TWS true wireless earphones - $100 to $200
4.5 STARS - Apple's AirPods 4 have a safer fit than most half-in-ears, come in a super tiny charging case, and have great Siri integration. But do they sound and are they better than the best AirPods-like earbuds under 100 dollars?
Time to put the AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 ANC to the test against each other AND against more affordable options.
Apple AirPods 4 without ANC specs and features:
Bluetooth 5.3 with AAC codec
IPX4 waterproof rating (splashproof)
5 hours playtime on a single charge
Charging case can charge earpieces fully 3 times
Has: app support from iOS settings, multipoint connection (Apple only), spatial audio
Doesn't have: ANC, Transparency mode, wireless charging
Comes with USB-C cable, English manual
$120 - $150 See price on Amazon US or your Amazon country
Apple AirPods 4 ANC specs and features:
Bluetooth 5.3 with AAC codec
IPX4 waterproof rating (splashproof)
4 - 5 hours playtime on a single charge (ANC on/off)
Charging case can charge earpieces fully 3 times
Has: ANC, Transparency, app support from iOS settings, multipoint connection (Apple only), wireless charging, spatial audio
Doesn't have: -
Comes with USB-C cable, English manual
$170 - $200 - See price on Amazon US or your Amazon country
In and underneath this Apple AirPods 4 review, you will find comparisons of the AirPods 4 vs Airpods 4 ANC, AirPods 3, AirPods Pro 2, SoundPEATS Air3 Deluxe HS, Oppo Enco Air3, Huawei Freebuds 2 SE, QCY AilyBuds Pro+ and Xiaomi Buds 5.
Normally, I only review earbuds under $100. The AirPods 4 (ANC) is an exception as it's way too important not to review. :-)
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Design, comfort and battery life
Apple's AirPods 4 are the next evolution in their half-in-ears (i.e. earbuds without rubber tips), after the terrible wired and flat EarPods, the game changing AirPods and AirPods 2, and the thicker and more robust AirPods 3.
The AirPods 4 earpieces are a bit more square than those of the AirPods 3, granting an even safer and sturdier fit in average sized ears.
These provide the safest fit of the over 50 half-in-ear wireless earbuds I've tested and reviewed on Scarbir.com. It could be different for you, as half-in-ears aren't for everyone, but I was never (!) afraid the earbuds would fall out of my average-sized ears, not even during cycling, running, bowing, or rapid head shakes.
They're comfortable to wear for hours in a row, too - without needing to relieve pressure on my ears.
The battery life is below-average on both models, especially for the price. The regular AirPods 4 last a decent 5 hours on a single charge, the AirPods 4 with ANC only a bit more than 4 hours.
The AirPods 4 are IPX4 waterproof, meaning they withstand splashes, but maybe not heavy rainfall and certainly not dipping them into a pool.
The charging case is remarkably compact, almost cute in its appearance. It can be charged by USB-C, and the LED-light on the front is also a button that lets you enter the pairing-mode of the earbuds.
Only the AirPods 4 ANC case supports wireless charging - the regular version does not. The ANC case also has a speaker that affirms that its charging, and can be heard when you're looking for your earbuds.
Like previous AirPods, the charging cases burn through their battery ridiculously fast. That's because the AirPods always stay connected to your phone.
The regular AirPods 4 case without the speaker function, needs to be recharged at least once a week - even when you're not using the earbuds often.
The AirPods 4 with ANC case is even worse. The case needs to be recharged twice a week.
Both AirPods 4 models have to be recharged about 2-4 times as often as cases from other earbuds.
The AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 ANC aren't battery kings: both the earbuds and charging case run out of juice earlier than average. That said, both the case and earbuds are extremely comfortable to wear - and they're perhaps the safest half-in-ears you can wear to date.
Controls, connectivity and app support
The AirPods 4 belong in the Apple ecosystem. Consider these earbuds only when you have an iPhone. This combination adds unique value compared to other devices - like switching to calls and sounds on your MacBook or iPad.
Apple’s multipoint implementation isn't always as clever as the multipoint on much cheaper earbuds. For instance, when you have the AirPods 4 connected to your iPhone and MacBook and want to pause music on your iPhone with your earbuds, it can instead launch Apple Music on your MacBook. It doesn't always get what you want to do.
The AirPods 4 doesn't have a dual-device multipoint connection for non-Apple devices. If you use an iPhone and Android phone, the AirPods aren't convenient for calling on both.
