Audio & Headphones
Apple AirPods 4 with ANC Review: An Open-Fit Compromise Done Well
- Brand:
- Apple
- Ages:
- 13+ years
- Updated:
- 2026-07-05
The verdict
The AirPods 4 with ANC is a smart middle ground for people who want some noise cancellation without committing to in-ear tips, but treat the ANC as a bonus, not a headline feature — for serious noise blocking, the AirPods Pro 2 or a sealed rival earbud does the job better.
Pros
- Cheapest way into ANC AirPods, undercutting AirPods Pro 2 by a meaningful margin
- Open, tip-free design is comfortable for people who find in-ear silicone tips irritating or claustrophobic
- H2 chip brings spatial audio and fast, seamless switching across Apple devices
- IP54 rating covers sweat and light rain for gym or outdoor use
Cons
- Noise cancellation is real but noticeably weaker than AirPods Pro 2, Sony, or Bose because the open design can't fully seal out sound
- Battery life drops to about 4 hours with ANC engaged, on the shorter end for the category
- No swappable ear tips means fit and passive isolation are fixed and non-adjustable
- Best features are Apple-ecosystem exclusive, with a noticeably worse experience on Android
This review is based on Apple's published tech specs for the AirPods 4 with ANC and the consistent pattern across independent reviews since its release, comparing it against both the sealed AirPods Pro 2 and standard AirPods 4 without noise cancellation.
Noise cancellation with an open design
Apple pulled off something unusual here: real active noise cancellation on an earbud that doesn't seal your ear canal with a silicone tip. It works, but reviewers are consistent that it can't match sealed designs like the AirPods Pro 2, Sony WF-1000XM5, or Bose QC Ultra Earbuds, simply because an open fit lets more ambient sound leak in regardless of processing.
Why some people will prefer this over the Pro model
Not everyone gets along with in-ear tips — some find them uncomfortable for long wear or simply dislike the sealed, muffled feeling. The AirPods 4's open design solves that while still adding meaningful noise reduction over the non-ANC version, at a price closer to entry-level than flagship.
Who it's for
Best for iPhone owners who want some ANC without the fit and cost of AirPods Pro 2, particularly people who've never liked silicone ear tips. Skip it if you need maximum noise blocking on a plane or in a loud office — that's still the Pro 2's job.
Frequently asked
- Is the ANC on AirPods 4 as good as AirPods Pro 2?
- No — Apple and independent reviewers both note that the open, tip-free design limits how much noise it can block compared to the sealed AirPods Pro 2. It reduces steady background noise noticeably but not as aggressively.
- How long does the battery last with ANC on?
- Apple rates it at up to 4 hours per charge with ANC active, about 5 hours with it off, and up to 30 hours total including the charging case.
- Do I need to size ear tips like the AirPods Pro?
- No — the AirPods 4 uses a fixed open-fit design with no interchangeable tips, so there's no sizing step, but also no way to improve the seal if the stock fit isn't ideal for your ears.
- Is the AirPods 4 with ANC worth buying?
- Yes, for iPhone users who want a comfortable open fit with some noise reduction at a lower price than AirPods Pro 2. It's not worth it if strong noise cancellation is the main thing you're shopping for.
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