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 speakers to reduce outside sound rather than just blocking it with padding. When you turn on ANC, the headphones listen to ambient noise around you — traffic, conversations, machinery — and play an inverted sound wave that cancels it out. This works best on constant, low-frequency sounds like airplane engines or air conditioning.

However, ANC on the Solo 4 is less aggressive than on some competing models. The headphones reduce noise noticeably but don't create the near-silent bubble you get from higher-end noise-cancelling headphones. If you're in a quiet office, you'll hear the difference. If you're on a busy street, you'll still hear horns and voices — just quieter than without ANC on.

The Solo 4 also have passive noise isolation, which is the physical blocking that happens because the ear cups sit on your ears and seal out some sound naturally. This works on all frequencies and doesn't require a battery. ANC adds to this passive isolation but doesn't replace it.

Key Takeaways

  • The Beats Solo 4 have active noise cancelling that reduces constant background sounds like traffic and air conditioning.
  • ANC on the Solo 4 is moderate in strength — it noticeably reduces noise but doesn't eliminate it completely.
  • The headphones also use passive isolation from the physical fit of the ear cups, which works without draining the battery.
  • You can turn ANC on or off in the Beats app on your phone, and battery life is longer when ANC is off.

How active noise cancelling actually works in the Solo 4

Inside each ear cup, the Solo 4 have two microphones — one facing outward to pick up external sound, and one facing inward to monitor what you're hearing. The headphones' processor analyzes the external sound in real time and generates an opposite sound wave. When the two waves meet, they cancel each other out, leaving you with quieter audio.

This process happens continuously while ANC is on. The system works best on repetitive, predictable sounds — the hum of an engine, the rumble of a train, the drone of a fan. It struggles with sudden, irregular sounds like a dog barking or someone slamming a door, because the processor can't predict and cancel them fast enough.

The strength of ANC also depends on how well the headphones seal to your ears. If they don't fit snugly, sound leaks in around the edges and ANC can't cancel it. The Solo 4 come with three ear cup sizes to help you find the right fit.

When ANC is useful and when it isn't

ANC on the Solo 4 shines in specific situations. On an airplane, it reduces engine noise significantly. In an open office, it softens the ambient chatter and keyboard noise. On a commute with steady traffic, it takes the edge off road noise. In these scenarios, you'll notice a real difference when you toggle ANC on and off.

ANC is less useful in quiet environments. If you're in a library or a bedroom, the background noise is already minimal, and ANC won't add much value. In fact, some people find ANC creates a slight pressure sensation in the ears when there's very little ambient sound to cancel, so they turn it off in quiet spaces.

ANC also drains the battery faster. The Solo 4 last about 40 hours with ANC off, but only about 36 hours with ANC on. If you're using the headphones for a long trip and battery life matters, you might toggle ANC off during quieter stretches.

How to turn ANC on and off

You control ANC through the Beats app on your iPhone or Android phone. Open the app, select your Solo 4 from the list of devices, and you'll see an ANC toggle. Tap it to turn ANC on or off. The headphones will remember your choice the next time you use them.

Some users also control ANC through Siri on an iPhone by saying "Turn on noise cancelling" or "Turn off noise cancelling," though this requires you to have Siri enabled on your headphones. The physical buttons on the Solo 4 themselves don't have a dedicated ANC button — you must use the app or voice control.

Comparing Solo 4 ANC to other headphones

The Beats Solo 4 sit in the middle of the noise-cancelling spectrum. They offer noticeably better ANC than budget headphones under $100, but less aggressive cancellation than premium models like the Sony WH-1000XM5 or Bose QuietComfort Ultra. If you spend most of your time in quiet environments, the Solo 4's ANC may feel subtle. If you travel frequently or work in noisy spaces, you'll notice it working.

One advantage of the Solo 4 is that they're on-ear rather than over-ear, which means they're lighter and more portable. This makes them better for travel than larger models, even if their ANC isn't quite as powerful. The trade-off is that on-ear headphones generally don't seal as well as over-ear models, which limits how much passive isolation they can provide.

What happens to sound quality when ANC is on

Turning on ANC changes the sound you hear in two ways. First, it reduces external noise, so you hear your music or audio more clearly without competing background sound. Second, some users notice that ANC itself adds a very slight electronic hum or pressure sensation, though this is usually subtle on the Solo 4.

The actual music or audio you're playing doesn't change in quality when you toggle ANC on or off — the headphones' speaker drivers and audio processing stay the same. What changes is how much outside noise is competing with what you're trying to listen to.

Battery life and ANC

The Solo 4 use a rechargeable battery that lasts about 40 hours with ANC off and about 36 hours with ANC on. This is a meaningful difference if you use the headphones daily. A typical workday of eight hours means you can go about five days on a single charge with ANC off, or about four and a half days with ANC on.

You charge the Solo 4 using a USB-C cable, and a full charge takes about two hours. The headphones will alert you when the battery is low, and you can check the remaining battery percentage in the Beats app at any time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do the Beats Solo 4 block sound without turning on ANC?

Yes. The physical design of the ear cups provides passive isolation — they seal against your ears and block some sound naturally. This passive blocking works on all frequencies and doesn't use battery. Turning on ANC adds to this passive isolation but doesn't replace it.

Can I use the Solo 4 on an airplane?

Yes, and they work well for this. The constant engine noise is exactly what ANC is designed to reduce. You can use them in airplane mode with Bluetooth off, or keep Bluetooth on if the airline allows it. The ANC will work either way.

Will ANC drain my battery if I leave it on all the time?

Yes, ANC uses extra power. You'll get about four hours less battery life per charge with ANC on compared to off. If you use the headphones daily, turning ANC off when you don't need it — like in quiet spaces — will extend how long you can go between charges.

Does ANC work if the headphones don't fit my ears well?

ANC works better with a tight seal. If the ear cups don't fit snugly, sound leaks around the edges and ANC can't cancel it effectively. The Solo 4 come with three ear cup sizes — try each one to find the best fit for your ears.

Can I hear phone calls clearly with ANC on?

Yes. The microphones that enable ANC also help with call quality. When you receive a call, the headphones switch to a call mode that prioritizes your voice and the caller's voice while reducing background noise. ANC being on or off doesn't significantly affect call clarity.