Apple · Updated July 2026
Apple AirPods 4 (with ANC): price, specs & release date
Apple AirPods 4 (with ANC), released 2024-09. Every price and spec below is linked to its source and dated — no guesses.
Source: apple.com verified ✓ corroborated verify in ledger
The Apple AirPods 4 (with ANC) is listed at $129 on apple.com as of 2026-07-28, the cheapest wireless earbuds (median $250); other retailers may be lower. It earns a Bronze Deskmark — 43/100 pay-blind standing, #15 of 21 in class.
Verified Jul 28, 2026 · figures linked to their source in the table below
- Best for ANC is genuinely effective for an open/unsealed design — a first among tip-less earbuds; Improved, more detailed and powerful sound over the AirPods 3.
- Skip if ANC only reaches mid-level; low rumble is cut but voices/highs leak, and it trails sealed rivals and the AirPods Pro 2 is a dealbreaker.
Price history
$129Is the Apple AirPods 4 (with ANC) a good buy?
At $129, the Apple AirPods 4 (with ANC) is #3 cheapest of the 16 wireless earbuds we track, where the median is $250. On the spec sheet, its battery buds hr of 4 is the lowest of the 22, its weight per bud of 4.3 g is the lowest of the 14, and its battery case hr of 20 is below the median of the 21. By release date, it is among the newer of the 16 we date.
Evidence of Record
Our data- Independent labsmeasured it
- 2
- Physical metricsrecorded
- 3
- Outlets on record2 tested · 1 mention-only
- 3
Two independent labs measured this product across 3 physical metrics — anc attenuation, battery and mdaqs overall audio. With a second lab on record, each figure comes from more than one independent hands-on source — a measure of how much evidence exists, not a rating of the product.
Review consensus · sourced & dated
What reviewers say about the Apple AirPods 4 (with ANC)
Three whitelisted testers (SoundGuys, What Hi-Fi, Engadget) reviewed this exact model — AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation. All three agree Apple's open-fit ANC genuinely works — a first for tip-less buds — with sound improved over the AirPods 3, but noise-cancelling stays mid-level versus sealed rivals and the AirPods Pro 2, and battery life is short.
Based on 3 reviews · 2 lab-tested · 2024-09-16–2025-11-24
Tested by SoundGuys, What Hi-Fi, Engadget
Consistently praised
- ANC is genuinely effective for an open/unsealed design — a first among tip-less earbuds · 3 sources
- Improved, more detailed and powerful sound over the AirPods 3 · 2 sources
- Lighter, more comfortable fit and flagship features (H2 chip, spatial audio) at mid-range price · 2 sources
Commonly flagged
- ANC only reaches mid-level; low rumble is cut but voices/highs leak, and it trails sealed rivals and the AirPods Pro 2 · 3 sources
- Short battery life (drops to ~4 h with ANC on) · 2 sources
- No onboard volume control on the stem · 2 sources
- Open, tip-less fit won't suit every ear and many iOS features are lost on Android · 2 sources
Where reviewers disagree Comfort/fit is contested: What Hi-Fi and Engadget found the tapered buds secure and comfortable, while SoundGuys reported team members had 'vastly different experiences' — some finding them painful or prone to falling out.
The sources (3)
ANC attenuation (mids/highs): ~20 dB · Battery life, playback (ANC off): 6 h 21 min · MDAQS overall audio quality (MOS): 3.6 / 5
With an unassisted fit, the ANC actually does work as advertised — a much bigger feat than it might appear when compared to other earbuds.
no matter what kind of fit you get, you can expect a rather middling level of ANC
In our battery testing the AirPods 4 lasted 6 hours and 21 minutes of playback on a single charge, without noise canceling or transparency mode enabled.
Yes, it really does work, and it works impressively well, too.
It's a more detailed, powerful and entertaining sound.
the battery life lags behind the competition
Battery life (ANC on, mixed use ~70% vol): 4 hours
I'd argue it is the first to offer a solution that actually makes a difference.
it's not nearly as good as the AirPods Pro 2 either.
