Our verdict
The Beats Solo 4 sit on your ears rather than around them, which keeps them compact and light at 217g. They use Bluetooth 5.3 and 40mm drivers (the speaker units), and Beats claims up to 50 hours of listening on one charge, or up to 5 hours from a 10-minute charge. When the battery is flat you can plug in a USB-C or 3.5mm cable and keep listening. They have spatial audio with head tracking, which makes sound seem fixed in space as you turn your head, and one-touch pairing with Apple and Android phones. What they do not have is active noise cancellation (ANC), which uses microphones to cancel out steady background noise. The price is £199.
Buy it if
- You like headphones that sit on your ears
- You want fewer charging interruptions
- A wired backup would be useful with your devices
Skip it if
- Reducing transport noise is your main reason for buying
- On-ear headphones become uncomfortable for you
- You prefer ear cups that surround your ears
How it would fit your home
Forgetting to charge
Beats claims up to 50 hours of listening, or up to 5 hours from 10 minutes of charging. These are manufacturer figures, not our measurements. They are useful as a safety net, not as a promise that your habits will match the total.
Listening with a flat battery
The 3.5mm and USB-C connections work when the battery is empty. That is handy with a compatible laptop or entertainment system. Check the sockets you actually have first.
Testing comfort
Try an on-ear pair for more than a quick listen, ideally with your usual glasses. Notice pressure and whether you keep repositioning the cups. Comfort across a whole album matters more than looks.
The details, in plain English
Battery and charging
Beats lists up to 50 hours of listening on a single charge and up to 5 hours from a quick 10-minute charge. These are manufacturer claims, and real life will depend on volume and how you use them. Even so, a battery like this means charging once every few weeks for many listeners. Fast charging is handy when you notice the battery is flat just before you leave home.
Connections
The Solo 4 use Bluetooth 5.3 for wireless listening. For wired use, Beats lists both USB-C and a 3.5mm audio cable. The 3.5mm cable works without battery power, useful on planes, with laptops or with a hi-fi. Check your phone: many no longer have a headphone socket, so you may need a USB-C connection or an adapter.
Sound features
The headphones use custom 40mm drivers. Beats also lists personalised spatial audio with head tracking, using built-in motion sensors, which makes films and music seem to stay in place around you as you turn your head. Multiple beam-forming microphones handle calls. Beats lists pairing and find-my-device features for both Apple and Android phones, so they are not limited to one ecosystem.
Fit and noise
At 217g, the Solo 4 are light, but on-ear headphones press on the ears rather than surrounding them, so fit is personal. There is no active noise cancellation, so they do not cancel engine hum or office chatter. If you commute, compare a noise-cancelling pair in similar surroundings before deciding.
Strengths and drawbacks
What it does well
- Up to 50 hours of wireless listening, according to Beats
- A 10-minute charge gives up to 5 hours, per Beats, useful when you are heading out
- USB-C and 3.5mm wired listening works without battery power
- Light at 217g, with Bluetooth 5.3 and 40mm drivers
- Spatial audio with head tracking, plus pairing with Apple and Android phones
What to watch out for
- No active noise cancellation for noisy trains, buses or offices
- On-ear pressure will not suit every listener, and may be awkward with glasses
- Wired use needs a compatible socket, cable or adapter
- Battery figures are Beats's claims, not measurements
Compare the exact model and package at the current delivered price. The recorded price of £199 has not been refreshed as part of this content update.
Alternatives we have reviewed
| Product | Our verdict | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
 Beats Solo 4 (this one) | Choose the Solo 4 at £199 for compact on-ear comfort and long battery life, not if quietening a noisy journey is your main aim. | £199.95RRP, RRP recorded 12 Oct 2026 | Check price |
 Beats Studio Pro | The Studio Pro are worth comparing if you want noise-cancelling headphones that move easily between a phone, laptop and wired source, and the 24-hour noise-cancelling battery figure suits your routine. | £249.95RRP, RRP recorded 12 Oct 2026 | Check price |
 Bose QuietComfort SC | A strong choice if you mainly want to shut out steady travel and office noise, provided you are happy with a bass-heavy sound and check the fit during the returns window. | £289.95RRP, RRP recorded 12 Oct 2026 | Check price |
 Sennheiser Momentum 5 Wireless | A great choice for natural sound and very long battery life, with a battery you can replace yourself. | £329.99RRP, RRP recorded 12 Oct 2026 | Check price |
Not sure it is the right one for you?
We email three options and one clear recommendation, around your budget and home, within three working days.
Worth reading next
Where our findings come from
Research-based assessment. Manufacturer details were checked on 12 September 2026. Practical suggestions are our interpretation; we have not carried out hands-on camera, sound or battery tests. Retailer prices retain their original recorded dates.