Apple AirPods 4 Wireless Earbuds, Bluetooth Headphones, with Active Noise Cancellation, Adaptive, Transparency Mode, Personalized…
Apple
Best for
Best for open-fit comfort
Amazon rating
Amazon aggregate — one input among many in the Verdict Score
Current price
$148.99
Updated May 13, 2026 · 1 min read
Synthesis sources
Methodology →The consensus
What reviewers found
Synthesized across the trust-weighted source mix below.
Across the reviewers we read, the AirPods 4 with ANC occupy a specific niche: they are the consensus pick for people who find silicone tips uncomfortable but still want active noise cancellation. CNET's review calls the noise canceling 'really is a game changer' for an open-fit design, and AppleInsider's four-month review praises the sound quality, ANC, and battery life. The Amazon signal — 4.6 stars across 20,482 reviews — is the strongest volume-weighted rating in this roundup.
What reviewers liked
- Highest volume-weighted Amazon rating in this roundup (4.6 across 20K+ reviews)
- CNET and AppleInsider both praise the surprisingly effective ANC for an open-fit design
- Reviewers consistently praise the comfort for users who dislike silicone tips
- H2 chip and full iPhone ecosystem integration at a lower price than Pro 3
Where it falls short
- ANC is meaningfully weaker than sealed-fit AirPods Pro 2/3 per r/airpods consensus
- Six Colors describes them as 'inferior in every other way' to AirPods Pro
- Wireless charging case is non-magnetic, which AppleInsider flagged as annoying
- Open fit means less passive isolation and less bass response than tipped buds
Across the reviewers we read, the AirPods 4 with ANC occupy a specific niche: they are the consensus pick for people who find silicone tips uncomfortable but still want active noise cancellation. CNET's review calls the noise canceling 'really is a game changer' for an open-fit design, and AppleInsider's four-month review praises the sound quality, ANC, and battery life. The Amazon signal — 4.6 stars across 20,482 reviews — is the strongest volume-weighted rating in this roundup.
That said, every reviewer is consistent about the ceiling. r/airpods users describe the ANC as 'nowhere near the level of AirPods Pro 2 or 3,' and Six Colors bluntly calls them 'inferior in every other way' to the Pro line. r/buildapcsales commentary captures the tradeoff: rubber-tip designs are 'leagues better' for ANC, but the normal AirPods shape is what some users find tolerable.
For iPhone users who hate eartips and want a more affordable Apple option at $149, the trust-weighted consensus is favorable. Just calibrate expectations: this is open-fit ANC, not sealed-fit ANC.
- Feature 1
- REBUILT FOR COMFORT — AirPods 4 have been redesigned for exceptional all-day comfort and greater stability. With a refined contour, shorter stem, and quick-press controls for music or calls.
- Feature 2
- ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLATION — AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation help reduce outside noise before it reaches your ears, so you can immerse yourself in what you’re listening to.*
- Feature 3
- HEAR THE WORLD AROUND YOU — The powerful H2 chip comes to AirPods 4. Adaptive Audio seamlessly blends ANC and Transparency mode — which lets you comfortably hear and interact with the world around you exactly as it sounds — to provide the best listening experience in any environment.* And when you’re speaking with someone nearby, Conversation Awareness automatically lowers the volume of what’s playing.*
- Feature 4
- IMPROVED SOUND AND CALL QUALITY — Voice Isolation improves the quality of calls in loud conditions. Using advanced computational audio, it reduces background noise while isolating and clarifying the sound of your voice for whomever you’re speaking to.*
- Feature 5
- MAGICAL EXPERIENCE — Just say “Siri” or “Hey Siri” to play a song, make a call, or check your schedule.* And with Siri Interactions, now you can respond to Siri by simply nodding your head yes or shaking your head no.* Pair AirPods 4 by simply placing them near your device and tapping Connect on your screen.* Easily share a song or show between two sets of AirPods.* An optical in-ear sensor knows to play audio only when you’re wearing AirPods and pauses when you take them off. And you can track down your AirPods and Charging Case with the Find My app.*
- Feature 6
- PERSONALIZED SPATIAL AUDIO — Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking places sound all around you, creating a theater-like listening experience for music, TV shows, movies, games, and more.*
- Feature 7
- REDESIGNED CASE — The Charging Case is the smallest in the industry with wireless charging. Charge with an Apple Watch Charger, USB-C Charge Cable, or Qi-certified charger.*
- Feature 8
- LONG BATTERY LIFE — With Active Noise Cancellation enabled, get up to 4 hours of listening time on a single charge and up to 20 hours using the case. And you can get up to 30 hours of total listening time without ANC enabled.*
With a slightly smaller design, improved sound and Apple's powerful H2 chip features, the Apple AirPods 4 are a worthy upgrade. But what really makes them special is the noise canceling in the step-up ANC model.
The ANC is impressive, it doesn't seal out all the noise but it's definitely much more quiet for earbuds without tips.
I was really interested to hear how the noise cancellation works on these AirPods. "If the AirPods Pro are an 8/10 for noise cancelling, these ...
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“Apple Airpods 4 Long-Term Review” · Simply Excellent
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