AirPods 4 ANC

Design & Comfort

The AirPods 4 with ANC feature a new, more ergonomic design that offers a better fit than previous generations. The shorter stems and improved contours help the earbuds sit more securely in the ear, making them comfortable for extended use. While they lack silicone ear tips like the AirPods Pro, Apple has fine-tuned the shape to reduce movement and provide a snug feel.

Another significant improvement is enhanced durability, with an IP54 rating for dust and water resistance. This makes them more resilient against sweat and splashes, making them a reliable choice for workouts, outdoor activities, and daily wear. Unlike AirPods 2 and 3, which had lower water resistance, these can handle more demanding environments.

Apple has also refined the Force Touch controls on the stems, allowing for better responsiveness when adjusting volume, skipping tracks, or switching between ANC and Transparency Mode. Unlike older AirPods, which relied on tapping gestures, these provide a more tactile and precise way to control audio playback.

The charging case has been redesigned with USB-C, aligning with Apple’s transition away from Lightning cables. The case is more compact, making it easier to carry, and it now supports Qi and Apple Watch wireless charging. However, MagSafe compatibility has been removed, which might be disappointing for users accustomed to magnetic charging alignment.

Active Noise Cancellation & Adaptive Audio

The biggest selling point of the AirPods 4 ANC is their Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), a first for the non-Pro lineup. Unlike AirPods 2 and 3, which lacked any noise isolation, these earbuds actively block out low-frequency background sounds like engines, office chatter, and street noise. The H2 chip and improved microphones analyze external noise in real time, adjusting the ANC levels accordingly.

Apple has also introduced Adaptive Audio, a unique blend of ANC and Transparency Mode that dynamically adjusts to your surroundings. This allows for a seamless listening experience, ensuring that users can stay aware of their environment without removing their earbuds. If you’re walking on a busy street or in a quiet library, Adaptive Audio fine-tunes how much external sound is allowed in.

Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking further enhances the listening experience, creating an immersive surround sound effect. Whether you’re watching a movie on Apple TV+ or listening to Dolby Atmos music, the sound moves naturally as you turn your head, making it feel like audio is coming from all directions.

For calls, the new Voice Isolation feature significantly improves call quality by filtering out background noise and focusing on the speaker’s voice. Whether you’re in a noisy coffee shop or on public transport, call clarity is noticeably better than previous AirPods models.

 Battery Life & Charging Options

Battery life has also been improved, with up to 6 hours of listening time per charge and a total of 30 hours with the charging case. With ANC enabled, the earbuds last around 4 hours, which is still impressive given their open-ear design. This is a major improvement over AirPods 3, which maxed out at 5 hours without ANC.

The USB-C charging case is a welcome upgrade, making it easier for users with MacBooks, iPads, and iPhones that have switched to USB-C. Apple has also retained wireless charging compatibility, meaning you can charge the case using a Qi-certified charger or an Apple Watch charger. However, the removal of MagSafe magnetic alignment may be a downside for some users.

A quick 5-minute charge provides 1 hour of listening time, making it perfect for users who need a fast power boost before heading out. This is similar to AirPods Pro 2’s fast-charge capability and ensures that users never have to go long without their earbuds.

While battery life is competitive, heavy ANC users may still need to recharge frequently compared to AirPods Pro 2, which offer slightly longer ANC-enabled listening times. However, for most casual users, the 30-hour total battery life with the case is more than sufficient for daily use.

Value & Who Should Buy It?

The AirPods 4 ANC are positioned as a mid-range option between the AirPods 3 and AirPods Pro 2. With a starting price of $179, they provide ANC without the higher cost of the Pro lineup, making them an excellent choice for users who want better noise cancellation without committing to in-ear silicone tips.