Apple·earbuds
AirPods 4
Based on 29 credible posts from Hacker News, Bluesky & YouTube. 19 filtered out as bot-like or off-topic.
Medium confidenceA solid sample; expect small shifts as more owners post. How we score
Scored September 27, 2026
We may earn a commission from this link. It never affects the score.
Owner reviews
Overall owner mood
Most owners are happy with it: 62% of 29 reviews are positive and 17% negative. Praise centers on noise cancelling and sound. The most common complaint is battery & charging (4 owners).
What owners like
Noise cancelling praised by 7 owners
“i bought the product with anc and it was my best decision for portable music listening ever”
Sound praised by 5 owners
“the product with noise-cancelling, I’m in love with these things 🥰 the sound is incredible!”
What owners complain about
Battery & charging raised by 4 owners
“idk why i got the the product when i should’ve gotten the airpods pro… the battery life sucks 😭”
Sound raised by 3 owners
“I got the 3 a while ago and while I enjoyed the better sound quality, the buds' shape got bulkier and therefore just didn't me fit well anymore.”
Noise cancelling raised by 2 owners
“This high pitched noise issue happened to me last week using noise cancellation on a flight, but I was using the product (not Pro).”
What owners talk about
- Noise cancelling7 praise · 2 complain
- Sound5 praise · 3 complain
- Battery & charging2 praise · 4 complain
- Comfort & size1 praise · 1 complain
Built from the reviews themselves — every quote links to the owner who wrote it.
Full text of every credible post we scored. Bot-like and off-topic comments are hidden.
They fit me perfectly and stay securely and comfortably in my ears no matter what. However, the Airpods 4 battery life is abysmal. [...]
Owned the Airpods 4 for months now. [...] But I bought some anti slip covers online for them and they don’t fall off as much. The sound itself is great. Nothing ground breaking, but I was happy to get good sound once more. [...] The ANC is decent, but worth having than having NO ANC feature. I only use the Airpods 4 for walking or chilling, but not for running or going to the gym.
This is also true of the AirPods 4 with wireless charging. I never realized the Pros have the magnets built in, though. That's pretty cool.
[...] Modern bluetooth is basically transparent with 256kbps AAC, like you'd have to be an omega-expert listening in a silent room to identify it vs lossless. [...] Honestly for me the Airpods 4 with ANC are one of the greatest feats of audio engineering ever. For such a tiny form factor they reproduce really great sound, big soundstage, AND they have good ANC without needing a closed earbud seal. They also have internal mics that listen to the response of your ear to adjust the sound profile, which you can hear happen in real time after bumping the earbuds. Obviously you can get better sound if you make different tradeoffs and wear over-ears, but they are absolutely cutting edge for what they are.
I bought the AirPods 4 with ANC in large part due to the Wireless Charging Case.
I really hate silicone tip earbuds and the AirPods 4 with ANC were game changing. Having ANC without the silicone tips was just huge for me. It's obviously not as good as having the passive isolation of the silicone as well, but it's plenty good for airplanes and trains. [...]
I’m glad the Anker’s worked out for you, but the Soundcore brand almost completely turned me off from Anker. After two weeks the Soundcore buds I had stopped charging. I have limited experience with noise canceling headphones (some circa 2008 active Sony earbuds, and some not-that-great Beats Studio Buds+. On a whim I bought AirPods 4 ANC and I’ve found them way better than I expected. Good enough for airplane noise canceling without the seal of most ear buds. [...] They seamlessly switch from my phone to iPad to Mac. [...] Nothing comes close to matching the convenience and the sound isn’t so bad that I each for something else. [...] Maybe it’s hype, maybe I don’t know what better noise canceling sounds like. [...]
[...] ANC is only medium-important to me, so I'm using Airpods 4 with ANC. [...]
This high pitched noise issue happened to me last week using noise cancellation on a flight, but I was using Airpods 4 (not Pro). I think this problem isn't only limited to the Pro models
I'd say my airpods 4. I've had issues with in-ear buds for most of my life and I just prefer how the airpods sit in my ear canal. [...]
I bought a pair of AirPods 4 on Saturday ($144 at Costco). I normally live with EarPods in my ears and I have to say, they’re pretty neat. If they last, I will upgrade to a model with longer life.
I just got the airpods 4 with noise cancellation. A lifelong headphone user whos tried all kinds and I’m astounded at the sound quality. Its really really good.
I got the new airpods 4 with noise cancellation and why has it taken me so many years to get noise-cancelling headphones?? this shit is amazing 😭 and they're probs not anywhere near the best noise cancelling headphones either but i likey
My beloved AirPods Pro 2 are finally dying, so I got a pair of AirPods 4 and promptly had to return them because they’re terrible. You had one job, tech companies — to make products that are better as time goes on — and I don’t think it’s working out
Love my airpod 4’s! Got them for sale on Amazon for $99 about 2 months ago
Finally upgraded my headphones today after the unsuccessful experiment with the AirPods 4 that popped out every time I yawned (a lot). [...]
idk why i got the airpods 4 when i should’ve gotten the airpods pro… the battery life sucks 😭
I’ve had 3’s for the past 3 years and they were quite large for my war canal! The first generations fit quite well being the classic shape. But the new 4’s I got yesterday, and they fit in my ears perfectly
This is my Christmas present and I love it so far! I HATE the silicon, I got down to it because I wanted NC, but as soon as these came out, I wanted them, my ears are thankful!! And they fit very well in my ears! 😊😊
Airpods 4 with noise-cancelling, I’m in love with these things 🥰 the sound is incredible! And to think that when I bought my previous ones (year ago) they cost the same!
