Should You Upgrade to AirPods 4? Unbeatable Alternatives for the Same Price

Apple AirPods 4: Two-minute review

Apple’s AirPods 4 are the latest version of their popular open-ear wireless earbuds, designed for those who don’t mind their music playing without inserting ear tips into their ears. Priced at $129 / £129 / AU$219, they’re a more affordable alternative to the AirPods with active noise cancellation and extra features.

Good, not great sound

The sound is fulsome and fairly dynamic, with a good balance between frequencies. However, there’s a lack of fine detail that might give the music that extra realism and deep satisfaction. The open-ear design also allows external sound to leak in, which can affect the audio fidelity.

Limited features, but Apple fans rejoice

Apple fans will appreciate seamless integration with their devices, thanks to auto-device switching and spatial audio. The pinch controls on the earbuds are also a nice touch. However, the lack of standard Bluetooth multi-point pairing is a letdown, making it tricky to switch between non-Apple devices.

The competition offers more for less

For those willing to forgo some exclusive Apple features, there are better options at this price point. The $99 / £99 / AU$169 Sony WF-C700N and the $119 / £79 / AU$149 Nothing Ear (a) offer more features, including active noise cancellation, and better sound quality for a lower price.

Review summary

The AirPods 4 are good, but not great earbuds. While they’re perfect for Apple fans who value seamless integration and exclusive features, others may find better value in other wireless earbuds on the market.

Key specs

Price: $129 / £129 / AU$219
Released: September 20, 2024
The cheapest AirPods model

How I tested the AirPods 4

I tested the AirPods 4 for three weeks, using them with an iPhone, iPad Pro, MacBook Air, and Apple TV 4K. I also compared them to the AirPods 4 with ANC and AirPods Pro 2. Here’s how I reviewed them: