Beats Solo 4 Headphones Review: Are They Worth It in 2026?

If you’ve been searching for a reliable pair of wireless on-ear headphones that won’t break the bank, the Beats Solo 4 have likely landed on your radar. Currently available for $199.95 on Amazon with over 8,000 reviews and a 4.5-star rating, these headphones represent one of the most compelling mid-range options on the market right now. But do they actually deliver where it matters?

After spending several weeks testing the Beats Solo 4 across daily commutes, gym sessions, remote work calls, and weekend listening marathons, we’ve put together this comprehensive review. We’ll cover everything from sound quality and battery life to comfort, build quality, and how they stack up against popular competitors like the Sony WH-1000XM5 and JBL Tune 770NC. Whether you’re an Apple loyalist, an Android user, or someone who just wants great-sounding headphones at a fair price, this review will help you decide if the Solo 4 deserve your money.

Key Specifications

Design and Build Quality

The Beats Solo 4 represent a noticeable design evolution from the Solo 3. Beats opted for a sleek matte finish across all three colorways that feels premium without being a fingerprint magnet. At just 217 grams, these are genuinely lightweight for wireless headphones, and you feel that difference the moment you pick them up. The flex-grip headband provides a secure fit without excessive clamping force, though the on-ear design means your ears are pressed rather than enclosed.

Build quality is solid. The hinges feel sturdy and fold smoothly into a compact form factor that slips easily into a bag or backpack. Beats includes both a USB-C cable and a 3.5mm audio cable in the box, which is a welcome touch. The physical buttons on the left ear cup are tactile and responsive, covering volume, playback, and voice assistant activation. One notable omission: there’s no carrying case included at this price point, which competitors like Sony and JBL often provide. The UltraPlush ear cushions are comfortable for sessions up to about 90 minutes, but beyond that, some users may notice pressure on the tops of their ears due to the on-ear fit.

Real-World Performance

Where the Beats Solo 4 truly shine is in everyday, real-world usage, and that starts with battery life. Beats claims up to 50 hours on a single charge, and in our testing, that number held up remarkably well. Over the course of a week with mixed usage including music streaming, video calls, and podcast listening at around 60% volume, we went a full 6 days before needing to reach for the charger. The Fast Fuel feature is genuinely useful too: a quick 10-minute charge delivered roughly 5 hours of playback, which is enough to get you through a long flight or workday in a pinch.

Sound quality is where Beats has made the most dramatic improvement over previous generations. The custom 40mm transducers deliver a balanced sound profile that finally sheds the brand’s reputation for muddy, bass-heavy tuning. Bass is still present and punchy, especially on hip-hop and electronic tracks, but it no longer overwhelms the mids and highs. Vocals come through with surprising clarity, and instruments maintain good separation across genres. We tested everything from jazz and classical to pop and rock, and the Solo 4 handled each genre competently. That said, the soundstage is noticeably narrower than what you’d get from over-ear competitors. On-ear headphones inherently limit how spacious audio can feel, and the Solo 4 is no exception. Audiophiles chasing wide, open staging should look elsewhere.

For phone calls, the dual beam-forming microphones with voice-targeting algorithms performed well in moderately noisy environments. Callers reported our voice was clear in coffee shops and on busy sidewalks, though heavy wind and loud traffic did cause some degradation. Call quality ranks above average for this price range.

The lack of Active Noise Cancellation is the single biggest compromise here. The passive isolation from the on-ear cushions blocks some ambient noise, but it’s nowhere near what you’d get from dedicated ANC headphones. On a noisy subway or in a bustling open office, you’ll hear your surroundings. For quiet environments or moderate background noise, the passive isolation is adequate, but if noise cancellation is a priority, this is a dealbreaker.

Connectivity is a strong suit. Bluetooth 5.3 Class 1 provides a stable, extended-range connection, and we experienced zero dropouts during daily use. One-touch pairing works seamlessly on both iOS (via Apple’s ecosystem) and Android (via Google Fast Pair). The ability to plug in via USB-C for lossless audio playback is a genuine audiophile-friendly feature that competitors at this price rarely offer. Spatial Audio with head tracking on Apple devices adds an immersive layer to compatible content, though its effectiveness varies by source material.

Beats Solo 4 Headphones vs the Competition

To put the Beats Solo 4 in proper context, here’s how they compare against three popular alternatives across key performance categories:

The Sony WH-1000XM5 is the obvious choice if noise cancellation and audiophile-grade sound are your top priorities. However, at more than double the price of the Solo 4, you’re paying a significant premium. The Solo 4 actually beats the Sony in battery life (50 vs. 30-40 hours) and portability, and offers wired lossless audio that Sony doesn’t.

The JBL Tune 770NC is the budget champion at around $79.95, offering adaptive ANC and an impressive 70-hour battery. However, it lacks the Solo 4’s lossless audio support, Spatial Audio, and seamless Apple/Android integration. Build quality and overall sound refinement also favor the Beats.

The AirPods Max deliver the best spatial audio experience and premium build quality, but at $449, they’re in a completely different league. Unless you specifically need premium ANC and are deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem, the Solo 4 offers roughly 80% of the experience at under 30% of the cost.

