Beats Solo 4 vs JBL Live 680NC: which should you buy?

Answer worked out Oct. 31, 2026

Beats Solo 4 price: Checked Oct. 30, 2026

JBL Live 680NC price: Checked Oct. 31, 2026

Most people: get the JBL Live 680NC, because it is the better fit for more of what people buy these for.

Get the Beats Solo 4 if you want comfort.

Get the JBL Live 680NC for blocking out noise and phone calls.

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Beats Solo 4 vs JBL Live 680NC

Beats Solo 4
BEATS

Beats Solo 4

$134.99 at Best Buy
JBL Live 680NC
JBL

JBL Live 680NC

$79.95 at Amazon
  1. Beats Solo 4: 217 gWeight+14.16 gJBL Live 680NC: 231.16 g
  2. Beats Solo 4: Up to 50 hrs; a 10-minute Fast Fuel charge gives up to 5 hrsBatteryJBL Live 680NC: Up to 80 hours with noise cancelling off, up to 50 hours with it on; a 5-minute charge gives 4 more hours
  3. Beats Solo 4: Bluetooth 5.3 (Class 1); wired audio over USB-C or 3.5 mmConnectivityJBL Live 680NC: Bluetooth 6.0 with LE Audio; multipoint, two devices at once; USB-C to 3.5 mm audio cable
  4. Beats Solo 4: The 'b' button for music, calls and your voice assistant; press above or below it for volumeControlsJBL Live 680NC: Customizable touch and button controls
  5. Beats Solo 4: $134.99Price today$55.04 apartJBL Live 680NC: $79.95
Beats Solo 4
Buy at Best Buy$134.99
We may earn a commission.
JBL Live 680NC
Buy at Macy's$79.95
We may earn a commission.
All the details

Key differences

  • Weight: 217 g vs 231.16 gBeats Solo 4: 217 g ConfirmedSourceJBL Live 680NC: 231.16 g ConfirmedSource

From each maker's own specifications. A point is listed only when both makers state a figure and the two differ; a point either maker does not state is left out, never guessed. Two figures measured under different conditions are shown side by side, not compared.

Who should buy which

  • The Beats Solo 4 Guide names it for battery life and travel.Battery life: One charge lasted 63 hours with Spatial Audio on, and the 3.5 mm cable keeps music playing with no battery at all. Source linkedSourceTravel: At 217 grams you can almost forget you are wearing them, and they fold into a soft case for the bag. Source linkedSource
  • The JBL Live 680NC Guide names it for air travel and noisy calls.Air travel: Multipoint lets you watch a tablet in the airport lounge and switch to your phone instantly. Source linkedSourceNoisy calls: Dual beamforming mics and intelligent noise cancellation cut through traffic, wind and background hum on calls. Source linkedSource

From what each Guide names the product best for. Both Guides also name music.

Side by side

FeatureBeats Solo 4JBL Live 680NC
BatteryUp to 50 hrsUp to 80 hours with noise cancelling off, up to 50 hours with it on
Weight217 g231.16 gBeats217 gJBL231.16 g
ConnectivityBluetooth 5.3Bluetooth 6.0 with LE Audio
ControlsThe 'b' button for music, calls and your voice assistantCustomizable touch and button controls
Noise cancellingPassive noise isolation from the UltraPlush on-ear cushionsTrue Adaptive Noise Cancelling 2.0 with four microphones
Spatial audioYes, Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head trackingYes, JBL Spatial Sound
Works withiPhone and Android: one-touch pairing and Find My or Find My DeviceJBL Headphones app
Lossless audioYes, wired over USB-C or the 3.5 mm cableHi-Res Audio, wired and wireless
CaseSoft protective caseSoft carrying pouch

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Works with your phone

iPhone
WorksWorks
Android
WorksWorks

Sources

BeatsJBLBeats PressJBL
Beats Solo 4 vs Nothing Headphone (1) Pro