Beats Solo 4 vs Beats Studio Pro

Beats headphones remain hugely popular for their style and brand recognition, even as the audio quality has been iffy over the years. The company’s latest releases are the Beats Solo 4 Wireless on-ear headphones following the Beats Studio Pro over-ear noise canceling model from last year. If you’re trying to decide between these two Beats headphones, there are some important differences to consider in terms of design, features, and performance. Let’s dig in.

Editor’s note: this article was published on May 28, 2024, and is the first version of the article. Updates will follow as the market changes.

What’s it like to use the Beats Solo 4 compared to the Beats Studio Pro?

At first glance, the two headphones seem quite similar in their Beats DNA. Both tout features like Spatial Audio with head tracking and share the brand’s iconic design language. However, dig deeper, and you’ll find some critical differences that will likely make your decision between the Solo 4 and Studio Pro an easy one.

Let’s start with design and fit. The Solo 4 opts for an on-ear form factor, with oval-shaped earpads designed to sit directly on your outer ears. This proves problematic for extended listening sessions, as the outer ears generally can’t bear much weight or pressure before becoming fatigued. Sure enough, the seemingly lightweight Solo 4 starts feeling uncomfortable for most after just 1-2 hours of use.

The Studio Pro, on the other hand, adopts an over-ear design that distributes its weight more evenly. In theory, this should allow for longer, fatigue-free listening periods. However, Beats made the puzzling decision to give the Studio Pro relatively small oval earcups. This means anyone with average-sized ears or larger will likely encounter fit issues, compromising the over-ear design’s comfort and noise isolation advantages.

Both headphones feature a plastic construction with some metal reinforcement for durability. The Solo 4 can fold up into its included carrying case, making it the more portable option. The Studio Pro folds inward via hinges on the headband and can fit neatly into the carrying pouch. Neither headphone is waterproof as they lack any IP rating, so you’ll want to avoid wearing them in the rain or during a sweaty workout.

How do you control the Beats Solo 4 and Beats Studio Pro?

When it comes to controls, the two models again take divergent approaches. The Solo 4 keeps things minimal with a multifunction button and surrounding volume ring on the left earcup. The Studio Pro opts for a more comprehensive array of physical buttons – a center “system” button for power/pairing/ANC control, along with separate volume and track rings. However, the clicking action of these physical buttons is audible and can become quite grating over time.

Beats Solo 4 controls

Beats Studio Pro controls

Should you use the apps of either Beats Solo 4 or Beats Studio Pro?

Neither headphone offers a particularly robust or customizable companion app experience. The Beats app for Android is required for firmware updates on the Studio Pro but doesn’t add much extra functionality, like EQ adjustment, for either model.

Users with iPhones don’t need an app — which is good, given that the Beats app isn’t on the App Store anyway — so there are no decisions to be made on iOS. Everything is baked into the operating system.

How do the Beats Solo 4 and Beats Studio Pro connect?

Thankfully, both the Solo 4 and Studio Pro deliver on the wireless connectivity front, with support for Bluetooth 5.3 and the SBC/AAC codecs. They also each include 3.5mm audio cables for wired listening. Uniquely, the Studio Pro adds a USB-C port with an internal DAC, allowing it to connect digitally for improved audio quality when wired.

Is battery life better on the Beats Solo 4 or Beats Studio Pro?

Battery life is another clear differentiator between these two Beats headphones. The Solo 4 is an absolute marathon runner, lasting an astonishing 84 hours in testing before needing a recharge. The Studio Pro is still great by over-ear ANC standards at around 31 hours, but it doesn’t come close to the Solo 4’s ultra-enduring longevity.

Both headphones have fast charging, with 10 minutes of charging granting 5 hours of playback on the Beats Solo 4 and 4 hours of playback time on the Beats Studio Pro.

Do the Beats Solo 4 or Beats Studio Pro block noise better?

Of course, for an on-ear model like the Solo 4 to have such impressive battery life, there are certain trade-offs in other areas—chiefly noise isolation. Without the ability to create a proper seal around or over the ear, the Solo 4 inevitably struggles to block out environmental rumbles like bus engines or office chatter. They won’t isolate you from those low-end frequencies, even if they’re able to prevent a notable amount of high-end noise from reaching your ear.

The Studio Pro, conversely, packs active noise cancelation (ANC) along with its over-ear enclosure. With a secure fit, this allows it to hush 50-90% of outside noises across the entire frequency range. However, that “secure fit” proves elusive for many due to the headphones’ smaller-than-average earcups.

Do the Beats Solo 4 sound better than the Beats Studio Pro?

Moving on to sound quality, neither headphone will blow you away like a dedicated audiophile model. But the Studio Pro at least delivers a consumer-friendly, bass-boosted tuning with some added treble emphasis for clarity. When connected digitally over USB, you can even cycle through three EQ presets, including options to further enhance bass or increase vocal projection.

The Solo 4, in contrast, fails to distinguish itself with any kind of standout sound signature. It actually comes up lacking in sub-bass compared to signature Beats tunings of the past. The overall frequency response is rather pedestrian, with mids and bass that simply can’t stack up to the competition at this price point.

See how the frequency response of both headphones compares to the SoundGuys preference curve below:

Do the Beats Solo 4 or Beats Studio Pro have a better microphone?

In terms of voice capabilities, the Studio Pro’s built-in microphone array again underwhelms. Ambient noise easily overpowers your voice in recordings, making these ill-suited for important calls, voice chats, or video conferencing. The Solo 4’s mic fares better with noise rejection, though it still clears only an average bar overall.

Beats Solo 4 microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Beats Studio Pro microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Beats Solo 4 microphone demo (Office conditions):

Beats Studio Pro microphone demo (Office conditions):

Beats Solo 4 vs Beats Studio Pro: Price and availability

Finally, we come to pricing—which may very well be the deciding factor for many. The Beats Solo 4 has a premium asking price of $199 at Best Buy despite being a relatively basic on-ear wireless headphone without ANC. Meanwhile, the Beats Studio Pro costs a lofty $349.99 at Amazon as an over-ear ANC model with digital audio support.

Beats headphones are notorious for having steep sales even shortly after release, particularly during holidays such as Black Friday. So, if you do want to buy, we recommend waiting to snag either of these at a discount when you can. Keep an eye on our deals hub for the latest updates.

Should you get the Beats Solo 4 or Beats Studio Pro?

So, where does this leave prospective Beats buyers? If you can manage to get a good fit, the Studio Pro emerges as the more versatile, well-rounded pick. The ANC, enhanced sound tuning, and wired/wireless connectivity make it worthwhile…provided you’re among the lucky few who don’t have issues with the compact earcups, which, aside from ear size, will be the case if you wear glasses or have long hair.

For most, however, the Solo 4 is simply outclassed for general use. While its extreme battery life and portability are great for travel, the lack of noise isolation or sound quality can’t justify the high pricing. Audiophiles and commuters alike would likely be better served looking elsewhere.

In the end, Beats fans are stuck between the upgraded Studio Pro model that many can’t actually take advantage of due to fit issues or the more limited Solo 4 that fails to deliver on sound and features for the money. It’s a stark choice—spend up for features you may not fully benefit from or settle for an underwhelming experience from a premium brand. This conundrum keeps Beats more of a lifestyle purchase for most buyers rather than an ample audio investment.

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