Beats Powerbeats 4 review
The Beats Powerbeats 4 is a solid performer at a relatively affordable price
Beats Powerbeats 4 review: Design
The Beats Powerbeats 4 are basically the Powerbeats Pro, but with a wire running between the headphones, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Beats’ design pedigree is on full display here, from the bold, vibrant colorways to the embossed B logo on the buttons, which are flush and blend beautifully into the overall look. The company also went with its more traditional colorways like the white/grey and red/white variants, while the Powerbeats Pro has its own exclusive colors.
(Image credit: Regan Coule/Tom's Guide)
Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the wire. It’s the most recognizable change in design between the Powerbeats 4 and Powerbeats Pro. While some prefer the around-the-neck approach, others prefer true wireless form, so it’s really a matter of preference. Beats went with a rounded silicone cord this time instead of the flat one used on the Powerbeats 3. It’s nothing to rave about, though I think they could have done more to make it aesthetically pleasing, like give it a different color to create some cool two-tone variations.
Beats bundles the Powerbeats with a generous number of accessories, including a charging cable, extra ear tips and a tiny carrying pouch. The latter makes these headphones more portable than the Powerbeats Pro (that massive charging case isn’t fun to carry around), granted the tradeoff is you can’t charge them on the go unless connected to a power source.
Beats Powerbeats4 : Comfort and fit
Fit has always been the series’ strongest selling point. Thanks to Beats’ signature ear hooks, every version has delivered excellent on-ear stability by remaining intact around the ears during workouts. The Powerbeats 4 is more of the same.
Beats Powerbeats 4 review: Controls
When it comes to the control scheme, Beats got a lot right with the Powerbeats Pro. The combination of volume rockers at the top and multifunctional buttons on the face of each earbud made for a more user-friendly experience. Beats switched things up a bit, removing the MF button and volume rocker on the left earbud for a power/pairing button. This does help streamline functionality. However, much like Powerbeats Pro, Beats didn’t account for how the controls would affect the headphones’ comfortability.
Those who can deal with the discomfort will be rewarded with responsive controls, especially the volume rockers. They produce a nice click effect that ensures you of intended commands. The MF button works well too, though on occasion I noticed lag when trying to skip tracks (2x press), but that was mostly on Android devices.
I do wish the Powerbeats 4 had optical sensors for on-ear detection; this allowed users to automatically pause music when removing the Powerbeats Pro from their ears and resume when placed back on.
Beats Powerbeats 4 review: App and special features
Something else I took notice of was how much better the Powerbeats were at recognizing different connections. For instance, I had the headphones connected via Bluetooth on my MacBook Pro, along with another pair of wired headphones via audio jack. Usually, my laptop gives precedence to whatever is plugged in, but it was the exact opposite this time around, as the Powerbeats served as the primary audio source. It’s a small detail, but something worth noting, especially if you’re someone who constantly switches between headphones.
No matter what button you press, you’re applying unwanted pressure to your ears. Pressing the MF button several times will leave the concha feeling sore after a while. I found it easier to control music playback directly on my smartphone, so I could relieve my ears.Comfort is a mixed bag, as the elongated sound port sinks into the concha and causes irritation. It’s something you probably won’t notice when exercising, but for leisure, your ears will start pulsating after 30 minutes of listening. And that’s not the only issue with comfort; more on that in the next section.
The Powerbeats doesn’t provide the same airy freedom as the Powerbeats Pro due to its slightly heavier form, and of course, the wire. I like that it’s short and doesn’t flail around much, which is perfect for running. At the same time, it has annoying tendencies; you’ll find it gets in the way when putting on the headphones and tangles with other items you have in your everyday bag.
Each earpiece wraps securely around the ear, while the interchangeable tips provide a decent seal to keep them locked in when properly adjusted. You won’t have to worry about any slippage either because the Powerbeats does a great job with sweat absorption. I’m also fond of the gentle feel the rubberized materials provide the skin.
Beats Powerbeats 4: Audio quality
Beats headphones wouldn’t be what they are without some powerful sonics coming through the speakers. The great news is that the Powerbeats retains the same audio profile as the Powerbeats Pro, including the 12mm linear piston drivers that pump out energetic, crisp sound to fuel your workouts.
For something lighter, I pulled up Ahmad Jamal’s “The Awakening,” which sounded pleasant when entering recovery mode. The piano keys were lively, and the hit-hats were distinct. I did have to raise the volume higher to hear every instrument clearly, which was something I don’t recall ever doing with the Powerbeats Pro when vibing out to Jazz tracks. It’s more of an observation than a knock.
I give Beats credit for the amazing work they have done engineering the volume on the Powerbeats. It isn’t too loud, nor too low, meaning it won’t damage your hearing – a bad rap the brand has received with its early models. Most of my time was spent listening at near-max volume and never was I taken aback by the Powerbeats’ loudness during testing.
The Powerbeats do bleed sound at a high level, which my fiancée noticed a few times when sitting across our living room; she could hear the exact songs I was playing. Dropping the volume down by 2 to 3 notches helped reduce leakage. Noise isolation isn’t the best either. That’s not entirely a bad thing, as it gives outdoor exercisers more awareness of their surroundings. You’ll still be able to enjoy music and be alert of oncoming traffic or emergencies taking place in your vicinity.
Beats Powerbeats 4: Battery life
The Powerbeats operates efficiently on a 15-hour battery, which is realistically about 14 hours when factoring in heavy streaming and high volume. By comparison, this is about 3 hours more than the Powerbeats 3 and 6 hours more than the Powerbeats Pro when fully charged. Having tested the headphones for an entire week, 1.5 hours daily, I still have a good 20% of juice left in the tank.
The one true advantage the Powerbeats Pro has over its wired sibling is the charging case, which extends playtime up to 24 hours. Then again, it’s not a huge deal, especially since the Powerbeats shares the same Fast Fuel charging technology to gain 1 hour of play on a 5-minute charge. You definitely won’t suffer from any low-battery anxiety with these on your ears.
Beats Powerbeats 4 review: Call quality
I was very impressed with the Powerbeats Pro’s call quality and I’m thrilled to report that it’s just as good here. The Powerbeats 4 is a solid calling headset that picks up vocals clearly and produces great clarity on both ends of a call.
Since the current pandemic has made it difficult to test call quality outdoors, I set up my apartment with many loud distractions (e.g. blasting my speaker system and TV simultaneously) to get a feel for how well the headphones minimized ambient sound. I was surprised by the results. My parents could hear background noise, but also understood every sentence I spoke, which shows the Powerbeats can handle its own in rowdy environments. The real reward comes when taking calls in quiet settings, as I was able to hear and speak clearly with clients on Skype without any dropout or interference.
Beats Powerbeats 4 review: Verdict
For $150, the Beats Powerbeats 4 is a great pickup for athletes and fitness buffs who want reliable fit and sound and are still on the fence about true wireless earbuds. Beats managed to integrate all of the hallmarks that made the Powerbeats Pro such a huge hit, from the dynamic audio to the H1 performance perks. Battery life is also steady at 15 hours on a single charge, which is more than sufficient for about a week’s worth of full-length workouts.
All things considered, these are still easily among the best sports headphones in their class, just not the best overall. For a few extra dollars, it’s definitely worth checking out some of the market’s top cordless offerings, including the Jabra Elite Active 75t ($179) and Powerbeats Pro, which we’re constantly seeing on sale for $199 at select retailers.
