Apple AirPods 4 Review: The Noise Canceling Really Is a Game-Changer

I’ve been using the AirPods 4 & AirPods 4 w/ANC for the past week and I have some thoughts. There is a lot these get right and one or two drawbacks you should be aware of.

The AirPods 4 are, unsurprisingly, the fourth generation of Apple’s original true-wireless earbuds that feature an open design, which means they don’t have silicone ear tips like the AirPods Pro 2. A lot of people still don’t like having ear tips jammed in their ears and find open earbuds more comfortable, and the AirPods 4 are made for those folks. Not only do they feature a slightly smaller design and better sound than their predecessor, but they’re equipped with Apple’s H2 chip that improves overall performance and powers new features.

In a first for Apple, the AirPods 4 comes in two versions: a $129 entry-level model and a $179 step-up model with active noise canceling. ANC is a rare feature for open earbuds because it typically doesn’t work with an open design—at least not with the few noise-canceling open earbuds I’ve tried, including Samsung’s new Galaxy Buds 3.

The AirPods 4 replace both the AirPods 2 and AirPods 3 in the lineup that also includes the AirPods Pro 2 and the updated AirPods Max with USB-C. And in terms of their design, the AirPods 4 are sort of a cross between the AirPods 2 and 3; they’re slightly smaller than the AirPods 3 but also slightly larger than the AirPods 2. That said, at 4.3 grams per bud, they weigh the same as the AirPods 3.

AirPods 4 design improvements

Apple is hoping the new design is a better fit for a wider range of ears. They did fit my ears slightly better than the AirPods 3, though I sometimes had to adjust the angle of the buds to get a really secure fit. Like a lot of people, one of my ears is slightly different than the other, and I got a marginally better fit with my right ear than my left.

I never got a great fit from the AirPods 2 or AirPods 3 (I had trouble keeping them in my ears when I ran with them), but these do fit my ears the best of the three, and I did find them very comfortable to wear. However, I get a slightly more secure fit from the AirPods Pro 2.

Everybody’s ears are different, of course, so I asked some of my colleagues, including some who had small ears, how they felt about the new design compared to the AirPods 3’s design (you can see some of their reactions in my companion review video). They all preferred the design of the AirPods 4 and most of them got a secure fit. Basically, the design does seem to be an improvement, but like with any earbuds, I can’t guarantee they’ll fit everybody’s ears equally well.

AirPods 4’s upgraded sound quality

To be clear, both new AirPods 4 have the same design, same sound quality and same voice-calling performance. And they both have Apple’s H2 chip with Bluetooth 5.3. That’s the same chip found in the AirPods Pro 2.

Apple has upgraded both buds with a new acoustic architecture and amp. Also, it’s slightly changed the angle of how the drivers are pointed into your ears, which is supposed to improve sound quality. The combo of the new drivers and the upgraded H2 chip’s processing power for Apple’s Adaptive EQ — a feature that optimizes audio quality on the fly as the position of the buds changes ever so slightly in your ears — gives the AirPods 4 better sound than the AirPods 3. And needless to say, because these are open earbuds, the sound does have an open quality to it.

Overall, the sound is a little cleaner (improved treble), and you get a bit more bass, so there’s a touch more depth and fullness to whatever you’re listening to. They’re still a notch below the AirPods Pro 2’s, but they’re close, and these are easily among the best-sounding open earbuds out there. You’re still not going to get as much bass as you do with the AirPods Pro 2, but the gap has narrowed. I didn’t feel as if I was making much of a sound quality sacrifice compared with the AirPods Pro 2, at least when I was listening in a quiet room. 

Like the AirPods Pro 2, both AirPods 4 models are equipped with 5GHz radios (as opposed to 2.4GHz). That not only helps improve the Bluetooth connection reliability with Apple devices but also allows for lossless audio with Apple’s Vision Pro headset, as well as low-latency gaming audio with recent iPhones, iPads, and Macs running the latest versions of their respective operating systems. Wireless streaming of lossless audio over Bluetooth is available only for the Vision Pro because the buds have to be right next to your audio source device for a glitch-free listening experience (the headset sits on your head right next to the buds).

Of course, if you’re in a noisy environment, these buds do still let sound into your ears, which impacts sound quality. But things get interesting with the addition of noise canceling, so let’s get into that key difference between the two models and what you get with entry-level AirPods 4 versus the AirPods 4 ANC.

AirPods 4 ANC’s added features  

The ANC version of the AirPods 4 is $50 more than the regular model, but you also get more than just noise-canceling for the money. For instance, while the charging cases are the same size and look nearly identical, the step-up ANC model’s case is equipped with a BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) chip and has a speaker integrated into it like the case for the AirPods Pro 2. The entry-level model’s case has neither of these features (the entry-level AirPods 4 use a less sophisticated version of FindMy that can track the buds but not the case and play a sound through the buds).

