The AirPods 4 have arrived, and they’re impressive. These on-ear wireless earbuds are tough to criticize. Having used AirPods 2 for five years and skipping the third generation due to comfort issues, I can confidently say that AirPods 4 are exactly what I’ve been waiting for.
These new earbuds come in two variants: one priced at $129, and another at $179 featuring Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). I opted for the ANC version and am absolutely delighted with it, though I anticipate that the standard version will also see impressive sales this holiday season.
When considering the full AirPods lineup, the AirPods Pro remain the top choice. Their silicone tips create an excellent seal in the ear, maximizing sound quality and noise cancellation. However, I’ve never found AirPods Pro comfortable, nor do I typically tolerate in-ear headphones well. The silicone tips create pressure that I’ve found uncomfortable.
While the Pros excel in sound quality and features, their design makes them unsuitable for me. I had resigned myself to the compromise in comfort, believing I would always have to settle for lesser functionality.
Noise Cancellation
Yet, the AirPods 4 are closer to the Pros than ever before. Just a year ago, I would have thought you were crazy if you suggested that Apple’s standard earbuds would feature active noise cancellation, and yet here we are with AirPods boasting ANC, and it’s impressively effective.
After three days of using the AirPods 4, I am quite taken aback by how well they isolate and cancel sound. Generally, while certain noises may still be faintly heard in ANC mode, they are significantly muted.
For instance, my gaming PC has three sizeable fans to cool the GPU. In a quiet room, their operation is distinctly audible. But with the AirPods in and ANC activated, I couldn’t tell if the PC was running without glancing at the status LED. They also do an admirable job of muffling the low hums of my office desk fan.
I also had success testing ANC outdoors. As I strolled down the street, my footsteps were subdued, the conversations of passersby were barely perceptible, and the roar of a plane overhead was nearly silenced.
Even the sound of a passing car’s engine was remarkably diminished. I was pleasantly surprised. I switched off ANC to confirm that, yes, the engine noise was usually overwhelmingly loud as they sped by. With ANC on, the sound was toned down to the level of grains of rice being poured into a bowl. When listening to music at a typical volume, most surrounding noise becomes nearly inaudible with ANC engaged.
Some sounds, particularly sharp or high-pitched ones, can still penetrate the AirPods 4’s ANC. Heavy rain noise was lessened, but only slightly. The drone from a passing helicopter was also quite prominent. This highlights where the Pros have the advantage due to their passive cancellation and isolation from the physical seals.
While using ANC, I noticed a slight pressure sensation in my inner ear. Occasionally, I also detected artifacts in the noise cancellation, similar to a light breeze or whooshing effect. This is likely due to Apple pushing the algorithms hard to compensate for the open design of the earbuds.
Personally, I don’t think I will keep ANC (or Adaptive mode) on full-time; I prefer being able to hear my surroundings. However, situationally, it’s an excellent feature to have. One major reason for my upgrade was to utilize ANC while mowing my lawn. With older AirPods, I had to crank my music or podcast up to maximum volume just to hear it over the mower’s noise. With AirPods 4, I can quickly activate ANC and comfortably listen while cutting the grass. The cancellation doesn’t completely eliminate the mower’s sound, but it does dampen it enough to keep my podcast audible at 30% volume.
Regarding Transparency mode, I find it somewhat unnecessary on AirPods 4. I can hear perfectly well with noise control turned off. By default, pressing the force sensor on the stem switches between Noise Cancellation and Transparency modes. I’ve adjusted it in settings to toggle between Noise Cancellation and Off, as I don’t utilize Transparency mode and assume no noise control conserves battery life.
Sound Quality and Fit
In terms of sound quality, AirPods 4 offer a notable upgrade over AirPods 2 and a slight improvement over AirPods 3. The sound is clear and well-balanced, with a touch more bass than you might anticipate given the small size of the speaker drivers. Naturally, the encapsulating Pros still deliver the best audio as they prevent any frequencies from escaping the ear canal.
