Reviewers Liked
- H2 chip enables multiple adaptive audio features
- Improved sound quality
- Noise cancellation can often be impressive for an open design
- Hands-free Siri with gesture-based interactions
- Excellent voice/call quality
- New compact, portable case
- Find My for the case
- Sweat-resistant design
Reviewers Didn't Like
- Open design can cause inconsistent ear-to-ear fit
- Not a great deal when AirPods Pro 2 are regularly on sale
- No proper multipoint
- So-so battery life
Competitors and Related Products
Our editors hand-pick related products using a variety of criteria: direct competitors targeting the same market segment, or devices that are similar in size, performance, or feature sets.
- 82 Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro
- 82 OnePlus Buds Pro 2
- 91 Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2
- 81 Google Pixel Buds Pro
- 89 Sony WF-1000XM5
- 94 Apple AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C)
- 83 Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4
Expert reviews and ratings
80
The Apple AirPods 4 deliver strong sound quality and the best active noise cancellation we've experienced in an open-ear design.
By PCMag on September 16, 2024
80
You can tell a difference when the ANC is working, which I can’t say of other open earbuds that have advertised noise cancellation. That, combined with the wireless charging, is the biggest reason I’d steer most people toward the more expensive model.
By The Verge on September 16, 2024
86
Apple offers useful noise cancellation while keeping your ears open on the AirPods 4 with ANC. There are also a lot of Pro features available.
By Engadget on September 16, 2024
80
The Apple AirPods 4 with ANC offer the best ANC on the market for folks who hate eartips.
By DigitalTrends on September 16, 2024
88
Ultimately, however, the AirPods 4 ANC are simply more special. As I said, they're the first open buds I've tried to have active noise canceling that actually works. That makes them the first noise-canceling earbuds for people who don't like having ear tips jammed in their ears. That's pretty cool and worth the extra $50 if you can afford it.
By cnet on September 16, 2024
92
The AirPods 4 with ANC has a new one-size-fits-most design that's surprisingly snug. Whether I sprinted on a treadmill or bobbed my head to a song, they stayed put.
By Mashable on September 16, 2024
90
The AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation bring Apple's wireless earbuds lineup into the modern day with Pro-level features for less. While we wish the battery life was a bit better, they're some of the best buds you'll find for under $180.
By Tom's Guide on September 16, 2024
AirPods are still the real deal. They’re a kind of Platonic ideal most of us picture when we think of fully wireless earbuds. They sound great and fit like a glove with the rest of Apple’s hardware offerings. As for that price gulf between the AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with ANC, $50 goes a long way here.
By TechCrunch on September 16, 2024
If you’re in this camp, the $129 AirPods 4 are an amazing value pick, and the $179 AirPods 4 are basically the AirPods Pro but without any nasty silicone tips to clog up your ears. For everyone else? Yeah, just grab the AirPods Pro 2 on sale.
By CNN on September 16, 2024
The addition of ANC in AirPods 4 With Noise Cancellation is very welcome, especially as the price hasn’t increased. That said, if you can snag AirPods Pro 2 at a decent discount from its regular $249 price, it’ll be worth the extra for better audio, more features and so on.
By Forbes on September 16, 2024