From phones to computers, Apple is consistently one of the most sought-after brands when it comes to a number of tech items. Its headphones are no exception to this sentiment.
Apple recently unveiled two brand new models, the Apple AirPods 4 and the Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation, both of which feature an upgraded design and elements, including improved sound, voice isolation and more. The brand sent us both models and we tried them over the course of the last week.
Keep reading for our full thoughts and everything you need to know.
Apple AirPods 4
- Improved sound and audio
- Dust- and water-resistant
- Up to five hours of listening
Features: Personalized spatial audio, quick-press controls, Siri controls | Battery life: Up to five hours on one charge, up to 30 with case
What we liked about the Apple AirPods 4
They have a comfortable, portable design
Both of the new Apple AirPods 4 models feature a shortened stem, a smaller case (which the brand says is the smallest in the industry) and a redesigned contour for a more natural fit.
While it took a day or two to adjust, since I was used to the feel of wearing silicone-tipped earbuds, I found that they were comfortable and stayed securely in my ears, even when walking or running.
Impressive sound, especially for calls
Both of the new AirPods also have improved audio features, which the brand says is powered by “a custom high dynamic range amplifier,” so the bass is deeper and music sounds clear. They also feature an H2 chip, which is said to improve audio and calls.
Part of the reason why I had given up my old first-generation AirPods was that when I would talk to people on the phone, if I was on a busy street or doing noisier chores around the house, they would sometimes complain about how loud the background noise was and how hard it was to hear me.
Over the course of the week, I spoke on the phone with multiple friends and family members while walking around outside and they all said that they were impressed by the sound quality, noting that the sounds of cars, sirens and other people were much less noticeable than in the past.
The ANC model has even more listening features
The improved sound is even more noticeable when using the active noise cancellation model. This is the first time that Apple has brought the feature to its regular AirPods (not the Pros). I was impressed with the noise-cancelling abilities, minimizing the sounds of a noisy office, a vacuum or New York City traffic though it didn't totally drown out them out, so you shouldn't expect total quiet with these. It's likely because, unlike many other noise-canceling earbuds (for example, the Pros), these don't have the silicone tips that create a seal for your ears.
Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation
- Active noise cancellation
- Voice isolation
- Connects to Find My app
- Not completely noise-canceling
Features: Same as above, plus active noise cancellation, transparency mode and conversation awareness | Battery life: Up to five hours on one charge (four with ANC), up to 30 with case
The noise-canceling model also has additional features, like adaptive audio, transparency mode and conversation awareness — which social media associate editor Dani Musacchio appreciated.
"My absolute favorite setting that these AirPods offer is conversation awareness, which lowers the volume of the media that you’re listening to when it detects that you’re speaking with someone. Gone are the days of having to awkwardly shuffle to remove your AirPods from your ears to hear the person you’re talking to," she says.
She adds that as an avid runner and walker, she always tries to stay aware of her surroundings and these help. "Transparency mode is perfect for those times when I want to be more aware of my environment, which makes me feel safer."
What to consider
One of our main qualms had to do with the charging case. "If you have longer nails like me, the smaller case makes it a little more difficult to remove the AirPods," Musacchio says.
It also requires a USB-C cable, which isn't included. "I have an older version of the iPhone, which means that I can no longer use the same cable to charge my phone as my AirPods anymore," Musacchio shares. However, it can be charged wirelessly, so you can use a Apple Watch charger or Qi‑certified charger.
The battery life is also shorter. With the previous AirPods 3, you could get up to six hours of listening time on a single charge. With these, the brand says that you get up to five. When using them in the office, switching between regular listening and noise-canceling mode, I found that they lasted for around four and a half hours, but I was able to charge them back up to 95% in a little under an hour. (Charging the case from 20% took about two.)
In order to get the most out of the AirPods, you also have to update your phone. My phone was running on iOS 17.2, so I had to update to iOS 18 in order to control the buds from my iPhone control center.
Are the Apple AirPods 4 worth it?
Both myself and Musacchio were impressed by many of the features in both the basic and ANC models, particularly improved audio. "The improvement in sound and microphone quality alone makes these AirPods worth it for me," she shares.
While the noise cancellation isn't perfect, it does significantly minimize a majority of sounds. If you're someone who prefers to have near-complete quiet, you may want to opt for an over-ear model or one with silicone tips (like the Pro model, which is currently marked down to $189.99 on Amazon).
If you want to make the upgrade, both models are on sale on Amazon, so you can get a discount while you're at it.
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The Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there. We interview expert sources and use our own personal experiences with the product and brand to make shopping easier for our readers.
Emma Stessman is a writer for Shop TODAY. She joined the team in 2020 and has covered everything from new tech releases to beauty trends and celebrity shopping habits. She has been an Apple product user since the early 2010s. She's owned and loved many of their most popular products, including an Apple Watch and multiple iterations of MacBooks and headphones.
