The Beats Solo 4 is a lightweight on-ear wireless headphone built around long battery life, iOS and Android compatibility, and wired listening options—not active noise cancellation. Apple claims up to 50 hours of listening time, and the box includes USB-C and 3.5 mm audio cables. Whether it is worth buying depends largely on whether you like an on-ear fit and whether its wired audio and battery advantages matter more to you than ANC or an over-ear design.
What the Beats Solo 4 is—and what comes in the box
Solo 4 is a 217 g, Bluetooth 5.3 on-ear headphone with USB-C audio and a 3.5 mm analog input. Apple lists compatibility with both iOS and Android. Its U.S. product page displayed $199.99 when accessed in 2026; that is a page snapshot, not a guarantee of current street pricing. Apple’s product page has the specifications and included accessories.
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The box includes the headphones, a carrying case, a USB-C-to-USB-C cable for charging and audio, a 3.5 mm analog cable, a quick-start guide, and a warranty card. The USB-C power adapter is sold separately. You do not need to buy an audio cable to use either wired connection.
Beats Solo 4 launched in May 2024 at a U.S. launch price of $199, according to TechRadar’s review. That launch figure is historical context, not a current price recommendation.
#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.
How it sounds: wired lossless, compressed Bluetooth
Apple says Solo 4 supports lossless audio over either its USB-C audio connection or the included 3.5 mm cable. To hear lossless audio, the source device or service must have lossless playback enabled; Apple Support’s wired-audio guidance explains the setup. A lossless source does not make Bluetooth playback lossless: TechRadar reports that Bluetooth uses compressed AAC or SBC and does not support aptX or LDAC.
Reviewers do not agree on how impressive the sound is for the price. RTINGS describes the tuning as more balanced than earlier bass-heavy Beats headphones, while Macworld characterizes it as good rather than exceptional. TechRadar’s reviewer found sound quality the most disappointing aspect. These are listening judgments, not an objective consensus; the meaningful takeaway is that Solo 4 may suit listeners who prefer a more balanced presentation, but sound quality is not an uncontested reason to choose it.
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.
Comfort and noise control are the main trade-offs
Solo 4 sits on the ears rather than enclosing them. On-ear pressure and comfort vary by person, and long-session reports differ: TechRadar’s reviewer said they could not wear the headphones for more than an hour at a time, while that experience should not be treated as universal. If comfort is a priority, try the fit before committing or compare it with an over-ear model.
There is no active noise cancellation (ANC). TechRadar’s reviewer praised its passive isolation, which comes from the physical fit and seal; that is not the same as ANC, which uses electronic processing to counter ambient noise. Solo 4 may reduce some surrounding sound, but it does not offer an ANC mode. RTINGS notes this omission may disappoint people upgrading from Solo Pro, and contrasts Solo 4 with the over-ear Studio Pro, which has ANC.
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.
Battery life and wired use
Apple claims up to 50 hours of listening time and up to five hours of playback from a 10-minute charge. These are manufacturer maximums, not guaranteed results; actual battery life varies with use and conditions. TechRadar said its review sample’s battery performance appeared consistent with the 50-hour claim in its testing.
Wired listening is useful if the battery is depleted or you want a direct connection. Apple says USB-C and 3.5 mm wired playback can deliver lossless audio when the source is configured for it. With the 3.5 mm cable, playback does not require battery power, according to Apple Support.
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.
Compatibility and everyday features
Apple lists one-touch pairing, Find My, Find My Device, and audio sharing among Solo 4’s features, as well as iOS and Android compatibility. That does not mean every feature works identically across both platforms; check the feature requirements for the phone and operating system you use. Its appeal is broader than an iPhone-only headphone, but buyers should not assume the same setup or feature experience on Android and iOS.
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Is the Beats Solo 4 worth it?
Solo 4 makes the strongest case for someone who wants an on-ear headphone with unusually long claimed battery life, both USB-C and 3.5 mm listening, and compatibility across Apple and Android devices. The included cables make those wired options immediately usable, and the 3.5 mm connection can keep audio playing without battery power.
Best Value
- Custom acoustic architecture and updated drivers for powerful Beats sound.
It is a weaker match if ANC is essential, you prefer an over-ear fit, or you are paying for a major sound-quality upgrade. Compare the current price with alternatives before deciding on value; the $199.99 figure on Apple’s U.S. page is only the price shown when accessed in 2026, and reviewers differ on whether Solo 4’s sound merits its price. The clearest decision is fit: if on-ear pressure is uncomfortable for you, the battery and wired features will not compensate.
Quick Recap
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