This article is part of our seriesBattle of the Brands, in which we compare category-leading products to their counterparts to determine which are actually worth your money.
A new Beats launch is always exciting. At the same time, it can lead to tough choices. The Solo 4 just entered the market and have garnered wide praise, while the flagship Beats Studio Pro remain heavily popular among Apple users wanting a more versatile alternative to the steeply priced AirPods Max.
Similarities are abundant between the two sets of headphones. Sound is rich and well-balanced. Feature sets are almost identical and include Apple’s spatial audio, multiplatform support and many of the AirPods Max’s perks. Their designs even take on the iconic look of past brand releases.
Clearly, these are two of the best Apple headphones and best Beats headphones money can buy. As for which is better, that’s debatable. We thoroughly tested these entries to give you a greater sense of which is Beats’ top performer. Scroll through our comparison to find out the winner.
Beats Solo 4 vs. Beats Studio Pro at a glance
This terrific revision of Beats’ most successful headphone welcomes stronger battery life, connectivity and sound at low cost access.
Read our review
If you stuff Apple’s best features and noteworthy Android integration into Beats packaging, you get these wonderful headphones.
Read our review
Quick specs comparison
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Active noise cancellation | No | Yes |
| Ambient noise | No | Yes |
| Battery life (rated) | 50 hrs. (ANC off) | 24 hrs. (ANC on), 40 hrs. (ANC off) |
| Fast charging | 10-min. charge = 5 hrs. | 10-min. charge = 4 hrs. |
| Wired support | Yes (3.5mm-to-2.5mm audio cable, USB-C-to-USB-C cable) | Yes (3.5mm-to-2.5mm audio cable, USB-C-to-USB-C cable) |
| Weight | 7.6 oz. | 9.17 oz. |
| Colors | Cloud Pink, Matte Black, Slate Blue | Black, Deep Brown, Navy, Sandstone |
| Charging | USB-C | USB-C |
The Studio Pro have the edge on sound quality
Custom 40mm drivers sit underneath the Studio Pro’s hood and they produce vibrant, dynamic sound that can be customized in a variety of ways. Bass is impactful and leaves room for mids and highs to breathe. USB-C wired mode opens the door for lossless audio when playing tracks on some of the best music streaming services like Apple Music and Tidal. The feature also lets you enable three EQs that were specifically made for the Studio Pro — Conversation, Entertainment and Signature — each well-engineered for its purpose. Personalized spatial audio creates immersive sound for Dolby Atmos content. ANC is a huge bonus that eliminates up to 85% of ambient noise to enjoy music peacefully. Lastly, you can utilize iOS settings like EQ to change the frequency range, along with the sound-enhancing features on your favorite streaming platforms and Apple TV (these five simple tricks can boost audio on the digital streamer).
The Solo 4 are a major sound upgrade from their predecessor. Beats’ new 40mm transducers succeed at delivering more clarity and steady bass. The open-ear design gives music an airy presence that still packs a punch. However, the low end is aggressive on boom-heavy tracks and masks highs. Listeners can personalize sound via personalized spatial audio, USB-C wired mode for lossy playback and the different sound settings in iOS or on popular streaming platforms. If only the Solo 4 supported the Studio Pro’s EQs and noise cancellation.
TL;DR: These two models pump out satisfying audio, but the Studio Pro are better engineered across the board.
Battery life goes to the Solo 4
Beats blessed the Solo 4 with 50 hours of listening time, whereas the Studio Pro hold up to 40 hours (24 hours with ANC on). Battery drainers like high volume and spatial audio bring these playtimes down by three to five hours, depending on usage. Fast Fuel technology is the charging solution used on both devices, and it’s slightly stronger on the Solo 4: a 10-minute charge gets you five hours of use, which is one hour more than what the Studio Pro generate.
TL;DR: The extra 10 hours offered by the Solo 4 make a difference when traveling, though the Studio Pro are just as reliable for long commutes.
Features and performance favor the Studio Pro
The Solo 4 and Studio Pro employ Beats’ proprietary chipset for iOS/macOS and Android support. Apple users can use standard features such as automatic switching, audio sharing, Find My Device, “Hey Siri” voice activation and some of the previously mentioned audio settings. Meanwhile, Android users have Google’s Find My Device feature, one-tap Fast Pair and the Beats app at their disposal.
More functionality is given to the Studio Pro, which carry more app settings and upscale features such as active noise cancellation, built-in EQs for customizing sound and Live Listen for using your iPhone as a microphone to send audio to your headphones.
TL;DR: The Solo 4 and Studio Pro guarantee optimal performance across all platforms, but the latter come with several extras that enhance the user experience.
Classic designs with comfort issues
There’s no denying the aesthetic appeal of Beats products. After all, this is the company responsible for making headphones a fashion accessory. Both the on-ear Solo 4 and over-ear Studio Pro are handsome models that bear trademark details: a compact frame, gorgeous colors and the multifunctional B button. Every component is sturdy except for the fragile hinges that have yet to be reinforced.
Unfortunately, neither headphone makes for a comfortable wear due to excessive clamp force. A lot of unwanted pressure is applied to your ears, and that becomes exhausting after two hours of use. The Studio Pro’s over-ear design may give you a bit more breathing room, but know that both these headphones come with an adjustment period.
TL;DR: Beauty can also be painful.
Bottom line
In the end, it all comes down to the greater value. That would be the Studio Pro. You’re getting adaptive ANC, lengthy playtimes and more listening modes for an extra $100. We’ve even seen these headphones sell for as low as $170, which could occur again during the best Black Friday deals and Cyber Monday deals. The more mature color options and remarkable voice calling complete these bad boys.
The Solo 4 are an excellent update that improve on multiple series hallmarks, including audio, design and platform integration. Having the longest battery life of any Apple-made headphone increases their worth. Features aren’t as abundant, and their discomfort may be a deal breaker for some. Whether you want to deal with these flaws to save is up to you.