Controls are great. The touch panels in the stems feel like they're actual buttons. Their responsiveness and clicky sound effect give weighty and excellent feedback - with a single-click to play pause, a double-click to change tracks, and holding the earbuds to cycle between ANC and Transparency (ANC version only).
However - Apple can brag all it likes about the perfect fit backed by thousands of ears, but it wasn't convinced of the fit enough to also include volume controls. Unlike the AirPods Pro 2, you can't change the volume by sliding up or down the stems, or by other ways on the earbuds. That's a big miss.
You can't change regular controls, but can change controls for incoming phone calls.
The AirPods 4 have perfect wearing detection, pausing music automatically when you take an earbud out - and resuming playback when you put it back in. Thankfully, you can also deactivate this in the settings.
You can change controls for calls only
ANC and Spatial Audio settings are 'hidden' in the iOS volume bar
The killer feature of the AirPods remains the messages integration, reading your incoming WhatsApp/ iMessage/ Telegram and other messaging app notifications for you. This time, it comes with the option to shake your head to interrupt a message. This works well and even comes with kind of addictive clicky feedback sounds - although it looks a bit stupid when you shake away message after message.
Siri-integration is about to get much better for English countries in the upcoming year, as Apple will then likely roll out AI and ChatGPT integration in your ‘Hey Siri’ voice commands - possibly making Siri much, much more useful.
The option to automatically lower your music volume when you talk is still a gimmick, as you'll likely talk to someone at those moments - and you won't hear the music softer when the other one speaks.
The AirPods 4 ANC adds a small annoyance: if you just wear the earbuds for the Active Noise Cancelling and don't play any music, it will start playing music after reading an incoming message. As Apple updates its earbuds for years, it's likely to be fixed in a future update.
Speaking of which: updating the earbuds is not a manual process you can start yourself; Apple updates automatically when your device and earbud('s case) are connected - and they always are. That's the reason the charging case battery depletes so quickly. This update approach adds to the integrated feel of it, just like there isn't a separate AirPods app, but you can find all settings in the Settings app and in your volume slider in the control screen on your iPhone or iPad.
The AirPods 4 are a great companion for your iPhone and iPad, with great Siri and reading capabilities, switching between Apple devices, and countless options straight from the Settings app.
However, the multipoint connection from other earbuds can work even better in 2024, and not having volume controls is a miss too.
Phone and video calls
The AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 ANC are outstanding choices for phone calls and video conferences.
Your voice sounds natural and clear, and has enough volume.
In the first half a second, the microphone setup has to focus on your voice if there's a lot of background noise. But then… the AirPods 4 does a fantastic job of eliminating background noise in your calls. Even loud chatter and sudden sounds like door slams are greatly left out.
The same goes for wind noise. The microphones and software adjust extremely quick to it, and even when there's quite a bit of wind, you hear nothing of it in phone or video calls.
On the ANC model, it doesn't matter if you have ANC or Transparency activated. The only difference is what you hear - not what people you talk to are hearing.
Apple raises the bar for call clarity on wireless earbuds with the AirPods 4.
Video and games playback
The AirPods 4 have flawless video playback with great audio-video synchronization on video apps like YouTube, Netflix, Disney+ and more.
It synchronizes the sound effects in games greatly with the action on your screen in challenging games like Call of Duty mobile. The AirPods 4 have above-average localisation of gunshots or explosions around you - and it gets even better performance when you activate the Spatial Audio - although some sounds can get a little rough around the edges.
Sadly, your AirPods 4 can lose the sound signal of your game when you receive a notification pop-up. This needs to be fixed in an update.
ANC QUALITY: Is the Active Noise Cancelling on the AirPods 4 worth it?
The Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) on the AirPods 4 isn't nearly as strong as the AirPods Pro 2, or great $100 ANC earbuds with rubber tips like the Earfun Air Pro 4, Samsung Galaxy Buds FE, or Nothing Ear (a).
In pure ANC strength, the AirPods 4 is comparable to the 2021-generation of strong cheap ANC earbuds, like the first first Tozo NC9 or the Fiil CC Pro.
Simply put: the AirPods 4's ANC doesn't remove much noise around you. Constant darker sounds like electronic humming and background basses are reduced very well, but sudden and brighter sounds still come through easily.
It is crazy adaptive though. The AirPods 4 scans your surroundings constantly and adapts the ANC directly to counter new noise. When a nearby train, traffic noise, background radio music, or distant chatter is registered, it takes about a second for the ANC to attack and reduce that sound.
