Beats Solo 4 vs Sony WH-1000XM4
The Verdict
Beats Solo 4 prioritizes portability and battery longevity with its lightweight on-ear design and exceptional 50-hour battery life, making it ideal for travel and casual listening. Sony WH-1000XM4 delivers superior audio quality through LDAC hi-res codec support and 30mm drivers, while its industry-leading active noise cancellation and multipoint Bluetooth connectivity cater to commuters and professionals. Sound quality clearly favors Sony with more advanced codecs and larger drivers, though Beats offers lossless audio via wired connection. Sony's ANC technology is unmatched in its class, whereas Beats forgoes noise cancellation entirely. Battery life strongly favors Beats at 50 hours versus Sony's 30 hours with ANC enabled. For $150 less, Beats Solo 4 provides exceptional value if ANC isn't essential; however, Sony WH-1000XM4's superior noise cancellation and audio fidelity justify its premium price for frequent travelers and audio enthusiasts seeking professional-grade performance.
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 Sony WH-1000XM4 if…
- →Class-leading active noise cancellation that blocks almost all ambient sound
- →LDAC support delivers hi-res wireless audio quality
- →Exceptional 30-hour battery life with fast charging
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
Sony WH-1000XM4
Pros
- Class-leading active noise cancellation that blocks almost all ambient sound
- LDAC support delivers hi-res wireless audio quality
- Exceptional 30-hour battery life with fast charging
- Multipoint Bluetooth connects two devices simultaneously
- Comfortable over-ear fit with plush earcups for long sessions
Cons
- Plastic build feels less premium than rivals at the same price
- Touch controls can be accidentally triggered
- No IP rating — avoid using in rain or at the gym
- Microphone quality is average for calls
Full Specifications
| Spec | Beats Solo 4 | Sony WH-1000XM4 |
|---|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancelling | ||
| Type | on-ear | over-ear |
| Weight | 217 g | 254 g |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 50 hrs | 30 hrs (ANC on) |
| Charging | USB-C, 10-min Fast Fuel for 5 hrs | USB-C, 10-min quick charge for 5 hrs playback |
| Drivers | 40 mm transducer with custom acoustic platform | 30 mm |
| 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 | Industry-leading ANC with Dual Noise Sensor technology, LDAC hi-res wireless audio, Speak-to-Chat auto-pause, Adaptive Sound Control, DSEE Extreme upscaling, Multipoint Bluetooth pairing, Wearing detection |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wired option | ||
| Codecs | AAC, SBC | LDAC, aptX HD, aptX, AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.0 |
| Multipoint | ||
| Water Resistance | None | None |
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 Sony products. View full details for the Beats Solo 4 or the Sony WH-1000XM4.