The new AirPods 4 have arrived, and they are fantastic. As a set of on-ear wireless earbuds, they leave little room for criticism. Having used AirPods 2 for the last five years—skipping the third generation due to fit issues—AirPods 4 are precisely what I needed.
The latest AirPods are offered in two versions: $129 or $179 for the model featuring Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). I have the ANC version and couldn’t be happier, but I believe even the standard model will see significant sales this holiday season.
In the broader AirPods lineup, the AirPods Pro continue to reign supreme. The silicone tips create an impeccable seal in your ear, optimizing sound quality and noise cancellation. However, I’ve never found AirPods Pro—or most in-ear headphones—comfortable. The pressure from the silicone tips has always caused discomfort for me.
While the Pros excel in sound quality and features, their design limits my usage. I had resigned myself to this ergonomic compromise, assuming I would always miss out on superior functionality.
Noise Cancellation
While the Pros maintain their lead, the AirPods 4 come closer than ever. A year ago, if someone had told me that Apple’s standard earbuds would offer active noise cancellation, I would have found it hard to believe. Yet here we are with AirPods featuring ANC, and it performs surprisingly well.
After using AirPods 4 for three days, I’m blown away by the amount of sound they can block and isolate. In many situations, specific sounds may remain audible when in Noise Cancellation mode, but they are significantly muted.
The three large fans on my gaming PC under my desk generate a constant noise in a quiet room. With AirPods in and ANC activated, I could hardly tell if the PC was on just by the sound, without checking the status LED. They also effectively mute the low hum of my office desk fan.
Similarly, my ANC experience outdoors was impressive. Walking down the street, my footsteps were hushed, the chatter around me barely discernible, and the roar of an overhead airplane was nearly muted.
The sound of passing cars was also remarkably reduced. I was taken aback by how much quieter they were; toggling the ANC off confirmed just how loud they usually are. With ANC activated, the noise was softened to the point of resembling the sound of grains of rice being poured into a bowl. With music at a comfortable level, most ambient sounds become nearly inaudible.
However, some sounds, particularly sharp or high-pitched ones, can seep through the ANC of AirPods 4. For example, heavy rain was lessened in volume, but still noticeable; a passing helicopter was similarly loud. This is where the Pros excel, utilizing their physical seals and passive cancellation properties.
When ANC is on, I’ve noticed a certain pressure in my inner ear, as well as occasional audio artifacts akin to a light breeze or whooshing sound. This could be attributed to Apple’s efforts in compensating for the design of the open-to-the-world earbuds.
While I likely won’t keep ANC on all the time as I prefer to hear my surroundings, it’s a fantastic feature to have when needed. One of the reasons I upgraded was to use ANC while mowing my lawn. With older AirPods, I had to turn my music or podcast up to maximum volume just to hear it over the mower’s sound. Now, with AirPods 4, I can easily activate ANC and enjoy my audio without exceeding 30% volume, even if the mower is still audible.
I find the Transparency mode on AirPods 4 to be unnecessary, as I can hear clearly without any noise control modes activated. By default, pressing the force sensor on the stem toggles between Noise Cancellation and Transparency modes. I’ve adjusted it in the settings to switch between Noise Cancellation and Off instead, as I don’t see value in Transparency mode and believe it might help preserve battery life.
Sound Quality and Fit
In terms of sound quality, AirPods 4 significantly outshine AirPods 2 and slightly surpass AirPods 3. The audio is well-balanced and clear, with a bit more bass than one might expect from such small drivers. Of course, the encapsulated Pro models still deliver the finest sound, as their design prevents any frequencies from escaping your ear canal.
While many may not enjoy it, I personally love experiencing spatial audio from Apple Music through AirPods 4. The sensation of being surrounded by music is quite convincing. If you tried Spatial Audio upon its initial release, I encourage you to give it another chance—artists are enhancing the quality of their Dolby Atmos tracks, and Apple’s firmware updates have made a notable difference. For music listening, I recommend using Fixed spatial mode over Head Tracked.
Apple claims AirPods 4 feature a completely new acoustic architecture for improved sound reproduction. While this may be the case, I believe those upgrading from AirPods 3 will notice the most significant quality leap due to the better fit of the redesigned 4s, which helps minimize sound leakage.
The original AirPods and the similarly designed AirPods 2 fit comfortably in my ears. They feel lightweight, don’t press against my ear canal, and remain securely in place. Much of the original design’s weight comes from the long stems, which stick out from the ear. It’s no surprise that the overall design was widely accepted upon release.
The AirPods 3’s design has been met with mixed reviews regarding fit. Many I know skipped the 3s entirely because they found them uncomfortable and insecure compared to the earlier models. The bulbous design of the AirPods 3 made them feel large inside the ear. While they stayed in place for me, I did feel less confident with them, so I opted to stick with the second generation.
The AirPods 4 have found a balance between the first generation and the third. They maintain the shorter stems seen in AirPods 3 but have notably reduced the size of the earbud, making it feel less bulky and better conforming to the contours of the ear.
Fit can vary for each person, but I would say the AirPods 4 are nearly as comfortable as the original AirPods. I would urge anyone dissuaded by the 3s to give this new generation a try. Personally, I have confidence that AirPods 4 will stay securely in my ears during regular activities. I tested them during a weekend with walking, a 15-minute jog, and some enthusiastic head-banging simulations. They not only stayed in place but felt assuredly secure.
Value for Money
With all of these enhancements, Apple could have easily increased the price of the AirPods 4, especially for the ANC model. However, they didn’t. In fact, prices have either remained unchanged or even decreased, making the AirPods 4 lineup the best value yet.
Just last month, you could purchase AirPods 2 for $129. That included the earbuds and a wired-only Lightning charging case. Now, for $129, you receive the base model of AirPods 4 with a USB-C charging case. That’s a leap forward of two generations, providing a modern case that has enhanced battery capacity; the latest Spatial Audio capabilities and force sensor controls; features like Voice Isolation for improved microphone quality and Adaptive EQ for superior sound; and the newest H2 chip with support for Head Gestures, among other advancements.
For $179, you also get AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation, a significant upgrade from the previous model that offered no noise cancellation along with a Lightning port/wireless charging case. Additionally, I appreciate the smaller, more compact case that comes with AirPods 4, which even includes an integrated speaker to help locate it if misplaced. However, keep in mind that the case’s slim design means it lacks the necessary magnets to attach to MagSafe chargers, so it can slide off if not positioned properly on a vertical stand.
This is undeniably the best range of AirPods to date (let’s overlook the AirPods Max for a moment). If you’re comfortable with silicone tips, the AirPods Pro 2 remain highly recommended, especially given the significant discounts currently available online.
However, for those like me who prefer to avoid in-ear tips, the AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation check all the boxes. If you’re budget-conscious or indifferent about ANC, the base AirPods 4 still offer an excellent purchase.
In the past, one could argue for choosing truly wireless earbuds from other brands at a lower price than Apple’s AirPods. Yet, AirPods deliver a quality experience, and opting for other brands typically meant sacrificing exclusive features tied to the Apple ecosystem. This remains accurate, but there’s now an additional reason for justifying the cost. The active noise cancellation on AirPods 4 truly works and isn’t just a marketing gimmick. I’m not aware of any other earbuds that offer a similar level of noise cancellation in an on-ear format. This is what sets AirPods 4 apart.
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