Tested · Scored · RankedNEWinstax mini Evo 2 — full review & score →
Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation
Apple

AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation

AirPods 4 with ANC are worth it only on clearance; AirPods 5 now include ANC for $129.

Wireless Earbuds
7.8/10What the pros sayVery goodExpert consensus · Verified Oct 8, 2026See score breakdown ↓
Buying call

Buy AirPods 4 with ANC only at a clear clearance discount, and only if you want a wireless charging case with a Find My speaker for less than the $149 AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case (Apple, Oct 8, 2026). You get the H2 chip, an open fit with no silicone tips, Adaptive Audio and up to 4 hours of listening with ANC on (Apple claim). Skip them otherwise, because the $129 AirPods 5 now include ANC and are rated IP57 against the AirPods 4's IP54, and Apple no longer sells the AirPods 4. The open fit can't seal out train or plane rumble like the $249 AirPods Pro 3, and Android users lose most features.

Full verdict ↓
Lowest new price · 128GBCheck price0 retailers
See availability Check the store for today’s priceGet a price-drop alert
Compare prices at
Editor testedHands-on testing and real-world use
Real-world useBased on everyday testing, not a spec sheet
Unbiased reviewIndependent and objective, sources shown
AirPods 4 with Active Noise CancellationCheck priceSee price
Key specs
Weight
4.3 g
Highlights

Specs that matter

Audio
Type
Earbuds
Wear
In-ear / earbuds
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)
At a glance

Product highlights

Verified attributes, grouped for quick scanning.

AudioEarbuds · In-ear / earbudsBT Bluetooth 5.3
9 attributes · See all specifications
Price & availability

Where to buy

Prices from trusted US retailers, updated daily.

Set price alert

We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are stored at the time of last verification and may change.

0 price points tracked.
Check the store for today’s price.
Buying decision

Should you buy it?

Buy AirPods 4 with ANC only at a clear clearance discount, and only if you want a wireless charging case with a Find My speaker for less than the $149 AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case (Apple, Oct 8, 2026). You get the H2 chip, an open fit with no silicone tips, Adaptive Audio and up to 4 hours of listening with ANC on (Apple claim). Skip them otherwise, because the $129 AirPods 5 now include ANC and are rated IP57 against the AirPods 4's IP54, and Apple no longer sells the AirPods 4. The open fit can't seal out train or plane rumble like the $249 AirPods Pro 3, and Android users lose most features.

Best for

iPhone owners who want light noise canceling without silicone tips, at a clearance price.

Not for

Flyers and train commuters who need sealed-in ANC.

Main strengthNoise canceling in an open fit; one in-flight test found engine noise down about 40%
Main weaknessANC trailed most sealed earbuds in lab measurements
Reasons to buy
Noise canceling in an open fit; one in-flight test found engine noise down about 40%
Wireless charging case with a Find My speaker
H2 chip with Adaptive Audio and Conversation Awareness
No silicone tips to fit or replace
Reasons to avoid
ANC trailed most sealed earbuds in lab measurements
Up to 4 hours with ANC on (Apple claim)
No volume control on the buds
Replaced by AirPods 5, which are rated IP57 to the AirPods 4's IP54
Measured view7.8/10What 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.

Submit your review
SoundGuys6.3/10
Article · Full reviewApple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation reviewChristian Thomas · Nov 2025

Tests whether adding noise cancelling to an open-fit design is worth the extra cost.

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

Covers both versions and says the ANC model is the one worth paying more for.

Read on The Verge ↗
WIRED5/10
Article · Full reviewApple AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 With Active Noise Cancellation Review: Not Worth ItParker Hall · Sep 2024

Covers both models; the reviewer isn't convinced by the split lineup or the value.

Read on WIRED ↗
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 with Active Noise Cancellation
This deviceAirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation
VS
AirPods 5
AlternativeAirPods 5
Score
7.88.8
Full comparison
Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation
This deviceAirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation
VS
AirPods 4
AlternativeAirPods 4
Score
7.87.7
Full comparison
Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation
This deviceAirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation
VS
AirPods Pro 2
AlternativeAirPods Pro 2
Score
7.89
Full comparison
Same category

Alternatives worth a look

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

All wireless earbuds →
AirPods 47.7
AppleAirPods 4The base AirPods 4 make sense only on clearance, because the $129 AirPods 5 now include ANC.
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

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

Comfort & Build

Weight
4.3 g
Dimensions
30.2 x 18.3 x 18.1 mm
Vote & discuss

Community says

No reader votes on the AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation yet. Votes happen on head-to-heads: pick a matchup and say which one you would buy.

AirPods 4 with Active Noise CancellationNo store price yetSpecs