Apple AirPods 4

The AirPods 4 bring shockingly good ANC to an open-ear design, making them a no-brainer for Apple users who hate silicone tips. The sound is clean but bass-light, and battery life is just okay. At this price, they're a convenience play more than a value play.

The ANC here is the star of the show, hitting the 97th percentile in our database. It's shockingly good at killing low-end rumble like airplane hum and AC units, though it can't do much with higher-pitched chatter. Call quality is solid with the voice isolation feature, but the mic score lands at a middle-of-the-pack 65th percentile. Sound quality is pleasant and well-tuned at the 73rd percentile, but don't expect thumping bass. The open design just can't deliver that physical impact. Battery life is average at 5 hours per charge, and the case gives you 25 hours total, which is fine but not class-leading.

The Technics EAH-AZ100 and Sony WF-1000XM6 will give you better overall sound and stronger bass thanks to their sealed designs, and their ANC is just as good or better. The Apple AirPods Pro 3rd Generation are the obvious upgrade if you want a secure fit and even stronger noise cancellation, but they cost more. The Soundcore P31i is a wild card here, delivering solid ANC and good sound for a fraction of the price. The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro are still a close rival with a similar open-ish feel and great features, but they lean harder into AI tricks. And the EarFun Air Pro 4+ proves you can get shockingly good ANC and sound for under $100, making the AirPods 4 look a bit overpriced if you're not locked into Apple's world.

At around $150 to $160, these sit in a weird spot. They're cheaper than the AirPods Pro but pricier than a lot of excellent competitors from Sony and Samsung when those go on sale. You're paying for the Apple magic: the instant pairing, the seamless device switching, and that top-tier ANC in an open design. If those things matter more to you than raw sound quality or battery life, the price is fair. If not, you can get more bang for your buck elsewhere.

Apple finally put proper ANC into the standard AirPods, and it's a big deal. You get the same H2 chip magic from the Pro line in an open-ear design that a lot of people find more comfortable for all-day wear. The noise cancellation is genuinely impressive for earbuds that don't seal your ear canal, and the transparency mode sounds so natural you'll forget you're wearing them.

But the fit is still a gamble. If the classic hard plastic shape didn't work for your ears before, these won't change your mind. And while the sound is clean and balanced, it lacks the bass punch you get from earbuds with silicone tips. For Apple users who hate the plugged-up feeling of in-ear buds, these are the best AirPods yet.

Skip these if you need a secure fit for the gym or running. The open design just doesn't lock in, and our fitness score reflects that. Also, if you're not tied to the Apple ecosystem, you can find better sound and battery life for less money from brands like EarFun or Samsung.

If you're deep in the Apple ecosystem and hate the feeling of silicone tips plugging your ears, just buy these. The ANC is a revelation for an open design, and the convenience is unmatched. But if you want the best possible sound, a more secure fit for workouts, or longer battery life, you should look at the AirPods Pro or one of the strong Android-friendly competitors.