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.
Editorial score
8.1 / 10
High source confidence
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.
These links open manufacturer or retailer pages so you can check live availability. Prices on this page are editorial references, not offers. Rankings and scores are not influenced by commercial relationships.
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
- Published charging for AirPods 4 with ANC: USB-C charging case; Qi and Apple Watch charger compatible
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
These are editorial estimates, not laboratory measurements. High source confidence; 78% of listed specification fields currently have field-level citations.
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
Alternatives
JBL
JBL Live 770NC
JBL Live 770NC is best suited to budget over-ear ANC and long battery life. Compare alternatives if this documented drawback would undermine that fit: Premium ANC pricing is easy to overpay for if you mostly stay home.
Beats
Beats Fit Pro
Beats Fit Pro is best suited to workout earbuds and secure fit. Compare alternatives if this documented drawback would undermine that fit: Multipoint and codec support still vary by phone ecosystem.
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Popular comparisons
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Related guides
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
- Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation technical specifications · Apple · accessed Jul 29, 2026 · US Field-level coverage: Noise Cancellation, Battery Life, Charging, Weight, Water Resistance, Driver Size, Transparency / Ambient, Sound Profile, Battery With Case, Quick Charge, Bluetooth, Microphone System, Controls, App Support
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
| 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
| 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
| 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
| 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
| Water Resistance | IP54 buds and USB-C charging case Source cited |
|---|
Calls
- Microphone System
- Dual beamforming and inward-facing microphones Source cited
| 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
| Controls | Press controls; press and hold for Siri Source cited |
|---|---|
| App Support | Find My requires iOS 26 or later Source cited |