Apple AirPods 4 with ANC vs Beats Fit Pro: It's Apple vs Apple

Apple’s AirPods (4th generation) with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) bring one of the company’s most intriguing earbuds up to speed with features that previously required stepping up to the AirPods Pro. The Beats Fit Pro, on the other hand, have been around for a while but remain a favorite for their secure fit, sporty design, and full feature set. Both pairs slot into Apple’s ecosystem seamlessly, but they approach sound, comfort, and features in different ways. In reality, choosing the best for you depends on whether you value decent commuter buds or workout-ready security. Read ahead for our in-depth AirPods 4 with ANC vs Beats Fit Pro comparison.

What’s it like to use the Apple AirPods (4th generation) compared to the Beats Fit Pro?

Using the AirPods (4th gen) is a comfortable and lightweight experience. Their open design doesn’t put much pressure on the ears, making them easy to wear for long stretches. However, if you’ve had issues wearing previous AirPods iterations, you may experience similar struggles with the AirPods 4. The buds can also fall out when you move your head around because they don’t wear ear tips. Still, they slip in and out of the case quickly, and they’re IP54-rated. This protects them from sweat and dust, which is handy for workout enthusiasts and those who live in dry environments. Just be careful not to rattle your head around too much on your morning run.

By contrast, the Beats Fit Pro deliver a much more locked-in feel. Their tapered, angled wing tips ensure they stay in place even during vigorous workouts, so you shouldn’t have to adjust them mid-run or at the gym. That added security comes with a bit more pressure in the ear, though, which you may feel after longer listening sessions. Thankfully, you can take an ear tip fit test if you are struggling to achieve a comfortable fit. Likewise, the buds ship with three differently-sized tips for those with smaller and larger ear canals. The buds are IPX4-rated to protect against moisture and sweat. Overall, those needing a set of earbuds for exercise will enjoy Beats’ offering, while the AirPods are a better fit for casual, all-day listening.

Do the Apple AirPods (4th generation) or Beats Fit Pro have more features?

Apple packed the AirPods (4th gen) with new features that make them more capable than previous non-Pro models. Most notably, they include Active Noise Cancellation and Adaptive Transparency, allowing you to enjoy quieter environments or stay aware without removing the earbuds. Other advanced features supported by the AirPods 4 include Personalized Spatial Audio with head tracking. This makes movies and Dolby Atmos-mixed music more immersive than regular stereo listening. You can also customize controls and locate the buds with Apple Find My. This is made easier because the case houses a speaker that plays a tone to help you locate it. These features give the AirPods a sense of premium polish that earlier generations missed.

The Beats Fit Pro, however, offer nearly the same feature set as the AirPods Pro thanks to their Apple integration and the Beats companion app. For example, the earbuds’ H1 chip provides spatial audio for those with a TrueDepth camera-compatible iPhone. You can also toggle listening modes, dictate the press-and-hold command, discover earbud and case battery life at a glance, and update the firmware within the app. Beats’ tactile buttons are also more intuitive than the AirPods’ squeeze controls. Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode are supported, helping to retain situational awareness. While the Beats Fit Pro provide a more robust control experience, the AirPods deliver a lighter, simpler approach with most—but not all—of the same features.

How do the Apple AirPods (4th generation) and Beats Fit Pro connect?

Pairing the AirPods (4th gen) with an iPhone is instant. For example, opening the case displays the earbuds on screen, and after setup, they switch seamlessly between Macs, iPads, and iPhones thanks to iCloud syncing. Likewise, the AirPods 4 house Apple’s latest H2 chip to lower latency and ensure stable connections. With Bluetooth 5.3 and the AAC codec, the AirPods support multipoint connectivity between Apple devices. You can also connect multiple AirPods 4 to the same iPhone, although the buds do not support wired connectivity. Similarly, Android users do not receive seamless device pairing or Bluetooth Multipoint support.

