AirPods 4 ANC review: Simply one of the best Apple products in recent years

A little surprise announced during the last keynote in September, AirPods 4 comes in two versions. We were able to try the noise-canceling headphones and were amazed.

While Apple's latest keynote was mostly focused on the new iPhone 16, there was another product that caught the attention of many Apple fans. The AirPods 4 were unveiled in two different versions to succeed Apple's third generation of wireless headphones. While both versions feature earbuds without silicone tips, one has noise-canceling technology (commonly referred to as “ANC”).

We were able to test the AirPods 4 ANC to see if their noise reduction is interesting despite the fact that no in-ear tips are offered on the headphones and we were amazed by the quality of the product. Discover our full test of the AirPods 4 ANC.

Editor's note: this test was carried out entirely at from a copy loaned by the brand. The latter had no right to review our test before publication.

A design that evolves little

You already own AirPods 3? You won't be put off by the design of the new AirPods 4. Apple has almost completely taken over what made the third generation of its wireless headphones so successful with a model with a reduced stem that can be pressed to stop or start your music. The microphone locations have however been moved and the AirPods 4 finally have resistance to dust, sweat and water (IP54). This should reassure athletes who like to enjoy their music while at the gym.

The AirPods 4 case is a bit different from Apple's previous wireless earbuds. The latter is decidedly smaller so that it can be stored more easily in a small pocket (ideal for jeans!). However, we lose the rear button that allowed you to start the Bluetooth connection. To pair your AirPods 4 with an Android smartphone, you now have to hold the front of the case until flash an embedded LED. A rather confusing and unintuitive decision that will surely require you to watch a tutorial on the web.

The new AirPods 4 case is practical, but not very intuitive in its controls. © Linternaute/Julian Madiot

Apart from these small changes, the design of the AirPods 4 remains very practical and recognizable at first glance compared to the competition.

The AirPods 4 are quite comfortable once inserted into the ear. The absence of an in-ear tip avoids the feeling of a plug having to be pushed in, and you just have to place the earphones in the hollow of the ear to hold them. The latter also stay in place well even during a sports session. Comfort may however depend on the shape of your ear.

A very correct audio quality for a slight lack of bass

Apple was already known for delivering excellent audio quality on its wireless earbuds and headphones. Of course, we wanted to quickly test the sound of the new AirPods 4 by comparing them to their predecessors, but also to the AirPods Pro 2.

Overall, the sound produced by the AirPods 4 is very accurate and almost surprising. Without competing with the excellence of the AirPods Pro 2, these new headphones are clearly the best among Apple's non-Pro wireless headphones. The mids are excellent and we really appreciate having such quality on certain tracks rich in vocals. The highs are also very appreciable with instruments that sound right. We may regret a little lack of strength on the bass, especially if we are used to wireless headphones or earphones that emphasize bass and other low tones.

The differences between the AirPods 4 and AirPods 3 are more in the sound quality than in the design. © Linternaute/Julian Madiot

In short, the AirPods 4 ANC are well balanced. If we have already seen (or rather heard) better on certain headphones and earphones, we must recognize that for open earphones, the result is quite impressive, especially when noise reduction is activated.

Active noise reduction: Apple has done it!

When the AirPods 4 ANC were announced, we were quite doubtful. Active noise reduction without silicone tips ? While other brands have tried this in the past, the results are generally quite mixed. In-ear tips aren't just for keep the earphones in your ears. They also serve as passive noise reduction by filtering out outside sounds.

So how could Apple possibly offer sufficiently convincing noise reduction on earbuds without tips ? It is clear that they have succeeded. The noise reduction of the AirPods 4 ANC is astonishing, and this, from the first use.

Without ever going so far as to compete with the ANC of the AirPods Pro 2, the noise reduction of the AirPods 4 ANC is still convincing. If we had to give a score of 10/10 to the isolation of the AirPods 2, that of the AirPods 4 ANC would be a 7/10. We are clearly below the “professional” headphones from Apple, but given the price difference between the two models, this is hardly surprising.

