AirPods 4 vs AirPods Pro: Which Apple Earbuds Are Worth Your Money?

Based on expert reviews from RTINGS, SoundGuys, and real user experiences across Apple Communities, Reddit, and major tech publications

The short answer: The AirPods Pro 2 win this matchup with better noise cancellation, longer battery life, and superior sound quality. The extra $80-100 gets you 2x better ANC, 50% more battery life with noise cancellation on, and volume control on the stems. However, if silicone ear tips make you uncomfortable, the AirPods 4's open-ear design might be worth the tradeoffs. AirPods Pro 2 on Amazon for $199 →

The Fighters

AirPods 4 (ANC) AirPods Pro 2
Price $100-179 on Amazon $199-249 on Amazon
Best For Those who hate silicone ear tips Maximum ANC and sound quality
Design Open-ear (no tips) In-ear with silicone tips
Chip H2 H2
Battery (ANC on) 4 hours 6 hours
ANC Performance 20dB reduction 2x better than AirPods 4

AirPods 4 with charging case featuring the new smaller design and H2 chip

The Death Match: 6 Rounds, 1 Winner

We're scoring each round from 1-10. Higher score wins the round. Let's fight!

Round 1: Sound Quality

Both earbuds pack Apple's H2 chip, but the execution differs significantly. The AirPods 4 deliver what SoundGuys rates as a 3.6/5 overall audio score, with punchy bass in the low-to-mids but lacking the deep sub-bass frequencies. Some users on Apple Community forums describe the sound as "a bit dull and muted" compared to older AirPods.

The AirPods Pro 2 offer what multiple reviewers call a "more audiophile-friendly sound signature" with neutral bright tuning. The sealed silicone tips create a bigger soundstage with more open, detailed sound. Recording Now notes the bass is "satisfying and clean, without overpowering the rest of the frequency spectrum."

AirPods 4 AirPods Pro 2
7/10 8/10

Round 1 Winner: AirPods Pro 2 — The sealed design enables fuller frequency response and better sound isolation.

Score after Round 1: AirPods 4: 7 | AirPods Pro 2: 8

Round 2: Active Noise Cancellation

This is where physics dictates the winner. The AirPods 4's open-ear design physically cannot block as much noise as sealed earbuds. SoundGuys testing measured the AirPods 4 ANC at about 20dB of noise reduction in mids and highs, but low-end rumble like subway cars and plane engines gets through.

Apple officially claims the AirPods Pro 2 deliver 2x more ANC than the AirPods 4. Six Colors tested both during house power washing: with AirPods 4, the sound was "tamped down" but audible. With AirPods Pro 2, it was "gone." Same story on airplanes with engine hum.

AirPods 4 AirPods Pro 2
6/10 9/10

Round 2 Winner: AirPods Pro 2 — 2x better noise cancellation is not marketing fluff—it's measurable reality.

Score after Round 2: AirPods 4: 13 | AirPods Pro 2: 17

Round 3: Battery Life

The AirPods 4 with ANC deliver 4 hours of listening time with noise cancellation enabled, and 5 hours without. SoundGuys measured 5 hours 40 minutes in real-world testing. The case provides 20 hours total (ANC on) or 30 hours (ANC off). Multiple reviewers criticize this as "below average" compared to competitors offering 8+ hours.

The AirPods Pro 2 last 6 hours with ANC on—50% longer than the AirPods 4. Apple Support specs confirm 5.5 hours with Spatial Audio and Head Tracking, and the case delivers 30 hours total. Both offer quick charging: 5 minutes equals about 1 hour of playback.

AirPods 4 AirPods Pro 2
6/10 8/10

Round 3 Winner: AirPods Pro 2 — 50% more battery life with ANC on makes a real difference for commuters and travelers.

Score after Round 3: AirPods 4: 19 | AirPods Pro 2: 25

AirPods Pro 2 with silicone ear tips and charging case featuring USB-C

Round 4: Design & Comfort

This round is genuinely subjective. The AirPods 4 use an open-ear design with no silicone tips—they just rest in your ear canal's outer portion. BGR reports vastly different user experiences: some find them comfortable for hours, others painful after minutes. The MacRumors Forums note fit issues with buds constantly falling out for some users. The case is 177% narrower and 36% lighter than the Pro case.

The AirPods Pro 2 include four silicone tip sizes (XS, S, M, L) and an Ear Tip Fit Test to ensure proper seal. This creates better passive isolation but some users dislike the "plugged" sensation. Wind noise can be an issue outdoors—the stems create small air vortexes causing a humming noise during running or windy conditions.

AirPods 4 AirPods Pro 2
7/10 7/10

Round 4: TIE — Personal preference determines the winner here. No universal right answer.

Score after Round 4: AirPods 4: 26 | AirPods Pro 2: 32

Round 5: Features

The AirPods 4 with ANC include solid core features: Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency mode, Adaptive Audio, Personalized Spatial Audio with head tracking, Conversation Awareness, and full Siri integration. Tom's Guide notes the force sensor controls work well for play/pause and skipping tracks.

