Apple AirPods 4 In-Ear Active Noise Cancelling True Wireless

The AirPods 4 with ANC deliver best-in-class noise cancelling for an open earbud design, hitting the 90th percentile in our database. But the battery life is a 5th percentile disaster, and sound quality is a disappointing 29th percentile. Great ANC, rough everything else.

Let's talk about that ANC first, because it's the reason these exist. At the 90th percentile, the noise cancelling is genuinely best-in-class for an open design. Apple's H2 chip is doing some heavy lifting here, and it shows. You'll notice it on a commute or in a coffee shop, where the low rumble just fades out. It's not going to beat a sealed earbud like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra, but for something that just rests in your ear, it's a standout.

The rest of the performance picture is less flattering. Sound quality sits at the 29th percentile, which is disappointing for earbuds in this price range. The mic is solid at the 68th percentile, so calls are fine, but the battery is the real problem. A 5th percentile battery score means you'll be reaching for the case constantly. And the case itself doesn't do much to soften that blow. The connectivity is middle of the pack at the 45th percentile, which is fine but not exciting.

Stacked against the competition, the AirPods 4 ANC have a clear strength and several clear weaknesses. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra delivers better sound and battery, though at a higher price. The Sony WF-1000XM6 offers a more complete package with stronger noise isolation and longer battery life. The Technics EAH-AZ100 is a sleeper pick that beats the AirPods on sound and battery for similar money. Even the budget-friendly Soundcore P31i and EarFun Air Pro 4+ offer better battery life, though they can't touch the AirPods' ANC. The AirPods win on noise cancelling for an open design, but lose on nearly everything else.

At CAD 220, the AirPods 4 with ANC are asking a lot. The ANC is great, but you're paying a premium for that one feature while accepting bottom-tier battery life and below-average sound. The Technics EAH-AZ100 and Sony WF-1000XM6 both offer better overall packages in this price range, with sealed designs that deliver stronger sound and battery. If you're deep in the Apple ecosystem, the H2 chip integration might justify the cost. But on pure performance per dollar, this is a tough sell.

The AirPods 4 with ANC land in a weird spot. The active noise cancelling is genuinely impressive for an open-style earbud, sitting at the 90th percentile in our database. That's the headline. But the battery life is a 5th percentile showing, which is rough for a pair of earbuds at this price. Apple rebuilt the fit and crammed the H2 chip in here, and you can tell. The ANC works better than it has any right to without a silicone seal. But the numbers tell a story of a product that's great at one thing and mediocre at several others.

Skip these if battery life matters to you. The 5th percentile battery score is a real problem, and you'll be charging constantly. Also skip if sound quality is your top priority, since the 29th percentile sound score is underwhelming for the price. If you want a sealed earbud with better isolation and longer battery, the Sony WF-1000XM6 or Technics EAH-AZ100 are better picks. And if you're not in the Apple ecosystem, there's little reason to pay the Apple tax for average connectivity and below-average comfort.

The AirPods 4 with ANC are a one-trick pony, but it's a good trick. If you hate the sealed feeling of traditional earbuds and want real noise cancelling, these are the best option on the market right now. The 90th percentile ANC score is legit. But the 5th percentile battery life is a dealbreaker for a lot of people, and the 29th percentile sound quality is hard to ignore at this price. If you can live with frequent charging and don't mind the open fit, these are worth considering. Otherwise, look at the Sony WF-1000XM6 or Technics EAH-AZ100.