Who Should Buy the Beats Solo 4

• Commuters and travelers who need lightweight, foldable headphones with marathon battery life that can last an entire week of daily use without charging.
• Cross-platform users who switch between iPhone and Android devices, or use a mix of Apple and Windows hardware, and want seamless one-touch pairing on both ecosystems.
• Budget-conscious listeners looking for a well-known brand with balanced sound quality, USB-C lossless audio support, and Spatial Audio at the $130 price point rather than spending $300+ on flagship alternatives.
• Fitness enthusiasts and gym-goers who value a secure, lightweight on-ear fit that stays in place during movement without the bulk and heat of over-ear designs.
• People who prioritize wired lossless playback and want the flexibility to connect via USB-C or 3.5mm for higher-fidelity audio when streaming services support it.

Who Should Skip the Beats Solo 4

• Noise cancellation seekers: If you work in a noisy office, commute on loud public transit, or need ANC for focus, the Solo 4’s passive isolation simply won’t cut it. The JBL Tune 770NC ($79.95) or Sony WH-1000XM5 ($299.99) are better options.
• Extended-wear users: If you wear headphones for 3+ hours straight, the on-ear design creates pressure points that become uncomfortable over long sessions. Over-ear headphones distribute weight more evenly and are a better choice for all-day wear.
• Audiophiles demanding wide soundstage: The Solo 4’s narrow soundstage is a known limitation of on-ear designs. If you want spacious, room-filling audio with clear instrument separation and depth, over-ear open-back headphones will serve you far better.
• EQ enthusiasts: The Beats app currently offers no EQ presets or customizable sound profiles. If you like tweaking frequency response to match your preferences, the JBL or Sony apps offer significantly more control.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the Beats Solo 4 worth buying at $199.95?

At the current sale price of $199.95, the Beats Solo 4 are an excellent value. The original MSRP of $199.99 was a harder sell given the lack of ANC, but at $130, you’re getting 50-hour battery life, Bluetooth 5.3, lossless USB-C audio, Spatial Audio support, and solid build quality. Most reviewers agree that the Solo 4 hit their sweet spot in the $129-$149 range, making this deal worth acting on if the features align with your needs.

Do the Beats Solo 4 have noise cancellation?

No. The Beats Solo 4 do not include Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). They rely on passive noise isolation from the on-ear cushions, which blocks some ambient sound but is far less effective than dedicated ANC. If you need noise cancellation within the Beats lineup, you’ll need to step up to the Beats Studio Pro ($249.99). For ANC at a lower price, the JBL Tune 770NC at around $79.95 is a strong alternative.

How do the Beats Solo 4 compare to the Sony WH-1000XM5?

These two headphones serve different needs at very different price points. The Sony WH-1000XM5 ($299.99) offers industry-leading ANC, a wider soundstage, superior comfort for extended wear, and extensive EQ customization through the Sony Headphones Connect app. The Beats Solo 4 ($199.95) counters with significantly better battery life (50 hours vs. 30-40), a lighter and more portable foldable design (217g vs. 250g), lossless wired audio via USB-C, and dual Apple/Android ecosystem integration. If ANC is non-negotiable, the Sony wins. If you value battery life, portability, and cross-platform convenience at a lower price, the Beats Solo 4 are the smarter pick.

Can you use the Beats Solo 4 with Android devices?

Yes, and the experience is genuinely good, not an afterthought. The Beats Solo 4 support Google Fast Pair for instant one-touch Bluetooth pairing on Android, integration with Google’s Find My Device network for locating lost headphones, and full access to the Beats app for Android. You get the same 50-hour battery life, sound quality, and USB-C lossless audio as iOS users. The main features you miss on Android are Personalized Spatial Audio with head tracking and automatic iCloud-based device switching, both of which are Apple-exclusive.

Our Verdict

Score: 8.5/10

The Beats Solo 4 are the best on-ear wireless headphones you can buy under $150 right now. At $199.95, they deliver a compelling combination of 50-hour battery life, balanced and refined sound quality, USB-C lossless audio, and genuine cross-platform compatibility that few competitors match. The 40mm custom transducers produce clear, punchy audio that works across genres, and the lightweight foldable design makes them ideal for daily carry.

The lack of Active Noise Cancellation is the most significant trade-off, and it will be a dealbreaker for some buyers. The absence of EQ customization in the app and the inherent comfort limitations of on-ear designs are also worth noting. But for the majority of listeners who want reliable, great-sounding headphones that pair effortlessly with any device and last nearly a week on a single charge, the Beats Solo 4 at this price are hard to beat.

Pros:

• Exceptional 50-hour battery life with Fast Fuel quick charging (5 hours from 10 minutes)
• Balanced, refined sound with custom 40mm drivers that avoid the old Beats bass-heavy reputation
• USB-C and 3.5mm wired connections supporting lossless audio playback
• Excellent cross-platform support with one-touch pairing on both iOS and Android
• Lightweight (217g) and foldable design that’s highly portable
• Personalized Spatial Audio with head tracking on Apple devices

Cons:

• No Active Noise Cancellation, only passive isolation
• On-ear fit becomes uncomfortable after 90+ minutes for some users
• No EQ customization or sound profiles available in the Beats app
• Narrow soundstage compared to over-ear alternatives
• No carrying case included in the box