Apple’s AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation (ANC) offer a refined take on the classic open design, with features that make daily listening easier and more immersive without the bulk or pressure of in-ear sealing. At $139.99 (was $179), they fall somewhere between the basic AirPods 4 and the more expensive Pro models.
Apple trimmed the stems to make them less apparent, and the buds have curved to accommodate the outer ear. No more dangling; they sit securely enough for jogs or head tilts, though they still require a nudge during violent shakes. The charging case is pocket-sized and includes a built-in speaker for simple location pings with the Find My app. Wireless charging and USB-C for convenient refills. The buds and case have an IP54 rating so they can withstand sweat, dust and spills.
- REBUILT FOR COMFORT — AirPods 4 have been redesigned for exceptional all-day comfort and greater stability. With a refined contour, shorter stem,...
- ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLATION — AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation help reduce outside noise before it reaches your ears, so you can immerse...
- HEAR THE WORLD AROUND YOU — The powerful H2 chip comes to AirPods 4. Adaptive Audio seamlessly blends ANC and Transparency mode — which lets you...
These AirPods with H2 chip have more bass and cleaner highs than previous models, so music is immersive and not flat. Spatial audio gives you a surround experience by tracking your head movements and placing sounds exactly where they should be. When you switch to transparency mode, you can actually talk clearly without having to pull out a bud. Adaptive audio goes a step further and adjusts noise reduction levels based on your situation.
The big win here is noise cancellation, which counteracts the open ear design’s tendency to let everything in. Microphones detect ambient rumbling waves and cancel them out so you get pockets of silence where there was none before. Conversation awareness works perfectly: as you start talking the music slows and the transparency increases so conversations feel seamless. Voice isolation improves calls by reducing background noise.
With ANC on you get 4 hours which can be extended to 20 with the case. Quick top ups via the case are flexible; 15 minutes of charging equals 2 hours of play. Siri responds to head nods or shakes for hands free control and switching between two audio sources is easy. Pairing with Apple devices takes seconds and switching between iPhone, iPad and Mac is seamless. Non-Apple phones can be connected via Bluetooth 5.3.
Controls are simple: a short tap on the stem plays, pauses or skips, a double press summons Siri for instructions or reminders. Volume is controlled via on screen sliders which is a small compromise to keep the buds clutter free. The IP54 build is durable for workouts or rain, no skips or slips during sweaty sessions.
