Yes, the Beats Solo 4 have active noise cancelling, but it works differently than you might expect

The Beats Solo 4 include active noise cancelling (ANC), which means they use microphones and processing to reduce outside sound rather than just blocking it physically. However, the Solo 4's noise cancelling is less aggressive than you'll find on over-ear Beats models like the Studio Pro or on competing headphones from Sony or Bose. The Solo 4 are on-ear headphones — they sit on top of your ears rather than around them — and that design limits how much sound they can seal out.

If you're comparing the Solo 4 to other on-ear options, the noise cancelling is competitive. If you're comparing them to over-ear headphones, you'll notice the difference. The Solo 4 work best in moderate noise environments like offices, coffee shops, or public transit. In very loud settings like airports or construction zones, you'll still hear a lot of background sound even with ANC turned on.

Key Takeaways

  • The Beats Solo 4 have active noise cancelling that reduces ambient sound, but it's less powerful than over-ear Beats models because of their on-ear design.
  • Noise cancelling works best in moderate noise environments like offices and trains, not in very loud spaces like airports.
  • You can toggle noise cancelling on and off through the Beats app or by pressing the button on the left ear cup.
  • Battery life drops from about 40 hours to around 30 hours when you use noise cancelling continuously.

How the Solo 4 noise cancelling actually performs

The Solo 4's noise cancelling reduces low-frequency rumble — the kind of sound that comes from engines, air conditioning, or traffic. It does this reasonably well for an on-ear headphone. You'll notice the difference when you turn it on, especially if you're in a steady, predictable noise environment. The effect is less dramatic than what you get from over-ear headphones because the on-ear design doesn't create as tight a seal around your ears.

High-frequency sounds like voices, keyboard typing, or a dog barking are harder for the Solo 4 to cancel. The headphones will reduce these sounds somewhat, but you'll still hear them. This is a limitation of the on-ear form factor, not a flaw in the Solo 4 specifically — most on-ear headphones struggle with high-frequency noise for the same reason.

The noise cancelling also works better when you're sitting still than when you're moving around. If you're walking or on a moving vehicle, the headphones have to work harder to predict and cancel the changing noise around you, so the effect weakens.

Turning noise cancelling on and off

You control noise cancelling through two methods. The easiest is the physical button on the left ear cup — press it once to toggle between noise cancelling on, noise cancelling off, and Transparency mode (which lets outside sound in). You can also control it through the Beats app on your phone, which gives you more granular options and lets you see your battery level at the same time.

Transparency mode is worth trying if you need to hear your surroundings. It uses the same microphones as noise cancelling but does the opposite — it amplifies outside sound so you can hear conversations or traffic warnings without taking the headphones off. This is useful if you're wearing the Solo 4 while working and need to hear someone approach your desk, or if you're outside and want to stay aware of traffic.

Battery life with noise cancelling on

The Beats Solo 4 are rated for about 40 hours of battery life with noise cancelling off. With noise cancelling on, that drops to around 30 hours. The difference exists because the headphones are constantly running the microphones and processing power needed to cancel sound, which drains the battery faster.

In practical terms, 30 hours means you can use the Solo 4 with noise cancelling for several weeks before you need to charge them, assuming you're not wearing them all day every day. If you do wear them constantly, you'll need to charge them roughly once a week. The headphones charge via USB-C, and a full charge takes about an hour.

When the Solo 4 noise cancelling works well

The Solo 4 are a good choice for noise cancelling if you spend time in offices, coffee shops, libraries, or on public transit. They reduce the constant hum of these environments enough that you can focus on music or calls without constantly raising the volume. They're also light and portable, so you can carry them easily if you move between different spaces during the day.

They work less well if you need to block out sudden, unpredictable noise or very loud environments. If you're in a loud gym, a construction site, or an airport terminal, the noise cancelling won't eliminate the sound — it will just take the edge off. For those situations, over-ear headphones with more aggressive noise cancelling would be a better choice.

Comparing Solo 4 noise cancelling to other Beats models

Beats makes several headphone models, and they have different levels of noise cancelling. The Beats Studio Pro are over-ear headphones with more powerful noise cancelling than the Solo 4 because they create a better seal around your entire ear. The Beats Fit Pro are earbuds with noise cancelling that's comparable to the Solo 4 in strength but works differently because they sit inside your ear canal. The Beats Solo 3 (the previous generation) did not have active noise cancelling at all, only passive sound isolation from the on-ear design.

If noise cancelling is your main priority, the Studio Pro are the better Beats option. If you want something lighter and more portable, the Solo 4 offer a middle ground — they have noise cancelling, but it's not as powerful as over-ear models. The choice depends on where you'll use them and how much noise reduction you actually need.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use noise cancelling, or can I turn it off?

You can turn noise cancelling off completely. Press the button on the left ear cup to cycle through the modes, or use the Beats app to disable it. Many people turn it off when they're not in a noisy environment to save battery life, though the difference is only about 10 hours over the headphones' total lifespan.

Will noise cancelling work if I'm on a phone call?

Yes, noise cancelling works during calls. The microphones that cancel ambient sound are separate from the microphone that picks up your voice, so the other person will hear you clearly even though you're hearing less background noise. This makes the Solo 4 useful for taking calls in busy environments.

Can I use noise cancelling with any audio source, or just music?

Noise cancelling works with anything — music, podcasts, audiobooks, videos, or calls. It doesn't matter what's playing through the headphones. The noise cancelling is always working on the outside sound, independent of what you're listening to.

What's the difference between noise cancelling and just turning up the volume?

Noise cancelling actively reduces outside sound using microphones, so you can hear your music at a lower, safer volume. Turning up the volume just makes your music louder, which can damage your hearing over time and doesn't actually reduce the background noise — you're just covering it up. Noise cancelling is the better option for your ears.