Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation Review — An impressive engineering feat that successfully brings ANC to the open-ear crowd, though it lives in the shadow of the frequently discounted AirPods Pro 2

Apple’s new AirPods 4 defy physics with open-ear ANC, but they’ve quietly sacrificed a fan-favorite charging feature to get there. It’s a bold, engineering-first move that forces you to decide if you value comfort over absolute isolation.

What you're actually getting

If you’ve spent years avoiding the "plunger" feeling of silicone ear tips, the AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation feel like a revelation. Apple has managed to pack a sophisticated ANC array into a hard-plastic shell that doesn't seal your ear canal, a feat that shouldn't technically work as well as it does. As Dave2D noted, "These far exceed my expectations because they're able to pull off pretty good active noise cancellation without any kind of rubber seal."

However, don't mistake this for the total silence of the AirPods Pro 2. You’re getting noise reduction rather than true noise cancellation. It’s excellent for dulling the hum of an office or the drone of a train, but it won't save you from a crying baby on a flight or the sharp clatter of a keyboard. Marques Brownlee put it best: "It's less noise cancellation and more noise reduction, if that makes sense."

The hardware itself is a masterclass in miniaturization. The charging case is shockingly small—17% narrower and 36% lighter than the Pro case—making it disappear into a coin pocket. But there’s a catch: Apple removed the magnetic alignment for MagSafe. If you use an angled charging stand, these will slide right off. It’s a strange regression for a product that otherwise feels like a massive step forward in ergonomics.

Sound — what reviewers actually heard

The sound profile is surprisingly punchy for an open-ear design. Because there’s no seal, you lose the sub-bass rumble found in the Pro series, but the mid-bass is tight and articulate.

• Bass Response: Surprisingly tight and punchy for an unsealed bud. As ShortCircuit mentioned, "I'm a little surprised at how tight the base is for something that doesn't seal."
• Transparency: This is the best in the business. Because the ear isn't blocked, the world sounds completely natural, not processed or amplified.
• High Frequencies: They remain crisp and clear, though they lack the ultimate extension and detail of the Pro 2’s more expensive drivers.

Where it actually wins

The primary victory here is comfort. If your ears reject silicone tips—either due to irritation or the dreaded "pressure" sensation—these are the best-sounding earbuds you can buy. The open-ear design means you can wear them for hours without fatigue, and the transparency mode is so natural you’ll often forget you’re wearing them at all.

The integration with the Apple ecosystem remains best-in-class. The case now includes a built-in speaker for Find My, which is a lifesaver when they inevitably slide between your couch cushions. Plus, the IP54 rating means you don't have to panic if you get caught in a light rain or work up a sweat at the gym.

Where it falls short

The biggest hurdle is the existence of the AirPods Pro 2. Because the Pro 2 is frequently discounted to near-parity with the AirPods 4, you’re often paying a premium for the absence of features. You lose the swipe-for-volume stem controls, which is a massive quality-of-life downgrade if you’re used to adjusting playback without pulling out your phone.

Then there’s the fit. While the new shape is designed to be more universal, it’s still a "one size fits most" approach. If the classic AirPods shape never stayed in your ears, the AirPods 4 won't change your life. As Marques Brownlee pointed out, they still have a tendency to slowly migrate out of the ear during movement. Finally, the battery life is mediocre; with ANC on, you’re looking at 4 to 5 hours, which is barely enough for a long-haul flight.

Should you buy it?

Buy if you

• Find silicone ear tips physically painful or uncomfortable.
• Need to stay aware of your surroundings while listening to music.
• Prioritize a tiny, pocketable case above all else.

Skip if you

• Want the absolute best noise cancellation for travel or noisy environments.
• Find that the standard Apple earbud shape falls out of your ears easily.
• Can find the AirPods Pro 2 on sale for a similar price.

An engineering marvel for open-ear ANC, but their value entirely depends on your hatred of silicone ear tips.

Sources consulted

• Marques Brownlee — AirPods 4 Review: Which Ones To Get?
• ShortCircuit — These Defy Logic... - AirPods 4 Unboxing
• Dave2D — AirPods 4 Review - SO GOOD!
• 6 Months Later — AirPods 4 (ANC) vs. AirPods Pro 2 - Which Should You Buy?

Synthesis combines independent reviews above. Verdicts and quotes attributed to original creators. Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases via Amazon links.