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Beats Studio3 Wireless Acw Edition Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price in UK: ~£310
Avg. price in US: ~$350
Form factor: over-ear
Connectivity: wireless
Battery life: 22 hours
Active noise cancellation (ANC): yes

Beats Studio3 Wireless Acw Edition review. Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among headphones and if it is worth buying.

7.8

Very good

7.4

Very good

9.6

Exceptional

7.7
Gaming
Score components:
35.0%
4.9
Audio latency
25.0%
10
Low-latency game mode
20.0%
10
Can be used as a headset
12.0%
10
Noise-canceling microphone
8.0%
3.4
Battery life
7.4
Travel
Score components:
28.0%
10
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
24.0%
3.4
Battery life
18.0%
4.2
Weight
16.0%
10
Multipoint support
14.0%
10
Ambient sound mode
8.9
Calls
Score components:
28.0%
10
Noise-canceling microphone
24.0%
10
Can be used as a headset
18.0%
10
Multipoint support
16.0%
3.4
Battery life
14.0%
10
Companion app
4.0
Workout
Score components:
28.0%
4.2
Weight
24.0%
1.0
Water resistance
20.0%
4.0
IP rating
16.0%
3.4
Battery life
12.0%
10
Can be used as a headset

Best prices in UK

Best rankings

#3 in Best Beats Headphones
#138 in Best Wireless Headphones for TV for Seniors
#138 in Best Wireless Over-Ear Headphones
#139 in Best Over Ear Headphones
#139 in Best Noise Cancelling Over Ear Headphones
#148 in Best Wireless Headphones
#153 in Best Noise Cancelling Headphones
#153 in Best Headphones with Mic

Verdict

The Beats Studio3 Wireless ACW Edition is a limited-edition collaboration with A-COLD-WALL* featuring a unique cement-grey aesthetic with white speckles, while retaining the core technical specifications of the standard model. It is powered by the Apple W1 chip for seamless iOS pairing and Class 1 Bluetooth connectivity, providing up to 22 hours of battery life with Pure Adaptive Noise Cancelling (Pure ANC) enabled and up to 40 hours with it off. Its 'Fast Fuel' technology offers 3 hours of playback from just a 10-minute charge, and the over-ear design includes ergonomic pivoting ear cups for long-term comfort. Main pros include its exceptional battery life, high-speed charging, and effortless integration within the Apple ecosystem. Cons include the use of an outdated micro-USB charging port instead of USB-C, a sound profile that some find overly bass-heavy at the expense of midrange clarity, and noise cancellation that is less effective than competitors like Bose or Sony.

Technical Specifications of Beats Studio3 Wireless Acw Edition

Overall score

7.8

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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

8.6

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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

7.6

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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

5.2

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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

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

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

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

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Features

5.8

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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

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

5.8

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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

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

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

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

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Design

6.9

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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 Studio3 Wireless Acw Edition vs the average headphone

Why is Beats Studio3 Wireless Acw Edition better than the average headphone?