© Linternaute/Julian Madiot

The noise reduction of the AirPods 4 is particularly lacking in high-pitched sounds such as subway alarms or car brakes. Conversely, the headphones handle low and medium-pitched sounds surprisingly well. When wearing the AirPods 4 ANC without any music, you will still hear some ambient sounds. Simply add your music and you should hardly hear anything anymore. A truly amazing result and, we remind you, without an in-ear tip!

Transparency mode allows you to accentuate ambient noise to hear your surroundings better even when you listen to music. There is not much to say about this mode, even if some noises are still a little too artificial as the headphones will push them so that you can hear them properly. It will always be better to remove one of the headphones if you want to hear the discussions around you.

Microphones that always need improvement

We can praise the developments of AirPods regarding their quality of sound, it must be admitted that the quality of the microphones of wireless headphones often remains quite mediocre. The microphones of the AirPods 4 thus prove to be rather correct but without really making sparks. Answering a call in an isolated room is generally the best arrangement and your communications will be clear and limpid for your interlocutors.

It's outdoors or in noisy environments that the AirPods 4 microphones quickly show their limits. The headphones tend not to absorb ambient noise enough and to muffle your voice when too much sound is present. The result is not deplorable, but we would have appreciated a little more effort on this point.

Controls and application: the bare minimum is required

As usual with Apple, there is no dedicated app for AirPods. If you have an iPhone, you will find the different options and customization directly in the phone settings. These allow you to play on the AirPods 4 controls, noise reduction mode and transparency.

The AirPods 4 controls are only available on Apple devices. © Linternaute/Julian Madiot

Unlike the AirPods Pro, the AirPods 4 ANC do not have slide controls on the stems to control the volume of your media. You will therefore only be able to pinch the stems of the earphones to start or stop your calls, videos and music. It is also possible to switch between active noise reduction and transparency mode by holding down on the stems.

On the Android side, you can always forget about any customization of the headphones. You will still have the controls but will not be able to modify them. The AirPods 4 ANC, however, remain fully usable with an Android smartphone.

A decrease in battery life with noise reduction

While the previous AirPods 3 had an average battery life of 6 hours with 30 hours by adding the rechargeable case, the AirPods 4 ANC do a little less well. Apple's new headphones last around 5 hours on a single listen, which is correct but down compared to the previous generation. However, this is the battery life with noise reduction activated! By using the AirPods 4 without ANC, it is possible to go up to about 6 hours of listening.

We wanted to check Apple's numbers and our results were a little less enthusiastic. On a single listening session, our AirPods 4 ANC reached the end of their battery after 4h40 with noise reduction and 5h30 without reduction. Figures that still allow you to enjoy them for a whole morning or afternoon, but you will have to go through a small recharge with the case if you want to use them for longer. The latter allows the earphones to be fully recharged for just under 4 complete cycles, and this, in just a few minutes.

Exemplary or confusing connectivity depending on your device

Pairing Apple devices with each other is always done in an extremely fluid and intuitive way. The AirPods 4 automatically detect your iPhone, Mac or iPad when they are near the open case. It is thus possible to connect the earphones in a fraction of a second and to automatically switch between several Apple devices when you launch media on them. This connectivity is still at the center of the Apple ecosystem and its greatest strength.

Conversely, pairing with an Android smartphone or a Windows computer is a bit more complicated. While AirPods previously had a sync button on the back of their case, this is no longer present for the AirPods 4. You will now have to hold your finger on the front of the case when it is open and select the headphones in the Bluetooth settings of your device.

Our conclusion to the AirPods 4 test

If we had serious doubts about the proposal of new non-Pro AirPods with noise reduction, it is clear that Apple has proven us wrong. The AirPods 4 ANC are simply amazing with their very complete audio signature, their everyday comfort and above all their noise reduction which is excellent even without in-ear tips.

The AirPods 4 ANC are not without their flaws, however. While the noise reduction is very good, it doesn't reach the level of that offered on the AirPods Pro 2. The new case is also not very intuitive for connecting to an Android smartphone or a Windows computer. Finally, the battery life and quality of the microphones could have been a little better.

However, we strongly recommend purchasing the AirPods 4, but in their ANC version. While the classic version without noise reduction remains interesting with its price of 149 euros, it turns out to be a little too similar to the old AirPods 3 to be worth any real interest.