The Solo 4 is Beats' first update to its iconic on-ear line in eight years, and reviewers are largely aligned on where it succeeds and where it doesn't: strong battery life and useful new connectivity, paired with sound quality that doesn't quite match the price tag. That gap between "what it does well" and "what it doesn't" is unusually consistent across outlets, which makes it easier than most headphones to size up before buying.
What reviewers consistently praised
Battery life comes up in nearly every review as a genuine strength — up to 50 hours, with reviewers noting that 10 minutes of charging can add roughly 5 hours of playback. The new USB-C port for lossless wired audio was called a welcome, overdue addition, and reviewers appreciated that one-touch pairing now works cleanly across both iOS and Android, a real upgrade over the previous generation's iPhone-first design. Passive noise isolation — despite the lack of active noise cancellation — was repeatedly described as surprisingly effective, and call quality was singled out as a highlight, with testers noting their voice came through clear even in some ambient noise. The collapsible hinge design and included carrying case were also mentioned frequently as practical touches for daily commuting.
What reviewers consistently pushed back on
The most consistent criticism is that sound quality is "middling" or "so-so" for the price — reviewers wanted more clarity and bass depth, especially compared to rivals at the same price point. Multiple outlets also noted comfort issues for extended wear, since the on-ear (rather than over-ear) design doesn't fully seal around the ear, and a few reviewers found the touch controls inconsistent. The complete absence of active noise cancellation was flagged repeatedly as a notable omission at this price.
What reviewers liked
- Genuinely strong battery life — up to 50 hours, fast top-ups
- USB-C lossless audio support, a first for this line
- Clean cross-platform pairing (iOS and Android)
- Excellent call quality; good passive noise isolation
What reviewers flagged
- Sound quality described as average for the price
- No active noise cancellation
- Comfort can suffer over long listening sessions
- Touch controls inconsistent for some reviewers
Who this seems to fit
Based on the pattern across reviews, this fits people who prioritize all-day battery life, style, and reliable calls over class-leading sound — think commuting, workouts, or travel rather than critical listening. Reviewers are fairly consistent that if active noise cancellation or top-tier sound quality is the priority, it's worth comparing against other headphones at the same price before committing. It also tends to appeal specifically to buyers who value the Beats/Apple design and ecosystem touches as much as the raw audio specs.
How it compares to alternatives
Against the Anker Soundcore Q45, the split reviewers describe is fairly clean: the Q45 wins on active noise cancellation and over-ear comfort for long sessions, while the Solo 4 wins on all-day battery life and cross-platform pairing simplicity. Compared to Sony's budget on-ear and over-ear lines, reviewers generally rate Sony's sound quality higher at similar price points, but note Beats' styling and Apple-ecosystem integration (Find My support, quick pairing across Apple devices) as reasons buyers choose it anyway. Within Apple's own audio lineup, this sits below the AirPods Max on sound quality and build materials, positioned instead as the budget-friendly, more durable option for daily commuting and gym use.
What long-term owners mention
Owners past the first few months of use consistently point to the battery claims holding up in real-world use, with several long-term reviews specifically confirming the "10 minutes of charge for 5 hours of playback" claim as accurate rather than optimistic marketing. The hinge and headband are frequently mentioned as feeling sturdier than previous Beats on-ear models, addressing a common complaint from older generations. On the downside, a portion of long-term owners note the ear cushions can start to feel less plush after many months of regular gym use and sweat exposure, which is a wear pattern specific to on-ear designs without swappable cushion covers.
Before you buy: what to check
If active noise cancellation is a hard requirement rather than a nice-to-have, this isn't the right pick regardless of how well it performs on everything else — reviewers are unanimous that the complete absence of ANC is the one dealbreaker to know about upfront. Comfort during long sessions varies more by head shape and glasses use than most reviews initially suggest, so if you wear glasses regularly, look specifically for reviews mentioning glasses compatibility before buying. Confirm which color and finish you're ordering, since Beats frequently offers this model in limited-edition colorways that can have slightly different pricing or availability windows. If USB-C lossless audio playback matters to you, double check your source device supports it — the feature requires a compatible player and file format, and reviewers note it's easy to miss out on this benefit without realizing extra setup is needed. It's also worth confirming return policy windows with your retailer, since comfort and fit are the two most subjective factors reviewers mention.
Quick answers to common questions
Does it work equally well on Android and iPhone? Yes — reviewers confirm one-touch pairing and core features now work cleanly on both platforms, a real change from earlier Beats models that favored iPhone specifically.
Can you use it wired for lossless audio without any battery at all? Yes — reviewers confirm the USB-C wired mode for lossless playback works even when the battery is fully depleted, so it's not solely reliant on charge, which several reviewers specifically tested on purpose.
Is it worth the price?
Amazon prices shift regularly, so check the live price on the button below rather than relying on a fixed number here. Reviewers were split — several called it a solid value for the battery life and features, while others felt the competition is simply stronger at the same price.
Our take, based on the roundup
The consistent thread is that this is a headphone built around battery life, style, and everyday usability rather than audiophile sound. If that trade-off matches what you're looking for, reviewers found it a dependable daily pair — just don't expect it to compete with ANC-equipped rivals on pure audio performance. Buyers who go in with that expectation set correctly tend to come away satisfied, and repeat-purchase mentions in reviews back that up.
Comparing it to the Soundcore Space One?
We put the Beats Solo 4 head-to-head against the Anker Soundcore Space One, which costs roughly half as much and adds active noise cancellation, using TechRadar's separately scored reviews of both. Read the full comparison →
Keeping this review current
Headphones like this occasionally get firmware updates or new limited-edition colorways, so we revisit roundups like this one periodically rather than treating them as a one-time snapshot. If Beats updates the Solo 4's features, pricing, or color lineup in a way that changes the picture reviewers describe here, we'll update this page rather than leave outdated claims up. The score and verdict reflect the pattern across reviews at the time of writing — check the live listing for the exact current variant and colorway before buying.
Sources referenced for this roundup
- TechRadar — full review and verdict
- Tom's Guide — hands-on review, specs, and pricing
- TechGearLab — comfort and controls testing
- What Hi-Fi? — hands-on first impressions