Beats Solo 4 Review: High-Quality Audio in a Lightweight Build

Whether it’s healthy or not, I cannot stand to be alone with my thoughts. From taking a walk around the neighborhood to typing away at my desk, I need to listen to music or a podcast to keep my brain from drifting into oblivion. Sometimes, I’ll let it blare on my speaker, but I need a reliable, comfortable pair of headphones when I want to be a conscientious neighbor (and roommate). So I, of course, jumped at the opportunity to test out Beats Solo 4.

I tried these on-ear, wireless headphones for several weeks to get an idea of how they stack up in the competitive market.

Beats Solo 4 unboxing and first impressions

The package included the headphones, a USB-C cable, a 3.5 mm cable, a black case, and an instruction booklet.

Opening these headphones truly felt like an unboxing video. I had the honor of ripping the serrated seal on the white box. Everything seemed extremely secure and the Beats were packed inside the case for extra protection.

Beats Solo 4 pros and cons

Beats Solo 4 price

If you round up the penny, these headphones cost $200. Considering the current competition—the Apple AirPods Max and Bose QuietComfort Headphones sell for $549 and $349, respectively—this is a reasonable splurge for a trusted brand. The purchase also comes with six free months of Apple Music.

Beats Solo 4 specifications

• Drivers: USB-C and 3.5 mm ports
• Active noise cancellation: None listed
• Battery life: 50 hours (plus you can listen without charge using the 3.5 mm audio cable)
• Weight: 7.65 ounces
• Connectivity: Class 1 Bluetooth® range (approximately 300 feet)
• Frequency range: Not stated
• Waterproofing: None listed

Key features of the Beats Solo 4

Personalized spatial audio

According to the Beats By Dre website, the improved audio sounds like “being surrounded by 64 speakers at once.” The dynamic head-tracking technology is designed to immerse you in whatever you’re listening to, from songs to audiobooks. Gyroscopes and accelerometers measure and track the rate of rotation and direction of your head to surround you with sound.

Ultralight fit and UltraPlush ear cushions

The Beats Solo 4 are designed so you can forget you’re wearing them; they weigh only 217 grams, or just under half a pound. The ear cushions are pillowy and surrounded by a light, leather-like lining.

Long battery life

Fully charged, these headphones offer up to 50 hours of listening. However, the brand also understands that most of us (myself included) rarely keep our devices at full charge. The integrated Fast Fuel technology charges five hours of battery life in 10 minutes. And if you’re really in a pinch, you can use the headphones with the 3.5 mm audio cable—no battery power required.

Versatile compatibility

The Beats Solo 4 is compatible with iOS and Android systems. I use an iPhone and Macbook, and I have never had an issue connecting these headphones to my various tech. You can also set up features such as one-touch pairing, automatic pre-pairing across several devices, Find My and Find My Device tracking, audio sharing, and voice-controlled Siri activation.

Updated design

The Beats Solo 4 boasts several design updates, such as brushed-steel hinges and accents, as well as UltraPlush ear cushions. They’re also available in a variety of colors, such as matte black, slate blue, cloud pink, and charged black (a special Minecraft edition).

Beats Solo 4 performance

Sound

The first song I listened to with the Beats Solo 4 was “Heaven” by Maude Latour, and—this is no hyperbole—my mouth dropped at the audio quality. I could hear every note, riff and synth, but the surround sound was not overwhelming. You can plug in the 3.5 mm audio cable for even higher-quality sound, but I much prefer a cordless experience.

Battery life

I’ve been using this pair of Beats Solo 4 for weeks, and I’ve yet to charge them again. In my opinion, 50 hours feels much longer than it sounds. I listen to music throughout the day—on morning walks, at work, while doing chores—but I’ve yet to worry about running out of charge.

Bluetooth range

I was really impressed with how far I could move away from my phone while maintaining Bluetooth connection. This especially came in handy when I was doing chores in my two-story townhouse. I could leave my phone in my room while I ran downstairs to grab a trash bag and not worry about disconnecting.

Microphone

I usually use a pair of AirPods Max, and while I love them, the microphone is not their strong suit; I often sound far away from the mic. So I was pleasantly surprised when I realized this wasn’t the case with the Beats Solo 4. I could wear these headphones for virtual meetings or online hangouts with friends, and no one asked me to adjust my audio.

Voice calling

Since my AirPods Max don’t have a great mic, I’d always use my earbuds for calling, but this pair changed that. I could easily take phone calls while doing chores or on walks. I never experienced any connection issues, plus I could hear everything the person on the line was saying, and they said my audio sounded crisp (trust me, I asked).

Beats Solo 4 design and build quality

Style

I’m always a bit wary of wearing noticeable headphones in public, but these were sleek enough that I didn’t mind. The color—I have a slate-blue pair—is not loud, and they’re so minimal and lightweight that they don’t look bulky. I generally like on-ear headphones that are more oval-shaped than circular, but that comes down to a matter of preference.

Comfort

Generally, these headphones are comfortable, but I didn’t love wearing them for long periods of time. After an hour or so, I wanted to take them off. I wear earrings everyday, and usually this isn’t an issue with my AirPods Max because they fully cover my ear. The Beats Solo 4, however, rest just on top of the ears, pressing the lobe down, which can grow irritating, especially with earrings in (even small ones). Additionally, my hair would get caught between the ear cushions.

Otherwise, they are solid; adjustable, and not too tight on my head.

Controls

The controls on the Beats are pretty intuitive. There are three buttons: the “b” button for music and calls, a volume rocker, and the power and pairing button. It took me a bit to find the volume adjuster, but otherwise, I was able to figure out the controls without looking them up.

Portability

Compared to other on-ear headphones, the Beats Solo 4 are very portable. They fold up to fit in the travel case, and I can easily throw them in my work bag or tote. The case feels sturdy, and I don’t worry about damaging them, which makes them great as a pair of on-the-go headphones.

Stability

I wore these headphones on a number of walks and runs, and they did a great job staying put on my head. I didn’t have to readjust them or stop them from falling. They’re adjustable enough that I can make them the right size for stability and comfort. The top band is cushioned with a somewhat rubbery material that keeps them in place without pulling at my hair. If you’re interested in earbuds for running, read our guide.

Are the Beats Solo 4 for you?

I’ve always been picky about my headphones, whether wireless earbuds or on-ear pairs. The sound quality was exceptional, but some of the design elements weren’t my preferred kind of comfort. I didn’t love wearing them for long periods of time, and my hair would often get caught in the crevices when I took them off. That said, the microphone is crisp, the Bluetooth range is impressive, and the battery life is incredible—especially for someone who often forgets to charge her devices.

What should you get instead of the Beats Solo 4?

Although the microphone is worse and they are less portable, the AirPods Max are a really great pair of noise-canceling headphones for long-wear. They’re extremely comfortable since they fit over my whole ear. And other options a bit closer in price include the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Premium Noise Canceling Headphones and Bose QuietComfort Headphones.

Final verdict

Overall, the Beats Solo 4 are a solid pair of headphones if the audio listening experience is your priority. The sound is crisp, the Bluetooth range is fantastic, and I’d be impressed if you run out of battery power very often. That said, the Beats Solo 4 aren’t as comfortable as other on-the-ear options I’ve used. Additionally, I missed features such as noise cancellation. It’s crucial to consider what is important to you in a pair of headphones, and these offer fantastic sound for a reasonable price.