Apple AirPods 4 Active Noise Cancellation Apple AirPods Noise-Canceling Earbuds with Review

The AirPods 4 with ANC offer best-in-class noise cancellation and call quality in a tiny package, but make big compromises on battery life and sound. At around $150, they're a great fit for iPhone users who prioritize seamless integration and blocking out the world on their commute. Just don't expect them to be your all-day music companions.

The AirPods 4 with ANC are Apple's latest attempt to bring premium features to a more accessible price point. They're not the Pro model, but they're not the basic ones either. They sit in that tricky middle ground, packing in the H2 chip, Adaptive Audio, and a redesigned case that's supposedly the smallest around. If you're deep in the Apple ecosystem and want better noise cancellation than the old base model without springing for the Pros, this is your play.

Who are these for? Honestly, they're for the Apple faithful who commute, take a lot of calls, and value seamless integration above all else. Our data shows they score highest for social proof and ANC, which makes sense. Everyone recognizes AirPods, and Apple's noise cancellation tech is legit. But the story gets more interesting when you look at the weaker scores.

Here's what makes them interesting: they're trying to be a jack-of-all-trades in a world of specialists. They have top-tier ANC and mic quality, but then you see music performance in the 28th percentile and battery life in the 12th. That tells you exactly where Apple made its trade-offs. This isn't an audiophile's dream. It's a connected person's tool.

Let's talk about those numbers. The ANC performance lands in the 94th percentile. That's genuinely impressive and puts it in the conversation with dedicated noise-canceling champs from Sony and Bose. In real-world terms, it means the rumble of a train or the drone of an office AC unit gets muted effectively. The mic quality, sitting in the 88th percentile, is another high point. Voice Isolation works, and your callers will thank you in a windy park or a noisy coffee shop.

Now, the flip side. That music score in the 28th percentile? It's the elephant in the room. The sound profile is clean and balanced, sure, but it lacks the depth, punch, and customizability you get from competitors at this price. Our database shows many cheaper earbuds offer more engaging sound for pure music listening. And the battery life—just 4 hours per bud with ANC on—is objectively poor. It's fine for a typical commute or a few work calls, but forget about a long flight or an all-day listening session without frequent trips to the case.

Priced between $150 and $154, the AirPods 4 with ANC are in a crowded midfield. You're paying a clear 'Apple Tax' here. For that money, you're getting best-in-class ANC and mic tech, plus that magical Apple connectivity. But you're also accepting bottom-tier battery life and middle-of-the-pack sound.

It's a value proposition that only makes sense if you heavily weight the Apple-specific features. If you don't use an iPhone, the value plummets. Competitors like the Nothing Ear (a) or the Anker Soundcore P3i offer similar or better core performance (sound, battery) for less money, but they can't match the holistic Apple experience.

Compared directly to the Sony WF-1000XM5, it's a battle of priorities. The Sonys destroy the AirPods in sound quality and battery life, and their ANC is just as good. But their mic isn't as strong, and their integration with iPhones is clunkier. If music is your main thing, Sony wins easily. If you live on calls and value simplicity, the AirPods have an edge.

The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds are another tough competitor. They're often more expensive, but they offer arguably the best comfort and ANC in the game. Their sound is also more tuned for enjoyment than the AirPods' flat profile. However, their case is huge, and their touch controls can be finicky. For Android users or anyone who finds the AirPods fit awkward, the Bose or Sony are better all-rounders.

Then there's the budget king, the Anker Soundcore P3i. For about half the price, you get fantastic sound, good ANC, and way better battery life. What you lose is the polish, the seamless pairing, and the premium mic quality. It's the best pure performance-per-dollar pick, but it feels like a gadget, not an extension of your phone.

Serious music listeners should skip these. With a music performance score in the 28th percentile, there are too many better-sounding options, like the Sony WF-1000XM5 or even the cheaper Nothing Ear (a). If your day involves more than 4-5 hours of continuous listening away from a charger, the poor battery life will frustrate you. Look at models from JBL or Anker that regularly offer 8+ hours.

Android users, just don't. You're paying a premium for Apple's ecosystem glue, and you won't get to use it. Your money is much better spent on earbuds designed to work well across platforms. Finally, if you need a super secure fit for running or the gym, the general-fit design here isn't ideal. Check out models with wingtips or ear hooks, like those from Beats or Jabra.

Buy the AirPods 4 with ANC if you're an iPhone user who takes a lot of calls in noisy places, commutes on public transit, and values effortless Apple ecosystem features above all else. The ANC and mic are fantastic, and the convenience is hard to beat. Just keep a charger handy.

Skip them if your primary use is listening to music for hours on end, if you need all-day battery, or if you're on a tight budget. Also, Android users should look elsewhere immediately—you're paying for features you won't fully use. In those cases, the Sony WF-1000XM5 for audiophiles, the Bose for comfort, or the Anker Soundcore P3i for value are all smarter buys.