However, BGR identifies a major missing feature: no volume control on the stem. The AirPods Pro 2 let you swipe up and down to adjust volume—a feature users call essential once they've experienced it. The Pro 2 also adds FDA-approved Hearing Aid functionality, a hearing test feature, Conversation Boost, and Personalized Volume. That's a significant feature gap.

AirPods 4 AirPods Pro 2
7/10 9/10

Round 5 Winner: AirPods Pro 2 — Volume control and hearing health features justify the price premium.

Score after Round 5: AirPods 4: 33 | AirPods Pro 2: 41

Round 6: Value for Money

The AirPods 4 with ANC retail at $179 but regularly sell for $100-112. The standard version without ANC is just $80-99 on sale. That's genuinely affordable for Apple earbuds with H2 chip technology.

The AirPods Pro 2 retail at $249 but commonly sell for $199. Recording Now makes a compelling point: "AirPods Pro 2 can be as little as $20 more expensive than the AirPods 4 ANC. That's a pretty big upgrade for just $20." When the price gap shrinks during sales, the Pro 2's superior ANC, longer battery, and extra features represent dramatically better value per dollar.

AirPods 4 AirPods Pro 2
7/10 9/10

Round 6 Winner: AirPods Pro 2 — At sale prices, the premium for Pro features becomes minimal.

Person wearing wireless earbuds while commuting on public transit

Final Score

Product Total Score Verdict
AirPods Pro 2 50/60 WINNER
AirPods 4 40/60

The Winner: AirPods Pro 2

The AirPods Pro 2 dominate this matchup with meaningful advantages in nearly every category that matters. You get 2x better noise cancellation backed by real measurements, 50% longer battery life with ANC enabled, fuller sound quality thanks to the sealed design, and genuinely useful features like stem volume control and FDA-approved hearing aid functionality.

The price premium has also shrunk dramatically. At current sale prices of $199 for the Pro 2 versus $100-112 for the AirPods 4 ANC, you're paying roughly $80-100 more for a substantially better product. When retailers discount both equally, that gap can narrow to just $20—at which point the Pro 2 becomes the obvious choice for anyone who values audio performance.

The only scenario where AirPods 4 win is if you genuinely cannot tolerate silicone ear tips. That's a legitimate preference, and Apple designed the AirPods 4 specifically for those users. But if comfort isn't an issue, the Pro 2 delivers more value at every price point.

Ready to buy the winner? Get AirPods Pro 2 on Amazon for $199 →

When the Loser Actually Wins

The AirPods 4 aren't right for everyone, but they're the better choice if:

  • You hate silicone ear tips — The open-ear design lets you wear earbuds for hours without that "plugged" feeling. No amount of ANC improvement can overcome physical discomfort.

  • Previous AirPods fit you perfectly — Apple redesigned the AirPods 4 shape based on thousands of ear scans. If you loved the fit of AirPods 2 or 3, these will feel even better.

  • You need situational awareness — The open design lets environmental sound through naturally. Runners, cyclists, and parents often prefer this for safety reasons.

  • Budget is your primary constraint — At $80-100 on sale, the standard AirPods 4 (without ANC) offer genuine H2 chip performance at half the price of AirPods Pro.

AirPods 4 might be right for you: Check price on Amazon →

Frequently Asked Questions

Person relaxing with wireless earbuds listening to music

Are AirPods 4 worth the upgrade from AirPods 3?

Yes, if you want ANC. The AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation represent Apple's first open-ear earbuds with noise cancellation. SoundGuys measured about 20dB of noise reduction—impressive for an unsealed design. The redesigned shape also fits more ears comfortably based on Apple's expanded ear scan data.

Can I use AirPods 4 or AirPods Pro with Android?

Technically yes, but the experience degrades significantly. BGR notes that users switching from iPhone to Android report "no end of issues" with connectivity on devices like the Pixel 9 Pro. You lose automatic switching, seamless pairing, and some features. If you're on Android, consider the Samsung Galaxy Buds or Sony WF-1000XM5 instead.

Do AirPods Pro 2 really work as hearing aids?

Yes—they received FDA clearance in September 2024 for mild to moderate hearing loss. You can take a hearing test directly through your iPhone and the AirPods Pro 2 will adjust audio amplification accordingly. Techlicious calls it "revolutionary, but flawed," noting that while the feature works, some users report the hearing aid mode randomly cuts out after firmware updates.

Why does ANC drain battery faster on AirPods 4?

The open-ear design forces the H2 chip to work harder. Without silicone tips creating passive isolation, the ANC system must actively cancel more ambient noise. EcoFlow reports that ANC typically reduces listening time by 20-25% on any earbuds, but the effect is more pronounced on the AirPods 4 due to their unsealed design.

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