No, Solo 4 headphones do not include active noise cancellation; they rely on snug pads for passive isolation.
You’re eyeing the newest on-ear Beats and wondering how much outside noise they tame. The line above gives the direct answer, and the rest of this guide shows what that means in daily use, who will be happy with this design, and when you should step up to a model with digital hush.
What Counts As Noise Cancellation?
Headphones reduce noise in two ways. The first is passive isolation, which comes from cushion density, clamping force, and how well the pads seal around (or on) your ears. The second is active noise cancellation (ANC). ANC uses tiny microphones to sample outside sound and adds an equal-and-opposite waveform to cancel parts of that noise before it reaches your ears. Over-ear sets usually do this best because they surround the ear and have more space for hardware. On-ear sets can offer ANC too, but the pad sits on cartilage, the seal changes more with movement, and low-frequency rumble is harder to null out cleanly.
Noise Cancellation On Solo 4: What You Get
This release keeps things simple: no ANC and no transparency mode. That design choice brings a long play time, fewer modes to manage, and a price aimed at everyday listening. Independent reviews call this out clearly and tie the generous battery life to the absence of power-hungry cancellation circuits; see The Verge’s review for a plain statement of the no-ANC setup. In short, the pads and clamp take the edge off chatter and fan noise, but they won’t hush engine roar on a plane the way strong ANC cans do.
Why This Model Skips ANC
On-ear ANC is tricky to tune because a small shift in pad position changes the seal and lets low-frequency noise leak in. That can trigger the “ear pressure” effect some listeners notice with digital cancellation. By skipping ANC, this set trims weight, keeps controls straightforward, and leans into its strengths: steady fit, quick pairing, wired options, and marathon battery life. It also stays below many over-ear flagships that charge more for strong cancellation.
What The Headphones Do Well
The feature mix targets daily use. One-tap pairing works across iOS and Android, device-finding lives in the companion app, and updates roll in without hassle. A built-in DAC lets you plug in over USB-C for lossless listening at a desk, and there’s a 3.5 mm port for classic wired use. Personalized Spatial Audio widens the stage on supported Apple devices with head tracking for movies and live albums. None of this adds ANC, but it rounds out the package for music, podcasts, and calls.
How Much Noise Gets Blocked Day To Day
Desk work: Keyboard clicks and low HVAC hum dull down. A coworker’s voice a few seats away still slips through a bit, which some people prefer so they don’t miss a name call.
Commute: Mid-range chatter fades; deeper bus or metro rumble remains audible. Music at a moderate level masks much of it without cranking volume to painful levels.
Gym: Treadmill whirr and background music blend with your playlist. The clamp keeps the set steady on a bike or during light runs.
Flights: The constant roar breaks through. You can turn volume up to cover it, but that leads to fatigue across long stretches. If long-haul travel is a regular thing, an over-ear ANC model is a better match.
Simple Ways To Improve Isolation
- Dial in the fit: Adjust the sliders so the center of each pad lines up with the ear canal. A few millimeters matter.
- Keep pads fresh: Worn or flattened pads leak sound. Swapping cushions restores the seal cheaply.
- Use wired when you can: USB-C audio lowers latency and can help you run lower volume in noisy spots.
- Try sound masking: Brown-noise or cafe-ambience playlists help in open offices where digital hush isn’t available.
If You Need True Noise Cancelling
Some listeners want a quiet bubble for flights, shared workspaces, or study halls. In the Beats lineup, the over-ear Studio Pro brings digital cancellation and a roomier fit that surrounds the ear. An older on-ear release, the Solo Pro, shipped with Pure ANC and a fold-to-power design. If you prefer the smaller form factor but want digital hush, tracking down that older model can make sense. If comfort and isolation top your list, step up to the over-ear set with ANC.
Quick Comparison Against Siblings
Think of this on-ear model as the “always ready” daily set: light, compact, and long-lasting. Studio Pro is the travel buddy for loud spaces, with stronger quiet and plush pads. Solo Pro sits between them on size but adds Pure ANC and a different control scheme. Prices and colorways move with sales, so timing matters.
Sound, Mics, And Battery At A Glance
Sound: Smooth, with a modest bass lift, cleaner mids than older on-ear Beats, and crisp treble that avoids glare. Vocals land forward enough for talk shows and news without dulling guitars or piano.
Calls: Beamforming mics handle street noise well for quick chats. Outdoors in wind, clarity drops a little, but callers still hear you.
Endurance: Wireless play time reaches up to 50 hours on a full charge. A short top-off nets hours of music thanks to fast-charge support. Plugging in over USB-C gives lossless playback while also avoiding battery drain.
Pairing, Apps, And Wired Listening
Setup on iPhone and iPad pops a card for one-tap connect. Android gets the same ease through Google Fast Pair and the Beats app. The app covers firmware, EQ presets, and device switching. USB-C audio acts like a tiny external sound card for laptops without a headphone jack. If you prefer old-school wired, the analog cable works too. For an official feature rundown straight from the brand, check the Beats Solo 4 tech specs.
Who Should Pick This On-Ear Set
- Students and commuters who want light weight, long battery life, and a tidy fold that slips into a backpack.
- Gym-goers who like a steady clamp for cycling and circuit work without bulky ear cups.
- Office listeners who prefer some awareness of coworkers without pulling an ear cup off to chat.
- Budget-minded buyers who value endurance and wired flexibility over digital hush.
When You Should Pick Something Else
Choose an over-ear ANC model if cabin roar and subway rumble are daily companions. Pick in-ear buds with foam tips if you want small size and stronger isolation in tight spaces. Within the same brand, Studio Pro brings ANC with a comfortable over-ear seal. If you want on-ear fit plus digital quiet, the older Solo Pro is still worth a look at reputable retailers.
Comfort And Build Notes
The flex-grip headband spreads pressure better than earlier versions, and the sliders hold position once set. The ear cushions are soft, with angled cups that help align drivers with the ear canal. Clamp force starts firm and loosens slightly after a week. On long flights, over-ear pads feel gentler on cartilage; on-ear cushions press on the ear and can warm up across hours. The included pouch slips into a laptop sleeve and keeps the finish from scuffing in transit.
Controls And Everyday Workflow
Playback and volume sit under your thumb on the left cup. Double-press skips forward; triple-press goes back. A quick hold triggers your phone’s assistant. The right side hosts the power button and status LED. Pairing another device takes seconds: hold power until the light pulses and open Bluetooth settings. The layout is simple enough to run by feel while walking.
Connectivity And Codecs
Wireless range is strong enough to pace a room or step into the next one without dropouts. Multipoint lets you keep a laptop and phone connected at the same time for calls and music handoffs. Codec support covers the common standards most phones ship with. When you want zero latency or lossless playback, plug in over USB-C or 3.5 mm and you’re set.
Table: ANC And Feature Snapshot
| Model | Noise Control | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Solo 4 (On-Ear) | No ANC; passive isolation | Up to 50 hrs battery; USB-C and 3.5 mm; Spatial Audio |
| Solo Pro (On-Ear) | Pure ANC + transparency | Shorter battery with ANC; fold-to-power design |
| Studio Pro (Over-Ear) | ANC + transparency | Over-ear seal; USB-C audio; better for flights |
Buying Tips And Price Watch
Street prices shift with sales, but this on-ear set launched around the two-hundred-dollar mark. Colorways rotate, and limited shades can move fast. Match your needs to the feature set before you click buy: if quiet travel is the goal, skip to an ANC model; if you want long battery life, smooth pairing, and two wired options, this one fits the brief. For a third-party snapshot that spells out the no-ANC design and the battery claim, revisit The Verge’s review; for official features and connectivity details, the Beats Solo 4 tech specs page lays them out clearly.
Final Take
This on-ear release skips digital hush and leans into speed, stamina, and convenience. If your day is calls, playlists, and commutes where some awareness helps, it’s a smart pick. If you travel often or share loud spaces, go for a model with ANC. Know the difference, match the feature set to your routine, and you’ll be happier with what lands on your head.