REBUILT FOR COMFORT — AirPods 4 have been redesigned for exceptional all-day comfort and greater stability. With a refined contour, shorter stem, and quick-press controls for music or calls.
ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLATION — AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation help reduce outside noise before it reaches your ears, so you can immerse yourself in what you’re listening to.*
HEAR THE WORLD AROUND YOU — The powerful H2 chip comes to AirPods 4. Adaptive Audio seamlessly blends ANC and Transparency mode — which lets you comfortably hear and interact with the world around you exactly as it sounds — to provide the best listening experience in any environment.* And when you’re speaking with someone nearby, Conversation Awareness automatically lowers the volume of what’s playing.*
IMPROVED SOUND AND CALL QUALITY — Voice Isolation improves the quality of calls in loud conditions. Using advanced computational audio, it reduces background noise while isolating and clarifying the sound of your voice for whomever you’re speaking to.*
MAGICAL EXPERIENCE — Just say “Siri” or “Hey Siri” to play a song, make a call, or check your schedule.* And with Siri Interactions, now you can respond to Siri by simply nodding your head yes or shaking your head no.* Pair AirPods 4 by simply placing them near your device and tapping Connect on your screen.* Easily share a song or show between two sets of AirPods.* An optical in-ear sensor knows to play audio only when you’re wearing AirPods and pauses when you take them off. And you can track down your AirPods and Charging Case with the Find My app.*
Expert Review Analysis
Apple AirPods 4 (MXP93LL/A) bring Active Noise Cancellation and the H2 chip to the standard AirPods line, offering Adaptive Audio, Personalized Spatial Audio, and Voice Isolation in a redesigned, more comfortable form factor. They deliver solid battery life, IP54 protection, and quick charging, but lack the longer endurance and passive isolation of the Pro model.
Pros
✓First standard AirPods with Active Noise Cancellation
✓Redesigned for improved comfort and fit
✓Apple H2 chip enables advanced audio processing
✓Adaptive Audio blends ANC and Transparency seamlessly
✓Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking
PERSONALIZED SPATIAL AUDIO — Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking places sound all around you, creating a theater-like listening experience for music, TV shows, movies, games, and more.*
REDESIGNED CASE — The Charging Case is the smallest in the industry with wireless charging. Charge with an Apple Watch Charger, USB-C Charge Cable, or Qi-certified charger.*
LONG BATTERY LIFE — With Active Noise Cancellation enabled, get up to 4 hours of listening time on a single charge and up to 20 hours using the case. And you can get up to 30 hours of total listening time without ANC enabled.*
DUST, SWEAT AND WATER RESISTANT — AirPods 4 and the Charging Case are rated IP54 dust, sweat, and water resistant, so they’ll withstand rain and heavy workouts.*
LEGAL DISCLAIMERS — This is a summary of the main product features. See below to learn more.
Fast charging: 5 min ≈ 1 hour playback
✓Smaller wireless charging case
✓Find My integration with sound playback
✓Siri head‑gesture responses
Cons
✗Shorter battery life with ANC (≈ 4 h) compared to Pro
✗No pressure‑sensitive stem or customizable ear tips
✗No lossless audio support (Apple Lossless/LDAC)
✗Limited Android functionality
✗No hearing aid or hearing test features
From Expert Reviews
Praised by Experts
✓H2 chip delivers superior audio quality and intelligent functionality
✓Immersive experience from Personalized Spatial Audio
✓Practical Adaptive Audio for dynamic environments
✓Strategic positioning of ANC in standard AirPods
Criticized by Experts
✗Falls short of AirPods Pro 2 in battery life and acoustic sealing
From User Reviews
Users Love
✓"Finally, noise cancellation in regular AirPods!"
✓"Much more comfortable than AirPods 3"
✓"Calls sound amazing even on the subway"
✓"Adaptive Audio is magic — I don’t even notice the transition"
✓"Love the head nod for Siri — so convenient when driving"
Users Complain About
✗"Battery life is too short with ANC on"
✗"Wish there were ear tips"
✗"Case is small but easy to lose"
✗"No difference in sound vs. AirPods 3 without ANC"
✗"Still no ‘Hey Siri’ on older devices"
Best For
Apple ecosystem users who want ANC without the premium price of the Pro line; commuters needing Adaptive Audio; call‑heavy professionals benefiting from Voice Isolation; fitness enthusiasts desiring IP54 protection; Siri power users who appreciate head‑gesture control; couples or families using Audio Sharing.
Not Ideal For
Audiophiles seeking maximum sound isolation or customizable fit; users needing long battery life for extended travel; Android users who miss advanced features; those who require hearing aid compatibility.
Expert Opinion
Professional reviewers praise the AirPods 4 for bringing Pro‑level features—ANC, Adaptive Audio, and the H2 chip—to a more accessible design, noting the superior audio quality and intelligent functionality. However, they point out that the model still lags behind the AirPods Pro 2 in battery endurance and passive isolation, making it a solid but not top‑tier choice for audiophiles.
What Users Say
Users applaud the addition of ANC to the standard AirPods, the improved fit, and the seamless Adaptive Audio. Common complaints focus on the shorter battery life with ANC, the lack of ear tips, and the small case size that can be easily misplaced.
Common Complaints
Battery life with ANC is too short; lack of ear tips causes slippage during workouts; the small charging case is easy to lose; users notice little audio difference compared to AirPods 3 without ANC; older devices lack ‘Hey Siri’ support.
What People Are Saying
“Finally, noise cancellation in regular AirPods!”
“Much more comfortable than AirPods 3”
“Calls sound amazing even on the subway”
“Adaptive Audio is magic — I don’t even notice the transition”
“Love the head nod for Siri — so convenient when driving”
How It Compares
vs. AirPods Pro 2 (2022)
Advantages
✓Longer battery life (≈ 6 h with ANC)
✓Pressure‑sensitive stem for better fit
✓Passive isolation with silicone tips
✓Lossless audio support
✓Hearing aid compatibility
Disadvantages
✗Higher price
✗Heavier design
Choose AirPods Pro 2 for audiophiles and long‑duration use; choose AirPods 4 for standard users wanting ANC at a lower cost.
vs. AirPods 3
Advantages
✓Lower price
✓No ANC (simpler design)
✓Lighter weight
✓Standard charging case
Disadvantages
✗No ANC or Adaptive Audio
✗No Personalized Spatial Audio
✗No pressure‑sensitive stem
Choose AirPods 3 for budget buyers who don’t need ANC; choose AirPods 4 for users who want ANC and advanced audio features.