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 Review

The Beats Solo 4 in Black & Gold doesn't walk into a room — it announces itself. That colorway is bold, unapologetically flashy, and if that's your vibe, you're going to love putting these on. But there's more to this pair than aesthetics, so let's get into what actually matters.

Sound That's Grown Up

Beats has always had a reputation for bass-heavy tuning that sacrificed clarity, but the Solo 4 marks a real shift. The sound profile here is described as powerful and balanced — and for once, that's not just marketing copy. The low end is still present and satisfying, but mids and highs get genuine room to breathe. For a mainstream on-ear headphone, that's a meaningful upgrade over previous generations. Whether you're streaming pop, podcasts, or pulling up a lo-fi playlist at work, the Solo 4 handles it all without fatigue.

Battery Life That Actually Delivers

Fifty hours of rated battery life is an impressive claim, and in practice it holds up well under moderate use. This is one of those specs that genuinely changes how you think about charging. Forget the nightly top-up routine — the Solo 4 can last through a week of daily commutes, workouts, and work sessions without needing to be plugged in. Fast charging is also onboard, so even when you do run it down, a short charge gets you back in business quickly.

Comfort and Build: Ultra-Lightweight, With Trade-offs

The "ultra-lightweight" claim is legitimate — these sit on your head without the heaviness that plagues some over-ear competitors. For shorter sessions, comfort is excellent. That said, on-ear designs always divide opinion. Extended wear (3+ hours) can build up pressure on the ears, and that's a real consideration if you're planning to use these for long flights or all-day desk sessions. If comfort over marathon listening is your priority, an over-ear design might serve you better.

Cross-Platform Compatibility Done Right

One of the Solo 4's most underrated selling points is how well it plays with both Apple and Android ecosystems. iPhone users get seamless one-tap pairing and deep Siri integration. Android users aren't left in the cold either — Beats has made genuine strides in Android compatibility, which wasn't always the case with earlier models. If you're a household with mixed devices, or if you switch between platforms, this flexibility is genuinely useful rather than a bullet-point afterthought.

What It's Missing

Here's where we have to be honest. The Beats Solo 4 does not include active noise cancellation. For a headphone at this price point, that's a notable omission — especially when direct competitors from Sony and Bose offer ANC at similar or even lower price tiers. If you need to block out a noisy commute, open office, or airplane cabin, the passive isolation here won't fully cut it. This is arguably the single biggest reason to pause before buying.

The on-ear form factor also won't suit everyone. Unlike over-ear cups that fully surround the ear, on-ear pads rest on the ear — some listeners find this uncomfortable during long sessions, and sound leakage is more noticeable compared to closed-back over-ear designs.

Who Should Buy the Beats Solo 4?

The Solo 4 hits a sweet spot for style-conscious listeners who want excellent battery life, a genuinely improved sound signature, and cross-platform flexibility — without needing ANC. It's a strong pick for casual daily use: walking, light commuting, gym sessions, and desk work in quieter environments. Students and professionals who value portability and aesthetics over noise isolation will find a lot to like here.

If you're a frequent flier, open-plan office worker, or someone who specifically needs to block out noise, the missing ANC is a real deal-breaker and you'd be better served looking at the Sony WH-1000XM5 or Bose QuietComfort 45 range instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do the Beats Solo 4 have active noise cancellation?

A: No. The Beats Solo 4 relies on passive isolation only — there is no active noise cancellation (ANC) feature on this model. This is a meaningful trade-off versus competitors at a similar price point.

Q: How is the Beats Solo 4 battery life in real-world use?

A: Beats rates the Solo 4 at up to 50 hours, which holds up well under moderate use. Heavy listeners or those using features like personalized spatial audio may see somewhat reduced figures, but it's still well above average for the category.

Q: Are Beats Solo 4 compatible with Android phones?

A: Yes. Unlike older Beats products that favored Apple devices, the Solo 4 is designed for both Apple and Android compatibility, with full Bluetooth pairing and feature support across both ecosystems.

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

A: The Sony XM5 offers class-leading ANC and over-ear comfort, making it better for commuting and noise-heavy environments. The Beats Solo 4 wins on portability, style, and battery life, but lacks ANC entirely — choose based on your primary use case.

Q: Are the Beats Solo 4 comfortable for long listening sessions?

A: For shorter sessions and casual use, yes — the lightweight design helps. However, the on-ear design can cause ear fatigue after extended wear (3+ hours), which is typical of the form factor rather than a specific flaw of this model.

— Tech Lead Editor 4, CPrice