While some may not favor it, I personally enjoy listening to spatial audio tracks from Apple Music on the AirPods 4. They create an immersive sensation that envelops you in the music. If you tried Spatial Audio when it first launched, I encourage you to give it another chance. Artists are improving in mastering Dolby Atmos versions, and Apple’s firmware updates have enhanced the overall quality of the experience. For music listening, I recommend the Fixed spatial mode over Head Tracked.
Apple claims that the AirPods 4 feature entirely new acoustic architecture for improved sound reproduction. While this might be true, users transitioning from AirPods 3 may notice a more significant improvement in sound quality due to the enhanced fit from the redesigned shape, which reduces sound leakage.
AirPods 1 and AirPods 2 fit comfortably in my ears. They are lightweight, do not press against my ear canal, and stay securely in place. Much of the original design’s weight came from the long stems that extend outside of the ear, which contributed to their early popularity.
The AirPods 3 design, however, has had a mixed reception concerning comfort. Many I know skipped them entirely due to fit issues, despite having no problems with earlier versions. The bulbous design of AirPods 3 felt considerably larger and less secure in my ears. Although they stayed in place for me, they felt less reliable and would shift during animated conversations or yawning. As a result, I stuck with AirPods 2.
The design of AirPods 4 achieves a balance between AirPods 2 and 3. They retain the shorter stems of AirPods 3 while significantly reducing the bud size, resulting in a less round, bloated appearance that better conforms to the typical ear shape.
Fit is subjective, but I find AirPods 4 to be almost as comfortable as the original AirPods. I would recommend that anyone who found the shape of AirPods 3 unappealing give this new generation a chance. Personally, I have confidence that AirPods 4 will remain in place during regular use. I tested them during a weekend walk, a 15-minute run, and even simulated head-banging. Not only do they stay put, they also feel like they won’t fall out.
Value for Money
Given all these enhancements, Apple could have easily justified raising the price of AirPods 4, especially for the ANC model. Instead, they maintained or even lowered prices, making the new AirPods 4 lineup a better value than ever.
Just last month, Apple offered AirPods 2 for $129, which included the buds and a wired-only Lightning charging case. Now, that same price gives you the AirPods 4 base model with a USB-C charging case, representing a leap of two generations in additional features. You’re getting a more compact, modern charging case that provides longer battery life; the latest Spatial Audio features; force sensor controls; computational audio features such as Voice Isolation for better microphone quality and Adaptive EQ for superior sound; and the new H2 chip that supports Head Gestures, among other improvements.
For $179, you now receive AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation, where previously that same amount would net you AirPods 3 without any noise cancellation and with a Lightning port and wireless charging case. In addition to all the new features, I appreciate the smaller, more compact charging case that comes with AirPods 4, which even includes an integrated speaker to help locate it when it’s misplaced. However, keep in mind, the case is too small to accommodate the necessary magnets for MagSafe charging. While it will still charge when placed correctly, it may slide off if placed on a vertical charging stand.
This is undoubtedly the best AirPods lineup to date (let’s disregard the AirPods Max for now). If you’re comfortable with in-ear tips, the AirPods Pro 2 remain the top recommendation, especially with the current discounts available online.
But if you’re like me and prefer to avoid silicone tips, the AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation cover all the bases. If you’re price-conscious or not particularly interested in ANC, the base AirPods 4 are still an excellent choice.
In the past, consumers could argue in favor of budget wireless earbuds from competitors, which often sold for slightly less than what Apple charges for its AirPods. However, while AirPods deliver exceptional quality, opting for alternatives meant sacrificing the exclusive features of Apple’s ecosystem integration. That remains true today, but now there’s even more reason to justify the cost. The active noise cancellation in AirPods 4 genuinely works, and it is far from mere marketing hype. I don’t believe there are other earbuds that provide the same level of noise cancellation in an on-ear format. The AirPods 4 truly stand out.
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