average headphone?

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56% higher weight
Beats By Dre Executive is heavier than the average headphone (340 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
2 Hz weaker bass extension
Beats By Dre Executive has a higher lowest frequency than the average headphone (20 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
0.2 % higher distortion
Beats By Dre Executive has a higher total harmonic distortion than the average headphone (0.5 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
5 hours shorter ANC battery life
Beats By Dre Executive has a lower battery life with ANC than the average headphone (25 hours vs 30 hours). The average headphones offer battery life with ANC of 30 hours.
5 older release date
Beats By Dre Executive was released earlier than the average headphone (2,012 vs 2,017). The average headphones were released in 2,017.
October 2012
56% higher weight
Beats By Dre Executive is heavier than the average headphone (340 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
What it is: Total weight of the headphones
When it matters: When long listening sessions make wearing comfort more important.
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: <150 g
Beats By Dre Executive is heavier than the average headphone (340 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.340 g vs 218 g
2 Hz weaker bass extension
Beats By Dre Executive has a higher lowest frequency than the average headphone (20 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
What it is: Lowest audio frequency the headphones can reproduce
When it matters: When deeper bass extension matters for your music or movie listening.
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: <=10 Hz
Beats By Dre Executive has a higher lowest frequency than the average headphone (20 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.20 Hz vs 18 Hz
0.2 % higher distortion
Beats By Dre Executive has a higher total harmonic distortion than the average headphone (0.5 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
What it is: Percentage of harmonic distortion in audio output
When it matters: When cleaner sound reproduction matters at louder volumes.
Importance: LOW
Good value: <=1%
Beats By Dre Executive has a higher total harmonic distortion than the average headphone (0.5 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.0.5 % vs 0.3 %
2.89x more expensive
Beats By Dre Executive is more expensive than the average headphone (£260 vs £90).
Beats By Dre Executive is more expensive than the average headphone (£260 vs £90).£260 vs £90
5 hours shorter ANC battery life
Beats By Dre Executive has a lower battery life with ANC than the average headphone (25 hours vs 30 hours). The average headphones offer battery life with ANC of 30 hours.
What it is: Playback time with active noise cancellation enabled
When it matters: When you plan to keep noise cancellation on for most of the day.
Importance: HIGH
Good value: >40 hours
Beats By Dre Executive has a lower battery life with ANC than the average headphone (25 hours vs 30 hours). The average headphones offer battery life with ANC of 30 hours.25 hours vs 30 hours
5 older release date
Beats By Dre Executive was released earlier than the average headphone (2,012 vs 2,017). The average headphones were released in 2,017.
October 2012
What it is: Official release or launch date of the model
When it matters: When you want a newer model for fresher features, longer support life, or simply to avoid buying into an older generation.
Importance: LOW
Good value: >=2020
Beats By Dre Executive was released earlier than the average headphone (2,012 vs 2,017). The average headphones were released in 2,017.2012 vs 2017

Graphic comparison of Beats By Dre Executive and

Attribute category

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Third-party reviews

United Kingdom

United States

(Reviews last updated: Jun 2026)

What customers like about Beats By Dre Executive?

Premium build quality with a sleek, brushed aluminum and leather design.
Exceptionally comfortable ear cushions suitable for long listening sessions.
More balanced and refined sound profile compared to traditional bass-heavy Beats models.
Foldable design with a slim, high-quality hard carrying case for portability.
Effective passive noise isolation due to the snug over-ear fit.
Includes useful accessories like dual detachable cables and an airline adapter.

What customers dislike about Beats By Dre Executive?

Noticeable 'hissing' or white noise when active noise cancellation is turned on.
Heavier than competing noise-canceling headphones, which may cause fatigue for some users.
Considered overpriced compared to rivals with superior noise-canceling performance.
Battery life is relatively short, requiring frequent replacements.
The noise-canceling feature is permanent and cannot be toggled off while listening.

Expert reviews

memeburn.com

30/05/2014

Beats Executive review: everything you want and more

The Beats Executive headphones offer extreme comfort and deep bass, but their high price and major design flaws make them hard to recommend. On the positive side, the reviewer highlights the unparalleled comfort of the ear cushions and notes that the sound quality is lovely with bumping bass, especially when the volume is turned up past 80%. The premium packaging and specialized...Read more

trustedreviews.com

31/08/2013

Beats Executive Review - Trusted Reviews

The Trusted Reviews assessment of the Beats Executive highlights a professional, stylish design with a rich, controlled sound profile that avoids excessive, booming bass. However, the review severely criticizes the headphones for being overpriced and identifies a critical structural flaw that causes audio driver deformation, potentially leading to permanent hardware damage.

