AirPods 4 Review Roundup [Video]

Early reviews of Apple's new AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with ANC wireless earbuds have arrived ahead of their official release on September 20, 2024.

Both AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with ANC models are already available to pre-order:
● AirPods 4: $129
● AirPods 4 with ANC: $179

You can learn more about their features here:
● Apple Introduces New AirPods 4, AirPods Max With USB-C, More


Check out our review roundup below!




Marques Brownlee
AirPods 4 now come in 2 versions: Regular and with Noise Cancellation. Are they any good?





Mike O'Brien
I've been using the AirPods 4 & AirPods 4 w/ANC for the past week and I have some thoughts. There is a lot these get right and one or two drawbacks you should be aware of.




The Verge
I'll be going right back to regular earbuds after this review. That's just who I am, and I like having as much noise isolation as possible. But the AirPods 4 with ANC are far and away Apple's most compelling take on this open design yet. The noise cancellation isn't on par with more expensive in-ear alternatives, but it's easily good enough to ensure you can enjoy your music at a normal volume no matter where you might be. You can tell a difference when the ANC is working, which I can't say of other open earbuds that have advertised noise cancellation. That, combined with the wireless charging, is the biggest reason I'd steer most people toward the more expensive model.

Engadget
With the noise-canceling AirPods 4, Apple has bridged the gap between the entry level model and the AirPods Pro. The ANC version gets nearly all of what makes the AirPods Pro 2 so good, except for the most powerful noise cancellation, the upcoming hearing health features and a few other items. However, a $179 set of AirPods isn't a great deal right now with the AirPods Pro 2 available for nearly the same price if you catch them on sale. The $129 AirPods 4 is a big improvement over the previous version though, and they're a worthwhile update for fans of the basic, non-ANC formula. The question then becomes if you prefer the open design and can live without the Pro's extras. Both versions of the AirPods 4 have their merits, but for once, price won't be a deciding factor when choosing between two Apple products.


CNET
In the end, the way to look at these two earbuds is that the standard AirPods 4 are slightly smaller versions of the AirPods 3 with better sound quality and the benefits of the more powerful H2 chip going forward. The AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation are essentially the AirPods Pro 2 with an open earbud design. However, only the AirPods Pro 2 -- and not the AirPods 4 -- are getting Apple's new hearing-aid feature, so take that into account before buying these if that's something you're interested in.




Brian Tong
Apple brings Active Noise Cancelling to the regular AirPods for the very first time. It could be the biggest move they make for the consumer model. It's always about fit and feel, so are the AirPods 4 the difference maker for you?




Digital Trends
We share our first impressions of Apple's new AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) after a demo at Apple Park. As an open-ear design, we were skeptical about how effective the ANC could be – but after testing them in a faux airplane noise environment, we were surprised by how well they performed. We break down what we experienced, including sound improvements, comfort, and features like transparency mode and adaptive listening.