If you want a workout headphone with an on-ear fit, customizable sound, and longer battery life, choose JBL Tune 720BT; if you need a lighter on-ear design, spatial audio, and wired listening options, choose Beats Solo 4. For workout use, my pick is the JBL: its 76-hour battery life and adjustable EQ make it the more flexible everyday option, though neither model is an open-ear workout earbud.
• Beats Solo 4’s biggest strength: an ultralight on-ear design with up to 50 hours of battery life, spatial audio with dynamic head tracking, and high-resolution lossless audio over USB-C or a 3.5 mm cable. Its trade-off is shorter stated battery life than the JBL.
• JBL Tune 720BT’s biggest strength: up to 76 hours of wireless listening, plus EQ customization through the JBL Headphones app. Its trade-off is that its feature set does not include the Beats’ stated spatial audio or wired high-resolution lossless options.
• Beats Solo 4 suits listeners who prioritize an ultralight fit, spatial audio, and wired listening flexibility.
• JBL Tune 720BT suits listeners who want longer wireless battery life, adjustable sound, and hands-free call features.
Beats Solo 4 is an on-ear wireless headphone built around an ultralight ergonomic design. Its flex-grip headband and angled, adjustable ear cups are intended to help it stay stable, while the UltraPlush ear cushions are designed for comfort and durability. That combination makes it worth considering if you want a headphone that sits on your ears rather than fully around them and prefer an emphasis on a lightweight feel.
Its sound features add options beyond ordinary wireless playback. Beats lists custom acoustic architecture and updated drivers for its sound, along with Personalized Spatial Audio and dynamic head tracking. The latter may appeal if spatial listening is part of how you enjoy compatible audio. There is also a practical wired option: the Solo 4 supports high-resolution lossless audio through USB-C or a 3.5 mm audio cable. That gives it a clear role for listening when you want a cable connection, rather than relying only on Bluetooth.
Battery life is rated for up to 50 hours, with Fast Fuel offering up to five hours of playback after a 10-minute charge. That is substantial for regular listening, and the quick-charge detail could help when you realize the headphones need power before heading out. For a workout, the lightweight design and stable-fit features are appealing on paper, but they remain on-ear headphones; they are not open-ear earbuds. If you specifically want the best open ear earbuds for workout, neither of these headphones matches that design.
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-19 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
Who should skip it: Skip Beats Solo 4 if your main priority is the longer stated battery life or app-based EQ customization offered by the JBL.
JBL Tune 720BT is an over-ear wireless headphone with JBL Pure Bass sound and Bluetooth 5.3. The over-ear design is a meaningful distinction from the Beats’ on-ear fit: it sits around the ears, which may better suit someone who prefers that style of coverage. JBL also describes the design as flat-folding, a useful detail if you want headphones that can fold down for packing in a backpack.
Its biggest practical advantage is battery life. JBL states up to 76 hours of wireless listening, compared with up to 50 hours for Beats Solo 4. A full recharge takes as little as two hours, and a five-minute charge provides up to three additional hours of music. Those figures make the JBL an appealing option for someone who would rather charge less often or wants a quick top-up before a commute, a long day, or a workout.
The JBL Headphones app lets you tailor the sound with EQ, while voice prompts can guide you through features. On-ear-cup buttons handle sound and call controls, and Voice Aware lets you hear your own voice while talking. That can be helpful for frequent hands-free calls. The product information also lists a detachable audio cable and a 3.5 mm jack, but unlike the Beats sheet, it does not specify high-resolution lossless audio over that connection.
Who should skip it: Skip JBL Tune 720BT if an ultralight on-ear design, spatial audio with dynamic head tracking, or explicitly stated high-resolution lossless wired audio is central to your choice.
• Longer stated wireless battery life → JBL Tune 720BT. JBL lists up to 76 hours, while Beats lists up to 50 hours.
• A quick charge before heading out → JBL Tune 720BT. Five minutes is specified to provide up to three hours of music; Beats’ 10-minute Fast Fuel charge provides up to five hours.
• A quick charge with more playback per charging minute → Beats Solo 4. Its stated five hours from a 10-minute charge is a different balance from the JBL’s three hours from five minutes.
• An ultralight on-ear design → Beats Solo 4. Its flex-grip headband, adjustable angled ear cups, and UltraPlush cushions are specifically highlighted.
• An over-ear fit and fold-flat packing → JBL Tune 720BT. Its product description calls out over-ear placement and a flat-folding design.
• Sound customization in an app → JBL Tune 720BT. Its companion app includes EQ options for adjusting your listening experience.
• Spatial audio with dynamic head tracking → Beats Solo 4. That feature is listed for Beats, not JBL.
• High-resolution lossless listening through a wired connection → Beats Solo 4. It supports that listening option over USB-C or a 3.5 mm audio cable.
• Hands-free calls with a feature for hearing your own voice → JBL Tune 720BT. Its Voice Aware feature and ear-cup call controls are aimed at that use.
In my opinion, I would choose JBL Tune 720BT for the workout-focused buyer who wants one wireless headphone for training and everyday listening. Its longer stated battery life, short top-up charging, and adjustable EQ make it the more adaptable choice for that routine.
I would choose Beats Solo 4 instead if the lighter on-ear design, spatial audio, or wired high-resolution lossless listening matters more to you. Neither is a purpose-built open-ear workout earbud, so consider fit style carefully before deciding.
First, choose by fit rather than by brand name alone. Beats Solo 4 is on-ear, with cushions resting on the ears; JBL Tune 720BT is over-ear. Those designs feel different in use, so think about which style you would rather wear for a workout or a longer listening session. The product information does not establish that either model is a secure fit for every exercise routine, so don’t assume the headphones will suit high-movement training simply because you plan to use them for workouts.
Next, consider how you want to shape your sound. JBL’s app-based EQ offers a direct way to customize the listening profile. Beats emphasizes its acoustic architecture and includes Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking. Those are distinct approaches, not interchangeable features. If adjusting EQ is important, the JBL has the clearer match; if spatial audio is your priority, the Beats has the specified capability.
Finally, separate battery endurance from charging convenience. JBL leads in stated total wireless listening time, while both models offer a short-charge option. Beats specifies more playback after its 10-minute Fast Fuel charge; JBL specifies a shorter five-minute charge that adds up to three hours. Either detail could matter if you often forget to charge, but they answer slightly different needs. If your decision comes down to price, check the current price on Amazon before choosing; this comparison does not rely on price to decide which model fits better.
For workout use, JBL Tune 720BT is my pick if longer stated battery life and app EQ matter most. Beats Solo 4 offers an ultralight on-ear design and stable-fit features. The data does not specify a workout rating or guarantee either model’s fit during every activity.
JBL lists up to 76 hours of wireless listening, while Beats lists up to 50 hours. Actual listening time can vary by use, but on the stated figures, JBL has the longer battery-life claim.
The provided product details list passive noise cancellation for JBL Tune 720BT. They do not specify active noise cancellation for either model, so neither should be chosen on the assumption that it offers active noise cancelling.
JBL Tune 720BT lists hands-free call controls and Voice Aware, which lets you hear your own voice while talking. The Beats information provided does not describe a comparable call feature, so JBL is the clearer choice based on the listed details.
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