Beats Solo 4 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones
Beats Solo 4 prioritizes value and all-day portability with lightweight on-ear design and exceptional 50-hour battery life, making them ideal for casual listeners and travelers. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones command premium pricing ($429 vs $199) for industry-leading active noise cancellation, superior over-ear comfort, CustomTune calibration, and aptX Adaptive codec support—features absent from Beats. Sound quality favors Bose's larger 35mm drivers and processing, though Beats offer lossless wired audio via USB-C. Battery endurance is Beats' strength at 50 hours versus Bose's 24 hours with ANC enabled. For commuters and professionals prioritizing noise isolation and audio fidelity, Bose justifies its cost. Budget-conscious users seeking extended wireless playback should choose Beats Solo 4.
Full Specifications
| Spec | Beats Solo 4 | Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones |
|---|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancelling | ||
| Type | on-ear | over-ear |
| Weight | 217 g | 254 g |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 50 hrs | 24 hours ANC on (18 hours with Immersive Audio) |
| Charging | USB-C, 10-min Fast Fuel for 5 hrs | USB-C, 15 min = 2.5 hours quick charge |
| Drivers | 40 mm transducer with custom acoustic platform | 35mm dynamic |
| 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 | Bose Immersive Audio, CustomTune sound calibration, Snapdragon Sound with aptX Adaptive, Multipoint pairing, Aware Mode with ActiveSense |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wired option | ||
| Codecs | AAC, SBC | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Multipoint | ||
| Water Resistance | None | None |
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 Ultra Headphones
Pros
- Best-in-class noise cancellation
- Exceptionally comfortable for long wear
- Immersive Audio spatial feature works well
- Supports aptX Adaptive over Bluetooth
Cons
- Battery life shorter than Sony XM5
- Immersive Audio significantly drains battery
- No LDAC for Android hi-res streaming
- Touch controls can be finicky
- Pricey
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Explore more in headphones, see all Beats products or all Bose products. View full details for the Beats Solo 4 or the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones.