Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation is the open-ear AirPods option for people who want noise-control modes without silicone ear tips. That design is also its main compromise: without an in-ear seal, it offers less passive isolation, and its ANC should not be treated as equivalent to sealed earbuds. SoundGuys’ September 2024 review rated its noise cancelling 5.3/10 and isolation 2.3/10. Those are the publication’s judgments, not a guarantee of how every listener will experience the fit or sound.
What makes the ANC version different?
Apple sells two AirPods 4 models: the standard AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation. ANC is not included in the base model. The ANC version adds Active Noise Cancellation, Adaptive Audio, Transparency mode, and Conversation Awareness while keeping the open-ear design.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Apple says the ANC system combines upgraded microphones, the H2 chip, and computational audio to reduce sounds such as airplane engines and city traffic. That describes Apple’s intended performance; it is not an independent test result. The H2 chip also supports Adaptive EQ, Voice Isolation, and Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking.
How well does noise cancellation work?
The key distinction is between electronic noise control and physical isolation. AirPods 4 with ANC has no silicone tip sealing the ear canal, so outside sound can still reach the ear. That may suit listeners who dislike in-ear tips or want to remain more aware of their surroundings, but it is a drawback if your priority is blocking noise as completely as possible.
#1 Best Overall
- REBUILT FOR COMFORT — AirPods 4 have been redesigned for exceptional all-day comfort and greater stability. With a refined contour, shorter stem, and quick-press controls for music or calls.
- ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLATION — AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation help reduce outside noise before it reaches your ears, so you can immerse yourself in what you’re listening to.*
- HEAR THE WORLD AROUND YOU — The powerful H2 chip comes to AirPods 4. Adaptive Audio seamlessly blends ANC and Transparency mode — which lets you comfortably hear and interact with the world around you exactly as it sounds — to provide the best listening experience in any environment.* And when you’re speaking with someone nearby, Conversation Awareness automatically lowers the volume of what’s playing.*
- IMPROVED SOUND AND CALL QUALITY — Voice Isolation improves the quality of calls in loud conditions. Using advanced computational audio, it reduces background noise while isolating and clarifying the sound of your voice for whomever you’re speaking to.*
- MAGICAL EXPERIENCE — Just say “Siri” or “Hey Siri” to play a song, make a call, or check your schedule.* And with Siri Interactions, now you can respond to Siri by simply nodding your head yes or shaking your head no.* Pair AirPods 4 by simply placing them near your device and tapping Connect on your screen.* Easily share a song or show between two sets of AirPods.* An optical in-ear sensor knows to play audio only when you’re wearing AirPods and pauses when you take them off. And you can track down your AirPods and Charging Case with the Find My app.*
In its September 2024 review, SoundGuys gave the AirPods 4 with ANC 5.3/10 for noise cancelling and 2.3/10 for isolation. It also listed the unsealed design and lack of a stabilizer fin as drawbacks. These are SoundGuys’ ratings and editorial assessment, not universal measures of comfort or satisfaction. Its published attenuation data varies by frequency; a single ANC percentage would obscure those differences.
For everyday use, the practical question is whether you value noise-control options in an open fit more than the stronger passive barrier a sealed earbud can provide. ANC may help with some steady background sounds, but the evidence does not establish that this open-ear model performs like a sealed design.
Rank #2
- REBUILT FOR COMFORT — AirPods 4 have been redesigned for exceptional all-day comfort and greater stability. With a refined contour, shorter stem, and quick-press controls for music or calls.
- PERSONALIZED SPATIAL AUDIO — Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking places sound all around you, creating a theater-like listening experience for music, TV shows, movies, games, and more.*
- IMPROVED SOUND AND CALL QUALITY — AirPods 4 feature the Apple-designed H2 chip. Voice Isolation improves the quality of phone calls in loud conditions. Using advanced computational audio, it reduces background noise while isolating and clarifying the sound of your voice for whomever you’re speaking to.*
- MAGICAL EXPERIENCE — Just say “Siri” or “Hey Siri” to play a song, make a call, or check your schedule.* And with Siri Interactions, now you can respond to Siri by simply nodding your head yes or shaking your head no.* Pair AirPods 4 by simply placing them near your device and tapping Connect on your screen.* Easily share a song or show between two sets of AirPods.* An optical in-ear sensor knows to play audio only when you’re wearing AirPods and pauses when you take them off. And you can track down your AirPods and Charging Case with the Find My app.*
- LONG BATTERY LIFE — Get up to 5 hours of listening time on a single charge. And get up to 30 hours of total listening time using the case.*
Fit and comfort: who should consider the open design?
The earbuds sit without silicone ear tips. If sealed tips feel uncomfortable, the open-ear approach may be appealing; if you depend on a snug seal to keep earbuds secure or to block surrounding noise, it may not be the right fit. SoundGuys rated comfort and fit 4.5/10 and noted the lack of a stabilizer fin. Individual ears differ, so that score cannot predict how securely they will sit for you.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Apple specifies an IP54 rating for both the earbuds and charging case under IEC 60529 laboratory testing. Apple describes them as suitable for non-water sports and exercise, but IP54 does not mean waterproof. Apple also warns that resistance can decline through normal wear.
Rank #3
- WHY APPLECARE+ - Get protection, service and support direct from Apple. AppleCare+ covers unlimited repairs for accidental damage, like a cracked display, and includes coverage for the hardware and battery. Get convenient service at Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers around the world or Express Replacement Service so you don’t have to wait for a repair. Help is easy with 24/7 priority tech support from Apple experts.