Wind noise is attacked greatly as well. It registers wind noise; needs a second to adjust to it; it filters it. Brilliant.
You don't need the Adaptive mode - the standard setting is crazy adaptive too
Even higher sounds are toned down a bit. In a full and crowded office, the AirPods 4 doesn't filter out higher voices around you, but it does takeaway enough middle sounds from higher (female or young) vocals to make it harder to follow a conversation. This is great for your concentration, even when you're not listening to music.
So unlike previous half-in-ears with ANC, like the Samsung Galaxy Buds Live and the SoundPEATS Air4, the AirPods 4 ANC actually brings rest to your head.
On top of that, the Transparency mode feels incredibly natural. It lets you hear traffic and other noise softly through your music when you need it, and seemingly doesn't differ much from the regular non-ANC bearing AirPods - while it also blocks wind noise well. Great stuff.
Despite the excellent and natural Transparency mode, it's hard to follow a conversation while you listen to music on moderate volume or louder.
Even while it costs $50 more, the AirPods 4 ANC is better value for money than the regular AirPods 4. The Active Noise Cancelling actually lets you focus on your music and your work better. It gives these earbuds more purpose.
Sound quality of Apple AirPods 4
The Apple AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 ANC have excellent bass for earbuds without rubber tips, but the sound leans very heavily on the lower tones.
The AirPods 4 lean very heavily on the lows. The bass and lower mid-tones are extremely boosted.
Vocals and other higher frequencies sometimes suffer to separate themselves from this lower emphasis.
Take any London Grammar song for instance. The bands’ sound character is a somewhat spooky depth and darkness, with crisp and often shiver-inducing vocals on top. On the AirPods 4, the lead singers’ voice has trouble to stand out from the lows.
Especially on lower and moderate volumes, treble and highs don't really play a role of importance. On higher or active listening volumes:
The mid-bass gives off strong and full thumps, with more power than other half-in-ears. Apple managed to give the bass weight as if these earbuds have rubber tips, which is impressive in its own right. The bass even maintains its power when you're cycling or running with the earbuds.
The darkest bass tones you can feel as much as hear, the sub-bass is often irrelevant on half-in-ears, but the AirPods 4 squeezes out a tight sub-bass rumbling on James Blake's great test track Limit to Your Love.
Lower mid-tones play like drums, lower male vocals and darker instruments and electronic tones play a strong role in the music. In Dave Brubeck's Take Five and other high quality recordings (of acoustic, jazz, blues or classical music), it's possible to hear details as the plucking and resonating of strings.
Center-mid tones like guitars and piano play appear warm as they tend toward these lower mid-tones a bit. The can also feel recessed in songs with strong lows and highs. The center-mids miss a bit of naturalness and clarity.
Lower female vocals and male singers don't always appear prominent against the heavy backdrop of lows. Higher female and male vocals are more forward, yet they're still better represented in the lower than higher notes. This gives them a warm and comfortable feeling, but means higher vocals can lack some sparkle.
The same goes for higher instruments. Cymbals are impactful without being splashy, but violins and trumpets lack a bit of presence higher up.
That said, the level of separation on higher volumes is good. The bass isn't laid flat by other frequencies or the other way around, and instruments have their own place.
Apple's Spatial Audio is the best on the market and more than a gimmick. Especially in more acoustic genres, it can pinpoint instruments to a precise location around you, increasing the immersion in the music in a natural way. While it works less well for electronic genres, at least it doesn't have any harsh edges.
Unfortunately, some bass and cymbal outings can cause a slight crackle on higher volumes. This happens regularly on less refined dance and electronic records from 5 to 10 years old, which often don't have the producing quality of newer tracks. These are a challenge for more earbuds, but the crackles feel above-average apparent on the AirPods 4.
The AirPods 4 almost feels like a Beats by Dre-earphone, tuned for a youthful audience that wants bass over balance. Audiophiles looking for a delicate tonal balance and treble spark may look elsewhere - this is more of a guilty pleasure listen. But it is one that can get very immersive - especially for half-in-ears - with or without the unrivalled Spatial Audio.
—> These are the best sounding wireless earbuds from $25 to $100
Apple AirPods 4 vs other AirPods
AirPods 4 vs AIrPods 4 ANC: Which to get?
As you may be in the market for more expensive earbuds as you're reading this, I recommend getting the AirPods 4 ANC over the non-ANC version.
The AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 ANC look exactly the same
Despite the great messages integration, the AirPods 4 without Active Noise Cancelling don't feel special enough over other wireless earbuds for their steep $129 - €149 price point.
Even though the ANC-version costs 50 dollars more, the price feels more justified. Not because of the wireless case charging, not because of the little sound effects the case makes, but because of the Active Noise Cancelling that's actually strong and usable enough to let you focus on music and your work better. Even when you're not playing any music at all.
Its the ANC that makes the AirPods 4 unique: the first wireless earbuds with the comfort of half-in-ears, a safe fit AND usable Active Noise Cancellation. It's worth it to pay extra.
AirPods 4 vs AirPods 3: A big improvement?
The AirPods 3 has a wider case
The AirPods 3 were Apple's first earbuds with a thicker design for half-in-ears, but the AirPods 4's subtle more square-ish earpieces give the successor an ever safer fit. The AirPods 3 also feel thicker in your ears, making the AirPods 4 more comfortable as well. The charging case is a little less wide, so more compact as well.
Overall, the AirPods 4 is a good upgrade over the AirPods 3. It reduces background and wind noise in phone calls better, it adds the head-shaking option to deny an incoming message or call, and… it has a more dynamic sound.
The AirPods 4's bass is stronger and more textured, and as the lower-mids have a bigger gripe on the sound, higher vocals and instruments feel more grounded - whereas the AirPods 3 can still have some higher harsh edges. The 4 is both a more dynamic and comfortable listen.
AirPods 4 vs AirPods Pro 2
While the Active Noise Cancelling on the AirPods 4 ANC is solid, you should get the AirPods Pro 2 when noise cancellation is important to you. The AirPods Pro 2 blocks darker and middle sounds better than the 4, and reduces sudden sounds better as well. The AirPods 4 also takes longer to adjust the noise reduction to your surroundings.
The AirPods Pro 2 comes with volume controls by swiping the stems, and lasts 2 hours longer a single charge. Thanks to Apple's great firmware update policy, it now also has the function of shaking your head to interrupt the reading of incoming messages.
The AirPods 4 is a step up in call clarity over the AirPods Pro 2. It keeps your voice more stable when there's background noise or wind, and leaves that noise better out of calls too.
The AirPods 4 has a more energetic or aggressive sound than the more fluent approach of the AirPods Pro 2. The bass and higher vocals are more emphasized than on the Pro 2. The Pro has a more equally spreaded treble and less recessed center-mids, revealing more instrumental details. The AirPods 4 sound has more air in it, however - it sounds a bit more expansive.
No separate Apple AirPods Pro 2 review
Around $200 on Amazon US, Amazon UK or other Amazon countries
AirPods 4 vs the best cheaper alternatives
AirPods 4 vs Oppo Enco Air3 ($60)
Costing somewhere between 40 and 60 dollars, the Oppo Enco Air3 is a fantastic alternative to the AirPods 4.
The Oppo is great for calls too, even though it doesn't have the AirPods 4's background and wind noise reduction. Its battery lasts the same 5 hours on a charge as the regular AirPods 4, while it has a higher IP54 waterproof rating and comes with great multipoint connection that also works with non-Apple devices. The AirPods 4 controls are more reliable, however; the touch panels on the Oppo can almost respond too well to your input.
In for the surprise? The Oppo Enco Air3 sounds more balanced. The AirPods 4 has a fuller bass and can immerse a bit more around you thanks to its Spatial Audio, but the Air3's bass is tighter. Furthermore, the Oppo has more natural center- and higher mid-tones. Vocals sound clearer, instruments are less coloured. There's more air in the higher tones; whereas the AirPods 4 reveals more details in the lower end. You can tweak the sound of the Oppo via equalizers, however, an option Apple doesn't give.
Apple's bass is less prone to wind noise when you're on the move, though. That could be the biggest reason to pay more for the AirPods 4. The Oppo Enco Air3 is a baffingly good, cheap AirPods 4 alternative.
$40 - $60 on your Amazon country or AliExpress
AirPods 4 vs Huawei Freebuds 2SE ($60)
What the $130 AirPods 4 lack in vocal performance in its sound, the $60 Huawei Freebuds 2SE brings.
The Huawei has a more singer-centric sound, putting vocals more forward and giving them more detail as well - especially touching higher notes with more vibrancy than on the AirPods 4. It sounds more delicate than the AirPods 4, which has way more bass-boost and lower-mid emphasis.
