Beats Solo 4 Review | 93 Data compared

The Beats Solo 4 on-ear headphones mostly retain the identical exterior design of their predecessor, the Solo 3, featuring small aesthetic tweaks like a brushed matte finish on the hinges and a more durable faux leather ear pad material. Priced at a list price of $200, they offer highly notable internal upgrades that improve performance by 25% to 30%, including a revamped acoustic architecture with 40mm drivers for cleaner sound, and digital MEMS beamforming microphones that greatly enhance voice-calling clarity. They also boast an outstanding battery life of up to 50 hours—a 10-hour increase over the previous generation—alongside a "Fast Fuel" feature providing 5 hours of playback from a quick 10-minute charge, and a new, more compact soft carrying case. The primary pros of the Beats Solo 4 include noticeably upgraded audio performance, vastly improved call quality, exceptional battery life, and Android compatibility featuring Google Fast Pair. They also offer versatile wired connectivity via an analog 3.5mm cable or a digital USB-C connection, plus personalized spatial audio with head tracking for Apple users. On the downside, the major cons are...

The Beats Solo 4 Wireless, as reviewed by RTINGS.com, feature a neutral, accurate sound profile with a 48+ hour battery life, representing a departure from the brand’s traditionally heavy bass. These on-ear headphones are described as stable, lightweight, and suitable for daily use, offering both 3.5mm and USB-C audio connections. However, the headphones lack Active Noise Cancelling (ANC), leading to poor noise isolation, and suffer from poor microphone quality. Additional drawbacks include high Bluetooth latency and a narrow soundstage.

The Beats Solo 4 on-ear headphones feature a familiar, lightweight 217-gram plastic design equipped with upgraded internal hardware and "UltraPlush" ear cushions for enhanced comfort. Key pros include an impressive 50-hour battery life (a 25% increase over the Solo 3) and custom 40mm drivers that provide clear, distortion-free audio across Bluetooth, USB-C, and 3.5mm analog connections. Furthermore, a custom Beats processor ensures seamless fast-pairing parity between iOS and Android ecosystems.

The Beats Solo 4 on-ear wireless headphones ($199.99) deliver a consumer-friendly, sculpted sound signature characterized by punchy, accentuated bass and crisp highs that manage to retain overall mix balance without distortion. Fully optimized for the Apple ecosystem, they feature seamless one-touch pairing, Find My integration, personalized spatial audio with accurate head tracking, and hands-free Siri commands. Physical controls on the earcups are highly reliable for playback and call adjustments. Additionally, they boast an impressive 50-hour battery life and versatile connectivity options, supporting both high-resolution 24-bit/48kHz active wired listening via USB-C and battery-free passive listening via an included 3.5mm cable. Despite these strengths, the headphones fall short of their $200 competitors by entirely omitting active noise cancellation (ANC) and an adjustable EQ. The physical design can also compromise long-term comfort, as the earpads may press too tightly against the ears and the headband lacks substantial plushness. While Android users get basic app support, they miss out on high-quality Bluetooth codecs like AptX or LDAC, as well as cross-ecosystem multipoint pairing. Ultimately, unless you are deeply committed to Apple's ecosystem and seeking...

The How-To Geek review highlights the Beats Solo 4 ($199.99) as a solid, iterative evolution that brings modern parity to both iOS and Android users through native one-touch pairing and location tracking via Find My or Find My Device. Weighing a lightweight 217 grams, the headphones features passively tuned 40mm drivers designed to maintain audio quality over wireless or wired connections without needing battery power. Prominent pros include an impressive 50-hour battery life (with a Fast Fuel feature giving 5 hours of playback from a 10-minute charge), high-resolution lossless audio support via USB-C or a 3.5mm cable, personalized spatial audio with dynamic head tracking, and comfortable, infinite-direction gimbal-mounted ear cups. However, the reviewer points out several notable cons, most significantly the complete absence of Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and EQ listening modes. Sound-wise, the bass response is described as tight but notably less deep and "rumble-y" than traditional Beats products or alternative headphones, which might disappoint bass enthusiasts. Additionally, the microphone quality is a drawback, leaving voices sounding compressed and digital. Finally, the design lacks a basic ear-detection sensor, meaning...

