The Beats Solo 4 is a lightweight on-ear wireless headphone that makes sense if you want long advertised battery life and the option to listen over a cable. It makes less sense if you need active noise cancellation (ANC) for commutes or open offices, or if you want to stay connected to a phone and a computer at the same time. Whether its strengths outweigh those gaps depends mostly on how you listen.
What Beats Claims for the Solo 4
Beats’ published specifications set the baseline for everything below. These are manufacturer figures, so treat them as maximums rather than guarantees.
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- Battery: up to 50 hours of listening time per charge, and up to five hours of playback from a 10-minute Fast Fuel charge. Beats does not promise that every usage pattern will reach these numbers; volume level and how often you stream will change real-world runtime.
- Wired listening: USB-C or the included 3.5 mm cable. Beats says either wired connection can deliver lossless audio, and analog listening over the 3.5 mm cable does not require battery power.
- Platforms: compatible with iOS and Android, with one-touch pairing and device-finding features. Those features are not identical on both platforms.
- Weight: 217 g (7.65 oz).
- In the box: a carrying case, a USB-C cable, and a 3.5 mm cable.
The Pros
Long advertised battery life and quick top-ups
The headline figure is up to 50 hours of listening per charge. For someone who charges weekly, that is the Solo 4’s most practical advantage. The 10-minute Fast Fuel option, rated at up to five hours of playback, is useful when you forget to charge before leaving the house. Both figures come from Beats and should be read as its own maximums.
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Flexible wired options
Because the headphones take USB-C audio and include a 3.5 mm cable, you are not locked into Bluetooth. The 3.5 mm path works when the battery is flat, and it is the simplest way to use the Solo 4 with a device that has a headphone jack. Beats positions both wired routes as capable of lossless audio, which is a point in its favor for listeners who care about source quality.
#1 Best Overall
- Custom acoustic architecture and updated drivers for powerful Beats sound.
- Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking.
- Ultralight ergonomic design for all-day comfort. Flex-grip headband and ergonomically angled, adjustable ear cups for a stable fit.
- UltraPlush ear cushions are designed for comfort and durability.
- Up to 50 hours of battery life.
Works across Apple and Android
Beats lists support for both iOS and Android. Pairing and device-finding are part of the package on both, so you do not need a single-ecosystem device to get value from the headphones. Do not assume every convenience feature behaves the same on each platform.
Compact and foldable, with a case included
At 217 g, the Solo 4 is light for an on-ear model, and the included carrying case makes it practical to pack in a bag. The case is listed as part of the box, so you do not need to buy one separately to protect the headphones on the move.
Rank #2
- Custom acoustic architecture and updated drivers for powerful Beats sound.
- Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking.
- Ultralight ergonomic design for all-day comfort. Flex-grip headband and ergonomically angled, adjustable ear cups for a stable fit.
- UltraPlush ear cushions are designed for comfort and durability.
- Up to 50 hours of battery life.
The Cons
No active noise cancellation
This is the most important gap. RTINGS reports that the Solo 4 struggles with background noise during travel and office use, and Macworld and TechRadar also flag the lack of ANC. Independent reviewers do not agree on how well the passive isolation of the on-ear cups blocks outside sound, so do not expect it to behave like an ANC model on a train or in a busy open-plan room.
No multipoint pairing
RTINGS reports that the Solo 4 connects to a PC or a smartphone, but not to both at once. If you switch between a laptop call and a phone’s media playback during the day, you will need to disconnect and reconnect manually. Buyers who rely on simultaneous connections should look for a model that advertises multipoint support.
Rank #3
- Custom acoustic architecture and updated drivers for powerful Beats sound.
- Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking.
- Ultralight ergonomic design for all-day comfort. Flex-grip headband and ergonomically angled, adjustable ear cups for a stable fit.
- UltraPlush ear cushions are designed for comfort and durability.
- Up to 50 hours of battery life.
Comfort depends on the listener
RTINGS describes the fit as decently comfortable. TechRadar’s reviewer found the headphones uncomfortable for extended use. On-ear designs press on the ears rather than surrounding them, which is why reactions vary. If you can try a pair before buying, wear them for at least the length of a typical session.
Sound assessments are mixed
RTINGS describes a more neutral, slightly bright profile than the Solo 3, its predecessor. TechRadar criticizes aspects of the bass and mids and questions the value at its launch price. These are two reviewers’ judgments rather than a consensus, so audition the headphones with music you know well before deciding.
Rank #4
- Custom acoustic architecture and updated drivers for powerful Beats sound.
- Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking.
- Ultralight ergonomic design for all-day comfort. Flex-grip headband and ergonomically angled, adjustable ear cups for a stable fit.
- UltraPlush ear cushions are designed for comfort and durability.
- Up to 50 hours of battery life.
No water-resistance rating in the specifications
RTINGS notes that the Solo 4 has no IP rating. Do not treat it as water-resistant or use it for workouts in rain or sweat-heavy conditions.
Reviewer Findings at a Glance
| Topic | RTINGS | TechRadar | Macworld |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active noise cancellation | Not present; struggles with background noise in travel and office use | Not present; flagged as a gap | Not present; flagged as a gap |
| Multipoint pairing | Not supported; one device at a time across PC and smartphone | Not stated in the reviewed coverage | Not stated in the reviewed coverage |
| Comfort | Decently comfortable | Uncomfortable during extended use | Not stated in the reviewed coverage |
| Sound | More neutral, slightly bright compared with the Solo 3 | Criticizes bass and mids; questions value | Not stated in the reviewed coverage |
| Water resistance | No IP rating listed | Not stated in the reviewed coverage | Not stated in the reviewed coverage |
Reviewer findings are dated to their respective publication periods and reflect those reviewers’ listening, not a single standardized test shared across outlets.
Best Value
- Custom acoustic architecture and updated drivers for powerful Beats sound.
Who Should Buy the Solo 4
- Buy it if you mainly listen at a desk or on a sofa, want long runtimes between charges, and sometimes plug into a wired source.
- Buy it if you own both an iPhone and an Android device and do not need them connected simultaneously.
- Skip it if you need ANC for commuting, flights, or open offices.
- Skip it if you keep a phone and a laptop connected at the same time.
- Skip it if you plan to use it in wet or sweaty conditions.
- Audition first if you wear glasses, plan long sessions, or care about a particular sound signature, because the fit and tuning reports above differ.
Pricing Note
TechRadar listed launch-period prices of $199 in the US, £199 in the UK, and AU$329 in Australia in 2024. These are historical launch figures, not current offers, and retail prices change. Check the current price on Beats’ own site or a retailer before comparing it with competitors.
The Verdict
The Solo 4 trades active noise cancellation and simultaneous multi-device connections for long advertised battery life, quick top-ups, and wired flexibility. If those trades suit your listening habits, it is a reasonable on-ear choice. If they do not, look at alternatives that offer ANC or multipoint, because the Solo 4 cannot be improved on those points through software.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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