As someone who hates silicon earplugs, I am really enjoying the Airpods 4 with ANC. [...] The airpods 4 are a game changer. [...]
what headphones did u get…. i bought airpods 4 with anc and it was my best decision for portable music listening ever
[...] I got the 3 a while ago and while I enjoyed the better sound quality, the buds' shape got bulkier and therefore just didn't me fit well anymore. [...] Just exchanged them for the 4 now and at first I didn't noticed until I tried them on but the 4's shape have slightly gone back to the gen 1 and 2 and I couldn't be happier as they now fit me even better 🤩 Having the ANC and USB-C charging now is also such a huge plus!! [...]
Love that Apple keeps giving love to the customers that don't like silicon tips. Literally bought AirPods just because they were the only true wireless earbuds I could find at the time, and I've not looked back!
[...] Coming from AirPods 3 to AirPods 4: the case is smaller and that means I have to struggle to grab the buds every single time. [...] The sound is neat though.
[...] They dont fall off of my ear when doing any activities, and despite not the best ANC it does reduce it a lot. [...]
Today i get airpod and then I use everything good but long term i play games but my ear hurts not like pro silicion eartip also battery life gets only 4 hours😿
AirPods 4 sound is a lot different from my 2nd gen ones 👌 Also upgraded my watch to Series 10 from original SE. Love the larger screen but overall not much different. For a lot more money! [...]
so I bought a pair of AirPods Pro 3 and gave my AirPods 4 to my mum. Should have the Pro 3 by tomorrow.
The claims, and the evidence
Owners push back on 3 of 9 marketing claims.
What the brand claims
- Redesigned for comfortFew owner reports
- H2 chipFew owner reports
- Available with Active Noise CancellationOwners agreeNoise cancelling: 7 of 9 positive
- Personalized Spatial AudioMixedSound: 5 of 8 positive
- Voice Isolation for clearer calls
- Up to 5 hours of listening timeOwners disagreeBattery & charging: 2 of 6 positive
- Up to 30 hours total with the charging caseOwners disagreeBattery & charging: 2 of 6 positive
- IP54 dust, sweat, and water resistanceFew owner reports
- USB-C charging caseOwners disagreeBattery & charging: 2 of 6 positive
What owners report
“I bought the AirPods 4 with ANC in large part due to the Wireless Charging Case.”
“I’m glad the Anker’s worked out for you, but the Soundcore brand almost completely turned me off from Anker. After two weeks the Soundcore buds I had stopped charging. I have limited experience with noise canceling headphones (some circa 2008 active Sony earbuds, and some not-that-great Beats Studio Buds+. On a whim I bought AirPods 4 ANC and I’ve found them way better than I expected. Good enough for airplane noise canceling without the seal of most ear buds. [...] They seamlessly switch from my phone to iPad to Mac. [...] Nothing comes close to matching the convenience and the sound isn’t so bad that I each for something else. [...] Maybe it’s hype, maybe I don’t know what better noise canceling sounds like. [...]”
“They fit me perfectly and stay securely and comfortably in my ears no matter what. However, the Airpods 4 battery life is abysmal. [...]”
after 11 monthsView on YouTube“Owned the Airpods 4 for months now. [...] But I bought some anti slip covers online for them and they don’t fall off as much. The sound itself is great. Nothing ground breaking, but I was happy to get good sound once more. [...] The ANC is decent, but worth having than having NO ANC feature. I only use the Airpods 4 for walking or chilling, but not for running or going to the gym.”
after 3 monthsView on YouTube
Common AirPods 4 problems
Issues at least two owners independently report.
- Battery & charging4 mentionsView on YouTube
“They fit me perfectly and stay securely and comfortably in my ears no matter what. However, the Airpods 4 battery life is abysmal. [...]”
- Sound3 mentionsView on Hacker News
“I’m glad the Anker’s worked out for you, but the Soundcore brand almost completely turned me off from Anker. After two weeks the Soundcore buds I had stopped charging. I have limited experience with noise canceling headphones (some circa 2008 active Sony earbuds, and some not-that-great Beats Studio Buds+. On a whim I bought AirPods 4 ANC and I’ve found them way better than I expected. Good enough for airplane noise canceling without the seal of most ear buds. [...] They seamlessly switch from my phone to iPad to Mac. [...] Nothing comes close to matching the convenience and the sound isn’t so bad that I each for something else. [...] Maybe it’s hype, maybe I don’t know what better noise canceling sounds like. [...]”
- Noise cancelling2 mentionsView on Hacker News
“This high pitched noise issue happened to me last week using noise cancellation on a flight, but I was using Airpods 4 (not Pro). I think this problem isn't only limited to the Pro models”