AirPods Pro 2 vs AirPods 4: Which Apple Earbuds Deserve Your Ears?
Based on SoundGuys testing, RTINGS measurements, and real user experiences
The short answer: AirPods Pro 2 win for serious audio users. They reduce 83% of ambient noise vs the AirPods 4's ~80% effectiveness, deliver richer sound quality, and offer 6 hours of battery vs 5. Unless you absolutely hate silicone ear tips, the $70 premium is worth it for the best noise cancellation Apple makes. Get AirPods Pro 2 on Amazon for $249 →
The Fighters
| AirPods Pro 2 | AirPods 4 (ANC) | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $249 on Amazon | $179 on Amazon |
| Best For | Maximum ANC, audiophiles | Comfort-first listeners |
| Ear Tips | Silicone (4 sizes) | None (open design) |
| Battery | 6 hours | 5 hours (4 with ANC) |
| ANC Effectiveness | 2x better (83% reduction) | ~80% as effective |
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: Active Noise Cancellation
This is where AirPods Pro 2 dominate, and it's the reason most people consider the Pro upgrade.
SoundGuys testing confirms: "The AirPods Pro 2 offer up to 2x more Active Noise Cancellation than both the original AirPods Pro and the AirPods 4 with ANC." In measurements, they reduce ambient noise by an impressive 83%.
The physics matter: AirPods Pro 2's silicone ear tips create a physical seal before the electronic ANC even kicks in. That passive blocking already filters more noise than the AirPods 4's open design ever could.
The AirPods 4 with ANC are impressive for what they are—about 80% as effective as Pro 2, which is remarkable for earbuds without a seal. What Hi-Fi? notes they "sufficiently dim outside noise" for casual use.
But if you're a commuter, frequent flier, or work in noisy environments, there's no contest. The Pro 2's sealed design plus 2x ANC power makes a real-world difference.
| AirPods Pro 2 | AirPods 4 (ANC) |
|---|---|
| 10/10 | 7/10 |
Round 1 Winner: AirPods Pro 2 — 2x better ANC with physical seal; nothing else comes close.
Score after Round 1: Pro 2: 10 | AirPods 4: 7
Round 2: Sound Quality
AirPods Pro 2 take this round as well, though the margin is smaller than you might expect.
Both models use Apple's H2 chip, so the audio processing is identical. The difference comes from the seal. RTINGS testing shows AirPods Pro 2 score higher overall due to better Timbre and lower Distortion—direct benefits of the tight seal.
Rolling Stone describes the Pro 2 sound as "richer, more immersive" with "enhanced drivers." The bass, especially, benefits from the seal—Pro 2 can produce really low-frequency bass that AirPods 4 physically can't achieve.
That said, AirPods 4 deliver excellent clarity and surprisingly punchy mid-bass. Some users actually prefer their treble presentation. The sound stage is narrower than Pro 2, but for casual listening, many won't notice.
| AirPods Pro 2 | AirPods 4 (ANC) |
|---|---|
| 9/10 | 7/10 |
Round 2 Winner: AirPods Pro 2 — Richer, more balanced sound with superior bass.
Score after Round 2: Pro 2: 19 | AirPods 4: 14
Round 3: Comfort & Fit
Here's where AirPods 4 fight back. If you hate the feeling of silicone tips stuffed in your ear canal, AirPods 4 are a revelation.
Apple claims AirPods 4 are "the most comfortable AirPods ever." Many users agree—the open design feels like the original EarPods or wired earbuds that barely register in your ears.
Tom's Guide notes mixed experiences: "Some people find them very comfortable to wear for hours on end, while others find them painful after only a few minutes."
The issue? One-size-fits-all doesn't fit all. Some users report AirPods 4 wiggle out of their ears, requiring constant readjustment. When they're loose, bass response suffers.
AirPods Pro 2's four tip sizes (XS, S, M, L) offer more customization. Once you find your size, the fit is secure and consistent. But if silicone tips give you ear fatigue, you'll never love them.
| AirPods Pro 2 | AirPods 4 (ANC) |
|---|---|
| 7/10 | 8/10 |
Round 3 Winner: AirPods 4 — Open design wins for tip-haters; but fit varies.
Score after Round 3: Pro 2: 26 | AirPods 4: 22
Round 4: Battery Life
AirPods Pro 2 take this round with a meaningful advantage.
Pro 2 offers 6 hours of listening (5.5 with Spatial Audio enabled). In real-world testing, 6 Months Later measured 5 hours 43 minutes with ANC on.
AirPods 4 with ANC offer 5 hours with noise control off—but only 4 hours with ANC enabled. That's a significant drop for the feature most people buy them for.
Both models deliver 30 hours total with the charging case, but the per-charge difference matters. If you're on long flights or commutes, that extra hour or two on AirPods Pro 2 is noticeable.
BGR notes that AirPods 4 battery is "significantly below the average, which is over 8 hours for many competitors." Users often find them dead when needed.
| AirPods Pro 2 | AirPods 4 (ANC) |
|---|---|
| 8/10 | 6/10 |
Round 4 Winner: AirPods Pro 2 — 6 vs 5 hours (or 4 with ANC) makes a difference.
Score after Round 4: Pro 2: 34 | AirPods 4: 28
Round 5: Features & Controls
AirPods Pro 2 have everything AirPods 4 have—plus more.
Both offer Spatial Audio with head tracking, Transparency mode, Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness, and the same H2 chip intelligence. Apple has brought feature parity closer than ever.
But AirPods Pro 2 have exclusive features. The big one: stem volume control. Slide your finger up or down on the stem to adjust volume. BGR calls this missing feature "the most disappointing thing by far" about AirPods 4.
Pro 2 also support the Hearing Aid feature for mild to moderate hearing loss—clinical-grade functionality that AirPods 4 lack entirely. For some users, this alone justifies the upgrade.
| AirPods Pro 2 | AirPods 4 (ANC) |
|---|---|
| 9/10 | 7/10 |
Round 5 Winner: AirPods Pro 2 — Volume slider and hearing aid support are meaningful exclusives.
Score after Round 5: Pro 2: 43 | AirPods 4: 35
Round 6: Value & Portability
AirPods 4 take the final round. At $179 vs $249, that $70 savings is significant—especially for features that are 80% as good.
The AirPods 4 case is also notably more compact: 43g vs 62g for the Pro 2 case. The buds themselves weigh 9g vs 11g. It's a meaningful difference in your pocket.
MacRumors notes: "The standard AirPods are now very similar to the AirPods Pro, offering almost all of the same key features at a lower price point. As a result, the fourth-generation AirPods should be the default choice for most prospective buyers."
Watch for sales too—AirPods Pro 2 often drop to $200 or below, shrinking the gap. But at retail prices, AirPods 4 deliver remarkable value.
| AirPods Pro 2 | AirPods 4 (ANC) |
|---|---|
| 7/10 | 9/10 |
Round 6 Winner: AirPods 4 — $70 cheaper with a smaller, lighter case.
Final Score
| Product | Total Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| AirPods Pro 2 | 50/60 | WINNER |
| AirPods 4 (ANC) | 44/60 |
The Winner: AirPods Pro 2
The scores reflect reality: AirPods Pro 2 are better in nearly every measurable category. The 2x better noise cancellation, richer sound quality, longer battery life, and additional features (volume slider, hearing aid mode) add up to a meaningfully superior product.
Is $70 worth it? For most people, yes. If you use earbuds daily, that difference in ANC alone makes commutes, flights, and noisy offices significantly more pleasant. The sound quality improvement is noticeable with critical listening.
The only scenario where AirPods 4 make more sense: if you genuinely can't tolerate silicone ear tips. Some people find them uncomfortable no matter which size they try. For those users, AirPods 4 with ANC offer impressive capabilities in a more comfortable package.
For everyone else—especially frequent travelers and audio enthusiasts—AirPods Pro 2 are the clear choice.
Ready to buy the winner? Get AirPods Pro 2 on Amazon →
When AirPods 4 Actually Win
AirPods 4 with ANC aren't right for everyone, but they're the better choice if:
- You hate silicone ear tips — The open design is genuinely more comfortable for some
- Budget matters — $70 savings for 80% of the performance
- You want a smaller case — 43g vs 62g makes a difference in pockets
- Maximum ANC isn't essential — Casual listening in moderately noisy environments
- You prefer environmental awareness — Open design lets more sound in naturally
For casual listeners who don't commute in noisy environments, AirPods 4 deliver excellent value and Apple's signature seamless experience.
AirPods 4 might be right for you: Check AirPods 4 prices on Amazon →
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the ANC on AirPods 4 actually good?
Yes, surprisingly so. SoundGuys notes it's about 80% as effective as AirPods Pro 2, which is impressive for earbuds without a seal. For casual use in moderately noisy environments, it works well. But for airplanes or loud commutes, Pro 2's sealed design makes a real difference.
Do AirPods 4 sound as good as AirPods Pro 2?
Close, but not quite. Both use the H2 chip, so processing is identical. But Pro 2's ear seal enables deeper bass and wider soundstage. Most casual listeners won't notice a huge difference, but audiophiles and bass lovers will prefer the Pro 2.
Which has better battery life?
AirPods Pro 2: 6 hours vs AirPods 4's 5 hours (or just 4 hours with ANC enabled). Both offer 30 hours total with the case, but that per-charge difference matters for long listening sessions.
Are AirPods Pro 2 worth $70 more?
For most users, yes. The 2x better ANC, longer battery, superior sound, and extra features (volume slider, hearing aid support) add up to a meaningfully better product. The only exception: if you truly can't stand silicone tips.
Sources
- SoundGuys - AirPods 4 ANC vs Pro 2
- What Hi-Fi? - AirPods 4 vs Pro 2
- MacRumors - 20 Differences Compared
- Rolling Stone - Best Apple ANC Earbuds
- Apple - Official Comparison
- RTINGS - Pro 2 vs AirPods 4
- Tom's Guide - AirPods 4 Long-Term Review
- BGR - AirPods 4 Issues
- 6 Months Later - Pro 2 vs AirPods 4
- SlashGear - Which Worth It