The first reviews of Apple’s new AirPods 4 have overwhelmingly centered on the impressive performance of their Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). This feature has clearly distinguished the higher-end $179 version from the standard $129 model, prompting a renewed debate on Apple’s strategy for its wireless earbuds lineup.

The AirPods 4, available in two variants, mark a significant advancement in Apple’s approach to open-ear design. Reviewers across the board have highlighted the effectiveness of the ANC in the more expensive model. While the ANC isn’t as robust as that of the AirPods Pro 2, it’s a notable achievement given the open design of the AirPods 4. David Carnoy from CNET acknowledged this, noting that the ANC’s effectiveness is particularly surprising given the usual limitations of open earbuds. Although not as powerful as the AirPods Pro 2, it’s clear that the ANC in the AirPods 4 manages to mitigate lower-frequency sounds effectively, making it a viable option for users who prefer open-ear designs but need some noise isolation.

The combo of the new drivers and the upgraded H2 chip’s processing power for Apple’s Adaptive EQ — a feature that optimizes audio quality on the fly as the position of the buds changes ever so slightly in your ears — gives the AirPods 4 better sound than the AirPods 3. And needless to say, because these are open earbuds, the sound does have an open quality to it.

Overall, the sound is a little cleaner (improved treble), and you get a bit more bass, so there’s a touch more depth and fullness to whatever you’re listening to. They’re still a notch below the AirPods Pro 2’s, but they’re close, and these are easily among the best-sounding open earbuds out there. You’re still not going to get as much bass as you do with the AirPods Pro 2, but the gap has narrowed. I didn’t feel as if I was making much of a sound quality sacrifice compared with the AirPods Pro 2, at least when I was listening in a quiet room.

PC Magazine’s Tim Gideon echoed this sentiment, praising the AirPods 4 for delivering the best ANC performance he’s experienced in an open-ear design. He highlighted that the ANC works remarkably well in less noisy environments, although it may fall short in more challenging settings. Gideon also commended the rich sound quality and advanced adaptive audio features of the AirPods 4, which, combined with their improved fit, represent a considerable upgrade over previous models.

In our noise cancellation tests, the AirPods effectively dialed back a powerful low-frequency rumble. You still hear it, but the volume is much lower. A recording of a busy restaurant with dishes clanging and boisterous conversation was more of a challenge. The earbuds dialed back the mids and lows significantly. You’ll still hear the noise around you but at a much lower volume.

On the flip side, The Verge’s Chris Welch found the ANC to be a standout feature but still felt that it didn’t entirely replace the more secure fit and superior noise isolation provided by in-ear alternatives. He noted that while the ANC is effective enough to enjoy music at a normal volume in various settings, it may not meet the needs of those who seek maximum noise isolation.

I’ve never been the biggest fan of Apple’s regular AirPods. The first few models didn’t fit my ears securely, I found their sound quality to be adequate at best, and I preferred the noise isolation provided by earbuds with silicone tips. But I fully recognize that large swaths of people love the standard AirPods for their open design and the comfort that comes with it. And after spending a week with the new AirPods 4, I can already tell you that they’re going to be an instant upgrade for many.

Engadget’s review also emphasized the ANC’s impressive performance, though it acknowledged the trade-off between the AirPods 4 and the AirPods Pro 2, which offer more comprehensive noise cancellation and additional features. The review suggested that while the AirPods 4 ANC version bridges the gap between the entry-level model and the Pro, it might not be the best deal compared to the AirPods Pro 2, especially when the latter can be found at similar prices during sales.

It’s not the world-blocking magic that Sony’s WF-1000XM5 and other devices that seal off your ears offer, and it’s not nearly as good as the AirPods Pro 2 either. But, for earbuds with an open-wear design, the difference when ANC is enabled is actually noticeable. The AirPods 4 struggle with TV noise and human voices, but they do well with constant, low rumbling distractions.

In terms of design, the AirPods 4 come with a refined, more comfortable fit compared to their predecessors. The earbuds feature a slightly narrower shape and a smaller charging case, enhancing their usability. The sound quality has also seen notable improvements, with richer bass and crisper highs thanks to the new H2 chip and redesigned drivers. From Endgadget:

The revised shape does indeed lead to a better fit for my ears. The AirPods 4 are more comfortable and stay in place better than their predecessor. I never once felt like they were going to fall out when I was moving around, unless I turned my head completely to the side to lay down. Open-fit earbuds typically don’t feel the most secure in my ears, but these do, and one less worry contributed to a better overall experience wearing them. Of course, the most secure fit remains with the AirPods Pro.

However, battery life remains a point of contention. Both versions of the AirPods 4 offer up to five hours of battery life with ANC off and four hours with it on, which is a slight downgrade from the previous generation. This could be a critical consideration for users who need extended battery performance. From Forbes’ review:

Actually, the 3rd generation of AirPods had better battery life: six hours between charges, but the new models only have five. This drops to four hours if you have noise-cancelling on, in the ANC version, obviously.

That’s still decent, and you can top the earbuds up with another hour of playback just by popping them back in the case for five minutes. Earbuds and case combined give up to 30 hours of playback.

In summary, the new AirPods 4 have been well-received for their advancements in ANC and overall audio quality, though they still face some challenges compared to higher-end models. Apple’s introduction of ANC to the AirPods lineup has undeniably raised the bar for open-ear earbuds, making them a compelling choice for many, even if they may not fully replace the AirPods Pro 2 for those seeking maximum noise isolation and additional features.

Check out some video reviews below:

Categorized in:

AirPodsNews