Our verdict
The AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) sit loosely in the ear with no rubber tips, which many people find more comfortable over a long day. ANC uses tiny microphones to hear outside noise and play an opposite sound to cancel it. What Hi-Fi? found it surprisingly effective on low, steady sounds such as engines, fans and traffic, though office chatter still gets through. Apple's H2 chip, also used in the AirPods Pro 2, runs the noise cancelling and features such as Adaptive Audio. Battery life is up to 4 hours with ANC on (5 hours with it off) and up to 20 hours in total with the charging case. Our price check found Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation at £149 for Standard retail package on 1 August 2026.
Buy it if
- Rubber ear tips feel uncomfortable or blocked-up to you, but you still want less noise on the train or bus
- You use an iPhone and want easy pairing, Find My and automatic switching between Apple devices
- Your listening sessions are usually a few hours at a time, with the case nearby to top up
Skip it if
- You want the strongest noise cancelling for flights or open-plan offices full of talk
- You often listen for more than 4 hours without a break
- You mainly use an Android phone, where many of the Apple-only features do not work
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How it would fit your home
The daily commute
ANC softens the low rumble of trains, buses and traffic. Squeeze the stem to switch between noise cancelling and Transparency mode when you need to hear an announcement.
Wearing them all day
At 4.3g each with no tips pushing into your ear, they suit long stretches of calls and podcasts. Drop them in the case at lunch: What Hi-Fi? says five minutes gives about an hour of listening.
Choosing between these and AirPods Pro 2
If you are happy with rubber tips, compare the price of the AirPods Pro 2 on the day. They block noise more fully; these are lighter and more open.
The details, in plain English
Noise cancelling and fit
Active noise cancellation listens to the sound around you and plays an opposite sound wave to cancel it. It works best on low, steady noise. What Hi-Fi? found it surprisingly effective on engines, fans and traffic, while talking and office chatter still came through. Because the earbuds have no rubber tips to seal your ear, they cannot block noise as fully as the AirPods Pro 2. The same open design is why they feel light and airy, but it also means fit is personal: try them within the returns window.
Sound
What Hi-Fi? describes the sound as clean, detailed and powerful, though short of the punch and subtlety of pricier rivals. TechRadar found it remarkably close to the AirPods Pro 2. Personalised Spatial Audio with head tracking makes supported films and music sound as if they surround you, and the sound stays in place when you turn your head. How good it sounds also depends on your phone and your own taste.
Battery and charging
Apple quotes up to 4 hours of listening with ANC on and 5 hours with it off, and up to 20 hours in total with the case. Battery life varies with volume and listening mode. What Hi-Fi? says five minutes in the case gives about an hour of listening. The case charges with a USB-C cable, the same plug as recent iPhones, or on a Qi wireless charging pad. It also has a small speaker, so Find My can play a sound to help you find it.
Everyday features
The H2 chip powers several helpful extras. Adaptive Audio blends noise cancelling and Transparency mode (which lets outside sound in) depending on your surroundings. Conversation Awareness lowers your music when you start talking. You can nod or shake your head to answer or decline a call. The IP54 rating means the earbuds and case resist dust, sweat and splashes, so a run in light rain is fine, but they are not built to go under water.
Strengths and drawbacks
What it does well
- Active noise cancellation that What Hi-Fi? found surprisingly effective on engine, fan and traffic noise
- Open fit with no rubber tips, at 4.3g per earbud: light and easy to wear for hours
- USB-C case that also charges on a Qi wireless pad, with a speaker to help Find My locate it
- IP54 rating: some protection from dust, rain, sweat and splashes
- H2 chip adds Adaptive Audio, Transparency mode and head-nod gestures for Siri
What to watch out for
- The tipless fit will not suit every ear, so check it during the returns window
- Up to 4 hours per charge with ANC on, which What Hi-Fi? says lags behind rivals
- Voices and office chatter still get through the noise cancelling
- TechRadar notes the AirPods Pro 2, with stronger noise cancelling, are often available for a similar price
The main rival is Apple's own AirPods Pro 2: they use rubber tips, block more noise and, as TechRadar points out, are often sold for a similar price. Choose these AirPods 4 if comfort without tips matters more to you than the strongest noise cancelling.
Alternatives we have reviewed
| Product | Our verdict | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
 Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation (this one) | 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 |
 Apple AirPods 4 | 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 |
 Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 | Worth considering as secure-fitting workout earbuds with noise cancelling, if you accept a large case and a limited heart-rate feature. | £249.99RRP, RRP recorded 12 Oct 2026 | Check price |
Not sure it is the right one for you?
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Worth reading next
Where our findings come from
Research-based review. We checked the exact product against the independent and official sources listed below. Specifications and measurements quoted here come from What Hi-Fi? and TechRadar; we have not tested these earbuds ourselves.
- Apple: Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation official product range and support
- World Health Organization: Making listening safe
- Bluetooth SIG: Bluetooth LE Audio overview
- What Hi-Fi?: Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation review
- TechRadar: AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation review