Beats Studio Pro Vs. Beats Solo 4: Which One Is Better?

If you are standing in an airport kiosk or browsing online, the current Beats lineup can be confusing. You have the Beats Studio Pro, the flagship over-ear model that promises silence, and the Beats Solo 4, the newer, lighter on-ear model that promises to never run out of battery.

I have used both extensively—taking the Studio Pro on long-haul flights and using the Solo 4 for gym sessions and daily commutes. The decision comes down to two simple factors: isolation vs. portability.

Do you need to shut out the world (Studio Pro), or do you need a headset that disappears into your bag and lasts for a week on a single charge (Solo 4)? In this guide, I will break down the real-world feel, the sound differences, and which one is actually worth your money.

A Brief Comparison Table

My Experience With Beats Studio Pro

The Beats Studio Pro is the spiritual successor to the Studio 3, a headphone you have likely seen on the head of every athlete for the last decade.

When I first put the Studio Pro on, the familiarity was instant, but the refinement was obvious.

The ear cushions are significantly upgraded—Beats calls it “UltraPlush” leather, and it feels memory-foam dense.

My primary use case for these was “focus mode.”

I used them in a noisy coffee shop and on a flight. The Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is strong.

It doesn’t quite reach the “black hole of silence” level of Sony or Bose, but it easily cuts out the hum of an airplane engine or the chatter of the table next to me. The sound profile is surprisingly mature; the overwhelming, muddy bass of the old Beats is gone, replaced by a punchy but clear low end that doesn’t drown out the vocals.

One unique feature I loved was the USB-C Lossless Audio. When I plugged them directly into my laptop via USB-C to edit a video, the internal DAC kicked in, offering higher fidelity sound and three specific EQ profiles (Signature, Entertainment, Conversation). It’s a geeky feature, but a very cool one for a “consumer” headphone.

Pros Of Beats Studio Pro

• Active Noise Cancellation (ANC): This is the dealbreaker feature. If you travel or work in loud environments, you need this. The Transparency mode (which pipes outside sound in so you can hear announcements) is also excellent and sounds very natural.
• Over-Ear Comfort: Because the cups go around your ears rather than pressing on them, you can wear these for 4-5 hours without fatigue. They create a nice seal without crushing your cartilage.
• USB-C Audio & Charging: You can listen to high-resolution lossless audio while charging the headphones simultaneously with a single USB-C cable. It’s a seamless experience for desk workers.
• Cross-Platform Ecosystem: Unlike AirPods, which favor iPhones, the Studio Pro plays nicely with Android. You get one-touch pairing and “Find My” support on both Google and Apple devices.

Read More: My Thoughts On Manta Sound Sleep Mask 

Cons Of Beats Studio Pro

• The “Plastic” Build: For a headphone that retails for $349 (though often on sale for less), the plastic frame feels a bit cheap. It creaks slightly when you fold it, and it gathers fingerprints easily. It doesn’t feel as premium as the metal-and-leather competition.
• Mediocre Microphone: The call quality is acceptable for a quick check-in, but in a windy environment or a loud office, the microphone struggles to isolate your voice. I wouldn’t recommend these for important Zoom presentations.
• No Wear Detection: It is baffling that these headphones do not pause your music automatically when you take them off. You have to manually hit pause, or the battery will just drain while they sit on your neck.

Maintenance Tips For Studio Pro

• Wipe the Cushions Daily: The “UltraPlush” leather is comfortable but traps sweat. If you don’t wipe them down with a microfiber cloth after use, the material will eventually flake or peel.
• Use the Case: The hinge mechanism is the weak point of the Studio design. Always fold them into the included carrying case when throwing them in a backpack to prevent the hinges from snapping under pressure.
• Update Firmware: Beats pushes updates that improve ANC performance. Keep them paired to your phone to ensure you are running the latest version.

My Experience With Beats Solo 4

The Beats Solo 4 feels like a completely different tool.

It is an on-ear headphone, meaning the cushions sit directly on your ear cartilage.

When I unboxed these, I was shocked by how light they were (217g).

You can barely feel them on your head… until the “clamp” sets in.

To keep the headphones secure without a heavy headband, Beats relies on clamping force.

After about 90 minutes of listening, my ears started to ache slightly—a common trade-off with on-ear designs. However, for the gym, this is a benefit. I ran on a treadmill and did bench presses, and the Solo 4 did not budge. They stay glued to your head.

The standout feature is the battery. 50 hours is absurd. I used the Solo 4 for an entire week—commuting, working out, and listening at home—and I never charged them once. Because they don’t have power-hungry ANC, they just keep going. The sound is classic Beats: fun, energetic, and forward. It lacks the depth of the Studio Pro, but for pop, hip-hop, and podcasts, it is lively and enjoyable.

Pros Of Beats Solo 4

• Battery Life King: 50 hours of playback is legitimate. And if you do run out, a 10-minute “Fast Fuel” charge gives you another 5 hours. You practically never have to worry about these dying.
• Passive Isolation: While they don’t have ANC, the ear cushions are thick and seal well against the ear. They block out a surprising amount of noise purely physically, which is often enough for a gym or a walk.
• Portability: These fold up tiny. The carrying case is soft and compact, taking up half the space of the Studio Pro case. They are the ultimate “throw in your gym bag” headphones.
• 3.5mm Jack (Battery-Free Playback): If the battery does die, you can plug in the 3.5mm analog cable and they still work like traditional wired headphones. The Studio Pro cannot do this (it needs battery to drive the drivers).

Cons Of Beats Solo 4

• Comfort (The “Clamp”): If you wear glasses or have sensitive ears, the Solo 4 might be uncomfortable after an hour. The pressure required to keep them on your ears is significant.
• No Active Noise Cancellation: You will hear the subway screech. You will hear the plane engine. If silence is your goal, the Solo 4 will disappoint you.
• Sound Leakage: Because they sit on the ear rather than sealing around it, sound tends to leak out. If you blast music in a quiet library, the person next to you will hear it.

Read More: Comparison Of Loop Quiet And Loop Quiet 2

Maintenance Tips For Solo 4

• Stretch the Headband: If you find the fit too tight, place the headphones over a slightly wide object (like a box of tissues) overnight to gently relax the clamping force without breaking the band.
• Clean the Headband Insert: The rubber insert at the top of the headband can absorb hair product and oils. Wipe this down with a damp cloth to prevent the rubber from bubbling or peeling over time.
• Jack Maintenance: Since you might use the 3.5mm jack more often with these, ensure the port stays free of pocket lint. Use a toothpick gently to clear it out if the connection gets crackly.

Comparison With Other Brands

If neither of these feels quite right, here is what else you should look at:

• Sony WH-1000XM4/XM5: These are the direct rivals to the Beats Studio Pro. The Sony XM4s are often the same price and offer better noise cancellation and comfort. However, the Beats Studio Pro integrates better with Apple devices (Spatial Audio, “Hey Siri”) while maintaining good Android support. If you want pure silence, buy Sony. If you want style and ecosystem features, buy Beats.
• Soundcore Space One: If you are looking at the Solo 4 because of the price ($130-$199 range), consider the Soundcore Space One. They are over-ear, cheaper, and actually have decent ANC. The build quality isn’t as robust as Beats, and they lack the brand cachet, but on paper, they offer more features for less money.
• JBL Live 460NC: This is one of the few other on-ear headphones with quality features. Unlike the Solo 4, the JBL actually has ANC. However, the battery life is lower, and the style is much more utilitarian.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Conclusion

Choosing between the Beats Studio Pro and the Beats Solo 4 is a choice between two different lifestyles.

I recommend the Beats Studio Pro for commuters, office workers, and travelers. If you need to focus, block out the world, or sit on a 4-hour flight comfortably, the over-ear design and Active Noise Cancellation are non-negotiable. They are the more “grown-up” headphone of the pair.

I recommend the Beats Solo 4 for students, gym-goers, and minimalists. If you want a pair of headphones that you can throw in a backpack, charge once a week, and wear while running on a treadmill without them slipping, the Solo 4 is the champion. They are rugged, light, and endure forever.