Beats Solo 4 - Wireless On-Ear Bluetooth Headphones, Up to 50-Hour Battery Life, Ultra-Lightweight Comfort, Powerful and Balanced Sound, Apple & Android Compatible - Black & Gold
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AI Verdict
The Beats Solo 4 are ultra-lightweight, 50-hour on-ear headphones best suited for casual listeners who prioritize portability and USB-C lossless audio over active noise cancellation and long-term comf
The Beats Solo 4 excel if you specifically want a 217-gram, highly portable on-ear headphone with seamless Apple/Android integration and a massive 50-hour battery life. The lack of ANC and the painful 35x30mm earcup clamping force make them a poor choice for long flights or all-day desk work.
If you need all-day comfort and ANC, upgrade to the Beats Studio Pro or look for over-ear alternatives in the same price bracket.
Regret Score™
Medium RiskLower is better — measures purchase-regret risk from real buyer complaints, review credibility, and product maturity
Issues discovered after purchase
Critically weak dimension
Amazon rating vs actual quality
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Pros
- Delivers up to 50 hours of battery life on a single charge, with a 10-minute Fast Fuel charge adding 5 hours of playback.
- Supports high-res lossless audio playback via the included USB-C cable while simultaneously charging the headphones.
- Includes a 3.5mm audio jack that allows for passive wired listening even when the battery is completely dead.
- Weighs just 217 grams, making them significantly lighter than most over-ear alternatives.
- Offers native one-touch pairing and Find My support for both iOS and Android devices without needing third-party apps.
Cons
- Completely lacks Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Transparency modes, which is a glaring omission at the $199 MSRP.
- The on-ear clamping force is notoriously tight, causing physical ear pain and pressure against glasses frames after 1 to 2 hours of use.
- The folding hinge mechanism is prone to pinching fingers when collapsing the headphones for storage.
- Sound profile lacks the heavy, thumping bass response that older Beats models were famous for, leaning toward a brighter, treble-heavy mix.
Dimension Scores
The 40mm drivers deliver a balanced, clear sound with lossless USB-C support, but the mix leans thin and lacks the dynamic punch of competitors.
They abandon the classic Beats bass-heavy signature for a flatter profile, leaving hip-hop and EDM tracks sounding slightly underwhelming.
Flawless integration with both iOS and Android, plus the rare ability to handle USB-C lossless audio and passive 3.5mm wired playback.
At just 217 grams, they fold up incredibly small for travel, though the plastic build feels less premium and the hinges can pinch fingers.
Best For
- Short commutes or 45-minute gym sessions where you want a secure fit without the bulk of over-ear headphones.
- Listening to lossless audio tracks on Apple Music via a direct USB-C connection to your phone or laptop.
- Users who constantly forget to charge their devices and need the 50-hour battery and passive 3.5mm wired fallback.
Not Recommended For
- People who wear glasses or have larger heads, as the 35x30mm earcups and strong clamping force will cause headaches.
- Frequent flyers or public transit commuters who need ANC to block out engine rumble and crowd noise.
- Multi-hour listening sessions at a desk, where the on-ear pressure becomes fatiguing.
Watch Out For
- No Active Noise Cancellation — you will hear gym grunts, airplane engines, and office chatter clearly because the on-ear pads only offer minimal passive isolation.
- The clamping force is aggressive — if you wear thick-framed glasses, the earcups will press the stems directly into your skull, causing soreness within an hour.
- Finger-pinching hinges — the metal folding joints snap shut quickly and can easily catch your skin if you aren't holding them by the upper headband.
- Misleading bass expectations — unlike the Solo 3, the Solo 4 uses a balanced, passive-tuned 40mm driver that sounds thin and treble-heavy rather than bass-boosted.