The Beats Fit Pro use the same Apple H1 chip as the original AirPods Pro, which means they also connect quickly and manage device switching within Apple’s ecosystem. Otherwise, the buds run Bluetooth 5.0 with support for the SBC and AAC codecs. The last performs unpredictably with Android smartphones, and you won’t be able to enjoy the latest LE Audio and LC3 connections with these buds. Adopting the aptX Bluetooth codec would make the Beats Fit Pro a truly OS-agnostic offering. Nevertheless, both earbuds enjoy reliable connection stability, with Beats offering a slightly better cross-platform experience.

Is battery life better on the Apple AirPods (4th generation) or Beats Fit Pro?

The AirPods (4th gen) lasted 6 hours and 21 minutes without ANC in our standardized battery tests, while the case provides an additional 24 hours of charge. That’s enough for daily use, and most people will appreciate how quickly they top up with a short charge. In this case, you’ll receive one hour of listening time from a 5-minute top-up. Otherwise, you can charge the buds for one hour to achieve full battery life. The case’s slim size makes it pocket-friendly, encouraging people to carry it around more often.

The Beats Fit Pro last 6 hours and 22 hours with ANC enabled, while the case provides roughly 18 more hours of additional listening time. Beats’ earbuds last about as long as the AirPods, but the case holds fewer charges. Nevertheless, the Beats Fit Pro case must be charged via USB-C, while the AirPods 4 can be topped up with standard Apple Watch chargers, Qi wireless charging mats, or MagSafe. Beats’ case is bulkier than Apple’s, which makes it less comfortable in a pocket. If you need longer total playtime away from a charger, the AirPods (4th gen) hold an edge, but if you’re charging daily anyway, the difference may not matter much.

Do the Apple AirPods (4th generation) or Beats Fit Pro block noise better?

The AirPods (4th gen) bring ANC to the standard AirPods for the first time, and it’s impressive how well it reduces consistent background sounds like an air conditioner. However, it won’t surprise anyone that, as a set of unsealed earbuds, the AirPods 4 are less capable at quelling outside noise than their in-ear counterparts. In ideal conditions, you can expect them to attenuate roughly 20dB of noise in the mids and highs. However, they do a poor job of isolating low- and high-range frequencies, such as the rumble of a train or office chatter.

The Beats Fit Pro’s in-ear design blocks much more noise than the AirPods 4 before you even turn ANC on. For example, the earbuds attenuate up to 40dB of high-incidental noise around 20kHz. Likewise, they dampen bass frequencies at 77Hz by as much as 37dB. This combination of passive isolation and active cancellation makes them more reliable in situations where silence matters. If blocking noise is a priority, the Beats clearly outperform the AirPods.

Do the Apple AirPods (4th generation) sound better than the Beats Fit Pro?

Unsealed buds are prone to a perceived lack of sub-bass detail. The AirPods 4 with ANC are no different, with significantly less bass below 80Hz than we’d like. However, unless you are listening to bass-heavy tracks, most people won’t notice this. Indeed, the earbuds have an otherwise balanced and overall pleasant sound quality. While the overemphasis at the 2kHz mark makes sibilants stand out, the buds’ treble extension preserves a lot of detail. Apple tuned them for broad appeal, so they don’t exaggerate the bass but still provide enough punch for most genres.

The Beats Fit Pro, on the other hand, lean into a bass-forward sound signature that works well for workouts and energetic playlists. For example, the accentuated low end at 55Hz is noticeable and impactful, which can sometimes overshadow the midrange. This includes fundamentals, such as vocals, which can be a little difficult to hear with the Beats Fit Pro. Nevertheless, the buds sound fun and lively, which is perfect for working out to. For those who prefer a stronger, more engaging low-end, the Beats come out ahead, while the AirPods aim for a more balanced profile.

Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (MDAQS)

Objective measurements

The AirPods (4th gen)’s frequency response stays closer to neutral in the midrange. This means that, if you’re a lyric-focused listener, you may prefer them to the Beats Fit Pro. However, the latter emphasize bass over mids, which spells good news for those who enjoy bassy genres like EDM. In practice, this makes the Beats more fun for gym sessions, while the AirPods are better suited for long, mixed-genre listening sessions.

Do the Apple AirPods (4th generation) or Beats Fit Pro have a better microphone?

