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Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation1 / 13
Apple

Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation

Current price · Amazon US
$194.99
Check Price on Amazon

Price last checked 11h ago

noise cancelling & sound
5.3/ 10
ANCNoise cancelling
5.3
0.010.0

At 5.3, its noise cancelling beats 10% of wireless earbuds we've measured.

Measured on 92 of the 264 we've cataloged.

3.6/ 5
SoundMDAQS Overall
3.6
1.05.0

A 3.6 puts its audio quality in the bottom quarter of wireless earbuds we've measured.

Measured on 63 of the 264 we've cataloged.

See the lab data ↓Frequency response · Isolation · Noise cancelling · Audio quality

Key specs

Battery Life Earbuds
5 hBelow average
5 h
3 h15 h

below average for wireless earbuds — based on 245 of 264 we've cataloged.

Battery Life With Case
30 hBelow average
30 h
7 h60 h

below average for wireless earbuds — based on 243 of 264 we've cataloged.

IP Rating
IP54
IPX435%IP5516%IP5415%IPX513%

IP54 appears on 15% of the 244 wireless earbuds we've cataloged (of 264).

Noise Cancellation Type
ActiveMost common
Active60%Passive14%Hybrid9%Adaptive8%

Active is the most common — on 60% of the 182 wireless earbuds we've cataloged (of 264).

Battery

Battery Life Earbuds
5 h
Battery Life With Case
30 h
Charging Method
USB-C, wireless
Full Charge Minutes
5 min
Battery Life Anc On
4 h
Fast Charging
Yes

Build

IP Rating
IP54
Sweat Resistance
Yes
Water Resistance
Yes

Sound

Noise Cancellation Type
Active
Ambient Mode
Adaptive transparency
Anc Modes
Off,anc,transparency,adaptive
Driver Count
1
Driver Size
11 mm
Driver Type
Dynamic
Frequency Response
20-20000 Hz
Frequency Response High Hz
20000 Hz
Frequency Response Low Hz
20 Hz
Frequency Response Signature
V-shaped
Adaptive Anc
Yes

Connectivity

Bluetooth Version
5.3
Bluetooth Codec
AAC, SBC
Bluetooth Range
10 m
Connection Type
Bluetooth
Headphone Jack
No

Design

Earbud Form Factor
Semi-in-ear
Case Dimensions
50.1×46.2×21.2 mm
Color Options
White
Wearing Style
Shallow fit
Wearing Time Max
3.5 h
Weight Per Earbud
4.3 g
Weight With Case
34.7 g

Features

Certified For
Made for iPhone
Companion App
IOS only
Control Type
Force sensor
Find My Device
Find My (Apple)
Auto Connect
Yes
Auto Pause
Yes
Fitness Tracking
No
Mono Mode
Yes
Spatial Audio
Head tracking
Voice Assistant Support
Siri

Microphone

Count
3
Noise Reduction Type
Active
Type
Dual microphone

Release

Date
2024
Msrp Usd
179 USD
Year
2024

Lab data

How we test ›

Objective measurements from the SoundGuys test lab — overlay other models to see how this one compares.

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0 of 4 overlay slots used
Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise CancellationSoundGuys Headphone Preference Curve
Measured frequency response (dB relative) against the SoundGuys Headphone Preference Curve. When the measurement goes above the dashed line, that frequency is louder than our preference curve, and when it goes below: it's quieter. Use the curve for comparison purposes only, as your taste may vary.-20-100+10+20201001k10k20k

Measured frequency response (dB relative) against the SoundGuys Headphone Preference Curve. When the measurement goes above the dashed line, that frequency is louder than our preference curve, and when it goes below: it's quieter. Use the curve for comparison purposes only, as your taste may vary.

Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation: frequency response, as measured in the SoundGuys lab. Frequency in hertz.
Frequency (Hz)Response (dB)
20-17.8
25-10.6
32-5.3
40-1.9
50-0.0
631.5
802.8
1002.7
1251.5
160-0.8
200-0.7
250-0.2
315-0.5
400-1.0
500-1.5
630-1.3
800-0.6
10000.1
12502.2
16006.2
20008.4
25007.5
31505.1
40003.2
50002.0
63003.0
80004.2
100004.1
125002.8
16000-1.5
20000-22.7

SoundGuys review

Read the full review ›
SOUNDGUYS rating
6.3/ 10
Worth a look
Christian ThomasChase Bernath
Reviewed byChristian Thomas & Chase BernathEditor-at-large · Brand & Partnerships ManagerReviewed September 2024
Noise cancelling5.3
Isolation2.3
Battery life6.4
Comfort & fit4.5
Connectivity5.0
Design5.0
The verdict

The Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation is a great effort to bring ANC to unsealed AirPods — though it's still not everyone's cup of tea. AirPods fans will love the new earbuds, though newcomers might not understand the hype.

✓What we like
✓Improved fit
✓H2 chip
✓ANC
✓Price
✕What could be better
✕Unsealed design
✕No stabilizer fin
✕Features limited to iOS
Read the full SoundGuys review →

Features & Opinions

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