The Huawei is comfortable to wear for hours and you can, as its battery lasts up to 9 hours on a single charge - double that of the AirPods 4's average! It has a higher IP54 waterproof rating too.
Android-users should beware though: for full support, you may have to download the Huawei AI app outside of the Google Play Store. The Huawei also lacks multipoint connection. And while it offers clear phone calls; the AirPods 4 still outperforms it.
When it comes to battery and sound quality especially, the Huawei Freebuds 2SE is another fantastic cheap alternative to the AirPods 4.
$40 - $70 on Amazon US, your Amazon country or AliExpress
AirPods 4 vs QCY AilyBuds Pro+ ($40)
The QCY AilyBuds Pro+ is one of the cheap half-in-ears that claims it has Active Noise Cancelling, but it doesn't match that of the AirPods 4 ANC.
Instead of reducing sounds around you, the QCY's ANC analyses your environments for a second to optimize the sound performance. It does not cancel surrounding noise.
After it has done so, the QCY sounds clearer and also brighter than the AirPods 4. It has more treble emphasis, sounds airier and rounds the center-mids up higher instead of down low, like on the Apple. This is great for classical musical and higher vocals, but can be more tiring to listen to. The AirPods 4 is a more bass-heavy, yet also more comfortable listen because of the reduced treble.
The QCY AilyBuds Pro+ competes in various features: the same 5 hours battery life as the regular AirPods 4, it has multipoint connection, you can take a call with it, and it has a higher IPX5 waterproof rating. The AirPods 4 may have a safer fit, but the AilyBuds Pro+ is an alternative worth considering.
$30 - $50 on Amazon US, your Amazon country or AliExpress
AirPods 4 vs SoundPEATS Air3 Deluxe HS ($40)
The SoundPEATS Air3 Deluxe HS has been a favourite of many Scarbir.com readers, and it's still a nice affordable alternative to the AirPods 4. It isn't as good as the Apple, though.
This model by SoundPEATS has a more balanced sound than its successors, the SoundPEATS Air4 and Air4 Lite - which are too thin in the highs - but in 2024, it does sound a bit tame compared to the AirPods 4. Apple takes the same warm, lower-mid emphasized sound, but turns the fulness and the texture of the bass up and separates instruments better, creating a more engaging sound - even without Spatial Audio.
More importantly, the AirPods 4 have a safer fit than the SoundPEATS, and cancels out wind noise much better in phone calls. It also has multipoint connection (albeit on Apple devices only), which the SoundPEATS lacks. Despite the volume controls on the Air3 Deluxe HS, the AirPods 4 is a more versatile pair of earbuds.
$30 - $50 on Amazon US or your Amazon country
Apple AirPods 4 ANC vs Xiaomi Buds 5 ($100)
The $100 Xiaomi Buds 5 also has Active Noise Cancelling and seems like it has a lot to offer against the AirPods 4 with ANC. It has multipoint connectivity and great app support on non-Apple devices, its battery lasts slightly longer with ANC off, and it has a higher waterproof rating. The option to record audio also misses on the AirPods, although the AirPods has great integration by reading with messaging apps.
Musically, the AirPods 4 has more outspoken lower frequencies than the Xiaomi Buds 5; with a thumpier mid-bass and boosted lower mids. The Buds 5 has a more even sound, with more natural vocals and center-mids (guitars and piano play). The AirPods 4 can sound nasal or cave-like, compared to the brighter Buds 5. The Xiaomi sounds clearer with more treble extension and less bass emphasis.
The AirPods 4 beat the Xiaomi Buds 5 where it matters. Apple's earbuds sit tighter in your ears, control easier, offer clearer phone calls, and the AirPods 4's ANC is noticeably stronger. It filters and reduces more constant and sudden sounds, and actually brings some rest to your head in a crowded office space - which the Buds 5 can't. It's nice to have volume controls on the Buds 5 though.
Verdict: Apple AirPods 4 ANC
If you already have an iPhone or iPad, the AirPods 4 is one of its kind, with its fantastic fit for half-in-ears and usable Active Noise Cancelling. Not to mention the great messages and potential Siri+AI-integration.
When it comes to battery life, phone calls, multipoint connection and sound quality though, you can save a lot of money by great alternatives around 50 dollars - the SoundPEATS Air4 if you want fuller lows or the Oppo Enco Air3 if you want a sound that out-details and out-balances the AirPods 4.
4.5 STARS - Great
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I bought the Apple AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 ANC myself to test and review. My reviews are 100% independent and non-commercial - read about it here.
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