The Beats Solo 4 on-ear wireless headphones cost $199 and offer big upgrades over the older Solo3 model. They feature a lightweight, collapsible design that easily fits into a jacket pocket, making them highly portable. Key pros include an impressive 50-hour battery life, excellent voice call quality, and dual compatibility with iOS and Android devices via the Beats app. Additionally, they now feature a USB-C port and a 3.5mm headphone jack that supports high-res, lossless audio playback without needing any battery power. However, the headphones also come with notable downsides. The biggest con is the lack of active noise cancellation (ANC), meaning they only provide basic passive noise isolation. The design quality is also a bit lacking, with tight headband clamping force and imperfect earcup stitching that falls short of standard Apple craftsmanship. Furthermore, top features like hands-free Siri and Audio Sharing are strictly locked to iOS devices.

The Beats Solo 4 headphonesGo offer 84 hours and 18 minutes of battery life and seamless compatibility with both iOS and Android, according to the SoundGuys review. These 217g on-ear headphones, priced at $199.99, feature a USB-C port for charging and lossless audio, along with a 3.5mm jack for wired listening. However, the review finds the Beats Solo 4 to be poor value due to the absence of active noise cancellation (ANC) and weak passive isolation. Sound quality is criticized for being tinny and lacking in bass, while the tight, on-ear design can cause discomfort, and the lack of an IP rating makes them unsuitable for exercise.

The Beats Solo 4 Wireless on-ear headphones offer notable design and functionality upgrades over their predecessors, maintaining a lightweight build with a subtle aesthetic. Available in a "Cloud Pink" colorway with rose gold accents, they provide a comfortable, lower-pressure fit for on-ear headphones, though they may still cause discomfort after a few hours of use. The control scheme uses intuitive, tactile physical buttons for volume and playback on the left earcup, alongside standard 3.5mm and USB-C ports. Performance-wise, the headphones feature Bluetooth 5.3 with seamless Google Fast Pair for Android and Spatial Audio support for iOS. Additionally, the built-in microphones deliver surprisingly clear voice quality during phone calls. Pros and Cons Pros:Exceptional Battery Life: Lasts up to 50 hours on a single charge. Fast Charging: "Fast Fuel" technology provides 5 hours of playback from a 10-minute charge. Passive Playback: Can be used completely uncharged via the included 3.5mm audio cable. Portability & Ecosystem: Features a folding design and integrates natively with Android's "Find My Device". Balanced Audio: Delivers consistent sound across genres with controlled, non-overpowering bass. Cons:No Noise Cancellation: Lacks...

The Running Channel's review concludes that the Beats Solo 4 headphones are not recommended for running due to a loose, insecure fit and excessive heat generation. While they offer an impressive 50-hour battery life and upgraded sound quality, the on-ear design lacks stability for a regular running gait. Additionally, the headphones block ambient noise without a transparency mode, raising safety concerns in high-traffic areas.

The Beats Solo 4 headphones offer a compact, stylish on-ear design featuring UltraPlush ear cushions that sit directly on top of the ears rather than surrounding them. Designed for everyday users rather than audiophiles, they deliver a surprisingly powerful audio punch for their small size and pair effortlessly via Bluetooth with both Android and Apple devices. The standout feature of these headphones is their exceptional, "life-changing" battery life. During testing, they retained 89% of their power even after two flights exceeding five hours each and an additional three-hour airport wait. Additionally, they come with a sleek travel case, fold down easily, and offer a quick-charge capability providing five hours of playback from a ten-minute charge. However, the headphones come with several notable drawbacks, especially considering their standard $199.99 price tag. Due to their on-ear form factor, they completely lack Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), which may disappoint frequent travellers. The physical fit also runs quite small, meaning the headband is not a one-size-fits-all solution and can cause discomfort during marathon listening sessions. Furthermore, the companion app provides a very barebones audio...

