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Headphones comparison

Sony WH-1000XM4 vs Beats by Dr. Dre Beats Solo 4

Compare sound, battery life, fit, controls and connections.

Compared products
01Selected
Sony WH-1000XM4

Sony WH-1000XM4

  • Over-ear design surrounds your ears.
  • 254 g.
  • Uses USB-C for charging.
  • Noise cancellation for listening.
  • Bluetooth 5.0.
KSh 25,000In Stock
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02
Beats by Dr. Dre Beats Solo 4

Beats by Dr. Dre Beats Solo 4

  • On-ear design rests on your ears.
  • 217 g.
  • Up to 50 hours per charge.
  • Uses USB-C for charging.
  • No noise cancellation for listening.
KSh 20,800Out of Stock

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2 of 4 products

Our quick verdict

Choose the Sony WH-1000XM4 if you want active noise cancellation and Ambient Sound, Quick Attention. Choose the Beats by Dr. Dre Beats Solo 4 if you want faster recharging (10 minutes), longer battery life (up to 50 hours) and Bluetooth 5.3.

Fit

Sony WH-1000XM4
Over-ear design surrounds your ears
Beats by Dr. Dre Beats Solo 4
On-ear design rests on your ears

Weight

Sony WH-1000XM4
254 g
Beats by Dr. Dre Beats Solo 4
217 g

Connections

Sony WH-1000XM4
Bluetooth 5.0 connection
Beats by Dr. Dre Beats Solo 4
Bluetooth 5.3 connection

Noise cancellation

Sony WH-1000XM4
Noise cancellation
Beats by Dr. Dre Beats Solo 4
No noise cancellation

Battery life

Sony WH-1000XM4
30 hours (ANC on), 38 hours (ANC off)
Beats by Dr. Dre Beats Solo 4
Up to 50 hours per charge

Key differences

The main differences to help you choose.

Sony WH-1000XM4

  • Active noise cancellation.
  • Ambient Sound, Quick Attention.
  • Connection: Bluetooth + Stereo Mini Jack.
  • Connects to two devices at once.
  • LDAC hi-res Bluetooth codec support.

Beats by Dr. Dre Beats Solo 4

  • Recharges faster: 10 minutes (vs 3 hours).
  • Longer rated battery life: up to 50 hours (vs 30 hours).
  • Newer Bluetooth 5.3 (vs 5.0).
  • Lighter: 217 g (vs 254 g).
  • Newer model: released in 2024 (vs 2020).
  • Connection: Class 1 Bluetooth, USB-C audio or 3.5mm audio.

What matters most to you?

Choose any priorities

How each product answers the questions buyers ask most. Tick a topic to add it, untick one to hide it.

More topicsFewer topics
6 priorities selected.
How each product answers the selected priorities
PrioritySony WH-1000XM4Beats by Dr. Dre Beats Solo 4
FitCushioned earcupsUltraPlush on-ear cushions
Weight254 g217 g
Battery life30 hours (ANC on), 38 hours (ANC off)Up to 50 hours per charge
ConnectionsBluetooth 5.0Bluetooth 5.3
Charging10 minutes provides up to 5 hours of playback10 minutes provides up to 5 hours
SoftwareSony / Sound ConnectWorks with the Beats app

Detailed comparison

Explore the full specifications, section by section.

General

General specifications comparison
SpecificationSony WH-1000XM4Beats by Dr. Dre Beats Solo 4
BrandSonyBeats
ModelWH-1000XM4Beats Solo 4
Announced20202024
TypeOver-Ear Wireless HeadphonesOn-Ear Wireless Headphones
ColorBlack, Silver—

Design

Design specifications comparison
SpecificationSony WH-1000XM4Beats by Dr. Dre Beats Solo 4
Weight254g (headphones only)217g
DimensionsHeadphones: 9.94 x 8.03 x 2.85 inches (252 x 204 x 72 mm); Folded: 7.87 x 6.69 x 2.85 inches177 x 158 x 68mm