I got four hours out of the noise-canceling AirPods 4 with no problem.
Specifications
| Price (US) | $129 — current on record (was $179) |
|---|---|
| Brand | Apple |
| Released | 2024-09 |
| ANC | Yes |
| Driver (mm) | — |
| Battery buds hr | 4 |
| Battery case hr | 20 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 |
| IP rating | IP54 |
| Wireless charging | Yes |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Weight per bud (g) | 4.3 |
Source: apple.com (verified 2026-06-15) · corroborated by apple.com. Specs from apple.com/airpods-4/specs/ (BT 5.3, IP54, 4hr buds ANC-on / 20hr total ANC-on, 4.3g, wireless charging Qi-certified). ANC model only supports wireless charging (standard model does not). Driver size and full codec list not published by Apple. Price $179 confirmed by Apple Store buy page. battery_buds_hr=4 is the ANC-on rated figure; 5hr without ANC.
Is the Apple AirPods 4 (with ANC) worth it vs cheaper wireless earbuds?
Apple AirPods 4 (with ANC) against its closest cheaper and pricier wireless earbuds on the specs that matter — every value sourced. See all 16 ranked
| Product | Price | ANC | Battery buds hr | Battery case hr | Bluetooth | IP rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple AirPods 4 (with ANC) this | $129 | Yes | 4 | 20 | 5.3 | IP54 |
| Nothing Ear (2024) | $149 | Yes | 5 | 24 | 5.3 | IP54 |
Frequently asked questions
What do reviewers say about the Apple AirPods 4 (with ANC)?
Three whitelisted testers (SoundGuys, What Hi-Fi, Engadget) reviewed this exact model — AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation. All three agree Apple's open-fit ANC genuinely works — a first for tip-less buds — with sound improved over the AirPods 3, but noise-cancelling stays mid-level versus sealed rivals and the AirPods Pro 2, and battery life is short. Praised: ANC is genuinely effective for an open/unsealed design — a first among tip-less earbuds; Improved, more detailed and powerful sound over the AirPods 3; Lighter, more comfortable fit and flagship features (H2 chip, spatial audio) at mid-range price. Flagged: ANC only reaches mid-level; low rumble is cut but voices/highs leak, and it trails sealed rivals and the AirPods Pro 2; Short battery life (drops to ~4 h with ANC on); No onboard volume control on the stem; Open, tip-less fit won't suit every ear and many iOS features are lost on Android. (From 3 tester reviews, 2 lab-tested.)
How much does the Apple AirPods 4 (with ANC) cost?
The Apple AirPods 4 (with ANC) has a US price of $129, as of 2026-07-28.
How does the Apple AirPods 4 (with ANC) compare on price?
At $129, the Apple AirPods 4 (with ANC) is #3 cheapest of the 16 wireless earbuds we track, where the median is $250.
Has the Apple AirPods 4 (with ANC)'s price dropped?
Yes — since 2026-06-27 the Apple AirPods 4 (with ANC) has fallen 27.9%, from $179 to $129.
What is the lowest price the Apple AirPods 4 (with ANC) has been?
The lowest we have recorded for the Apple AirPods 4 (with ANC) is $129 on 2026-07-28 — which is its current price.
Is now a good time to buy the Apple AirPods 4 (with ANC)?
At $129, the Apple AirPods 4 (with ANC) is at the lowest price we have recorded since 2026-06-27.
When was the Apple AirPods 4 (with ANC) released?
The Apple AirPods 4 (with ANC) was released 2024-09.
What are the Apple AirPods 4 (with ANC)'s key specs?
Apple AirPods 4 (with ANC) (Apple): anc Yes, battery buds hr 4, battery case hr 20, bluetooth 5.3, ip rating IP54. Full sourced spec sheet verified 2026-06-15.
Price of record: $129 at apple.com, 2026-07-28. Other retailers may be lower — check the current price:
See Apple AirPods 4 (with ANC) on Amazon As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.Similar wireless earbuds
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