The Beats Solo 4 on-ear wireless headphones offer an iconic, lightweight, and highly portable design that appeals to gym-goers and active users, but they ultimately prioritize aesthetics over balanced performance. Their biggest strengths include an exceptional battery life that clocked in at 73 hours during testing (well exceeding the manufacturer’s 50-hour claim) and high-quality call clarity driven by a set of beam-forming microphones and voice-isolating algorithms. Additionally, they offer seamless one-touch pairing for both Apple and Android operating systems, a stable Bluetooth 5.3 connection reaching up to 133 feet, and useful passive playback options via included USB-C and 3.5mm audio cables. However, the headphones suffer from significant drawbacks, particularly in comfort, features, and sound performance for their $200 price tag. Because of a strong clamping force on their on-ear design, users reported ear soreness that capped comfortable wearing time at under two hours. Performance-wise, the headphones completely lack Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and true Bluetooth Multipoint connectivity, instead relying only on passive noise isolation and restricted device-swapping features. Furthermore, the sound quality is subpar; the audio profile has a narrow...

The Beats Solo 4 on-ear headphones ($199.99) deliver decent, relatively neutral sound with an elevated upper midrange for excitement, an expansive soundstage, and a remarkable 50-hour battery life. They support quick physical connections via USB-C for high-resolution wired audio playback, fast-pairing with Android devices, and feature an intuitive, tactile "b" button control system on the earcup for seamless volume and track adjustments. Additionally, they fold down into an exceptionally small, highly portable soft-sided carrying case, making them highly compact for travel. However, the headphones are quite expensive for a product that lacks active noise canceling and fails to offer any EQ customization within its sparse companion app. The on-ear design features a tight clamping force that causes significant discomfort, particularly for users who wear glasses. Sonically, they lack deep sub-bass extension, causing the upper bass to sound slightly boomy. Finally, the physical design lacks clear visual markers, relying on cryptic, tiny gray lettering inside the headband to differentiate between the left and right earcups.

The Beats Solo 4 on-ear wireless headphones offer substantial updates over their predecessors while retaining their iconic, compact design and a retail price of $199.99. A standout feature is their deep cross-platform compatibility, offering advanced integration, seamless pairing, and tracking via both Apple and Google "Find My" ecosystems. Additional pros include an exceptional 50-hour battery life, wired audio options through both 3.5mm and USB-C ports, and personalized spatial audio with head tracking. The sound profile has also been refined to deliver cleaner and clearer treble and vocals, moving away from the overly bass-heavy mix of past models. However, the headphones suffer from notable drawbacks, most significantly the complete lack of active noise cancelling (ANC) and poor passive sound isolation. Despite minor upgrades to the ear cushions and clamping force, the inherent on-ear design can still cause ear fatigue and discomfort during prolonged listening sessions. Furthermore, they lack basic modern features like wear-detecting sensors to automatically pause music when removed. The headphones also omit support for high-quality Bluetooth audio codecs and require a higher playback volume to achieve their best performance.

The Beats Solo 4 wireless headphones ($199.99) earn a 3.5 "Good" rating from PCMag for delivering satisfying, sculpted sound with punchy bass and clear highs, alongside excellent integration into the Apple ecosystem. Standout features include seamless one-touch pairing, hands-free Siri commands, and personalized spatial audio with accurate head tracking. Users gain impressive battery performance with up to 50 hours of wireless playback, supported by a quick-charging feature that yields five hours of battery life from a 10-minute charge. Physical on-ear control buttons work reliably, and the package provides both USB-C and 3.5mm audio cables to accommodate active and passive wired listening modes. However, the headphones come with notable limitations for their price point, most glaringly the complete absence of active noise cancellation (ANC) and an adjustable EQ. While the physical earpads provide generous cushioning, the tight supra-aural (on-ear) clamping force and less plush headband can make it difficult to achieve a consistently comfortable fit. Additionally, software integration heavily favors Apple users; Android devices miss out on automatic cross-device switching and lack compatibility with advanced high-resolution codecs like AptX or LDAC....