AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation

Coming from AirPods 1st gen (yes, really), these are a revelation. The sound quality is night and day — so much more detail and clarity. ANC is something I didn't know I needed until I had it. I put them on at my local coffee shop and the background noise just... disappeared. It was honestly a little emotional lol. The spatial audio is really cool too, especially with Apple Music. Battery life is way better than my old pair. The case is smaller and charges via USB-C which means one less cable to carry. If you've been holding onto old AirPods like I was, this is the upgrade you've been waiting for.

Recommended

I've owned every generation of AirPods since the original, and these are easily the best. The new design fits my ears way better than the AirPods 3 ever did — they actually stay put when I'm jogging. Active noise cancellation is seriously impressive for an open-ear design. I was skeptical it would work without silicone tips, but walking through downtown, it cuts out probably 80% of ambient noise. Transparency mode sounds super natural too. Battery life has been solid, getting close to the advertised 5 hours with ANC on. The case is smaller than before and USB-C is a welcome change. If you're on the fence, just get these.

Recommended

I wanted to live with these for a while before writing a review, so here are my thoughts after two months of using the AirPods 4 with ANC as my primary earbuds. **Comfort & Fit:** These are extremely comfortable. I can wear them for 4-5 hours straight without any ear fatigue. The fit is secure enough for walking and light jogging, but I wouldn't trust them during intense workouts. They've never fallen out during normal use, but I do find myself pushing them back in occasionally. **Active Noise Cancellation:** This is the headline feature and it's genuinely good — for open earbuds. It handles consistent low-frequency noise like engines, fans, and HVAC systems extremely well. It's less effective against irregular sounds like conversations, keyboard clacking, or street noise. I'd say it blocks about 60-70% of what the AirPods Pro 2 can do. For my use case (office and commuting), that's plenty. The transparency mode is best-in-class; it sounds completely natural. **Sound Quality:** Typical Apple tuning — neutral with a slight emphasis on clarity. Vocals sound fantastic. Acoustic instruments are detailed and well-separated. Bass is present but not punchy; if you're a bass head, these aren't for you. Spatial audio with head tracking is impressive for movies and supported music, though I don't use it often. **Battery Life:** With ANC on, I'm getting about 4.5 hours consistently. The case provides about 4 full charges. With ANC off, battery life extends to around 6 hours. Charging via USB-C is fast — 15 minutes gives me about an hour of listening. Wireless charging works reliably with my Magsafe pad. **Call Quality:** This is where these earbuds really shine. The voice pickup is excellent even in moderately noisy environments. I've taken calls walking along a busy street and the other person said I sounded clear. Wind noise reduction is also impressive. **Build Quality & Condition:** My unit came in perfect condition — clean, no scratches, well-packaged. The case feels premium with a satisfying hinge. The finish does show fingerprints easily though. **Value:** At $179, these occupy an interesting spot. They're cheaper than the AirPods Pro 2 but significantly more expensive than competitors. For Apple ecosystem users, the seamless integration (instant switching, Find My, Siri) justifies the premium. For Android users, look elsewhere. **Final Verdict:** These are excellent earbuds for Apple users who want ANC but find silicone tips uncomfortable. They're not for everyone — the fit is critical, and the ANC has limitations. But for my needs, they're nearly perfect.

Recommended

Got these on sale for $149 and at that price they're an absolute steal. The ANC is good enough for my daily subway commute — it cuts the rumble and most of the chatter. Sound quality is what you'd expect from Apple: clear, balanced, nothing mind-blowing but very listenable. The case is pocket-friendly and the battery lasts me a full work week with moderate use. My only gripe is that they're not sweat-resistant enough for me to feel comfortable using them at the gym. But for casual listening and calls, these are fantastic.

Recommended

I've been using these daily for about three weeks now and I'm genuinely impressed. I work in an open office and the ANC handles chatter and keyboard noise surprisingly well. When I need to hear someone, a quick press switches to transparency mode and it's like I'm not wearing anything. The sound profile is very Apple — neutral and clean, not bass-heavy. I appreciate that. Battery life has been consistent: about 4.5-5 hours with ANC on, and the case gives me about 4 full charges. The wireless charging works with my Belkin pad no issues. Setup was literally open the case near my phone and done. If you're already in the Apple ecosystem, these are a no-brainer.

Recommended

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