Beats Studio Pro vs Beats Solo 4: The Ultimate Beats Headphone Showdown

Based on expert measurements from SoundGuys, RTINGS, and real user experiences across Reddit, Amazon, and enthusiast forums

The short answer: The Beats Studio Pro wins this fight for most buyers. It offers active noise cancellation the Solo 4 lacks entirely, noticeably better sound quality with 80% less distortion, and USB-C lossless audio with three EQ presets. While the Solo 4 has longer battery life and costs less, the missing ANC at $200 is hard to justify in 2026. Get Beats Studio Pro on Amazon for $179 →

The Fighters

	Beats Studio Pro	Beats Solo 4
Price	$179 on Amazon (MSRP $349)	$129 on Amazon (MSRP $199)
Best For	Commuters, travelers, ANC users	Casual listeners, portability seekers
Style	Over-ear	On-ear
Weight	260g	217g
ANC	Yes	No
Battery	40 hours (24 with ANC)	50 hours

Beats Studio Pro wireless headphones in black - official product image showing the over-ear design with premium headband

The Death Match: 6 Rounds, 1 Winner

We're scoring each round from 1-10. Higher score wins the round. Let's fight!

Round 1: Sound Quality

The Studio Pro brings serious audio improvements to the Beats lineup. With custom 40mm drivers featuring 25% larger Neodymium magnets and a two-layer diaphragm, Beats claims 80% less distortion than the Studio 3. SoundGuys' simulated listener panel gave it a 4.8/5 rating for sound quality satisfaction.

The Solo 4 tells a different story. Independent measurements reveal underemphasis from 20Hz through 800Hz and overemphasis from 3kHz to 9kHz—meaning weak bass and harsh highs. Reviewers describe the bass as "impactful at times but wooly at others" with muddy mids that lack punch. Surprisingly for Beats, the Solo 4 isn't bass-heavy enough.

The Studio Pro also unlocks USB-C lossless audio with three built-in EQ presets: Signature (classic Beats sound), Entertainment (movies and gaming), and Conversation (enhanced voice clarity). The Solo 4 has USB-C but no DAC features or EQ options.

Beats Studio Pro	Beats Solo 4
8/10	6/10

Round 1 Winner: Studio Pro — Superior drivers with USB-C lossless audio leave the Solo 4 in the dust.

Score after Round 1: Studio Pro 8 | Solo 4 6

Round 2: Noise Cancellation

This round ends before it starts. The Studio Pro has ANC. The Solo 4 does not. At all.

The Studio Pro's active noise cancellation blocks 50-90% of noise depending on frequency. Tom's Guide calls it "good but not great"—strong enough to silence background conversations but not enough for jet engines or subway trains. Still, for office work, coffee shops, and flights, it makes a real difference.

Digital Trends points out that with the Solo 4, "in noisy environments—airplanes, busy coffee shops, bustling offices—you'll hear everything happening around you." For $200, the lack of even basic ANC is a significant miss, especially when competitors like the $100 Soundcore Space One include it.

Beats Studio Pro	Beats Solo 4
8/10	3/10

Round 2 Winner: Studio Pro — You can't compete with nothing. ANC is essential for modern headphones.

Score after Round 2: Studio Pro 16 | Solo 4 9

Round 3: Comfort

Neither headphone excels here, but for different reasons.

The Studio Pro's over-ear design should be more comfortable, but Beats made a puzzling choice: the earcups are unusually small, almost on-ear sized. SoundGuys notes "anyone with average-sized ears or larger will likely encounter fit issues." The clamping force is strong (though it loosens over time), and the shallow earcup depth means the cushions touch your pinnae. Glasses wearers report particular discomfort, and the folding hinge catches hair.

The Solo 4's on-ear design inherently puts pressure on your outer ear. TechRadar found that "after 1.5-2 hours, ears get sore" due to the feeble headband padding and poor weight distribution. Even at 217g, the pressure concentrates uncomfortably. Transatlantic flight reviewers found them significantly worse than over-ear alternatives.

Beats Solo 4 wireless on-ear headphones in matte black - angled view showing the compact, portable design

Beats Studio Pro	Beats Solo 4
6/10	5/10

Round 3 Winner: Studio Pro — Over-ear design edges out on-ear, despite the small earcups.

Score after Round 3: Studio Pro 22 | Solo 4 14

Round 4: Battery Life & Features

The Solo 4 finally strikes back. It's rated for 50 hours of playback—TechGearLab measured an incredible 73-84 hours in standardized testing. That's enough for several transatlantic flights without charging.

The Studio Pro offers 40 hours without ANC or 24 hours with it on. Still respectable, but the Solo 4's marathon endurance is genuinely impressive. Both support Fast Fuel quick charging (about 4-5 hours of playback from 10 minutes), and both use Bluetooth 5.3 with stable connections.

However, both headphones share frustrating omissions: no auto-pause/wear detection (leave them on and you'll drain the battery), no multipoint connection, no in-app EQ customization, and no automatic device switching like AirPods. For premium-priced headphones in 2026, these missing features hurt.

Beats Studio Pro	Beats Solo 4
7/10	8/10

Round 4 Winner: Solo 4 — Exceptional 50+ hour battery life overcomes the missing smart features.

Score after Round 4: Studio Pro 29 | Solo 4 22

Round 5: Build Quality & Portability

The Solo 4 wins portability easily at 217g versus 260g. It's 43 grams lighter, more compact when folded, and fits easily in a backpack or large pocket. SoundGuys calls them "perfect for commuters or anyone who values portability over bulk."

Build quality is a different story. The Studio Pro features a brushed metal headband that feels sturdy, though reviewers note "the other components—headband padding, controls, earcups—are all constructed from lower-grade plastic" that creaks and collects dirt. Compared to competitors like the Sennheiser Momentum 4, it looks cheap at the price.

The Solo 4 has a rubber coating that resists fingerprints poorly and tends to stick to hair. Neither model has water or sweat resistance, limiting their workout appeal compared to Beats' earbud lineup.

Beats Studio Pro	Beats Solo 4
6/10	7/10

Round 5 Winner: Solo 4 — Lighter weight and better portability win this round despite similar build quality concerns.

Score after Round 5: Studio Pro 35 | Solo 4 29

Round 6: Value for Money

At current sale prices ($179 for Studio Pro vs $129 for Solo 4), the Studio Pro represents remarkable value. AppleInsider reports the Studio Pro at 49% off MSRP—$170 in savings. For that $50 premium over the Solo 4, you get ANC, significantly better sound quality, and USB-C lossless audio.

CNN Underscored's verdict is clear: "The $70 difference is justified if you'll use the ANC and better sound quality regularly." At current street prices, that gap is only $50.

The Solo 4 at $129 isn't bad, but the lack of ANC at any price point above $100 feels dated. You're paying a style tax rather than getting competitive features. For budget buyers, the Solo 4 during deeper sales (it's hit $99) becomes more attractive.

Beats Studio Pro	Beats Solo 4
8/10	6/10

Round 6 Winner: Studio Pro — More features for only $50 more makes this an easy call.

Person relaxing at home with headphones listening to music on their smartphone - lifestyle image

Final Score

Product	Total Score	Verdict
Beats Studio Pro	43/60	WINNER
Beats Solo 4	35/60

The Winner: Beats Studio Pro

The Studio Pro wins this Beats family battle decisively. The presence of ANC alone is worth the $50 price difference—it transforms these from casual headphones into legitimate daily drivers for commuters, remote workers, and travelers. Add significantly better sound quality with 80% less distortion, USB-C lossless audio with customizable EQ presets, and the over-ear design's superior isolation, and the value proposition becomes clear.

The Studio Pro isn't perfect. The small earcups remain a bizarre design choice that will frustrate people with average or larger ears. The missing smart features (auto-pause, multipoint, wear detection) feel outdated for $349 MSRP headphones. And competitors like the Sony WH-1000XM5 still outperform it on ANC and sound. But for buyers committed to the Beats ecosystem, the Studio Pro delivers where it matters most.

Ready to buy the winner? Get Beats Studio Pro on Amazon for $179 →

When the Loser Actually Wins

The Beats Solo 4 isn't right for everyone, but it's the better choice if:

You prioritize extreme portability — At 217g and with a compact fold, the Solo 4 disappears into bags better than the bulkier Studio Pro
You need marathon battery life — 50+ hours (tested up to 84) means you can forget about charging for weeks
You listen mostly in quiet environments — Without ANC, you'll want a home office or library, not a subway
Budget is tight — At $99-129 during sales, the Solo 4 costs significantly less
You prefer on-ear styling — Some people genuinely prefer the lighter on-ear feel for shorter sessions

Beats Solo 4 might be right for you: Check price on Amazon →

Frequently Asked Questions

Young person enjoying music with headphones and smartphone - technology and lifestyle image

Do Beats Solo 4 have noise cancellation?

No. The Beats Solo 4 have zero active noise cancellation—a significant omission at the $200 price point. They rely entirely on passive isolation from the ear cushions, which provides moderate noise blocking but can't compete with ANC headphones. If you need noise cancellation, the Studio Pro is your only Beats option in this comparison.

Are Beats Studio Pro worth it over Solo 4?

Yes, for most buyers. At current sale prices ($179 vs $129), you get ANC, better sound quality with 80% less distortion, and USB-C lossless audio with three EQ presets for just $50 more. The only reasons to choose the Solo 4 are extreme portability needs, marathon battery requirements (50+ hours), or a significantly tighter budget.

How long do Beats Studio Pro last on a charge?

The Studio Pro delivers 40 hours of playback without ANC or 24 hours with ANC enabled. Fast Fuel provides about 4 hours of listening from a 10-minute charge. Note that neither model has auto-pause, so forgetting to manually pause will drain the battery.

Can I use Beats Solo 4 for calls?

Yes, but call quality is just decent—not exceptional. Both models support hands-free calls, though neither matches dedicated communication headsets. The Studio Pro's ANC helps reduce background noise on your end during calls, giving it an edge in noisy environments.

Which Beats headphones are better for working out?

Neither is ideal for workouts. Both lack water/sweat resistance ratings, making them risky for intense exercise. For active use, consider the Beats Powerbeats Pro or Beats Fit Pro earbuds, which feature IPX4 water resistance and secure fits designed for movement.