t3.com
70T3 says the AirPods 4 deliver the familiar Apple experience with easy controls, good sound, and a compact, lightweight design. It views them as a strong option for iPhone users, though the ANC is only average.
Read the full review
Image © AppleApple AirPods 4
78/ 100
Great
HearWiki score
Exceptional value
$99
typical price, USD
Still sold newupdated 
At a glance
- Brand
- Apple
- Type
- True Wireless
- Fit
- -
- Connection
- Wireless
- Noise cancelling
- Yes
- Released
- 2024
Score breakdowngreat overall
Sound7.6
Battery6.5
Calls7.5
Value7.6
Are the $130 to $200 Apple AirPods 4 better than cheap earbuds under $100 and $50? Review and test vs AirPods 3, SoundPEATS, QCY, Huawei, Oppo.
The HearWiki takeAI-condensed
The Apple AirPods 4 are a lightweight, open-style pair of true wireless earbuds that bring a polished Apple experience to a more accessible price point. With a comfortable half-in-ear fit, decent sound quality, and IP54 durability, they're a solid choice for iPhone users, though their feature set is fairly basic for the cost.
What works
- Comfortable and lightweight open fit
- Strong sound quality for the size
- IP54 dust and splash resistance
- Easy controls and app support
- Wireless charging and USB-C included
What doesn't
- Battery life is modest at 4-5 hours
- No multipoint connection
- Average call quality and isolation
- AAC-only codec limits audiophile use
Paraphrased from published reviews & specs - not an original hands-on test. Our AI disclosure.
Specifications
| Driver | 11 mm dynamic |
|---|---|
| Driver type | dynamic |
| Driver size | 11 mm |
| Drivers per side | 1 |
Audio
| Driver | 11 mm dynamic |
|---|---|
| Driver type | dynamic |
| Driver size | 11 mm |
| Drivers per side | 1 |
Wireless
| Bluetooth | 5.3 |
|---|---|
| Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Multipoint pairing | No |
Battery
| Battery life | 5 h |
|---|---|
| Battery life (ANC on) | 4 h |
| Battery incl. case | 30 h |
| Wireless charging | Yes |
Features
| Active noise cancelling | No |
|---|---|
| Transparency mode | No |
| Companion app | Yes |
| Custom EQ | Yes |
| Wear detection | Yes |
| Controls | buttons |
| Voice assistant | Siri |
Design
| Weight | 4.3 g |
|---|---|
| Case weight | 32.3 g |
| Water resistance | IP54 |
| Foldable | No |
| Detachable cable | No |
| USB-C | Yes |
Calls
| Microphones | 3 |
|---|---|
| Microphone type | beamforming |
Where to buy
Retailers we matched to this exact model. Prices are periodic snapshots - the link always opens the retailer's current listing.
What the reviews said
7 source(s) feeding this product's score.
What YouTube reviewers say
Video reviews we found, each condensed to its verdict. They do feed the HearWiki score, at a measured weight below what a published written review carries.
The consensus
Mixedacross 5 videosReviewers agree that the AirPods 4 offer surprisingly effective active noise cancellation for an open-ear design, along with improved comfort and sound quality over previous models, though none match the AirPods Pro 2 in overall performance.
Reviewers liked
- Surprisingly effective ANC for an open-ear design
- Improved comfort and fit over AirPods 3
- Tiny, packable case with wireless charging
- Good sound quality for non-sealing earbuds
- Seamless Apple ecosystem integration
Reviewers flagged
- No volume controls on the earbuds
- No MagSafe magnets in the charging case
- ANC struggles with sudden loud noises
- Short 4-hour battery life with ANC
- Fit can be unstable during activity for some
11:25AirPods 4 Review: Which Ones To Get?
The reviewer compares the two AirPods 4 models, noting that the main differences are the price, active noise cancellation, and the case features (speaker, wireless charging). He finds the fit still problematic for those who had issues with previous hard-tipped AirPods, and the ANC is decent but not as effective as the AirPods Pro. Overall, he recommends them for Apple ecosystem users but suggests the Pro version for better fit and noise cancellation.
MixedWatch on YouTube
12:36These Defy Logic... - AirPods 4 Unboxing
The reviewer finds the AirPods 4 with ANC surprisingly impressive for an open-ear design, noting that the noise cancellation is 'good enough' for background drone and the sound quality is tight, though not as good as the AirPods Pro 2. They highlight the tiny case and added features like IP54 and wireless charging as strong points, but note the lack of a pairing button, no volume swipe, and that the ANC struggles with sudden loud noises. Ultimately, they would still choose the AirPods Pro 2 for their daily use, especially given frequent sales that narrow the price gap.
MixedWatch on YouTube
11:01AirPods 4 Review - SO GOOD!
The reviewer is highly impressed with the AirPods 4, especially their active noise cancellation and improved fit compared to previous models. They find the sound quality to be a noticeable step up from the AirPods 3, though not as good as the AirPods Pro 2. The overall verdict is positive, with the main caveat being the higher price compared to competitors.
PositiveWatch on YouTube
11:22AUDIO ENGINEER Reviews the APPLE AIRPODS 4
The reviewer, an audio engineer, finds the AirPods 4 to be a surprisingly good open-ear option with effective ANC and solid sound quality, but notes significant compromises in battery life, fit stability, and precision finding. They ultimately prefer the AirPods Pro 2 for their in-ear design, longer battery, and more robust features, making the AirPods 4 a niche choice for those prioritizing comfort over performance.
MixedWatch on YouTube
16:34AirPods 4 OVERHYPED! An Audiophile’s Perspective…
The reviewer finds the AirPods 4 with ANC to be a mixed bag, praising the impressive noise cancellation for an open design and excellent build quality, but criticizing several compromises like the lack of volume controls, a downgraded optical sensor, and a noticeable hiss and pressure effect from the ANC. They conclude that while the ANC is surprisingly good, the overall experience is marred by these shortcomings, making it overhyped for audiophiles.
MixedWatch on YouTube
Summaries are AI condensations of each video's own conclusion, not transcripts. Titles, thumbnails and view counts belong to their channels.
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