Beats headphones have swag, a combo of style and bass-heavy sound that’s been turning heads since Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine launched the brand. For years the Studio line was the top of the heap, with premium features like noise cancellation and an over-ear fit. But the Solo 4, now down to $99.95 from $199.95, has raised the question: can these on-ear headphones outshine their pricier Studio Pro sibling?
The Solo 4 is light and compact, fitting into a backpack or large pocket. They weigh 217 grams, 43 grams less than the 260-gram Studio Pro, making them perfect for commuters or anyone who values portability over bulk. The on-ear pads sit directly on your ears, which is a compromise in terms of comfort compared to the Studio Pro’s over-ear cushions that totally engulf them. But the Solo 4’s earpads are soft and well-padded so you won’t feel the skull-crushing grip of previous on-ear devices. The Studio Pro is good for short sessions, but due to its closed-back design and smaller ear cups it can get warm after a while. If you want a grab-and-go vibe the Solo 4’s foldable frame has the edge.
- Custom acoustic architecture and updated drivers for powerful Beats sound.
- Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking.
- Ultralight ergonomic design for all-day comfort. Flex-grip headband and ergonomically angled, adjustable ear cups for a stable fit.
Both headphones have the Beats sound – punchy bass, clear mids and music feels alive. The Solo 4 has surprising amount of refinement for the price. The 40mm drivers give you a soundstage big enough to keep pop, hip-hop and electronic tracks interesting with vocals that cut through. The Studio Pro ($349.99) has active noise cancellation (ANC) and a built-in digital-to-analog converter (DAC) for wired listening which gives it a slight edge in clarity when connected via USB-C. But here’s the thing: without ANC the Solo 4 holds its own, especially for casual listeners who don’t need the extra isolation. The Studio Pro’s ANC is decent – good for blocking out office chatter or subway hum – but it’s not on the same level as Sony’s WH-1000XM4.
Battery life is where the Solo 4 pulls ahead – 84 hours on a single charge is amazing, while the Studio Pro is 31 hours with ANC enabled. Even without ANC, the Studio Pro is less than half the Solo 4’s life. You could wear the Solo 4 for three and a half days straight before needing a recharge. The Studio Pro does offer faster charging—a 10 minute top up gives you 4 hours of use—but the Solo 4’s marathon battery life means you’re rarely scrambling for a plug. Both support USB-C charging so you’re not stuck with proprietary cables, but the Solo 4’s longevity makes it the clear winner for all day use.
The Solo 4 skips ANC and advanced Bluetooth codecs like LDAC but it nails the essentials: seamless pairing with iOS and Android, Spatial Audio with head tracking for immersive listening and a 3.5mm jack for wired use. The Studio Pro throws in ANC, transparency mode and a DAC for high resolution audio over USB-C which is great for audiophiles. But at $99.95 the Solo 4’s feature set feels perfectly tailored for most users. You’re getting 90% of the experience—Spatial Audio, solid call quality and reliable connectivity—for a fraction of the Studio Pro’s cost.
Comfort is subjective but the Solo 4 makes a good case here too. On ear headphones get a bad rep for being too tight on the ears especially for glasses wearers. The Solo 4 counters this with soft earpads and a headband that distributes the weight so you can wear them for hours without fatigue. The Studio Pro’s over ear design is soft but its tighter fit and smaller ear cups can pinch larger ears or press against glasses frames. For workouts or long commutes the Solo 4’s lighter build and snug fit makes it less likely to slip during movement. The Studio Pro while sturdy feels a bit bulkier and its ANC adds weight that you’ll feel during extended wear.
