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Apple AirPods 4 ANC vs Apple AirPods 5: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the Apple AirPods 4 ANC comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 80. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: Apple AirPods 4 ANC - Outstanding overall at around $179.

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

Apple AirPods 5 leads on 6 of 7 measures.

  • Apple AirPods 4 ANC
  • Apple AirPods 5
HearWiki score
80
75
Sound
7.6
8.0
Noise cancelling
6.7
8.0
Battery
5.9
6.5
Calls
7.9
8.0
Value
7.1
8.5
Price (USD)
$180
$130

Generation & platform

The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?

Same generation

The Apple AirPods 5 is 2 years newer, but it is the same generation of hardware: nothing in the radio, the codecs or the noise cancelling separates them. The platform is level; the newer hardware shows up in convenience features instead - the Apple AirPods 5 adds Multipoint pairing and Water resistance IP57 against IP54.

  • AirPods 4 ANC2024
  • AirPods 520262 yr newer
What differsAirPods 4 ANCAirPods 5

Everyday features

Multipoint pairing
No
Yes
Water resistance
IP54
IP57

Level on: Bluetooth, ANC type, Wireless charging, USB-C, Wear detection, Transparency mode, Custom EQ, Companion app.

Specifications

AirPods 4 ANCAirPods 5
Type
True Wireless
True Wireless
Price (USD)
$180
$130
HearWiki score
80
75
Released
2024
2026
Availability
Still sold new
Sold new
Driver
11 mm dynamic
dynamic
Driver type
dynamic
dynamic
Driver size
11 mm
-
Drivers per side
1
-
Frequency response
20 Hz - 20 kHz
-
Bluetooth
5.3
5.3
Codecs
SBC, AAC
-
Multipoint pairing
No
Yes
Battery life
4 h
5 h
Battery life (ANC on)
4 h
4 h
Battery incl. case
20 h
22 h
Wireless charging
Yes
Yes
Active noise cancelling
Yes
Yes
ANC type
adaptive
adaptive
Transparency mode
Yes
Yes
Companion app
Yes
Yes
Custom EQ
Yes
Yes
Wear detection
Yes
Yes
Controls
both
both
Voice assistant
Siri
Siri
Weight
4.3 g
4.3 g
Case weight
34.7 g
32.3 g
Water resistance
IP54
IP57
USB-C
Yes
Yes
Connector
-
USB-C
Microphones
3
3
Microphone type
-
beamforming
Call noise reduction
-
Yes

What reviewers said

Apple AirPods 4 ANC

These true wireless earbuds offer hybrid active noise cancellation and a secure, sweat-resistant build, making them a solid pick for daily use and workouts. They deliver a balanced, bass-enhanced sound signature with multipoint Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity and intuitive controls, though their battery life is modest. While not the absolute best in noise cancellation, they provide a well-rounded experience that appeals strongly to Apple ecosystem users.

  • Pro:Effective hybrid ANC for the price
  • Pro:Comfortable, stable fit with IP54 rating
  • Pro:Clear, improved bass response
  • Con:Battery life is only average at 5 hours
  • Con:Noise cancellation is decent, not class-leading
  • Con:Limited codec support (AAC only)

Apple AirPods 5

The Apple AirPods 5 are open-ear wireless earbuds that bring top-tier adaptive noise cancellation and refined audio to the lineup. They boast a custom driver, adaptive EQ, and a multiport acoustic design for clearer sound, plus convenient features like hands-free Siri, multipoint Bluetooth, and IP57 water resistance. With a compact case that adds extra charges, they're a solid pick for Apple users seeking a versatile everyday pair.

  • Pro:Excellent adaptive noise cancellation for an open-ear design
  • Pro:Rich, detailed sound with adaptive EQ tuning
  • Pro:Seamless multipoint and hands-free Siri integration
  • Con:Battery life is modest at around 5 hours per charge
  • Con:ANC reduces battery to just 4 hours
  • Con:Premium price for the feature set

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

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New comparisonApple AirPods 4 ANCApple AirPods 5