AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation

They're good earbuds but $179 is too much for what you get. The ANC is decent, sound quality is good, and they're comfortable. But my $80 Nothing Ear (a) earbuds have similar ANC and better sound. You're paying for the Apple logo and ecosystem integration. If you have an iPhone and want something that just works, these are fine. If you want the best value for your money, there are better options. I'm keeping mine because I like how they work with my Mac and iPad, but I can't say they're worth the price.

Recommended

I wanted to love these but they just didn't work for my ears. The fit is loose no matter what I try, and I'm constantly adjusting them. The ANC is decent when they're positioned right, but if they shift at all (which happens a lot), the noise cancellation breaks up. Sound quality is fine — clear mids and highs, but bass is lacking compared to my old Galaxy Buds. The case feels premium and I like the Find My integration. Honestly, if you have smaller ears or plan to use these for working out, try them first. I'm returning mine.

Would not recommend this product

Let me start with the good: the sound quality is excellent for this form factor. Really clear mids and highs, decent soundstage. The ANC is impressive for open earbuds — it handles droning noises very well. The case is compact and well-built. Now the bad: the fit. I have average-sized ears and these still feel like they could fall out at any moment. I've had them almost fall out twice while eating. The touch controls on the stem are too sensitive — I keep pausing my music when I adjust them. And for $179, I expect better battery life than 4 hours with ANC on. They're good earbuds held back by design choices that should have been refined by now.

Would not recommend this product