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Apple AirPods 4
Apple · Released September 20, 2024

AirPods 4

The base AirPods 4 make sense only on clearance, because the $129 AirPods 5 now include ANC.

Wireless Earbuds
7.7/10What the pros sayVery goodExpert consensus · Verified Oct 8, 2026See score breakdown ↓
Buying call

Buy the base AirPods 4 only at a clear clearance discount, and only if you use an iPhone and want open-fit buds without silicone tips. They lasted 6 h 21 min in one battery test and get Apple's H2 features like Personalized Spatial Audio and instant iCloud pairing. Skip them at anything near $129, because Apple replaced them in September 2026 with AirPods 5, which include ANC as standard and cost $129 at Apple (Oct 8, 2026). The base AirPods 4 have no noise canceling, the unsealed fit lets bus and train rumble through, the case charges only over USB-C, and Android users lose most of the features.

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Real-world useBased on everyday testing, not a spec sheet
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Highlights

Specs that matter

Audio
Type
Earbuds
Wear
In-ear / earbuds
ANC
No
Bluetooth
Bluetooth 5.3
Body
Dimensions
height: 1.19 inches (30.2 mm); width: 0.72 inch (18.3 mm); depth: 0.71 inch (18.1 mm)
IP rating
IP54
At a glance

Product highlights

Verified attributes, grouped for quick scanning.

AudioEarbuds · In-ear / earbuds · No ANCBT Bluetooth 5.3
42 attributes · See all specifications
Price & availability

Where to buy

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Buying decision

Should you buy it?

Buy the base AirPods 4 only at a clear clearance discount, and only if you use an iPhone and want open-fit buds without silicone tips. They lasted 6 h 21 min in one battery test and get Apple's H2 features like Personalized Spatial Audio and instant iCloud pairing. Skip them at anything near $129, because Apple replaced them in September 2026 with AirPods 5, which include ANC as standard and cost $129 at Apple (Oct 8, 2026). The base AirPods 4 have no noise canceling, the unsealed fit lets bus and train rumble through, the case charges only over USB-C, and Android users lose most of the features.

Best for

iPhone owners who hate silicone tips and find the base AirPods 4 on clearance.

Not for

Commuters and flyers, who need noise canceling.

Main strengthOpen fit with no silicone tips that reviewers found comfortable
Main weaknessNo noise canceling or transparency mode
Reasons to buy
Open fit with no silicone tips that reviewers found comfortable
6 h 21 min per charge in one battery test
H2 chip adds head-gesture Siri replies and Personalized Spatial Audio
USB-C charging case
Reasons to avoid
No noise canceling or transparency mode
Unsealed fit lets traffic noise in and won't stay put in every ear
Case has no wireless charging
Apple replaced them with AirPods 5, which include ANC as standard
Measured view7.7/10What the pros say · verified oct 8, 2026.
ScoreVerified Oct 8, 2026
Independent coverage

What other reviewers say

Reviews from other sites and creators. They don't change the Gadget Clash score.

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SoundGuys6.4/10
Article · Full reviewApple AirPods 4 review: The best value AirPods everChase Bernath · Apr 2025

Cheapest AirPods yet; weighs whether they're the right choice for Apple users.

Read on SoundGuys ↗
The Verge8/10
Article · Full reviewApple AirPods 4 review: defying expectationsChris Welch · Sep 2024

Better than expected, though the reviewer suggests paying more for the ANC model.

Read on The Verge ↗
Tom's Guide4.5/5
Article · Full reviewApple AirPods 4 reviewKate Kozuch · Sep 2024

Apple's entry earbuds are simple to recommend.

Read on Tom's Guide ↗
Marques BrownleeAirPods 4 Review: Which Ones To Get?Watch on YouTube ↗
Dave2DAirPods 4 Review - SO GOOD!Watch on YouTube ↗
CNETAirPods 4 Review: Noise Cancelling Changes the GameWatch on YouTube ↗
Head to head

How it stacks up

Open a comparison for the full side-by-side view.

Choose a gadget
Apple AirPods 4
This deviceAirPods 4
VS
AirPods 5
AlternativeAirPods 5
Score
7.78.8
Full comparison
Apple AirPods 4
This deviceAirPods 4
VS
AirPods Pro 2
AlternativeAirPods Pro 2
Score
7.79
Full comparison
Apple AirPods 4
This deviceAirPods 4
VS
AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation
AlternativeAirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation
Score
7.77.8
Full comparison
Same category

Alternatives worth a look

Other phones in the database, with their stored scores and prices.

All wireless earbuds →
AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation7.8
AppleAirPods 4 with Active Noise CancellationAirPods 4 with ANC are worth it only on clearance; AirPods 5 now include ANC for $129.
AirPods Pro 29.0
AppleAirPods Pro 2Apple's 2022 ANC buds still review well, but Apple's store now sells only the $249 AirPods Pro 3.
AirPods 58.8
AppleAirPods 5AirPods with noise canceling and IP57 for $129, but the base case drops wireless charging and the Find My speaker
Product data

Full specifications

42 attributes, grouped for quick scanning. Verified Oct 8, 2026. Spot a wrong value? Hit the next to it.

Battery

Battery type
  • Up to 5 hours of listening time on a single charge
  • Up to 30 hours of listening time
  • 5 minutes in the case provides around 1 hour of listening time
  • AirPods 4
  • Up to 5 hours of listening time on a single charge
  • AirPods 4 with Charging Case (USB‑C)
Charging case
Works with USB-C connector

Comfort & Build

Water resistance
IP54

Sensors

Sensors
  • Dual beamforming microphones
  • Inward-facing microphone
  • Optical in-ear sensor
  • Motion-detecting accelerometer
  • Speech-detecting accelerometer
  • Force sensor
  • Dual beamforming microphones
  • Inward-facing microphone
  • Optical in-ear sensor
  • Motion-detecting accelerometer
  • Speech-detecting accelerometer
  • Force sensor
Vote & discuss

Community says

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AirPods 4No store price yetSpecs