Apple AirPods 4 Review: There are two types of people in this world: those for whom AirPods fit perfectly and those for whom they don’t. There are also two types of people when it comes to in-ear buds: those who love silicon tips and those who hate them. Finally, there are people who truly need noise cancellation and those who can live without it. But Apple wants all of their money.
That’s why, this year, there are two versions of the new AirPods. It was a bit confusing at Apple’s keynote, but here’s the breakdown: for $129, you get the base AirPods 4, while for $179, you get AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation (ANC).
However, that’s not the only difference between them. After testing them for a few days, here’s my verdict: the differences, the improvements, and whether they’re actually worth buying.
Design and Fit: Any Better This Time?
Apple AirPods 4 Review: Apple AirPods 4 Review: Apple has once again tweaked the shape of the AirPods. They now have slightly new curves and angles, and the driver is positioned to direct sound more efficiently into your ear. The stem is also a little shorter, but overall, they still look unmistakably like AirPods.
A notable improvement is the upgraded IP54 dust and water resistance (compared to IPX4 on the previous version). The in-ear detection remains, and there are microphones all around.
But my biggest question was: does the new shape actually fit better?
For me, the answer is: slightly, but not really. I’ve never had much luck with hard-tipped AirPods. The previous version was the closest I got to a secure fit, but even then, if I jogged for more than ten seconds, they’d start slipping out. The AirPods 4 feel marginally better, but they still tend to shift and feel loose, even when I’m just sitting.
So, if you’ve had issues with AirPods falling out before, you’ll probably still have them. But if they fit you well, these will be no different.
The Charging Case: Small Tweaks, Big Differences
Apple AirPods 4 Review: Both versions of the AirPods 4 share the same size and shape. From the outside, you wouldn’t be able to tell them apart. The real differences start with the charging case.
- USB-C: Finally, Apple has switched to USB Type-C, which is a welcome upgrade.
- Case Speaker (only in the ANC version): The noise-canceling model’s case has a tiny speaker at the bottom, which chimes when charging and plays a sound when lost.
- Wireless Charging: Available only on the ANC version.
- MagSafe is gone: The case is slightly smaller, meaning it no longer magnetically aligns with MagSafe chargers. It still charges wirelessly but won’t “stick” to the charger for alignment.
- Stronger Magnets: The magnets holding the buds in the case feel a little more secure this time, which is a small but nice improvement.
- Hidden Pairing Button: The physical pairing button from previous models is gone. Instead, Apple has added a capacitive touch area under the LED indicator. A double tap puts them in pairing mode, while a triple tap initiates a factory reset.
Active Noise Cancellation: Worth the Extra $50?
Apple AirPods 4 Review: The big question: how good is the ANC on the AirPods 4? Is it worth paying extra for, or should you just go with the AirPods Pro?
Compared to the AirPods Pro 2, the ANC here is not as strong. The reason? Physics. Since these don’t have silicon tips for a perfect seal, some outside noise still leaks in.
- Effectiveness: If the AirPods Pro’s noise cancellation is an 8/10, I’d rate these at about a 4 or 5/10.
- Best Use Cases: It works well in loud environments (trains, planes, city streets) by reducing background noise enough so you can hear your music or podcast more clearly.
- Limitations: In quieter environments, like a library, the difference is minimal. It’s more “noise reduction” than full cancellation.
That said, transparency mode is excellent—probably the best I’ve heard in any AirPods. Since some external sound already leaks in naturally, the boosted audio from the microphones sounds incredibly natural.
Battery Life & Other Features
- Battery Life: With ANC on, AirPods 4 last about 4 hours per charge, with the case extending it to 20 hours. Respectable, but slightly worse than previous models.
- Vision Pro Compatibility: These are now among the few Apple headphones to support ultra-low latency with Vision Pro.
- Precision Finding: The case speaker is useful for locating lost AirPods.
- H2 Chip: Handles ANC, transparency mode, adaptive audio, and even lets you nod or shake your head to answer Siri calls—a neat trick.
Should You Buy AirPods 4?
Apple AirPods 4 Review: At $129 for the base model and $179 for the ANC version, are they worth it?
- If you need noise cancellation, the AirPods 4 ANC are a decent budget-friendly option, but AirPods Pro 2 are still much better and only ~$20 more on sale.
- If you don’t care about ANC, the base AirPods 4 are a solid, affordable option for seamless Apple ecosystem integration.
- If fit has been an issue for you before, these likely won’t be any different. You may be better off with silicon-tipped alternatives.
In the end, these are classic AirPods—good all-around, seamless with Apple devices, and reliable for calls, podcasts, and casual listening. But if you’re after the best ANC experience, AirPods Pro remain the way to go.
Apple AirPods 4 Review: Technical Specifications
- Driver: Custom Apple dynamic driver
- Noise Cancellation: Yes (ANC version only)
- Transparency Mode: Yes
- Chipset: Apple H2
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3, Apple ecosystem integration
- Battery Life: 4 hours (ANC on), up to 20 hours with case
- Charging: USB-C (wireless charging on ANC version)
- Water & Dust Resistance: IP54
- Case Features: Precision Finding, speaker for alerts (ANC version only)