The arrival of AirPods 4 has generated quite a buzz, and they do not disappoint. As a set of on-ear wireless earbuds, they are exceptionally well-crafted. After five years of using AirPods 2 and opting out of the third generation due to fit issues, I find that AirPods 4 are exactly what I needed.
The latest AirPods come in two variants: one priced at $129 and another at $179 featuring Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). I have the ANC version and am incredibly pleased, though I anticipate the base model will see significant sales this holiday season.
When assessing the broader AirPods range, it’s clear that the AirPods Pro are still the elite choice. Their silicone tips create a perfect fit with your ears, ensuring exceptional sound quality and noise reduction. Personally, I’ve never found AirPods Pro, or many in-ear headphones, to be comfortable due to the pressure from the silicone tips inside my ears.
While the Pros undoubtedly excel in sound quality and features, their tip design has always excluded me. I thought I would have to compromise on comfort for functionality forever.
Noise Cancellation
Despite my reservations, AirPods 4 come closer to the Pro’s performance than ever. A year ago, if anyone had suggested that Apple’s standard earbuds would come equipped with active noise cancellation, I would have dismissed it as unrealistic. Yet, here we are, and the ANC performance is surprisingly impressive.
I’ve been testing AirPods 4 for three days now, and I’m astounded by their capability to isolate and cancel incoming noise. In many instances, while some sounds remain perceptible in Noise Cancellation mode, they are significantly muted.
For example, my gaming PC, which has three large fans running beneath my desk, produces a constant hum in a typically quiet room. With ANC activated in the AirPods, I found it difficult to determine whether the PC was on without glancing at the status LED on the case. The ANC effectively dampened the continuous noise from my office desk fan, as well.
The effectiveness of ANC continued outside. As I walked down the street, my footsteps became hushed, the chatter of passersby faded to a whisper, and even the sound of an overhead airplane was notably muted.
The roar of a car engine passing by was also significantly softened. I toggled ANC off to confirm that the engine noise is usually a loud interruption. But with ANC engaged, the sounds become indistinct, akin to the gentle pour of rice into a bowl. With music at a comfortable volume, most ambient noises become barely audible with ANC active.
However, certain sounds, particularly sharp or high-pitched ones, can overpower the ANC capabilities of AirPods 4. I noticed heavy rain become quieter, but only to a small degree. The passing drone of a helicopter also proved quite loud. In these scenarios, the Pros retain an advantage thanks to their physical seals that enhance passive noise cancellation.
When ANC is operational, I sense a mild pressure in my inner ear. I also occasionally detect noise cancellation artifacts in the AirPods 4’s output, like a light breeze or a whooshing effect. This likely stems from Apple’s need to heavily maneuver the algorithms to adapt to their open-design earbuds.
I don’t intend to use ANC (or the Adaptive mode) on my AirPods constantly, as I prefer to remain aware of my surroundings. Nevertheless, it’s a valuable feature under certain conditions. One of my key reasons for upgrading was to use ANC while mowing the lawn. Previously, I had to crank the volume of my music or podcast to the maximum just to hear it over the lawnmower. Now, with AirPods 4, I can simply long-press the stem to activate ANC and enjoy my listening experience while cutting the grass. The noise reduction doesn’t eliminate the sound of the mower entirely, but it lessens it enough for me to comfortably tune into my podcast at 30% volume.
For what it’s worth, I find Transparency mode somewhat unnecessary on AirPods 4. My hearing is perfectly fine with all noise control modes turned off. Upon purchase, pressing the force sensor on the stem switches between ANC and Transparency modes. I modified this setting to transition between ANC and Off. Transparency mode doesn’t add value for me, and I assume not using any noise control saves battery life.
Sound Quality and Fit
In terms of sound quality, AirPods 4 significantly outperform AirPods 2 and even slightly exceed AirPods 3. The audio is well-balanced and clear, with a touch more bass than you might anticipate given the small size of the speaker drivers. Of course, the enclosed design of the Pros means they deliver superior sound since no frequencies can escape your ear canal.
