Apple AirPods (4th Generation)

Clean, detailed, agile, powerful sound ; Impressive ANC effect for an ‘open’ design ; Compact, lightweight and comfortable design ; Extensive feature set that borrows from flagship model ; Seamless use with iOS devices

Battery life lags behind the competition ; Fit won’t suit everyone ; Needs a greater dose of dynamic subtlety, solidity and punch to be a class leader

The AirPods 4 with ANC cram in so many flagship features with effective sound-blocking and improved sound at this mid-range price – they’re a no-brainer for Apple fans

Comfortable, open-ear design ; Good microphone and call quality ; Decent ANC performance (and Spatial Audio) ; Easy-to-use gesture controls ; USB-C charging support

Average ANC compared to competitors ; Lack of manual EQ adjustment ; No customisable ear tips

The AirPods 4 deliver the classic Apple experience with a sleek design, easy gesture controls, and solid audio performance. While they lack customisable EQ and have average ANC, they're an excellent choice for iPhone users who want seamless integration...

Full-bodied bass and clear highs ; Impressive active noise cancellation ; Hands-free Siri with gesture-based interactions ; H2 chip enables multiple adaptive audio features

Open design can cause inconsistent ear-to-ear fit ; So-so battery life ; No user-adjustable EQ

The Apple AirPods 4 deliver strong sound quality and the best active noise cancellation we've experienced in an open-ear design.

Work flawlessly with iPhone. New charging case is sleeker and easier to throw in pockets. Comfier than AirPods 3.

Still no eartips. Below-average battery life. Significantly worse listening experience than AirPods Pro. Still uncomfortable to some (and perfect for others).

Noise cancellation can often be impressive for an open design ; Upgraded sound quality ; Wireless charging and built-in speaker on case ; Upgraded sound quality ; Voice isolation can noticeably improve call clarity ; Deep Apple ecosystem integration

No proper multipoint ; Controlling volume is less convenient than on the AirPods Pro ; ANC isn’t going to be helpful in all environments ; No wireless charging ; No built-in speaker on the case ; No proper multipoint

The standard AirPods 4 give you the same good audio performance, and they effortlessly weave into Apple’s ecosystem. They’re also a substantial upgrade over the second-gen model that they’ve replaced for the same $129, but beyond the walled garden...

Refined design ; Active noise cancellation in open-ear design ; Great feature set

Fit might not be for everyone ; Standard model doesn't get some features

From our initial hands-on time with the two AirPods 4 models, they appear to be a huge upgrade on their mid-range predecessors. Not only do you get active noise cancellation in an open-ear design on the pricier model, but across both the overall design...

Great-looking new design ; ANC is decent for open earbuds ; Charging case now supports Find My

Sound quality upgrade isn't huge ; Noise cancellation can be lacklustre ; Battery life remains the same

Improving on the 4th gen AirPods, the AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancelation support features like Adaptive Audio and Conversation Awareness. Its case has also been upgraded, with wireless charging and a built-in speaker for Find My functions.

Great look ; Easy to use ; Easy connectivity ; Compact case

No 3.5 mm jack ; Expensive ; Not the best noise canceling

ANC delivers a noticeable day to day improvement ; Solid sound quality ; Upgraded case is easier to charge and find

Not the same ANC isolation as AirPods Pro 2 ; Some people will still struggle with fit ; No volume control from touch sensor

Same H2 chip found in AirPods Pro 2 ; More compact design ; Active noise canceling that works ; Improved sound ; Excellent voice-calling performance ; Personalized spatial audio ; Case has wireless charging and speaker for Find My ; Same H2 chip found...

Battery life could be a little better ; Noise-canceling isn't as good as AirPods Pro 2's ; Battery life could be better ; No wireless charging or speaker in case