Full Specifications
| UPC | 195949833748 |
| ASIN | B0DDQLGDY3 |
| Brand | Beats |
| Color | Black & Gold |
| Style | Solo4 |
| Units | 1.0 Count |
| Material | Silicone, Fabric |
| Batteries | 1 Lithium Ion batteries required. (included) |
| Impedance | 32 Ohms |
| Model Name | Beats Solo 4 |
| Form Factor | On Ear |
| Item Weight | 1.12 pounds |
| Battery Life | 50 Hours |
| Control Type | Volume Control, App Control, Button Control, Siri, Touch Control, Voice Control |
| Manufacturer | Beats |
| Cable Feature | Without Cable |
| Ear Placement | On Ear |
| Noise Control | Sound Isolation |
| Control Method | App, Touch, Voice |
| Earpiece Shape | Circle |
| Bluetooth Range | 100 Meters |
| Controller Type | Button, Siri, Touch |
| Headphones Jack | 3.5 mm Jack |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Special Feature | Fast Charging, Lightweight, Microphone Included, Rechargeable Battery, Volume Control |
| Audio Driver Type | Dynamic Driver |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Item model number | MC2L4LL/A |
| Compatible Devices | Cellphones, Desktops, Gaming Consoles, Laptops, Tablets |
| Product Dimensions | 8.19 x 5.04 x 3.69 inches |
| Carrying Case Color | Black |
| Included Components | 3.5 mm analog audio cable, Beats Solo 4 headphones, Protective Case, Quick Start Guide and Warranty Card, USB-C to USB-C cable for charging and audio (USB-C power adapter sold separately) |
| Carrying Case Material | Fabric |
| Water Resistance Level | Not Water Resistant |
| Age Range (Description) | Adult, Teen |
| Connectivity Technology | Wireless |
| Specific Uses For Product | Entertainment, Fitness, Travel |
| Recommended Uses For Product | Calling, Exercising, Gaming, Office Meetings |
| Wireless Communication Technology | Bluetooth |
What Buyers Say
The most surprising takeaway from owners is how polarizing the comfort level is; while the 217-gram weight is praised, the aggressive clamping force makes them unbearable for glasses wearers after just an hour. Buyers are thrilled with the 50-hour battery life and the ability to listen passively via the 3.5mm jack when dead. The absolute lack of Active Noise Cancellation at this price point leaves many commuters feeling ripped off. Audio purists appreciate the USB-C lossless playback, but long-time Beats fans are often disappointed by the noticeably reduced bass response compared to the Solo 3.
“I wanted to love these because the battery lasts forever and they fold up tiny, but they squeeze my head like a vice grip and having no noise cancelling on a $200 pair of headphones in 2024 is just criminal.”
Common Praise
- Battery easily lasts a full week of commuting and gym sessions without needing a recharge.
- USB-C connection allows for charging and listening to high-res lossless audio simultaneously.
- Native Android support works flawlessly without needing to jump through Bluetooth menu hoops.
- The 217-gram weight makes them feel virtually weightless on the top of the head.
- The 3.5mm jack allows for passive listening on airplanes even with a dead battery.
Common Complaints
- The clamping force presses ears against glasses frames, causing severe headaches after 60 minutes.
- No Active Noise Cancellation means you hear every conversation and treadmill at the gym.
- The folding hinges easily pinch fingers when collapsing the headphones into the carrying case.
- The bass response is surprisingly weak for a brand historically known for low-end punch.
- The ear pads absorb sweat during workouts and cannot be easily replaced by the user.
Ownership Tips
- The matte plastic finish on the newer colorways shows fingerprint smudges and scratches much faster than the glossy Solo 3.
- The ear pads flatten out significantly as they warm up against your ears during a long listening session.
- You have to memorize the tiny button placements because the physical controls blend completely into the right earcup.
- Using the USB-C cable for audio on a laptop completely eliminates the slight audio-video lag you get over Bluetooth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do these have Active Noise Cancelling (ANC)?
No, the Beats Solo 4 do not have ANC or a Transparency mode. They only rely on the passive noise isolation from the ear pads resting on your ears.
Can I use them with an Android phone?
Yes. They feature native one-touch pairing for Android and have an official Beats app for firmware updates and control customization.
Do they work if the battery is completely dead?
Yes, if you use the included 3.5mm audio cable. The headphones support passive playback without any battery power when wired via the headphone jack.
Are they comfortable if I wear glasses?
Generally, no. The strong clamping force required to keep these on-ear headphones secure tends to press the earcups hard against glasses frames, causing pain after about an hour.
Can I listen to music while they are charging?
Yes. If you connect them to your phone or laptop using the USB-C cable, they will charge and play lossless audio at the same time.
Are they sweat-resistant for working out?
They do not have an official IP rating for water or sweat resistance. While they can survive light workouts, heavy sweating will degrade the ear cushions over time.
Buying Guide
When buying on-ear headphones like the Solo 4, you are trading long-term comfort and noise isolation for extreme portability and a secure fit. Because they sit directly on your ear cartilage rather than surrounding it, the clamping force has to be strong so they don't fall off when you bend over. You also need to accept that without ANC, these will never block out the drone of an airplane or a loud cafe. If you just want a tiny 217-gram pair of headphones that never die and work seamlessly with your phone, these hit the mark.
On-Ear vs. Over-Ear Design
On-ear headphones rest directly on your earlobes like earmuffs, making them smaller and lighter, whereas over-ear headphones cup around your entire ear like a bowl, offering better noise isolation and long-term comfort.
Lossless USB-C Audio
Bluetooth compresses music to send it through the air, losing some detail. Plugging these in via USB-C is like switching from a blurry YouTube video to a 4K Blu-ray, giving you the exact uncompressed studio file.
Passive 3.5mm Playback
Most modern wireless headphones turn into useless plastic bricks when the battery dies. This feature lets you plug in a standard aux cable and keep listening powered solely by the device you plugged into.
Alternatives
If the clamping force sounds like a dealbreaker or you absolutely need Active Noise Cancellation for commuting, look for over-ear wireless headphones with ANC in the same price tier.
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