whathifi.com

04/04/2013

Beats by Dr. Dre Executive review

The Beats by Dr. Dre Executive headphones offer a flawless, premium design crafted from stainless steel and aluminium alloy, featuring highly comfortable leather ear-cups and a practical magnetic battery-compartment cover. Perfect for travellers, they feature a foldable design, an inline microphone, and a handy mute button built into the ear-cup logo. Performance-wise, these...Read more

uk.pcmag.com

21/11/2012

Beats by Dr. Dre Executive - 2012 Review - PCMag UK

The Beats by Dr. Dre Executive headphones ($299.95 direct) pivot away from flashy plastic aesthetics toward a refined, brushed metallic and black leather design tailored for traveling business professionals. Testing reveals a highly comfortable circumaural fit with plush earpads that offer good passive noise isolation. In terms of audio performance, they deliver a signature heavy,...Read more

t3.com

26/11/2012

Beats Executive review - T3

The Beats Executive headphones provide a major design upgrade over the original Beats Studio line, targeting a more premium market by replacing the shiny plastic construction with high-quality metal components. This over-ear, foldable model features a broader headband and thicker, flatter ear cups that offer a highly comfortable and natural fit without putting excessive pressure on...Read more

telegraph.co.uk

28/03/2013

Beats Executive headphones review

The Telegraph's review praises the Beats Executive headphones for their superior construction, appealing design, and effective active noise cancellation, highlighting them as a top-tier travel companion. Sonically, they offer a more balanced, less overwhelming sound than traditional Beats models, complemented by a reliable 25-hour battery life. While offering a premium experience,...Read more

techcrunch.com

26/10/2012

TechCrunch Review of the Beats by Dre 'Executive' Headphones

The Beats by Dre "Executive" headphones are a $299.95 pair of over-ear, noise-cancelling headphones styled in silver and targeted directly at frequent business travellers. Visually, the model is highly praised for its premium, gorgeous, and lightweight design. Its biggest selling point is extreme comfort, with the reviewer noting they are the most comfortable over-ear headphones...Read more

cnet.com

13/12/2012

Beats by Dr. Dre Executive headphones review - CNET

The Beats by Dr. Dre Executive headphones ($300) are the company's first full-size headphones featuring active noise cancellation, targeting professional travelers and business users. On the positive side, they offer a sleek, premium design that is significantly sturdier than previous plastic Beats models, utilizing metal components, a comfortably padded headband, and flat-folding...Read more

rtings.com

26/02/2016

Beats Executive Headphones Review

The Beats Executive over-ear headphones feature a durable, well-crafted metal design with a stylish aesthetic suitable for traveling. However, they suffer from significant performance flaws, including a heavily bass-skewed sound profile and poor noise isolation. Due to high audio leakage and inadequate noise cancellation for, the headphones are deemed an average choice, failing to...Read more

kopfhoerer.de

14/12/2012

Beats by Dr. Dre Executive review on kopfhoerer.de

The Beats by Dr. Dre Executive headphones offer an exceptional physical experience but fall short on sound quality. On the positive side, the headphones feature an impressive premium design with high-quality materials and a heavy, form-shaping silver and black look. They come in a stylish faux-leather zip case with a generous set of accessories, including two distinct red cables—one...Read more

lesnumeriques.com

12/12/2013

Beats Executive: best price - Les Numeriques

The Beats Executive headphones score a 3 out of 5 stars in this review due to significant trade-offs between premium build and subpar audio performance. On the positive side, the review praises the headphones for their excellent construction, high-quality materials, and premium accessories. Users also note that the foldable ergonomic design takes up minimal space, and the frequency...Read more

lesnumeriques.com

13/12/2012

Reviews: Executive and Pro, the rebirth of Beats headphones

The provided article from Les Numériques reviews the transition of Beats Audio into an independent brand with the release of the Executive and Pro models, moving away from their previous technical partnership with Monster. A primary focus of this "renewal" is a shift in sound signature; the reviewers note that these models are less "bass-heavy" than previous iterations, aiming for a...Read more

audiocasque.fr

11/05/2014

Beats Executive: Full Review | Active Noise Cancelling Headphones

The Beats Executive is a circum-aural, active noise-cancelling headset featuring a sleek, professional metal-and-plastic design that marks a shift toward greater durability and a more toned-down aesthetic than traditional Beats models. On the positive side, it stands out for its well-cushioned headband and earcups that deliver excellent long-term comfort despite its slightly heavy...Read more

lesnumeriques.com

13/12/2012

Executive Portable Headphones Review: Progress... but not enough

The Beats Executive headphone marks a clear shift in materials and design for the brand, utilizing premium aluminum and matte anthracite finishes to create a sleek, durable, and understated appearance. Reviewers highlight its excellent build quality, comprehensive accessory kit (including a semi-rigid carrying case and airplane adapter), and an improved frequency response that tames...Read more

tomshw.it

04/05/2015

Beats Executive headphones review

The Beats Executive headphones mark a shift from the brand's typical "flashy" plastic aesthetic toward a more professional, "adult" design featuring a brushed aluminum frame and leather accents. Aimed at business travelers, these headphones offer a more refined sound profile that maintains the signature Beats deep bass without overwhelming the mid and high tones. They provide...Read more

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