The AirPods (4th gen) perform well in calls thanks to a few new tricks up their sleeve. These include the AAC-ELD speech codec, which improves connection quality during calls. You can also now use Spatial Audio while in a group FaceTime call. Enabling this makes it sound as though each voice is located in a different three-dimensional space. Apple’s microphones rely on AI processing to capture voices clearly in quiet and loud environments. Consequently, the AirPods 4 perform better when paired with an iPhone than with Android devices. Generally speaking, most people will find that the AirPods 4 are more than capable of taking calls in most environments.

Conversely, the Beats Fit Pro pick up significantly more background noise than the AirPods (4th gen). As such, callers on the other end of the line will hear pretty much everything that’s going on around you. While voices come through clearly enough, they won’t sound as clear in loud environments. The AirPods are better for outdoor calls, while the Beats handle home calls just fine. If call performance is important, the AirPods have the edge. But don’t take our word for it — listen to the sample below and let us know what you think in the poll.

Apple AirPods 4 with ANC microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Beats Fit Pro microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Apple AirPods 4 with ANC microphone demo (Windy conditions):

Beats Fit Pro microphone demo (Windy conditions):

Apple AirPods (4th generation) vs Beats Fit Pro: Price and availability

The AirPods (4th gen) with ANC launched at a lower price point than the Beats Fit Pro, making them a more affordable entry point into premium Apple earbuds. They’re widely available from Apple and major retailers, and since they’re newer, you’re less likely to find discounts right away. Still, their price-to-feature ratio is stronger than before, especially with ANC included.

The Beats Fit Pro launched at a higher price point, though they’ve been on the market longer and are often discounted. This makes them competitive even against the new AirPods, depending on sales. They’re available through Apple, Beats, and most electronics retailers, with color options that stand out more than the AirPods’ single white design. If you catch them on sale, they can be a better buy for the money.

Should you get the Apple AirPods (4th generation) or Beats Fit Pro?

If you want earbuds that disappear into your routine, the AirPods (4th gen) are the easier choice. They’re compact, comfortable, and now finally offer ANC and Spatial Audio, features that were once reserved for pricier models. For calls, casual listening, and all-day wear, they’re a safe bet and deliver excellent ecosystem integration with iOS devices.

If you need something more secure with stronger noise isolation and a bassier sound, the Beats Fit Pro are the better option. They’re built for movement, with a fit that stays locked in and a sound profile that motivates workouts. Despite their bulkier case and shorter battery life, they make up for it with flexible controls and more exciting tuning. Ultimately, casual listeners will gravitate toward the AirPods, while active users should consider the Beats Fit Pro.

What should you get instead of the Apple AirPods 4 with ANC and Beats Fit Pro?

Android users will get much more mileage outside of the Apple ecosystem. This is because many of the company’s best features rely upon using its H1, H2, and U1 chipsets. Instead, Android fans should consider the Sony WF-1000XM5 ($298 at Amazon). These buds offer premium features, such as excellent noise cancellation, a comprehensive companion app, and over 9 hours of battery life. They also have some of the best microphone quality and noise-rejection functionality on the market to date.

Those invested in the Apple ecosystem who want future-proof features will enjoy the AirPods Pro 3 ($249 at Amazon). These support many of Apple’s best features, including industry-leading ANC, Adaptive Transparency Mode, and Apple Live Translation. The last promises seamless language translation in five initial languages, with anticipated support for a further four languages later this year. They also support Apple’s Hearing Aid feature and can be used as a fitness tracker. This is thanks to their built-in heart rate sensor, which tracks your heart rate during exercise and offers monitoring data. Apple’s latest buds also last longer than previous iterations, clocking in at 8 hours and 42 minutes during our standardized battery test.

The Nothing Ear (Open) ($149 at Amazon) are an excellent open-ear headphone. Equipped with an IP54-rated exterior and a flexible hook-shaped design, the buds are perfect for workout enthusiasts. Compared to the AirPods 4 with ANC, the Nothing Ear (Open) enjoy decent sound quality with a surprisingly good bass response. Downloading the Nothing X app unlocks an advanced parametric EQ, and the buds will endure 8 hours of continuous use. Those with multiple source devices can also enjoy seamless device switching with Bluetooth Multipoint.

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