Apple AirPods 4 (with ANC) Review
H2 · Open-fit · ANC · USB-C
Specdex verdict Apple's Apple AirPods 4 (with ANC) is a solid premium pick — strongly recommended, even if it doesn't unseat the category leaders.
Apple's 2024 open-fit AirPods with ANC. First time you can have noise cancellation without the silicone-tip seal — the in-between for non-Pro users.
Specdex doesn't run benchmarks in-house. The verdict is an editorial assessment based on manufacturer specs and public reviewer consensus. See methodology.
Apple AirPods 4 (with ANC) versus its closest rivals
- +First open-fit AirPods with ANC
- +H2 chip for spatial audio + adaptive ANC
- +USB-C charging case
- −Open-fit ANC depth less than sealed Pro tier
- −No interchangeable tips
- −iPhone-leaning ecosystem
Who's the Apple AirPods 4 (with ANC) for?
Quick verdicts for the most common buyer profiles, derived from the sub-scores above.
Compute scores trail current top-tier — look at our step-up alternatives below if performance is the priority.
Battery sub-score of 84 is solid but not class-leading — fine for typical days, charging top-up likely on heavy days.
At $179 this is a genuine value play — Specdex score of 88 far exceeds the typical sub-$500 baseline.
In the box
What you get when you unbox the Apple AirPods 4 (with ANC).
- Earbuds
- Wireless charging case
- USB-C cable
- 3 sizes of ear tips (S/M/L)
Standard contents — region/SKU may vary; confirm at retailer.
Sources & benchmarks
Cited, not generatedSpecdex does not run benchmarks in-house. We're rolling out cited public benchmark data category by category — PassMark for CPUs and GPUs is wired today; DXOMark, RTINGS, Geekbench, and NotebookCheck will follow.
Sources we use when available: PassMark for CPU/GPU, Geekbench Browser for synthetic, DXOMark for camera scores, RTINGS for TVs, monitors, and headphones. See methodology.
Specifications
Editorial · awaiting verification| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Driver | Custom dynamic |
| Codecs | AAC + Lossless (Vision Pro) |
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Battery | 5 hr (30 hr with case) |
| Charging | USB-C |
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3 |
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Weight | 4.3 g per bud |
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Form factor | Open-fit (no tips) |
Cheaper alternatives to the Apple AirPods 4 (with ANC)
Same category, at least 20% cheaper, best-scoring picks from our catalog.
Step up from the Apple AirPods 4 (with ANC)
Higher-scoring earbuds if you've got more to spend.
More from Apple
Also consider
Where the Apple AirPods 4 (with ANC) appears on Specdex
Curated lists, spec rankings, and buying guides where this product is mentioned or ranked.