Our verdict
AirPods 4 are Apple's open-fit earbuds: they sit in the outer ear without silicone tips, so you still hear some of the world around you. This standard version has no active noise cancellation (ANC). Inside is Apple's H2 chip, which handles the quick pairing and switching between Apple devices, and they connect over Bluetooth 5.3. SoundGuys measured 6 hours 21 minutes of continuous playback, and the USB-C case takes the total to up to 30 hours, so most people will charge the case once or twice a week. An IP54 rating means they cope with sweat and light rain. Fit is personal, so check comfort during the returns window. On 1 August 2026, the matched UK price was £99 for the Standard retail package configuration.
Buy it if
- You use an iPhone, iPad or Mac and want earbuds that connect with little fuss
- You prefer earbuds that sit lightly in the ear rather than sealing it
- You want a day of listening from the buds and the case to top them up through the week
Skip it if
- You want to block out trains, planes or office chatter with noise cancellation
- Open-fit earbuds have fallen out of your ears before
- You use an Android phone and want higher-quality Bluetooth codecs
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How it would fit your home
Commuting and travel
A full charge lasted over six hours in SoundGuys' test, and the case holds enough for up to 30 hours in total. You can hear announcements through the open fit, but loud trains will still come through.
Walks and workouts
The IP54 rating means sweat and light rain should not harm them. Try the open fit while moving first, because it holds less securely than tipped earbuds for some people.
Wrong fit
If the open design keeps slipping out, or you need quiet on flights, a tipped pair with noise cancellation, including the AirPods 4 version with ANC, may be the smarter choice.
The details, in plain English
Fit and comfort
AirPods 4 have an open design: the bud rests in the outer part of your ear instead of sealing the canal with a silicone tip. That feels lighter and lets in more of the world around you, and each bud weighs 4.3g according to SoundGuys. The drawback is that there are no tip sizes to swap, so they either suit your ears or they do not. Check fit and comfort during the returns window.
Battery and charging
SoundGuys measured 6 hours 21 minutes of continuous playback from one charge, and the case brings the total up to 30 hours. Five minutes in the case gives about an hour of listening, handy before you leave the house. The standard case charges with a USB-C cable, the same type most new phones use, but it does not support wireless charging pads. Battery claims vary with volume and listening mode.
Connections and features
Apple's H2 chip handles quick pairing and automatic switching between your iPhone, iPad and Mac. They use Bluetooth 5.3 and the AAC codec, the format Apple devices use to send music wirelessly; there is no support for the higher-quality codecs some Android phones offer. Personalised Spatial Audio with head tracking makes films sound as if they come from around you, and head gestures let you nod or shake your head to answer or decline a call.
Sound and noise
Without active noise cancellation, which uses microphones to cancel steady background sound, these do not quieten a busy train or plane. Because the open fit does not seal your ear, bass is also lighter than on tipped earbuds. The best sound depends on both the source device and your own preferences. If you mainly listen at home, at a desk or on walks, that matters less than on a noisy commute.
Strengths and drawbacks
What it does well
- SoundGuys measured 6 hours 21 minutes per charge, and up to 30 hours in total with the case
- IP54 rating: protection from sweat, splashes and light rain
- Quick charging: about 5 minutes in the case gives an hour of listening, according to SoundGuys
- Apple's H2 chip makes pairing and switching between Apple devices easy
- Light, at 4.3g per earbud, according to SoundGuys
What to watch out for
- No active noise cancellation or Transparency mode on this standard version
- Open fit with no swappable ear tips, so fit and comfort should be checked during the returns window
- Only the AAC Bluetooth codec, and the best sound depends on both the source device and your own preferences
- The standard case charges by USB-C only, with no wireless charging
Compare AirPods 4 on comfort, battery and where you will use them. This standard version costs less than the AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation, which adds noise cancellation, Transparency mode and wireless charging. If you want those features, or a tipped fit that seals out more sound, compare that model and other noise-cancelling earbuds at the same price.
Alternatives we have reviewed
| Product | Our verdict | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
 Apple AirPods 4 (this one) | AirPods 4 suit iPhone owners who like an open fit and simple setup, but skip them if you need noise cancellation or a choice of ear tip sizes. | £129RRP, RRP recorded 12 Oct 2026 | Check price |
 Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation | A light, comfortable choice for iPhone owners who dislike rubber ear tips and want some help with steady travel noise, as long as you accept weaker noise cancelling and shorter battery life than the AirPods Pro 2. | £179RRP, RRP recorded 12 Oct 2026 | Check price |
 Apple AirPods Pro 3 | The most convenient high-end earbuds for iPhone owners who want strong noise cancelling, instant pairing and Find My built in. | £219RRP, RRP recorded 12 Oct 2026 | Check price |
 JBL Reflect Aero | A very good-value pair of sports earbuds at £19.99 if you want a secure, waterproof fit for workouts, but not the right choice if strong noise cancelling or natural-sounding calls matter most. | £119.99RRP, RRP recorded 12 Oct 2026 | Check price |
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Where our findings come from
Research-based review. We checked the exact product against the independent and official sources listed below, including SoundGuys' full review. Measurements quoted here come from those sources; we have not tested these earbuds ourselves.