I tested Apple’s new AirPods for a week – their 3 best features made me a non-Pro believer

ZDNET’s key takeaways

• The AirPods 4 are available for $129 (or $179 with ANC).
• The fourth-generation lineup features significant improvements to sound quality, noise cancellation, and comfort.
• The headlining improvements are incremental, which may leave some consumers feeling uninspired to upgrade.

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During Apple’s annual September hardware event, the company released two new AirPods models alongside the highly-anticipated iPhone 16 family. The new AirPods 4 lineup consists of one model with active noise cancellation (ANC) and one model without. The ANC model replaces the third-generation AirPods, and the model without it replaces the second-generation AirPods.

Also: The best AirPods: Expert tested and reviewed

The AirPods Pro 2 are my daily driver earbuds, but I splurged and bought the upgraded Pro model two years ago solely because the base model AirPods lacked noise cancellation and weren’t comfortable enough for long-term wear. Apple attests that both AirPods 4 models address these issues, so I wore both pairs throughout my workweek to see if Apple’s money is where its mouth is. Here’s how it went.

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The AirPods 4 with ANC are the most capable Apple earbuds behind their bigger and even more capable sibling, the AirPods Pro 2. Although noise cancellation and a Find My speaker dominated the conversation surrounding these earbuds’ new features, the smaller and less visible upgrades are the most important.

Both AirPods 4 models debuted with Bluetooth 5.3, a significant upgrade from the 5.0 version found in both versions’ predecessors. Additionally, the upgraded AirPods 4 have increased dust and water resistance and improved ear detection, opting for an in-ear sensor instead of a skin sensor.

Also: Your AirPods Pro 2 are getting a free audio upgrade, and it’s the most important one yet

Bluetooth 5.3 brings the AirPods 4 more stable Bluetooth connections, enhanced sound quality, and more efficient power consumption. An in-ear sensor allows for more reliable ear detection, as skin sensors have more difficulty discerning when to play or pause music if you place your AirPods on a table or in your pocket. 

The AirPods 4 charging case is slightly more compact than the AirPods 3 case, making them easily pocketable and small enough to fit in tiny bags. The new charging case is much more space-conscious than the second-generation case, which is elongated and sometimes clunky.

In the comfort department, I was pleasantly surprised by both AirPods 4 models. The stems are shorter than the second generation, and the buds are more angled than the third generation, allowing them to sit more comfortably in your ear and angle the drivers toward your eardrum. The AirPods 4’s in-ear and relaxed fit make it easy to forget you’re wearing them, which I consider a major increase in comfort compared to the second-generation AirPods.

Also: I’ve used my AirPods Pro 2 since their 2022 release. Are they still worth it in 2024?

Apple upgraded the AirPods 4 to sport an H2 audio chip, the same chip found in the Pro 2 earbuds. This chip allows for enhanced noise-canceling performance, Transparency mode, and Conversation Awareness. The base model AirPods 4 lack these features, but they do take advantage of the H2 chip’s improved audio quality when the earbuds are paired to your iPhone.

Sound-wise, the AirPods 4 have a stronger bass response than the AirPods 2 and 3. The fourth-generation models sound great, with present bass, clear vocals, and impressive clarity. I listened to Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso,” and I could hear an improvement in instrument separation, as the instrumentals and vocal harmonies were pleasantly layered.

The ANC-enabled AirPods 4 sound the same, and the noise cancellation adds a layer of external noise protection that counteracts some of the ambient noise let in by the earbuds’ open design. In louder environments, the noise-canceling performance isn’t as effective, but that’s also because of the bud design.

The only AirPods 4 feature I’m unsure about is a small hardware change. There’s a small button on the back of the case of previous AirPods models, and you can force the AirPods into pairing mode by long-pressing the button. On the AirPods 4, there is no pairing button. Instead, the status light on the front of the case doubles as a pairing sensor. Double-tapping the sensor activates pairing mode, and triple-tapping initiates a factory reset.

ZDNET’s buying advice

The AirPods 4 with ANC and AirPods 4 are a great midrange pair of earbuds for anyone already within the Apple ecosystem. Both earbuds provide everything you need: great audio, adequate noise cancellation, a comfortable fit, and iOS device integration. The AirPods 4 are neither exciting nor underwhelming, so if you want a simple and useful pair of earbuds, these are for you.

Also: How to figure out if you should (or shouldn’t) buy the new USB-C AirPods Max

However, if you want Apple earbuds that can accompany you in more active situations, I recommend the AirPods Pro 2. The Pro 2’s silicone ear tips mold to your ear canal and provide a significantly more secure fit than either AirPods 4 model. The Pro 2’s in-canal design also allows for a more immersive listening experience and more effective noise-canceling performance because the earbuds reach deeper into your ear.

Additionally, if you pair these earbuds with non-Apple devices, you’ll miss out on features like Spatial Audio, Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness, and Find My compatibility. If you want casual earbuds that offer expansive software features regardless of your device’s operating system, consider the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds or the Nothing Ear.

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