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Active noise cancellation
Beats Studio3 Wireless Acw Edition 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 Studio3 Wireless Acw Edition supports active noise cancellation, the average headphone does not. 27.4% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
Spatial audio support
Beats Studio3 Wireless Acw Edition supports spatial audio, the average headphone does not. 30.7% of headphones support spatial audio.
What it is: Supports immersive surround sound playback
When it matters: When movies, games, and immersive mixes are part of your listening.
Importance: MEDIUM
Beats Studio3 Wireless Acw Edition supports spatial audio, the average headphone does not. 30.7% of headphones support spatial audio.
16 dB/mW higher sensitivity
Beats Studio3 Wireless Acw Edition has a higher sensitivity than the average headphone (118 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
What it is: Sound pressure output level per unit of input power
When it matters: When you plan to use weaker sources like phones, handhelds, or entry-level dongles and still want enough volume.
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: >=106 dB/mW
Beats Studio3 Wireless Acw Edition has a higher sensitivity than the average headphone (118 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.118 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
More flexible connectivity
Beats Studio3 Wireless Acw Edition offers more flexible connectivity than the average headphone (wireless vs wired). The average headphones support wired connectivity.
supports both wireless and wired 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
Beats Studio3 Wireless Acw Edition offers more flexible connectivity than the average headphone (wireless vs wired). The average headphones support wired connectivity.wireless vs wired
Clear call microphone
Beats Studio3 Wireless Acw Edition 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 Studio3 Wireless Acw Edition offers a clear call microphone, while the average headphone does not. 45.6% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
In-line controls
Beats Studio3 Wireless Acw Edition 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 Studio3 Wireless Acw Edition includes in-line controls, the average headphone does not. 36.4% of headphones support in-line controls.
90 m longer Bluetooth range
Beats Studio3 Wireless Acw Edition has a higher Bluetooth range than the average headphone (100 m vs 10 m). The average headphones offer a Bluetooth range of 10 m.
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
Beats Studio3 Wireless Acw Edition has a higher Bluetooth range than the average headphone (100 m vs 10 m). The average headphones offer a Bluetooth range of 10 m.100 m vs 10 m
Wind noise reduction
Beats Studio3 Wireless Acw Edition 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 Studio3 Wireless Acw Edition reduces wind noise, the average headphone does not. 34.1% of headphones support wind noise reduction.
Foldable design
Beats Studio3 Wireless Acw Edition has a foldable design, the average headphone does not. 61% of headphones are foldable.
Active noise cancellation
Beats Studio3 Wireless Acw Edition supports active noise cancellation, the average headphone does not. 27.4% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
Spatial audio support
Beats Studio3 Wireless Acw Edition supports spatial audio, the average headphone does not. 30.7% of headphones support spatial audio.
16 dB/mW higher sensitivity
Beats Studio3 Wireless Acw Edition has a higher sensitivity than the average headphone (118 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
Rechargeable battery
Beats Studio3 Wireless Acw Edition has a rechargeable battery, the average headphone does not. 47.9% of headphones have a rechargeable battery.
More flexible connectivity
Beats Studio3 Wireless Acw Edition offers more flexible connectivity than the average headphone (wireless vs wired). The average headphones support wired connectivity.
90 m longer Bluetooth range
Beats Studio3 Wireless Acw Edition has a higher Bluetooth range than the average headphone (100 m vs 10 m). The average headphones offer a Bluetooth range of 10 m.
Clear call microphone
Beats Studio3 Wireless Acw Edition offers a clear call microphone, while the average headphone does not. 45.6% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
In-line controls
Beats Studio3 Wireless Acw Edition includes in-line controls, the average headphone does not. 36.4% of headphones support in-line controls.
Wind noise reduction
Beats Studio3 Wireless Acw Edition reduces wind noise, the average headphone does not. 34.1% of headphones support wind noise reduction.
Sidetone support
Beats Studio3 Wireless Acw Edition supports sidetone, the average headphone does not. 29.7% of headphones support sidetone.

Calls & Controls

Why is Beats Studio3 Wireless Acw Edition worse than the average headphone?

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19.3% higher weight
Beats Studio3 Wireless Acw Edition is heavier than the average headphone (260 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
Tangle-prone cable
Beats Studio3 Wireless Acw Edition uses a tangle-prone cable, while the average headphone is easier to manage. 64.2% of headphones use a tangle-free cable.
no tangle-free listening cable is present or specified.
2 Hz weaker bass extension
Beats Studio3 Wireless Acw Edition has a higher lowest frequency than the average headphone (20 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
8 hours shorter ANC battery life
Beats Studio3 Wireless Acw Edition has a lower battery life with ANC than the average headphone (22 hours vs 30 hours). The average headphones offer battery life with ANC of 30 hours.
8 hours shorter battery life
Beats Studio3 Wireless Acw Edition has a lower battery life than the average headphone (22 hours vs 30 hours). The average headphones offer battery life of 30 hours.
32.5 ms higher audio latency
Beats Studio3 Wireless Acw Edition has a higher audio latency than the average headphone (160 ms vs 127.5 ms). The average headphones have audio latency of 127.5 ms.
19.3% higher weight
Beats Studio3 Wireless Acw Edition is heavier than the average headphone (260 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 Studio3 Wireless Acw Edition is heavier than the average headphone (260 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.260 g vs 218 g
2 Hz weaker bass extension
Beats Studio3 Wireless Acw Edition 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 Studio3 Wireless Acw Edition 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
8 hours shorter ANC battery life
Beats Studio3 Wireless Acw Edition has a lower battery life with ANC than the average headphone (22 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 Studio3 Wireless Acw Edition has a lower battery life with ANC than the average headphone (22 hours vs 30 hours). The average headphones offer battery life with ANC of 30 hours.22 hours vs 30 hours
3.44x more expensive
Beats Studio3 Wireless Acw Edition is more expensive than the average headphone (£310 vs £90).
Beats Studio3 Wireless Acw Edition is more expensive than the average headphone (£310 vs £90).£310 vs £90
8 hours shorter battery life
Beats Studio3 Wireless Acw Edition has a lower battery life than the average headphone (22 hours vs 30 hours). The average headphones offer battery life of 30 hours.
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
Beats Studio3 Wireless Acw Edition has a lower battery life than the average headphone (22 hours vs 30 hours). The average headphones offer battery life of 30 hours.22 hours vs 30 hours
32.5 ms higher audio latency
Beats Studio3 Wireless Acw Edition has a higher audio latency than the average headphone (160 ms vs 127.5 ms). The average headphones have audio latency of 127.5 ms.
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
Beats Studio3 Wireless Acw Edition has a higher audio latency than the average headphone (160 ms vs 127.5 ms). The average headphones have audio latency of 127.5 ms.160 ms vs 127.5 ms
Tangle-prone cable
Beats Studio3 Wireless Acw Edition uses a tangle-prone cable, while the average headphone is easier to manage. 64.2% of headphones use a tangle-free cable.
no tangle-free listening cable is present or specified.
What it is: Cable designed to resist tangling
When it matters: When you often carry wired headphones in a bag or pocket.
Importance: LOW
Beats Studio3 Wireless Acw Edition uses a tangle-prone cable, while the average headphone is easier to manage. 64.2% of headphones use a tangle-free cable.

Graphic comparison of Beats Studio3 Wireless Acw Edition and

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Third-party reviews

United Kingdom

United States

(Reviews last updated: Jun 2026)

What customers like about Beats Studio3 Wireless Acw Edition?

Seamless Apple ecosystem integration via the W1 chip for instant pairing and iCloud syncing
Distinctive architectural 'ACW' slate gray design with a unique tactile, textured finish
Strong Class 1 Bluetooth connectivity providing impressive wireless range and stability
Fast Fuel charging feature gives 3 hours of playback from just a 10-minute charge
Comfortable, plush ear cushions suitable for long listening sessions
Effective Pure Adaptive Noise Cancelling (Pure ANC) that blocks ambient noise well

What customers dislike about Beats Studio3 Wireless Acw Edition?

Uses an outdated micro-USB port for charging instead of modern USB-C
ANC performance is generally considered inferior to top-tier competitors like Sony and Bose
Bass-heavy sound profile can sometimes muddy mid-range frequencies and vocal clarity
Plastic construction can feel less durable and may creak or show strain under pressure
Ear cups can cause ears to get warm and sweaty after extended use

Expert reviews

fr.ign.com

03/03/2018

Beats Studio3 Wireless Review: Wire-free and noise-free?

The Beats Studio3 Wireless is a comfortable, well-designed over-ear headphone that shines with high-quality sound and outstanding battery life. It feels great to wear due to soft, well-padded ear cups and a lightweight, sturdy design. On the inside, it features Apple's W1 chip, which allows for instant pairing and stable Bluetooth connections with Apple devices. The sound quality is...Read more

leclaireur.fnac.com

21/12/2017

Beats Studio 3 Wireless Lab Test: Plenty of bass under any circumstances

The Beats Studio3 Wireless is a closed-back headphone designed heavily with "west coast" music preferences in mind, placing an extreme emphasis on powerful bass delivery. While this strong low-end tuning will heavily satisfy bass lovers, the overall sound signature lacks tonal balance for casual listeners because the treble drops off sharply starting at 4 kHz in wired mode and 8 kHz...Read more

01net.com

30/10/2017

Beats Studio3 Wireless headphones review: Its automatic noise cancellation is a bit redundant", "Beats Studio3 Wireless review: The automatic noise ca...

The Beats Studio3 Wireless is a circum-aural, over-ear headphone retailing at €350 that excels in seamless ecosystem integration but falls short in design and advanced noise cancellation. Powered by Apple’s W1 chip, it offers effortless magic pairing with iOS 10 and 11 devices, alongside standard Bluetooth connectivity for Android. On the positive side, reviewers praise its warm,...Read more

cnetfrance.fr

20/12/2017

Beats Studio3 Wireless review: a timid evolution", "Beats Studio3 Wireless headphones review: a cautious upgrade

The CNET France review of the Beats Studio3 Wireless highlights it as a timid yet necessary evolution of its predecessor, emphasizing underlying internal changes over aesthetic overhauls. Under the hood, the integration of Apple's W1 chip dramatically simplifies pairing and switching between Apple devices while optimizing power consumption. The headphone offers an impressive battery...Read more

blablahightech.fr

22/10/2017

Beats Studio 3 Wireless: My Review

summary of the Beats Studio 3 Wireless review: The Beats Studio 3 Wireless is a closed-back, circumaural headphone designed for everyday mobile use, weighing under 300 grams and featuring a sturdy, comfortable design with high-quality ear cushions. Key advantages include the integration of Apple's W1 chip, which provides an impressive battery life of up to 40 hours (over 20 hours...Read more

tweakers.net

27/03/2021

In-depth and independent Beats Studio3 Wireless reviews

The Beats Studio3 Wireless receives praise on Tweakers for its fantastic sound quality, featuring a balanced bass response suitable for various genres, and high-quality physical comfort. Key advantages highlighted by users include the seamless, instant pairing provided by Apple's W1 chip, along with a premium build and comfortable clamping force for long-term wear. However, the user...Read more

netfm.be

13/12/2020

Beats Studio3 Wireless noise cancelling headphones review

The NetFM review of the Beats Studio3 Wireless headphones highlights a luxurious, sensory-focused design featuring high-quality materials like memory foam padding, metal brackets, and sturdy hinges. The aesthetic is described as highly polished, with attractive, well-presented packaging that appeals to music enthusiasts. the review praises the inclusive packaging, which contains...Read more

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