Beats Solo 4 vs Apple AirPods Max 2

What published reviews say about each, where the two differ, and who each one suits.

Summed up from 16 published reviews

Beats

Solo 4

The Beats Solo 4 offers strong battery life, portability, flexible connectivity, and clear calls, but lacks ANC and receives mixed sound and long-session comfort feedback.

Best for: Long-battery listeners wanting simple iOS and Android pairing.
Skip it if: You need ANC, rich sound, or all-day comfort.

PriceToday's price on AmazonView on Amazon

What reviewers say about the Beats Solo 4

Apple

AirPods Max 2

Excellent Apple-integrated headphones with top-tier sound and noise cancellation, but price, weight, battery life, and case design are drawbacks.

Best for: Apple users prioritizing sound, noise cancellation, and seamless integration
Skip it if: Current owners, Android users, or shoppers prioritizing portability and value

PriceToday's price on AmazonView on Amazon

What reviewers say about the Apple AirPods Max 2

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Specs side by side

Spec	Beats Solo 4	Apple AirPods Max 2
Fit	On-ear	Over-ear
Noise cancelling	No	Yes
Best for	Music, Travel	Music, Travel, Work & calls
Connection	Wireless	Wireless
Microphone	Built-in mic	Built-in mic
Ear cups	Closed-back	Closed-back

Rows where the two differ come first.

Where only one fits

use: AirPods Max 2Work
fit: Solo 4On-ear; AirPods Max 2Over-ear
noise cancelling: Solo 4Not needed; AirPods Max 2Noise cancelling

What reviewers like, and what they don't

Beats Solo 4

Beats claims 50 hours; two reviews measured longer. 1 3 4 5
Lightweight, foldable construction suits everyday portability. 2 4 6
One-tap pairing, Find My, and strong iOS/Android support. 1 5 8
USB-C charging and passive 3.5mm wired listening offer flexibility. 1 3 5
Call quality is generally clear in quiet and noisy settings. 1 2 5 7
No ANC; passive isolation struggles in loud environments. 1 2 4 5
Some reviewers describe thin sound and an average soundstage. 2 3 5 6
On-ear pressure and fatigue can emerge during long sessions. 2 4 6 7
Lacks water and sweat resistance. 1 6

Apple AirPods Max 2

Excellent sound with rich detail and engaging presentation 1 2 3 4
Class-leading active noise cancellation and transparency modes 1 2 3 4
Seamless Apple integration with adaptive audio features 1 2 3 5
Premium materials and well-regarded build quality 2 3 4 6
Heavy weight and clamping pressure can impair long-session comfort 1 2 5 7
High price and poor case protection limit value 1 2 3 4
Battery life trails rivals in several reviews 1 5 8
Apple-centric features and incremental changes limit broader appeal 1 2 3 5

Ranked in our guides

Guide	Solo 4	AirPods Max 2
Best noise cancelling headphones	–	#3
Best soundproof headphones	–	#3
Best wireless headphones	–	#10
Best headphones for music	–	#3

Sources

We don't test products ourselves. This page sums up 16 published reviews, read on October 21, 2026; each point above links to the reviews that make it.