Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation

The Apple AirPods 4 deliver strong sound quality and the best active noise cancellation we've experienced in an open-ear design.

You can tell a difference when the ANC is working, which I can’t say of other open earbuds that have advertised noise cancellation. That, combined with the wireless charging, is the biggest reason I’d steer most people toward the more expensive model.

Apple offers useful noise cancellation while keeping your ears open on the AirPods 4 with ANC. There are also a lot of Pro features available.

Ultimately, however, the AirPods 4 ANC are simply more special. As I said, they're the first open buds I've tried to have active noise canceling that actually works. That makes them the first noise-canceling earbuds for people who don't like having ear tips jammed in their ears. That's pretty cool and worth the extra $50 if you can afford it.

The AirPods 4 with ANC has a new one-size-fits-most design that's surprisingly snug. Whether I sprinted on a treadmill or bobbed my head to a song, they stayed put.

The AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation bring Apple's wireless earbuds lineup into the modern day with Pro-level features for less. While we wish the battery life was a bit better, they're some of the best buds you'll find for under $180.

If you want the seamless Apple features you get with the company's own headphones, I suggest springing for earbuds from Beats. The AirPods 4 are a rare Apple product I can't recommend to anyone except the die-hards who claim the lack of eartips are the only kinds of earbuds that fit—my editor among them. To those folks, I'd say: Try another pair, you just might be surprised.