The new AirPods 4 have arrived, and they are impressive. As a pair of over-ear wireless earbuds, they are tough to critique. After using AirPods 2 for five years and skipping the third generation due to fit issues, I finally found what I’ve been seeking in AirPods 4.
These new AirPods come in two versions: $129 or $179 for the model with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). I am using the ANC variant and couldn’t be happier, but I suspect that even the standard model will see high demand this holiday season.
Within the entire AirPods range, the AirPods Pro continue to reign supreme. With their silicone tips offering an excellent seal, they deliver optimal sound quality and noise cancellation. However, I have never found AirPods Pro or most in-ear headphones comfortable due to the pressure from the silicone tips.
While the Pro models will consistently lead in sound quality and features, the design of their tips means they are not an option for me. I accepted the compromise in ergonomics, expecting to always lag behind in terms of functionality.
Noise Cancellation
While the Pro models maintain their advantages, AirPods 4 come remarkably close. A year ago, if someone had claimed that Apple’s standard earbuds would feature active noise cancellation, I would have dismissed it. Yet, here are AirPods with ANC, and it performs surprisingly well.
After three days of using AirPods 4, I am astonished by the amount of sound they can isolate and cancel. In most instances, certain sounds remain audible in Noise Cancellation mode, but the volume is significantly diminished.
My gaming PC, which has three large fans for GPU cooling, produces a constant hum in a quiet room. When wearing AirPods with ANC, I couldn’t be certain whether the PC was on without looking at the LED status light. They also effectively lessen the low hum from my desk fan.
My experiences with ANC extended to outdoor settings as well. As I walked down the street, my footsteps faded, nearby conversations became distant murmurs, and the sound of a plane overhead was nearly completely muted.
Even the roar of a passing car engine was remarkably dulled. I was astounded. I would toggle ANC off to verify that the engine noise was indeed overwhelming without ANC; with it activated, the sound diminished to a mere whisper, comparable to grains of rice poured into a bowl. When listening to music at a moderate volume, almost all environmental noise becomes nearly inaudible.
Some sounds, particularly sharp or high-pitched ones, do penetrate the ANC of AirPods 4. Heavy rain was muted but still audible, while the drone of a helicopter overhead was pronounced. It’s in these moments that the Pro models excel due to their superior passive cancellation and isolation from their silicone tips.
When ANC is engaged, I sometimes feel a pressure sensation in my ears. Occasional noise cancellation artifacts emerge, resembling a gentle breeze or whooshing sound. This may stem from Apple’s need to push the algorithms hard to counterbalance the open design of the buds.
I doubt I will use ANC (or Adaptive mode) consistently since I appreciate hearing my surroundings. Nevertheless, it’s a valuable feature to have. One reason I upgraded was to utilize ANC while mowing my lawn. Previously, I had to crank the volume to 100% to sound out the mower. Now, with AirPods 4, I can easily activate ANC and enjoy listening without cranking the volume above 30%.
As for the Transparency mode, I find it unnecessary on AirPods 4. I can hear just fine with all noise cancellation features turned off. By default, pressing the force sensor on the stem toggles between Noise Cancellation and Transparency modes, but I adjusted the settings to switch between Noise Cancellation and Off, assuming this would help save battery.
Sound Quality and Fit
In terms of sound quality, AirPods 4 significantly outperform AirPods 2 and slightly surpass AirPods 3. The sound is well-balanced and clear, with an unexpected boost in bass considering the small size of the drivers. Of course, the AirPods Pro still offer the best audio quality as they effectively seal your ear canal.
While some may dislike it, I personally enjoy the spatial audio experience from Apple Music through AirPods 4. It truly immerses you in the music. If you were underwhelmed by Spatial Audio initially, I urge you to give it another chance. Artists are honing their Dolby Atmos mixes, and Apple has made notable firmware enhancements to improve this experience. For music, it’s best to use the Fixed spatial mode instead of Head Tracked.
Apple claims that AirPods 4 feature a completely new acoustic design for enhanced sound reproduction. This might be accurate, but users upgrading from AirPods 3 will likely notice the most significant improvement in sound quality due to the better fit that minimizes sound leakage.
AirPods 1 and 2 fit perfectly in my ears, feeling lightweight without pressing against my ear canal while staying securely in place. The original design’s weight was primarily in the long stems, which extend outside the ear. Their initial popularity indicates how universally compatible that design was.
Conversely, the design of AirPods 3 has been a point of contention. I know many who passed on them because they didn’t remain secure in their ears, despite having no problems with earlier models. The AirPods 3 have a more bulbous design that some found excessive. Personally, while they stayed in place, I felt they were less secure and could shift during animated conversations or yawning. Consequently, I continued using AirPods 2.
The AirPods 4 vision strikes a balance between AirPods 2 and 3. They maintain the short stems of the AirPods 3 but are redesigned to make the bud part slimmer and less bulky, creating a more sculpted fit for ears.
Fit is subjective, but I would argue AirPods 4 are almost as comfortable as the original AirPods. I recommend giving these a try if the AirPods 3’s fit was an issue. Personally, I feel confident that AirPods 4 will remain securely in my ears throughout normal use. I tested them during a 15-minute run and other activities without any concerns about them falling out.
Value for Money
With all these advancements, I believe Apple could have justified a price increase for AirPods 4, especially for the ANC version. Surprisingly, they maintained the same price, and in some cases, offered reduced prices, making the new lineup more cost-effective than ever.
Just a month ago, Apple sold the AirPods 2 for $129, which included the earbuds and only a wired Lightning charging case. Now, for the same $129, you can get the base model AirPods 4 with a USB-C charging case, representing a significant upgrade with the inclusion of features from two additional generations: a smaller, more efficient charging case, the latest Spatial Audio capabilities, force sensor controls, computational audio features like Voice Isolation for improved mic quality, Adaptive EQ for enhanced sound, and the latest H2 chip supporting new Head Gestures, among others.
For $179, you now get AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation, whereas previously that amount only got you the AirPods 3 without any noise cancellation alongside a Lightning port/wireless charging case. In addition to all the new features, I appreciate the compact charging case of AirPods 4, which even includes a built-in speaker for locating it when misplaced. However, be mindful that this case is so small it lacks the magnets necessary for MagSafe charging, meaning it may not stay positioned on vertical chargers.
This represents the most outstanding AirPods lineup to date (let’s not mention the AirPods Max). If you can tolerate the feel of in-ear tips, the AirPods Pro 2 remain the recommended option, especially given their current discounts online.
However, for those like me who prefer to avoid silicone tips, the AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation fulfill all the needs. If you are budget-conscious or indifferent to ANC, the base model AirPods 4 provides excellent value too.
Previously, one could find cheaper truly wireless earbuds from other brands that were less expensive compared to AirPods, but choosing AirPods comes with unique ecosystem integration benefits. Now, however, you have an additional reason to justify the price. The ANC on AirPods 4 is effective and genuinely not just a marketing ploy. I haven’t encountered any other earbuds offering this level of noise cancellation in an on-ear design, truly setting AirPods 4 apart.
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