Apple AirPods 4 review: It’s time to upgrade your old AirPods

AirPods 4 reimagine Apple's entry-level wireless earbuds in an ambitious way. Not only do they bring an overdue update to the very product line that put AirPods on the map, but they introduce an ilk of sub-$180 active noise canceling buds that ditch those potentially pesky silicone ear tips — and the lightning port in lieu of USB-C.

You'd think without a true seal, the AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation wouldn't be effective. But having used them during train rides, flights, workouts, and other day-to-day activities, I'll vouch that the ambient sound reduction actually works. Is it equal to the experience offered by AirPods Pro 2? Of course not. But, as someone who can't stand the pressure caused by rubber tips for many hours at a time, I have a feeling this version of the AirPods 4 is going to become very popular over the next few years.

AirPods 4 UNBOXING + Best New Features! - YouTube

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The $129 version without ANC gets you redesigned acoustic architecture with the addition of modern AirPods features like Personalized Spatial Audio, Conversation Awareness, and Head Gestures — all very Pro-level features coming in for over $100 less. In fact, the biggest difference between AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 might be that the latter's battery life is a little lackluster in comparison. To make things easy, I included a chart that shows the battery life estimates side-by-side below, as well as more clarification on AirPods 4 vs. AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation. 

With these two options to choose from, read my full Apple AirPods 4 review to find out whether and which of these buds are right for you. 

Apple AirPods 4: Price and availability

The AirPods 4 price starts at $129 for the non-Active Noise Cancellation model, which is the same cost as the AirPods 2 that have stuck around since 2019 (although you could find them for much less as retailers clear stock thanks to some great cheap AirPods deals.)

For $179, the same price as AirPods 3, you can get the AirPods 4 with Noise Cancellation. That's $70 less than the cost of AirPods Pro 2.

Both versions of AirPods 4 are available as of September 20 and can be pre-ordered now.

Apple AirPods 4: Specs

AirPods 4 vs. AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation

If you're confused about why there are two different pairs of AirPods 4 that sell for different prices, I don't blame you. Hopefully, I can make it simple: the $129 pair doesn't have active noise cancellation. The $179 does have active noise cancellation, along with a transparency mode and a feature called adaptive audio that blends ANC with transparency automatically based on environmental sounds.

Another difference to note is that the pricier AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation have a different charging case, which packs Find My (a must if you're prone to misplacing your earbuds) and wireless charging. As features carried over from AirPods Pro 2, these are big selling points. 

Apple AirPods 4: Design and comfort

The AirPods 4 officially mark the end of earbuds with very long, extended stems on Apple Store shelves. Instead, these buds look more akin to the AirPods 3, or perhaps more like a pair of AirPods Pro without the rubber ear tips. Each bud measures a mere 30.2 x 18.3 x 18.1mm and weighs just 0.15 ounces.

I found the AirPods 4 comfortable to wear for long periods of time. As I mentioned above, I generally don't find silicone ear tips comfortable, which is why I replaced my AirPods Pro 2 with the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds for a few months. I will say the AirPods 4 did shift a bit in my ear when I wore them on a cross-country flight, so I just had to adjust them occasionally to retain a secure fit. But overall, it felt like they were barely there.

For both models, the included charging case measures 50.1 x 46.2 x 21.2mm. Without ANC the case weighs 1.14 ounces, but with ANC it weighs 1.22. That added (albeit, minor) heft accommodates a wireless charging coil and a speaker for use with Find My. This is one of my favorite AirPods Pro 2 features, so I'm excited it's now available in a more affordable style.

Both cases ditch the pairing button on the back and instead have a hidden capacitive touchpad on the front to initiate pairing. This threw me off guard when I wanted to pair my AirPods to a non-Apple device, so I'll save you a Google search. Here's how to put AirPods 4 in Bluetooth pairing mode: double tap the front of the case just below the status light.

Apple AirPods 4: Performance

Apple redesigned the acoustic architecture of AirPods for the 4th-gen model, prioritizing richer bass and crisper highs compared to AirPods 2. Listening to Kendrick Lamar's "Not Like Us"  the contagious beat and brass instruments layered distinctly while the rapper’s vocals sounded sharp and accurate. 

Vocals sounded particularly strong while listening to podcasts and TV shows. I wore the AirPods 4 to keep an ear on Sunday's NASCAR race while I prepped dinner, and I was amazed by how authentic the announcers sounded over the roar of the car engines. 

When it comes to the AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation, the earbuds support options to quiet the world around you or tune in with transparency mode. You could use Adaptive Audio, which blends both settings based on noise in your environment, too. It's not as impactful as with AirPods Pro 2 or many other of the best noise-cancelling earbuds, but it's impressive for an "open-ear" style bud. 

Apple AirPods 4: Special features

Apple has carried down a number of Pro-level features to the AirPods 4 including Personalized Spatial Audio, Conversation Awareness, and Head Gestures. Personalized Spatial Audio customizes audio to match how you hear sound, while Conversation Awareness automatically lowers playback volumes when you start talking. Head Gestures, a newer AirPods feature, let you answer or decline calls by shaking your head accordingly. 

Siri is also available for controlling the AirPods hands-free. The voice assistant can announce notifications, send texts, manage audio playback, and more. Siri is also on track to receive a number of upgrades thanks to Apple Intelligence in iOS 18 for iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro. This will improve the assistant's ability to understand context during conversations had through AirPods 4. 

Another neat upgrade is that the AirPods 4 are rated IP54 for sweat resistance, meaning they're more than suited as workout headphones. The AirPods 2 did not have this rating, meaning that damage caused by moisture wouldn't make users eligible for a replacement. (Side note: AirPods Max also don't have this rating, yet I still see so many people wearing them at the gym *eye roll.*)

Apple AirPods 4: Battery life

The Apple AirPods 4 battery life is one of the only areas of disappointment based on my testing. For the standard AirPods 4, you'll get 5 hours of listening and 30 hours with the wireless charging case. For the AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation (enabled,) you'll get 4 hours of listening time and 20 hours with the wireless charging case. This meant I couldn't get through a cross-country flight uninterrupted on a full charge. I'll probably stick to the best headphones for travel, though the 4 hours is ample for shorter commutes and gym sessions.

With AirPods Pro 2, you get up to 6 hours of active listening with ANC, so that's a significant 2-hour difference. The $200 Sony LinkBuds S also get 6 hours of playback, while the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro get up to 7 hours. 

Otherwise, 5 minutes in the case provides around 1 hour of listening time, so you should be able to juice them up quickly in a pinch. And it should go without saying, but the case replaces the lightning port with USB-C.

Apple AirPods 4: Verdict

The AirPods 4 help usher the entire AirPods lineup into the present day. With USB-C charging, plenty of smart features, and more packed into a portable design, these buds are a strong entry-level buy starting at $129.

That said, I can easily justify paying the premium for the model with ANC, because you get the Find My wireless charging case and an adaptive listening experience. I'd take things a step further and say that when it comes to AirPods 4 vs. AirPods Pro 2, the AirPods Pro 2's extra 2 hours of battery life could be worth the investment  (especially considering the AirPods Pro 2 are often on sale for under $200) but that's a matter of personal preference. 

If you just need a pair of comfortable daily buds that play nice with all your Apple devices and sound great for the price, the AirPods 4 are easy to recommend. For those who have been holding on to their original AirPods or AirPods 2, the AirPods 4 should be your next upgrade.