I was sent these headphones to test - I already own a pair of wireless headphones from another brand which I use a lot, but find uncomfortable to wear for long periods. This design is different - they sit on the ear rather than around the ear, and the fit, whilst snug, isn't too pressured, and they're very well cushioned so they're actually pretty comfortable to wear for long periods. There is a wee bit of noise leakage but this isn't really a problem when listening at normal levels. When streaming tv shows, the audio is well lip-synced (there's no noticeable delay/latency) which is great. When listening to music, (for review purposes, I compared listening to Jacob Collier, Dayglow, The National and Elbow via Apple Music player) I found the sound to be lovely and clear and smooth, but a bit more 'pop' (less bass?) than I'm used to, so I turned on the EQ in the Apple Music Player equaliser (under the 'window' menu) to find a sound profile to my taste (be aware I found it takes a few seconds for the selected EQ setting to be audible) - I seem to prefer the pre-set 'rock' profile as it has a bit more bass. Having set this up, I'm really happy with the sound quality. The headphones are light, foldable (yay!) and come with a handy case so they can be neatly stowed with cables when not in use - this is much appreciated. The ear cups are small and unobtrusive so you don't look like you're flying a helicopter when wearing them. I think they look really cool and would happily wear these in public. I found them easy to sync to my Apple MacBook laptop - I don't have the latest MacBook, but I turned bluetooth off and on and pressed the button on the headphones and synced without issue. The controls are easy to use - I really like being able to skip back and forth between tracks. This is really what you want in headphones that you use every day - for the experience to be comfortable, great-sounding and hassle-free. Recyclable packaging too. Overall, great headphones!

These Matte black Beats Solo 4 Wireless Bluetooth On-Ear headphones are incredibly quick and easy to set up. They are quick charging and when I pressed and held the power button, they paired instantly with my iPhone. They come with a USB-c charging cable and a wire to connect them if you aren't using Bluetooth.

For this style of earphone, they are actually pretty lightweight and I found them comfortable to wear for extended periods of time. I didn't find them to be tight as some other reviewers have. The battery life is very impressive.

I haven't worn them for running because I prefer the bone conducting style, but I think they would sit nice and securely. They might be a little hot though?

The controls are on left ear, and are the "b" button for: play, pause, skip, scan through a track and answer/decline calls; and the volume control button that surrounds the "b" button. You can also use Siri if it's already activated it on your iPhone.

I found both the music (especially with Apple Music) and call sound quality to be excellent. It's definitely improved from some much older wireless Beats headphones that I had, and at the time I was impressed with those.

I also found them easier to get in and out of the case as the zip opens further down both sides of the case. This is important because I know my university student daughter will definitely be wanting to borrow these and I would want to encourage her to put them away when not in use!

As they are On-Ear, rather than Over-Ear they aren't completely noise cancelling, but this can be an advantage in some situations and it's the choice you make when deciding which style of headphone to go for.

Overall, I would recommend these and they'll certainly be getting lots of use.

The Beats Solo 4 headphones feature the iconic Beats aesthetic with a sleek, minimalist design and vibrant color options. They are compact and lightweight, making them highly portable. The adjustable headband and cushioned ear cups provide a decent fit, though users with larger ears may find them slightly snug during extended use. The build quality feels premium, with durable materials that can withstand everyday wear and tear.

Audio Performance

As expected from Beats, the Solo 4 delivers a bass-heavy sound profile, making it a great choice for hip-hop, EDM, and pop music fans. The mids and highs are clear but can feel slightly overshadowed by the powerful low end. While audiophiles may find the soundstage somewhat limited, casual listeners will likely enjoy the energetic and immersive audio.

Battery Life

Battery life is a strong point for the Solo 4. With up to 40 hours of playtime, these headphones easily last through multiple days of use on a single charge. The Fast Fuel feature is a standout, providing up to 3 hours of playback with just a 5-minute charge—perfect for last-minute needs.

Features and Connectivity

The Solo 4 offers seamless wireless connectivity via Bluetooth, with minimal latency and stable performance. Pairing with Apple devices is especially smooth thanks to the integration of the W1 chip. The on-ear controls are intuitive, allowing users to adjust volume, skip tracks, and take calls without needing to reach for their devices. However, noise isolation is passive rather than active, meaning they rely on the snug fit of the ear cups rather than advanced ANC technology.

Comfort

While the headphones are comfortable for short to moderate listening sessions, the on-ear design may cause discomfort during extended wear, especially for users sensitive to pressure on their ears. This is a common trade-off with on-ear headphones compared to over-ear models.

Price

The Beats Solo 4 headphones are positioned in the mid-to-high price range. While they offer great design and bass-heavy sound, some competitors in this range provide features like active noise cancellation or higher audio fidelity.

Verdict

The Beats Solo 4 headphones are a great option for those who value style, portability, and bass-forward sound.

I've used Beats for years & these are an upgrade from a pair of 8 year old Solo 2.

Everything about them looks & feels good, from the sustainable packaging to the colour. They feel slicker & have an updated design & controls from previous models. The case is neat & has handy inbuilt pockets for the charger & aux cable.

I love the aux as I use headphones most days for long periods, so being able to switch when I don't have time to charge is perfect. Especially as the battery lasts so long compared to some others - so I sometimes forget they do need charging! The battery life seems to have improved in this model too, which I didn't think was possible!

They're easy to power on, pair & turn off. The navigation for the music & call controls is straightforward & helpfully explained in the guide.

The cushions are comfy & unit is light which makes for easy wearing. Sadly, I can confirm they still trap hair, so those of us with long curly locks take care when taking them off as you can get strands wrapped in the crevices of the ear pieces.

I'd say these are a snug fit, which can cause an echoing effect to sounds I'm making. My own talking when on calls is really loud & I sometimes have to slip an ear off but I'm sure this will become less as they stretch & the cushions adapt to my ears. Same with my own footsteps - when not playing sound they're really loud.

I was expecting more in the way of sound control & was a little disappointed to see no noise cancellation controls. Whilst they do block out background sounds very well, there is no option to enhance that feature or turn on regular or transparency modes, which I'd really appreciate to enable me to still engage with colleagues & also for safety when walking / travelling.

For music the listening experience is fantastic! Can't beat them in my opinion!

I'm hoping these will last as long as my last pair and have no doubt they'll continue to demonstrate the longevity and reliability of Beats.