- REBUILT FOR COMFORT — AirPods 4 have been redesigned for exceptional all-day comfort and greater stability. With a refined contour, shorter stem, and quick-press controls for music or calls.
- ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLATION — AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation help reduce outside noise before it reaches your ears, so you can immerse yourself in what you’re listening to.*
- HEAR THE WORLD AROUND YOU — The powerful H2 chip comes to AirPods 4. Adaptive Audio seamlessly blends ANC and Transparency mode — which lets you comfortably hear and interact with the world around you exactly as it sounds — to provide the best listening experience in any environment.* And when you’re speaking with someone nearby, Conversation Awareness automatically lowers the volume of what’s playing.*
- IMPROVED SOUND AND CALL QUALITY — Voice Isolation improves the quality of calls in loud conditions. Using advanced computational audio, it reduces background noise while isolating and clarifying the sound of your voice for whomever you’re speaking to.*
Battery life and charging
Apple’s estimates below are maximums from controlled tests, not guaranteed real-world results. Its ANC-on testing used pre-production units in July and August 2024, paired with a pre-production iPhone 16 Pro Max, playing a purchased-track playlist encoded at 256-Kbps AAC at 50% volume. Apple says actual battery life depends on settings, environment, usage, and other factors.
| Listening condition | Per charge | With charging case |
|---|---|---|
| ANC enabled | Up to 4 hours | Up to 20 hours |
| Noise control off | Up to 5 hours | Up to 30 hours |
The case charges through USB-C, Qi-certified wireless charging, or an Apple Watch charger. It includes a speaker for Find My proximity view; Apple says that feature requires iOS 18 or later. The box contains the earbuds, USB-C case with speaker, and documentation. A USB-C charging cable is sold separately.
Rank #4
- WORLD’S BEST IN-EAR ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLATION — Removes up to 2x more unwanted noise than AirPods Pro 2* so you can stay fully immersed in the moment.*
- BREAKTHROUGH AUDIO PERFORMANCE — Experience breathtaking, three-dimensional audio with AirPods Pro 3. A new acoustic architecture delivers transformed bass, detailed clarity so you can hear every instrument, and stunningly vivid vocals.
- HEART RATE SENSING — Built-in heart rate sensing lets you track your heart rate and calories burned for up to 50 different workout types.* With iPhone, you will have access to the Move ring, step count, and the new Workout Buddy,* powered by Apple Intelligence.*
- LIVE TRANSLATION — Communicate across language barriers using Live Translation,* enabled by Apple Intelligence.*
- EXTENDED BATTERY LIFE — Get up to 8 hours of listening time with Active Noise Cancellation on a single charge. Or up to 10 hours in Transparency using the Hearing Aid feature.*
Device compatibility and useful features
Apple lists Bluetooth 5.3, and the earbuds can work as Bluetooth headphones with non-Apple devices. Apple cautions that functionality may be limited outside its ecosystem. Voice Isolation, Adaptive Audio, and Conversation Awareness have compatible-device and operating-system requirements, so check Apple’s current specifications for your exact device before relying on a particular feature.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallPersonalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking and Adaptive EQ are also listed features. Their presence does not change the central fit trade-off: the model remains open-ear, without silicone tips to seal out sound.
Best Value
- REBUILT FOR COMFORT - AirPods 4 have been redesigned for exceptional all-day comfort and greater stability. With a refined contour, shorter stem, and quick-press controls for music or calls.
- ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLATION - AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation help reduce outside noise before it reaches your ears, so you can immerse yourself in what you’re listening to.*
- HEAR THE WORLD AROUND YOU - The powerful H2 chip comes to AirPods 4. Adaptive Audio seamlessly blends ANC and Transparency mode - which lets you comfortably hear and interact with the world around you exactly as it sounds - to provide the best listening experience in any environment.* And when you’re speaking with someone nearby, Conversation Awareness automatically lowers the volume of what’s playing.*
- IMPROVED SOUND AND CALL QUALITY - Voice Isolation improves the quality of calls in loud conditions. Using advanced computational audio, it reduces background noise while isolating and clarifying the sound of your voice for whomever you’re speaking to.*
- MAGICAL EXPERIENCE - Just say “Siri” or “Hey Siri” to play a song, make a call, or check your schedule.* And with Siri Interactions, now you can respond to Siri by simply nodding your head yes or shaking your head no.* Pair AirPods 4 by simply placing them near your device and tapping Connect on your screen.* Easily share a song or show between two sets of AirPods.* A skin-detecting sensor knows to play audio only when you’re wearing AirPods and pauses when you take them off.
How to decide whether they suit you
- Consider them if: you want Apple’s ANC and listening modes but do not want silicone ear tips, and you use compatible Apple devices for the fullest feature set.
- Look elsewhere if: strong passive isolation, a sealed fit, or a stabilizing fin is essential to you.
- Compare before buying: Apple lists other current AirPods models, including AirPods 5 and AirPods Pro 3, alongside AirPods 4 with ANC. Compare fit, noise control, battery estimates, device compatibility, and current pricing rather than assuming the model names alone indicate the best match.
Apple announced AirPods 4 with ANC on September 9, 2024, with availability beginning September 20, 2024. Its U.S. launch price was $179 in 2024; that is historical launch pricing, not a current retail quote. Check Apple’s current listing and local retailers for today’s price and availability.
Verdict
Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation is best understood as an open-ear pair with added noise-control features, not as a sealed noise-isolating earbud. The modes and charging flexibility are substantial features, but SoundGuys’ ratings and the physical lack of a seal make the compromise clear: it is a more plausible fit for listeners who prioritize an open design than for those whose main goal is maximum isolation.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →
