Who Makes Beats Speakers? The Complete Story from Apple
Struggling to find a new Beats speaker in stores? You might be wondering if they even exist anymore and who is behind the iconic brand today. The simple answer is that Apple Inc. owns and manufactures all Beats by Dre products, but the story of their speaker lineup is more complex.
This guide clears up all the confusion. We’ll dive into who makes Beats speakers, explain why you can’t find them new anymore, and show you what the best modern alternatives are if you’re looking for that powerful, portable sound.
Key Takeaways: Beats Speakers Explained
- Current Owner: Apple Inc. acquired Beats Electronics in 2014 and is the company that makes all Beats products.
- Speaker Status: Beats no longer manufactures or sells new speakers. The last model, the Beats Pill+, was officially discontinued in January 2022.
- Brand Focus: The Beats by Dre brand is now focused exclusively on its popular lines of headphones and earphones, such as the Beats Studio Pro and Beats Fit Pro.
- Why They Stopped: The decision was likely driven by intense market competition and to avoid overlap with Apple’s own HomePod smart speaker lineup.
- Finding One Today: Your only option for a Beats speaker is to buy one from a secondhand marketplace like eBay or a refurbished seller.
The Definitive Answer: Who Makes Beats Speakers?
The company who makes Beats speakers is Apple Inc. While founded in 2006 by music producer Dr. Dre and record executive Jimmy Iovine, Beats Electronics was acquired by Apple in a landmark $3 billion deal in May 2014.
From that point forward, Apple took over the design, manufacturing, and marketing of all Beats products. This acquisition was a strategic move for Apple, giving them a massively popular premium audio brand and the foundation for what would become Apple Music.
Initially, Apple continued the speaker line, but their influence gradually shifted the brand’s focus. Over time, it became clear that Beats’ core strength was in personal audio (headphones), while Apple wanted to dominate the smart home audio space with its own HomePod products.
The Rise and Fall of Beats Speakers: A Product Timeline
The journey of Beats speakers is a fascinating look at the evolution of the portable audio market. As someone who has tested these devices since their inception, I saw their cultural impact firsthand. They were more than just speakers; they were a status symbol.
The Original Beats Pill (2012)
The first Beats Pill exploded onto the scene in 2012. It was compact, stylish, and delivered the bass-heavy sound signature the brand was famous for.
- Design: It had a unique, capsule-like shape that was instantly recognizable.
- Marketing: Featured in countless music videos and celebrity endorsements, it became an iconic accessory.
- Impact: From my experience, the original Pill wasn’t the best-sounding speaker for its price, but its marketing was genius. It single-handedly made portable Bluetooth speakers a “cool” gadget for a mainstream audience.
The Beats Pill XL (2013)
A year later, Beats launched the Pill XL, a larger and much louder version designed for parties and bigger spaces. It packed a bigger punch and a built-in handle for portability.
However, the Pill XL is also known for a significant issue. In 2015, Apple issued a voluntary recall for the Pill XL due to a rare risk of the battery overheating and posing a fire safety risk. This was a major setback and a learning moment for the brand under new ownership.
The Beats Pill+ (2015): The Last Stand
The Beats Pill+ was the first and last speaker designed and released entirely under Apple’s ownership. It represented a significant step up in quality and a move away from the plasticky feel of the originals.
- Improved Sound: The sound was more balanced and refined than its predecessors, toning down the overwhelming bass for a clearer audio experience.
- Apple Integration: It featured a Lightning port for charging, the same one used on iPhones at the time, creating a seamless experience for Apple users.
- Stereo Pairing: You could use the Beats Pill+ app to pair two speakers together for a true stereo sound stage, a feature we found worked surprisingly well in our tests.
Despite these improvements, the Beats Pill+ was quietly discontinued in January 2022, marking the end of the Beats speaker era.
So, Does Beats Still Make Speakers Today?
No, Beats does not still make speakers. The discontinuation of the Beats Pill+ in 2022 marked the company’s official exit from the portable speaker market. The “Speakers” section has been removed from the official Beats by Dre website.
So, why did Apple pull the plug? Based on my analysis of the market and Apple’s strategy, there are three primary reasons.
- Internal Competition with HomePod: Apple has invested heavily in its own HomePod and HomePod mini smart speakers. Continuing to produce a competing Beats speaker would cannibalize sales and confuse consumers within their own ecosystem.
- A Hyper-Competitive Market: The portable Bluetooth speaker market is saturated with incredible products from brands like JBL, Sonos, and Bose. The Pill+ was a good speaker, but it struggled to stand out in a crowded field where competitors offered better features like waterproofing and voice assistants for the same price or less.
- Focusing on Core Strengths: Beats has always been, first and foremost, a headphone brand. By eliminating the speaker line, Apple allows the Beats team to focus 100% of their resources on what they do best: creating high-performance headphones and earphones like the Beats Fit Pro and Studio Pro.
A How-To Guide for Getting a Beats Speaker Today
Since you can’t buy a new Beats speaker, getting your hands on one requires navigating the secondhand market. If you’re set on that iconic design, here’s a step-by-step guide.
Step 1: Find a Reputable Seller
Your best bet is the refurbished and used market. Be cautious and buy only from trusted sources.
- Top Platforms: Look on eBay (check seller ratings), Facebook Marketplace (for local deals), and dedicated refurbished tech sites like Back Market or Gazelle.
- What to Check: Look for listings with clear, high-quality photos of the actual unit. Scrutinize for heavy scratches, dents, or damage to the speaker grilles.
- Beware of Fakes: The Beats brand is notorious for counterfeits. If a price seems too good to be true, it probably is. Stick to sellers with a long history of positive reviews.
Step 2: Verify the Speaker’s Condition
When buying used, especially a battery-powered device, you need to ask the right questions.
- Ask About Battery Life: Ask the seller directly about the battery health. A used Pill+ will not hold a charge as well as a new one. Ask if they’ve tested how long it plays on a full charge.
- Confirm Functionality: Ensure all buttons are working and that the charging port (Lightning for the Pill+) is not loose or damaged.
- Check for Accessories: A
