Beats Solo 4 vs Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II
Beats Solo 4 and Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II serve distinctly different needs at different price points. Beats delivers exceptional value with 50-hour battery life, lossless wired audio capability, and lightweight on-ear comfort—ideal for travelers and casual listeners prioritizing endurance. Bose's earbuds ($100 more) justify their premium through industry-leading active noise cancellation with adjustable modes, true wireless portability, IPX4 water resistance, and CustomTune personalization for critical listening. Solo 4 lacks ANC entirely, limiting utility in noisy environments. Conversely, Bose's 6-hour single-charge battery feels limiting compared to Solo 4's marathon stamina. Choose Beats Solo 4 for all-day listening and value-conscious buyers; select Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II if ANC excellence and true wireless convenience justify the premium investment.
Full Specifications
| Spec | Beats Solo 4 | Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II |
|---|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancelling | ||
| Type | on-ear | in-ear |
| Weight | 217 g | 6.2 g (per bud) |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 50 hrs | 6 hrs buds, up to 24 hrs total with case |
| Charging | USB-C, 10-min Fast Fuel for 5 hrs | USB-C (wireless charging case sold separately) |
| Drivers | 40 mm transducer with custom acoustic platform | 9.3 mm dynamic driver |
| Features | Personalized Spatial Audio with head tracking, Lossless audio via USB-C or 3.5mm cable, Apple and Android Find My support, One-touch pairing with both iOS and Android, Class 1 Bluetooth for extended range, Up to 50 hours of battery life | CustomTune sound calibration, Industry-leading ANC with adjustable modes, Aware Mode with ActiveSense, Stability Band fit kit, Touch controls with volume swipe |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wired option | ||
| Codecs | AAC, SBC | AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Multipoint | ||
| Water Resistance | None | IPX4 (buds) |
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Beats Solo 4
Pros
- 50-hour battery life is the longest in any Beats product
- Works equally well with both iOS and Android — no ecosystem lock-in
- Lossless audio via USB-C is a first for Beats on-ear headphones
- Lighter and more comfortable than Solo 3 at 217 g
- Spatial Audio with head tracking for immersive music
Cons
- No active noise cancellation — odd for $199 in 2024
- On-ear design causes pressure fatigue after extended wear
- AAC/SBC only via Bluetooth — no LDAC or aptX
- Sound leans bass-heavy, which won't suit all genres
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II
Pros
- Arguably the best noise cancellation in any wireless earbud
- CustomTune personalizes sound and ANC to your ears
- Comfortable, secure fit with included Stability Bands
- Excellent natural-sounding Aware mode
- Strong, balanced sound signature
Cons
- No Bluetooth multipoint
- No aptX or hi-res codec support (AAC/SBC only)
- Wireless charging case is sold separately as an accessory
- Bulky case compared to competitors
- No wear-detection auto-pause at launch (added later)
Related Comparisons
- Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II vs Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless
- Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II vs Beats Studio Pro
- Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II vs JBL Tour One M2
- Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II vs Shokz OpenRun Pro 2
- Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II vs Nothing Ear (2)
- Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II vs Jabra Elite 10
Explore more in headphones, see all Beats products or all Bose products. View full details for the Beats Solo 4 or the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II.