Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation

Reviewer verdict

Across 22 YouTube reviews, the Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation earns an Index score of 3.6/5, ranking #69 among True Wireless Earbuds. Reviewers most often praise its noise cancellation, controls and features, sound quality, while the most common criticisms concern noise cancellation, battery life.

The AirPods 4 deliver a significant upgrade by introducing surprisingly effective Active Noise Cancellation to a comfortable open-ear design, which many users prefer over silicone tips. Audio quality sees a massive improvement, with richer bass and clearer sound powered by the advanced H2 chip. This chip also enables a suite of smart features like Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness, and Personalized Spatial Audio. The package is rounded out by a smaller, more pocketable USB-C case that includes a helpful speaker for Find My and supports wireless charging on the ANC model. For those in the Apple ecosystem, the seamless integration and strong feature set offer excellent value.

The primary trade-off is the open-ear design, which leads to the most common complaints. The fit is inconsistent and can feel insecure, with the earbuds prone to falling out for some users, especially during activity. This lack of a physical seal also means the active noise cancellation, while decent, is significantly less effective than on sealed models like the AirPods Pro. Key features are also missing, most notably on-bud volume controls and the case's lack of MagSafe magnetic attachment. Battery life is merely adequate, dropping to around four hours when ANC is active, which may not be enough for heavy users or long trips.

Analysis based on 22 YouTube reviews (3h 42m of video) with 298 pros and 164 cons extracted.

Pros (298)

Cons (164)

Review sources

• AirPods 4 Tips, Tricks & Hidden Features | YOU MUST KNOW! by Hayls World — 24 pros, 4 cons
• Airpods 4 Review: Unbelievable ANC! by Mike O'Brien — 15 pros, 12 cons
• Apple Airpods 4 Long-Term Review | Simply Excellent by See Rooster Tech — 16 pros, 9 cons
• AirPods 4 Unboxing & Review 🎧🤍 | active noise cancellation, new features, first impression... by Simply Sofia — 20 pros, 5 cons
• AirPods 4 Review: Noise Cancelling Changes the Game by CNET — 16 pros, 9 cons
• AirPods 4 Review: Which Ones To Get? by Marques Brownlee — 16 pros, 9 cons
• Apple Airpods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) Review by Lon.TV — 16 pros, 8 cons
• 1 Week with Airpods 4 Review: Why Do They Exist? by Danny Winget — 14 pros, 10 cons
• Jetzt auch Pro?! AirPods 4 mit ANC (review) by iKnowReview — 15 pros, 9 cons
• AUDIO ENGINEER Reviews the APPLE AIRPODS 4 by This is Tech Today — 12 pros, 12 cons
• AirPods 4 with ANC Five Months Later: Still My Daily Drivers! by Occupied Studios — 15 pros, 6 cons
• I Tried AirPods 4 with ANC and…WOW! by Andru Edwards — 17 pros, 4 cons
• AirPods 4 with ANC Unboxing and Review by zollotech — 11 pros, 9 cons
• AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation 🔥 Unboxing and Review | வாங்கலாமா? 10 pros, 9 cons
• These Defy Logic... - AirPods 4 Unboxing by ShortCircuit — 10 pros, 9 cons
• Apple AirPods 4 ANC review: GOOD AND BAD NEWS… by Mark Ellis Reviews — 11 pros, 7 cons
• AirPods 4 Review - SO GOOD! by Dave2D — 10 pros, 7 cons
• AirPods 4: Is $179 for ANC Worth It? by MacRumors — 11 pros, 6 cons
• AirPods 4 w/ ANC One Week Later - Are They Worth it?? by JSL Review — 12 pros, 5 cons
• NEW AirPods 4 Airplane Test - BETTER Than AirPods Pro? by Gravel — 9 pros, 7 cons
• AirPods 4 with ANC review - 1 Year Later... by SoundGuys — 8 pros, 5 cons
• Unboxing AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 2 Updates! by iJustine — 10 pros, 3 cons

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