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Apple AirPods 4 with ANC

Apple · Headphones

AirPods 4 with ANC

AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation pairs an open-fit design with ANC, Transparency mode, and Adaptive Audio. Apple rates it for up to four hours with ANC on and up to 20 hours with the charging case in that mode.

Buying verdict

Choose AirPods 4 with ANC if you want Apple noise control without a sealed ear tip. Skip it if longer ANC-on endurance or the isolation of a silicone-tip design is more important.

Best for open-fit ANCBest for iPhone earbudsBest for commuting

Score

8.1 / 10

Reference price

$149

Released

Sep 20, 2024

Reference price, not a live offer. Editorial data date Jul 29, 2026. Specs and availability can vary by configuration, region, and retailer. Status: available.

Source coverage: 1 cited reference covers 14 listed specifications. “Source cited” labels identify those fields; unbadged specifications remain editorial reference data pending field-level review.

Compare alternatives See key specs Check Apple

Should you buy it?

A practical ownership call

  • Buy it if you want open-fit ANC and iPhone earbuds.
  • Skip it if anc-on listening time is rated at up to four hours per charge.
  • Check current US street pricing before paying launch-level money.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency mode, and Adaptive Audio in an open-fit design
  • ANC charging case supports USB-C, Qi, and Apple Watch charger charging
  • A five-minute case charge provides around one hour of listening time

Cons

  • ANC-on listening time is rated at up to four hours per charge
  • Open-fit construction provides less passive isolation than sealed earbuds
  • Some features require compatible Apple hardware and current software

Key specs

Type
True wireless earbuds Needs confirmation
Form Factor
Open-fit in-ear Needs confirmation
Driver Size
Custom high-excursion Apple driver Source cited
Noise Cancellation
Active noise cancellation Source cited
Transparency / Ambient
Transparency mode Source cited
Sound Profile
Adaptive EQ Source cited
Battery Life
Up to 4 hours with ANC on; up to 5 hours with noise control off Source cited
Battery With Case
Up to 20 hours with ANC on; up to 30 hours with noise control off Source cited

Buying scores

Noise Cancellation

7.6

Sound Quality

8.1

Comfort

8.7

Battery

8

Call Quality

8.2

Value

8.1

Compare

Compare with similar products

Choose any headphones alternative. Curated pairs open an editorial decision; every other pair opens a specs-only comparison.

Curated comparisons for AirPods 4 with ANC

AirPods 4 with ANC vs Beats Solo 4: Which Should You Buy?

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Alternatives

Featured in rankings

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Popular comparisons

AirPods 4 with ANC vs Beats Solo 4: Which Should You Buy?

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Related guides

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Availability, sources, and full notes

US availability

AirPods 4 with ANC is tracked as a US-market option through official brand channels and mainstream electronics retailers.

Common retailers

Apple, Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, Target

Sources and verification

Editorial specification note

Selected fields are matched to Apple's AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation technical specifications as of 2026-07-29. Codec and ecosystem-switching details remain editorial reference data unless explicitly badged.

Editorial price note

Apple US launch and street-price patterns are tracked as editorial USD references, not live retailer checkout prices.

Specifications

18 tracked specs across 7 groups · 14 specifications have a field-level source citation.

Design

Type
True wireless earbuds Needs confirmation
Form Factor
Open-fit in-ear Needs confirmation
Weight
4.3g per bud; 34.7g charging case Source cited

Audio

Driver Size
Custom high-excursion Apple driver Source cited
Noise Cancellation
Active noise cancellation Source cited
Transparency / Ambient
Transparency mode Source cited
Sound Profile
Adaptive EQ Source cited

Battery

Battery Life
Up to 4 hours with ANC on; up to 5 hours with noise control off Source cited
Battery With Case
Up to 20 hours with ANC on; up to 30 hours with noise control off Source cited
Charging
USB-C charging case; Qi and Apple Watch charger compatible Source cited
Quick Charge
5 minutes for about 1 hour Source cited

Connectivity

Bluetooth Codecs
Codec support is not listed in the cited Apple specifications Needs confirmation
Bluetooth
Bluetooth 5.3 Source cited
Multipoint
Apple automatic device switching Needs confirmation

Durability

Water Resistance
IP54 buds and USB-C charging case Source cited

Calls

Microphone System
Dual beamforming and inward-facing microphones Source cited

Usability

Controls
Press controls; press and hold for Siri Source cited
App Support
Find My requires iOS 26 or later Source cited