Though some people dislike it, I thoroughly enjoy listening to spatial tracks from Apple Music through the AirPods 4. The immersive feeling of being surrounded by sound is quite convincing. If you haven’t tried Spatial Audio since its initial release, I encourage you to revisit it. Artists are mastering Dolby Atmos tracks better now, and improvements in Apple’s firmware have enhanced the overall experience. For music listening, opt for the Fixed spatial mode instead of Head Tracked.
Apple boasts that AirPods 4 feature a completely redesigned acoustic architecture for improved sound reproduction. While that might hold true, users transitioning from AirPods 3 will likely notice the most significant sound quality enhancement due to the upgraded fit from AirPods 4’s new shape, which also reduces sound leakage.
The original AirPods and the similarly styled AirPods 2 fit comfortably in my ears. They feel light, do not press against the side of my ear canal, and surprisingly, they never fall out. Much of the original weight came from the long stems, which extend outside the ear, contributing to the design’s widespread appeal.
The AirPods 3 design has received mixed reviews regarding fit. Many users passed on the model because they felt it wouldn’t stay in their ears, despite having no problems with prior versions. The bulbous nature of AirPods 3 was perceived as overly large inside the ear. While they fit me fine, they felt insecure and could easily dislodge during animated conversations or yawning. Lacking confidence in their security, I opted to stick with AirPods 2.
AirPods 4 exhibit a design that merges attributes from both AirPods 2 and AirPods 3. They boast the same compact stems as the AirPods 3 but significantly slimmed-down buds, which feel less bulky and better contour to the design of ear canals.
Fit is inherently subjective, but I would argue that AirPods 4 come exceedingly close to the comfort of original AirPods. I encourage potential AirPods buyers who were put off by the 3’s design to give this new generation a shot. Personally, I now have confidence that AirPods 4 will stay securely in my ears during typical usage. I tested them out this weekend while walking, running for 15 minutes, and even simulated some vigorous head-banging. They not only stayed put but felt reassuringly secure.
Value for Money
Considering all the enhancements made, I believe Apple could have easily raised the price for AirPods 4, especially for the ANC model. Instead, they’ve kept prices consistent or even lowered them in some instances. This makes the new AirPods 4 an exceptional value proposition.
Only last month, Apple offered AirPods 2 at a price of $129, which included only the basic wireless earbuds and a wired Lightning charging case. Now, for the same base price, you get the AirPods 4 with a USB-C charging case. This represents a leap forward with two generations of additional features: a more compact and efficient charging case, the latest Spatial Audio capabilities with force sensor controls, advanced computational audio features like Voice Isolation for superior microphone quality, Adaptive EQ for optimized sound, and the latest H2 chip with new Head Gestures support.
At the price of $179, you can now acquire AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation, whereas previously, that amount only secured you AirPods 3 without any noise cancellation features, which came with a Lightning port and wireless charging case. In addition to all the new features, I appreciate the more compact charging case provided with AirPods 4, which even includes an integrated speaker to assist in locating it if it gets misplaced. However, be aware that the case is designed so compactly that it cannot accommodate the necessary magnetic ring for MagSafe chargers. It will still charge as long as it stays in place but may slide off a vertical charging stand.
This is the most impressive AirPods lineup to date (let’s momentarily ignore AirPods Max). If you don’t mind in-ear tips, the AirPods Pro 2 remain the top recommendation, especially given the heavy discounts they receive online.
However, if you find in-ear tips uncomfortable, like myself, the AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation fulfill all the necessary criteria. If you are conscious of budget or don’t require ANC, the base AirPods 4 represent an excellent purchase as well.
In the past, it was easy to argue that competing truly wireless earbuds offered a more cost-effective option than AirPods. Yet, the quality of AirPods stands out, and opting for alternatives often meant sacrificing exclusive ecosystem features. This remains the case, but you now have another reason to rationalize the investment. The active noise cancellation in AirPods 4 is remarkably effective and surpasses mere marketing claims. I’m not aware of any other earbuds that provide a comparable level of noise cancellation in an on-ear design. This aspect truly sets AirPods 4 apart.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