That speaker emits a sonar-like noise when you use the Find My feature with proximity finding, making it easier to locate the case if it gets hidden behind something or stuck in your couch cushions. Also, the entry-level model’s case doesn’t have wireless charging, while the ANC model’s case does. Note that neither model has the more advanced Precision Finding of the AirPods Pro 2, which have a U1 chip in their case. 

The AirPods 4 charging case is a little bit smaller than the AirPods 3’s charging case, but there’s one other difference: There’s no longer a physical button on the AirPods 4’s charging case for activating Bluetooth and pairing it with non-Apple devices. Instead, you now double-tap on the front of the case near the LED to initiate pairing and double-tap three times to initiate a reset. Both the buds themselves and case have an IP54 rating, which means they’re splash-proof and dust- and sweat-resistant.

Surprisingly effective noise canceling 

I was really impressed with the noise-canceling. The reality is that it’s not that great compared with what you get with the AirPods Pro 2 and top noise-canceling earbuds like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds or the Sony WF-1000XM5 . But that it works at all and is reasonably effective is kind of wild because, as I said, noise-canceling and open earbuds usually aren’t a good mix.

For instance, Samsung says its Galaxy Buds 3 have noise canceling, but I couldn’t really hear a difference when I turned the noise canceling on. But with the new AirPods, you really hear the difference. You feel it kick on and muffle the ambient sound around to a certain degree — enough to enable you to hear your music better in noisy environments.  

The AirPods 4’s noise-canceling is more adept at tamping down low frequencies and was able to cut down the engine noise level by about 40% when I wore them on a plane. And they were also somewhat effective when I wore them on the streets of New York and on the subway. I’d say the noise-canceling is a little less than half as good as what you get with the AirPods Pro, which also provide some passive noise isolation with their ear tips. But again, that the noise-canceling worked as well as it did seems like a major technological feat. Not even Bose, a leader in noise-canceling technology, tried it with its Ultra Open Earbuds.

Entry-level AirPods 4 vs. AirPods 4 with ANC feature comparison 

I want to clarify what features the entry-level model has—and doesn’t have — because Apple’s introduced some new features with iOS 18 and there’s a bit of confusion about which model does what.

Both models have personalized spatial audio (with head tracking) for music, movies and now games that have been updated by the developer to support it. There’s also quick pairing and auto switching for Apple devices, as well as always-on Siri, so you just have to say the wake word to issue voice commands.

Also, both models have new force sensors in the stems with pinch controls to control playback, though apparently no swipe controls for volume that are available with the AirPods Pro 2. And last but not least, the H2 chip allows for Siri Interactions, which are gesture controls that give you the option to nod or shake your head to dismiss or answer calls or engage with or dismiss notifications and messages. You nod your head for yes and shake your head for no. 

The two features you get with the AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation are Conversation Awareness and Adaptive Audio because those features require noise canceling and transparency modes.

The AirPods 4 with ANC have the AirPods 2 Pro’s extra microphones to enable those modes. When Conversation Awareness is activated (if you talk to yourself a lot, it’s probably best to turn it off), as soon as you speak, your music pauses and transparency mode kicks in so you can have a conservation. Sony pioneered the feature with its Speak-To-Chat option, and now Apple’s Airpods Pro 2 and the AirPods 4 ANC have it.

AirPods 4 voice-calling performance and battery life

Apple is also touting a new Voice Isolation feature that’s part of iOS 18 and helps with call quality. Both buds have the feature and so do the Airpods Pro 2. It basically helps callers hear your voice better while reducing background noise. 

I did some test calls and callers said they could hear my voice well with almost no background noise, which is impressive. The AirPods have always delivered one of the best voice-calling experiences and the AirPods 4 don’t disappoint. It’s right up there with my voice-calling experience with Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 3 and Buds 3 Pro, which also deliver top voice-calling performance. (As part of my companion video review of the AirPods 4, you can check out a test call I did with my video producer).  

One thing that’s a tad disappointing, though, is that Apple wasn’t able to improve on battery life, and it’s actually slightly worse than the AirPods 3’s battery life. You can get up to 5 hours of battery life with noise-canceling off and 4 hours with it on. The case gives you an additional 25 hours with ANC off and 16 hours with it on.

AirPods 4 final analysis

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In the end, the way to look at these two earbuds is that the standard AirPods 4 are slightly smaller versions of the AirPods 3, with better sound quality and the benefits of the more powerful H2 chip going forward. The AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation are essentially the AirPods Pro 2 with an open earbud design. However, only the AirPods Pro 2 — and not the AirPods 4 — are getting Apple’s new hearing-aid feature, so take that into account before buying these if that’s something you’re interested in.

