AirPods 4 vs AirPods 4 ANC
When a maker splits one pair into several versions, the job of picking falls to you. Here that means the AirPods 4 or the AirPods 4 ANC. This is a genuine trade-off. The AirPods 4 is stronger when it comes to battery & charging, while the AirPods 4 ANC pulls ahead on sound & noise cancelling. One more thing to weigh: a launch price difference of $50, with the AirPods 4 as the lower-priced option.
At a glance
- Sound & Noise Cancelling AirPods 4 ANC wins
- Battery & Charging AirPods 4 wins
- Features & Connectivity Tie
- Price AirPods 4 wins
- Sound & Noise Cancelling0.0
- Battery & Charging4.1
- Sound & Noise Cancelling10.0
- Battery & Charging2.7
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
-
The AirPods 4 has 1 h more listening per charge
Of all the specs we compared, this is one where the AirPods 4 makes its strongest case: 5 h against 4 h. Longer listening per charge matters on long flights, workdays and road trips.
-
The AirPods 4 ANC has active noise cancelling
You won’t find this on the AirPods 4. With the AirPods 4 ANC, it’s part of the package. Active noise cancelling reduces constant background noise like engines, trains and office hum.
-
The AirPods 4 has 10 h more total battery with the case
The AirPods 4 clearly leads on battery (with case), and 30 h versus 20 h is a difference that reaches well beyond the spec sheet. A bigger total means fewer case charges per week, a small but real convenience.
-
The AirPods 4 ANC has a transparency mode
Some features are nice extras; for some people, a transparency mode is a deal-breaker. Only the AirPods 4 ANC has it. A transparency mode lets outside sound in, so you can hear announcements or chat briefly without taking them off.
-
The AirPods 4 ANC has wireless charging
The AirPods 4 ANC brings wireless charging, and the AirPods 4 has no equivalent. Wireless charging lets you drop the case on a charging pad instead of hunting for a cable.
Design & Size
Heft is not where these two differ.
Fit & Build
| Spec | AirPods 4 | AirPods 4 ANC |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | Open-fit earbuds with stem (no ear tips) | Open-fit earbuds with stem (no ear tips) |
| Water resistance | IP54 | IP54 |
| Weight (per earbud / headset) | 0.15 oz | 0.15 oz |
| Case weight | 1.14 oz (winner) | 1.22 oz |
Sound & Noise Cancelling
AirPods 4 ANC leads
The AirPods 4 ANC clearly takes the sound & noise cancelling round. The AirPods 4 ANC answers with active noise cancelling. Without ANC, the AirPods 4 relies on its fit alone to block out sound. On sound & noise cancelling alone, the AirPods 4 ANC gets the nod.
Active noise cancelling
AirPods 4: no AirPods 4 ANC: yes On a flight or a busy commute, the AirPods 4 ANC’s noise cancelling lets you listen at lower volumes.
Transparency mode
AirPods 4: no AirPods 4 ANC: yes Transparency is a small feature that you end up using many times a day once you have it.
Battery & Charging
AirPods 4 leads
In the battery & charging category, the AirPods 4 isn’t just ahead; it’s clearly ahead. Choose the AirPods 4 and you get 1 h more listening per charge. The AirPods 4 runs longer before needing a break, so you’re less likely to be interrupted mid-podcast. The AirPods 4 ANC brings wireless charging. For battery & charging, the AirPods 4 is the one to beat.
Battery (single charge)
AirPods 4: 5 h AirPods 4 ANC: 4 h Ratings usually assume moderate volume and specific settings, so real results vary.
Battery (with case)
AirPods 4: 30 h AirPods 4 ANC: 20 h The AirPods 4’s case holds more extra charge, which is handy on trips.
Features & Connectivity
Too close to call
On paper, the features & connectivity comparison ends all square. Treat features & connectivity as common ground and look elsewhere for the deciding factor.
Full Specifications
Sound & Noise Cancelling
| Spec | AirPods 4 | AirPods 4 ANC |
|---|---|---|
| Active noise cancelling | No | Yes (winner) |
| Transparency mode | No | Yes (winner) |
| Spatial audio | Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking | Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | AirPods 4 | AirPods 4 ANC |
|---|---|---|
| Battery (single charge)Manufacturer rating, ANC on where available | 5 h (winner) | 4 h Shortest listening per charge |
| Battery (with case)Manufacturer rating | 30 h (winner) | 20 h |
| Wireless charging | No | Yes (winner) |
| Charging port | USB-C | USB-C |
Features & Connectivity
| Spec | AirPods 4 | AirPods 4 ANC |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.3 (Apple H2 chip) | Bluetooth 5.3 (Apple H2 chip) |
| Heart-rate sensing | No | No |
| Controls | Force sensor on stem | Force sensor on stem |
Fit & Build
| Spec | AirPods 4 | AirPods 4 ANC |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | Open-fit earbuds with stem (no ear tips) | Open-fit earbuds with stem (no ear tips) |
| Water resistance | IP54 | IP54 |
| Weight (per earbud / headset) | 0.15 oz | 0.15 oz |
| Case weight | 1.14 oz (winner) | 1.22 oz |
Price
| Spec | AirPods 4 | AirPods 4 ANC |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $129 (winner) Lowest price in class | $179 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
Money is a real factor here: the launch prices are 39% apart, a difference of $50. The $50 difference buys some advantages, not all of them, so weigh the areas you actually care about.
All prices are official US launch prices, last checked September 2024. Actual prices at stores may differ.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the AirPods 4 if…
- you want longer listening per charge (5 h vs 4 h)
- you travel a lot and rarely want to charge the case (30 h vs 20 h)
- you carry the case in a small pocket (1.14 oz vs 1.22 oz)
- you don’t need the extras that cost $50 more
Choose the AirPods 4 ANC if…
- you commute, fly or work in noisy places
- you like hearing announcements and traffic without taking them off
- you want wireless charging
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the AirPods 4 or the AirPods 4 ANC?
If value matters, the AirPods 4 is the smarter buy: it costs $50 less than the AirPods 4 ANC at launch.
Which has better battery life, the AirPods 4 or the AirPods 4 ANC?
The AirPods 4 does better here. It lists 5 h for battery (single charge), while the AirPods 4 ANC lists 4 h.
Is the AirPods 4 cheaper than the AirPods 4 ANC?
Going by launch prices, the AirPods 4 costs $50 less than the AirPods 4 ANC. Prices as of September 2024; current offers may differ.
Which weighs less, the AirPods 4 or the AirPods 4 ANC?
Their weights are practically identical, so neither has a real advantage.
Executive Summary
If you’ve settled on this lineup, the AirPods 4 or the AirPods 4 ANC is the last call to make. Here’s mine. I keep coming back to one thing: the AirPods 4 gets 1 h more listening per charge. I also like that the AirPods 4 brings. Don’t write off the AirPods 4 ANC entirely: it has active noise cancelling.
The AirPods 4 makes sense for anyone who values battery & charging; the AirPods 4 ANC for anyone who values sound & noise cancelling.
My pick: the AirPods 4, unless the AirPods 4 ANC’s extras are worth $50 to you personally.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.