Beats Solo 4 vs Jabra Elite 85t
The Verdict
Beats Solo 4 and Jabra Elite 85t serve distinctly different priorities. Solo 4 excels with exceptional 50-hour battery life, lossless audio via wired connection, and seamless Apple ecosystem integration through personalized spatial audio and Find My support. Its 40mm transducers deliver warm, engaging sound suited for casual listening. However, it lacks active noise cancellation and water resistance, limiting versatility. Jabra Elite 85t compensates with true ANC powered by 6 microphones, multipoint Bluetooth for switching between devices, and IPX4 water resistance. At 5.5 hours per charge, battery longevity drops significantly, though the case extends total playback to 25 hours. The Elite 85t's adjustable transparency mode and advanced app control offer superior customization. For Apple users prioritizing all-day listening without charging, Solo 4 wins decisively. Conversely, Android users or those needing ANC, portability, and professional features should choose Elite 85t. Sound quality favors Solo 4; functionality favors Jabra.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Beats Solo 4 if…
- →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
Buy the Jabra Elite 85t if…
- →Excellent call quality powered by a 6-microphone system
- →Highly configurable ANC and HearThrough via the Jabra Sound+ app
- →Multipoint Bluetooth allows two simultaneous device connections
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
Jabra Elite 85t
Pros
- Excellent call quality powered by a 6-microphone system
- Highly configurable ANC and HearThrough via the Jabra Sound+ app
- Multipoint Bluetooth allows two simultaneous device connections
- Impressive total battery life of up to 30.5 hours with case
- Wireless charging case included in the box
Cons
- No aptX or LDAC — limited to AAC and SBC
- Heavier per-bud weight can cause fatigue over long sessions
- ANC is effective but not best-in-class for isolating low-frequency noise
- Bulkier case compared to more compact rivals
Full Specifications
| Spec | Beats Solo 4 | Jabra Elite 85t |
|---|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancelling | ||
| Type | on-ear | in-ear |
| Weight | 217 g | 7.0 g (per bud) |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 50 hrs | 5.5 hrs buds (ANC on), 25 hrs additional with case |
| Charging | USB-C, 10-min Fast Fuel for 5 hrs | USB-C, Qi wireless |
| Drivers | 40 mm transducer with custom acoustic platform | 12 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 | Advanced ANC with 6 microphones, HearThrough (transparency) with adjustable level, Jabra Sound+ app with equalizer and HearThrough control, Multipoint Bluetooth for two devices, Semi-open design with adjustable ANC and Transparency, Voice assistant access (Alexa, Google, Siri) |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wired option | ||
| Codecs | AAC, SBC | AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.1 |
| Multipoint | ||
| Water Resistance | None | IPX4 (buds) |
Related Comparisons
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
Explore more in headphones, see all Beats products or all Jabra products. View full details for the Beats Solo 4 or the Jabra Elite 85t.