Airpods 4 Review: Unbelievable ANC!

Introducing the brand-new Apple AirPods 4, a groundbreaking evolution in wireless earbuds that brings significant improvements in design and functionality. One of the most noticeable changes is the much smaller case, making it highly portable and easy to carry. These new AirPods offer massive audio enhancements and, most notably, active noise cancellation (ANC), a feature that has traditionally been challenging to implement in open earbuds. While it might seem questionable at first, comparing them to products like the Galaxy Buds Live, which struggled with ANC, the AirPods 4 impress right out of the box. The ANC works incredibly well, and I’ll delve deeper into my testing and the numbers later, but for now, suffice it to say that the noise cancellation on these open earbuds is surprisingly effective.

A lot of people, especially those who dislike silicone ear tips, find open earbuds far more comfortable. This is where the AirPods 4 really shine. Silicone ear tips can often feel unhygienic, uncomfortable, or create unwanted pressure, and many users prefer the open design, like my brother, who swears by them. While most high-quality earbuds from brands like Sony, Sennheiser, and Bang & Olufsen use silicone tips, there’s a large market for people who prefer open designs, and Apple’s AirPods 4 fills this gap beautifully. Adding ANC to these earbuds without sacrificing the open design is a huge win.

The AirPods 4 come in two models, the AirPods 4 with ANC, priced at $179, and the AirPods 4 without ANC, priced at $129. The biggest difference between the two models is, of course, the presence of ANC. However, the cheaper version also lacks some other features, such as transparency mode and conversational awareness. Let’s dive into the design first: the case for the AirPods 4 with ANC is significantly smaller than previous models, like the AirPods 3 or AirPods Pro 2, which already felt small compared to other brands. While the case doesn’t support MagSafe due to its size, it does work with wireless chargers and even Apple Watch chargers. The small form factor is a big plus, though it comes with some compromises, like the removal of the lanyard loop and MagSafe compatibility. However, the case includes a speaker for the Apple Find My feature, making it easier to locate, though the lack of a physical pairing button means users have to tap the case to enter pairing mode.

One of the most impressive features is the ANC performance. Even without the silicone ear tips found on most noise-canceling earbuds, the AirPods 4 manage to block out low-frequency noises like air conditioners or traffic quite effectively. While they don’t cancel out higher-frequency sounds like voices or phone rings as well as the AirPods Pro, the results are still impressive for an open-earbud design. In my testing, the ANC raised the ambient noise threshold from 39 dB to 52 dB, which is enough to block out many common background noises. While they won’t perform as well on a plane as the AirPods Pro, they do an excellent job for day-to-day environments.

In addition to ANC, the AirPods 4 offer exceptional transparency mode, which allows users to hear their surroundings naturally. This is especially helpful when having conversations or listening to announcements without taking the earbuds out. The transparency mode on these AirPods feels incredibly natural, even surpassing the already high standard set by Bose and previous Apple models. With the H2 chip inside, the AirPods 4 process sound seamlessly, offering a rich and balanced listening experience, even though they don’t reach the same fidelity levels as closed-back earbuds.

One of the best features of the AirPods 4 with ANC is their seamless integration with Apple devices, as well as personalized spatial audio. However, they don’t offer some of the more advanced features found in the AirPods Pro, such as hearing aid functionality. Battery life is also a bit of a tradeoff, with 5 hours of listening time for the non-ANC version and 4 hours for the ANC model. Including the charging case, users can expect around 30 hours of total battery life for both models, though that drops to 20 hours for the ANC version.

While the AirPods 4 don’t provide the same level of volume or instrument separation as higher-end earbuds, their sound quality is still impressive for an open-earbud design. With adaptive audio, the AirPods 4 adjust well to different environments and maintain a full, warm sound. However, they may struggle with more complex tracks that involve multiple layers of instruments, blending some sounds together.

In conclusion, the AirPods 4 deliver a competitive package at a reasonable price. With a smaller case, excellent transparency, solid ANC, and a comfortable open design, they cater to a specific market that values these features. Despite some drawbacks, like the lack of volume sliders and certain features reserved for the AirPods Pro, they’re a great option for those seeking high-quality open earbuds with Apple’s seamless user experience.

If you’re looking for basic AirPods, the standard AirPods 4 certainly have their appeal and should cost closer to $100 during flash sales, especially around the holidays. They may not be quite as cheap or as small as the AirPods 2, but they sound a lot better and have a lot more features.

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.

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