Battery & Charging

Battery & Charging specifications comparison
SpecificationSony WH-1000XM4Beats by Dr. Dre Beats Solo 4
Battery Life30 hours (ANC on), 38 hours (ANC off); talk time up to 30 hoursUp to 50 hours
Charging TimeApprox. 3 Hours (Full charge)—
Fast Charging10 minutes provides up to 5 hours of playback10 minutes provides up to 5 hours
Charging PortUSB-CUSB-C
Wireless ChargingNo—

Connectivity

Connectivity specifications comparison
SpecificationSony WH-1000XM4Beats by Dr. Dre Beats Solo 4
ConnectionBluetooth + Stereo Mini JackClass 1 Bluetooth, USB-C audio or 3.5mm audio
BluetoothBluetooth 5.0Bluetooth 5.3
Bluetooth RangeLine of sight approx. 30 ft (10 m)—
Multipoint ConnectionTwo devices—
ConnectorGold-plated L-shaped stereo mini plugUSB-C and 3.5mm
Cable LengthHeadphone cable (approx. 3.94 ft, OFC strands, gold-plated stereo mini plug)—
App SupportSony | Sound ConnectBeats app on Android; native Apple integration

Features

Features specifications comparison
SpecificationSony WH-1000XM4Beats by Dr. Dre Beats Solo 4
Voice AssistantConnected-device voice assistant via touch controlsSiri and Android voice assistant support
SensorsWear detection, touch controls, proximity/acceleration sensors—
Special FeaturesAtmospheric Pressure Optimizing; Personal Nc Optimizer; Passive OperationFoldable design; passive noise isolation

Audio

Audio specifications comparison
SpecificationSony WH-1000XM4Beats by Dr. Dre Beats Solo 4
Drivers1.57 ", dome type (CCAW Voice coil)40mm custom transducers
Frequency Response4 Hz-40,000 Hz—
Audio CodecsSBC, AAC, LDAC—
Active Noise CancellationYesNo
Transparency / Ambient ModeAmbient Sound, Quick AttentionNo
MicrophonesBuilt-in microphonesMultiple digital beamforming microphones
Audio FeaturesDsee Extreme; Passive Operation; Magnet: NeodymiumLossless audio over USB-C or 3.5mm
Spatial Audio—Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking

Charging Case

Charging Case specifications comparison
SpecificationSony WH-1000XM4Beats by Dr. Dre Beats Solo 4
Case TypeNo charging caseNo charging case
Case Battery Life——
Case Charging——
Case Charging Port——
Case Wireless Charging——
Case Dimensions——
Case Weight——
Case Water & Dust Resistance——
Case Features——

Design & Controls

Design & Controls specifications comparison
SpecificationSony WH-1000XM4Beats by Dr. Dre Beats Solo 4
ControlsQuick AttentionOn-ear multifunction and volume controls
Ear Tips / Ear CushionsCushioned earcupsUltraPlush on-ear cushions

What's in the Box

What's in the Box specifications comparison
SpecificationSony WH-1000XM4Beats by Dr. Dre Beats Solo 4
Headphones / EarbudsWH-1000XM4 headphonesBeats Solo 4 headphones
Charging CaseNo charging caseNo charging case
Charging CableUSB Cable: Type-C TM (approx. 7.87")USB-C cable
Audio CableApprox. 1.2 m headphone cable3.5mm audio cable
Ear Tips / AccessoriesCarrying case; in-flight plug adapterOn/over-ear design
DocumentationQuick start and safety documentationQuick Start Guide and warranty card

Similarities

  • Both charge over USB-C.
  • Both have built-in microphones for calls.
  • Both connect over Bluetooth.

In summary

Choose Sony WH-1000XM4 for noise cancellation and Ambient Sound, Quick Attention; Beats by Dr. Dre Beats Solo 4 offers longer rated battery life and faster recharging.

Back to compared products ↑

In-stock alternatives

Sony ULT WEARFor Sony WH-1000XM4Sony ULT WEARView product ↗Sony ULT Wear (WH-ULT900N)For Sony WH-1000XM4Sony ULT Wear (WH-ULT900N)View product ↗JBL Live 780NCFor Beats by Dr. Dre Beats Solo 4JBL Live 780NCView product ↗Soundcore Space One ProFor Beats by Dr. Dre Beats Solo 4Soundcore Space One ProView product ↗

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