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Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation1 / 13
Apple

Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation

Current price · Amazon US
$167.95
Check Price on Amazon

Price last checked 1d 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 93 of the 259 we've cataloged.

3.6/ 5
SoundMDAQS Overall
3.6
1.05.0

A 3.6 puts its audio quality in the bottom 10% of wireless earbuds we've measured.

Measured on 61 of the 259 we've cataloged.

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

Battery Life Earbuds
5 hBelow average
5 h
3 h15 h

below average for wireless earbuds — based on 241 of 259 we've cataloged.

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

below average for wireless earbuds — based on 239 of 259 we've cataloged.

IP Rating
IP54
IPX436%IP5516%IP5416%IPX511%

IP54 appears on 16% of the 238 wireless earbuds we've cataloged (of 259).

Noise Cancellation Type
ActiveMost common
Active60%Passive14%Hybrid10%Adaptive8%

Active is the most common — on 60% of the 176 wireless earbuds we've cataloged (of 259).

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

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.

✓Liked: Improved fit, H2 chip, ANC, Price

✕Could be better: Unsealed design, No stabilizer fin, Features limited to iOS

Read the full SoundGuys review →

Owners

How we verify owners

Nobody who owns the Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation has written in yet.

Owner notes are not paid for, not solicited from specific owners, and not edited by us. The commission SoundGuys may earn on this page comes from retail links, never from notes.

Own the Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation?

Three answers, four quick reads, one sentence nobody tells you before buying. Shown under a pseudonym.

Features & Opinions

More from the team ›

Commentary and deep dives from the SoundGuys editorial team.

I tested Apple’s AirPods equalizer: Here's what works (and what doesn't)An improvement — if only a small one.Christian ThomasChristian ThomasEditor-at-largeAirPods' three-band EQ may not be so badIt may be baby's first EQ, but it has potential.Christian ThomasChristian ThomasEditor-at-largeBest Earbuds Prime Day Deals October 2025Looking for the best Prime Day earbuds deals this October? We’ve tested the top options — here are our top four picks, for all budgets.Chase BernathChase BernathBrand & Partnerships Manager3 earbuds you should buy instead of AirPods 5I wouldn't buy the AirPods 5, but I would pick these earbuds instead.Brady SnyderBrady SnyderContributorDo we really need two AirPods 5? It all comes down to $20Apple made the AirPods 5 cheaper, so why am I still complaining about $20?Dave CarrDave CarrVideo Producer/WriterThe Beats 360 fix the one thing AirPods Max owners can't replaceThe Beats 360 leak is packed with specs, but one detail stands out to anyone whose AirPods Max headband has worn out.Adam BirneyAdam BirneyManaging EditorI fixed my AirPods Max headband for pennies after Apple quoted me hundredsI can't believe Apple shipped over-ears with a flawed headband... twice. Brady SnyderBrady SnyderContributorI ditched my AirPods Pro 3 for Sony's WF-1000XM6 and only lasted a weekI thought the more expensive earbuds would win. I was wrong.Dave CarrDave CarrVideo Producer/Writer3 headphones I would buy instead of the AirPods Max 2These premium headphones deliver class-leading ANC, longer battery life, and more flexibility for less money.Dave CarrDave CarrVideo Producer/WriterHow long should your earbuds last? Our battery tests have the answerEarbuds don't last long, but how much is enough?Christian ThomasChristian ThomasEditor-at-large

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