It’s early November 2025, and I’m sitting at my kitchen table with my third cup of coffee—a ritual I’ve held onto like a lifeline through startup pivots, 3 a.m. coding sessions, and the occasional kitchen experiment that ends with smoke alarms screaming. Today, though, it’s just me, this cup, and a pair of AirPods 4 with ANC sitting in front of me like an old friend I haven’t seen in months.
A year ago, when Apple dropped the AirPods 4 alongside its ANC-equipped sibling, I remember being… skeptical. Another unsealed design? Another half-step between the iconic AirPods 2 and the premium Pro line? Honestly, I didn’t think much of them at first. I filed them under “Apple playing it safe”—a safe, inoffensive product for people who didn’t want silicone tips jabbed into their ears.
But life has a funny way of circling back.
After months of using the AirPods Pro 3—Apple’s current flagship—I needed a break. Not because they’re bad (they’re incredible, actually), but because that level of noise isolation can start to feel claustrophobic. It’s like wearing noise-canceling armor everywhere you go. You miss the chirping of birds. You don’t hear the espresso machine hiss behind you. Sometimes, you forget you’re still in the world.
So I dug the AirPods 4 with ANC out of my drawer. Dusty case, slightly depleted battery—but ready. And you know what? I was shocked by how much I enjoyed them. In fact, I came dangerously close to swapping my daily drivers for good.
But… I didn’t. And the reasons why are more revealing than you might think.
Let me walk you through what I love, what frustrates me, and—most importantly—whether these are still worth your hard-earned money in 2025.
Why I Fell for the AirPods 4 with ANC (All Over Again)
1. The Sound Quality? Surprisingly Rich—Yes, Really
Let’s get this out of the way: the AirPods 4 with ANC aren’t bass monsters. If you glance at frequency response charts, you’ll see a gentle roll-off in the sub-bass region—around 60Hz and below. On paper, that screams “thin sound,” especially if your playlist is packed with Travis Scott, Fred again.., or Swedish House Mafia.
I’ll admit—I expected the worst. But here’s the thing about audio: charts are guides, not gospel.
When I slipped these on during a quiet evening walk through my Brooklyn neighborhood, listening to James Blake’s "Retrograde," something unexpected happened. The bass wasn’t booming, but it was present. Textured. It didn’t rattle my jaw, but it gave the song’s heartbeat a steady pulse. And the mids? Crisp without being clinical. The highs? Smooth—no sibilance, no harshness.
Compare that to the AirPods Pro 3, which—don’t get me wrong—are technically superior in many ways. But sometimes, that treble boost on cymbals and hi-hats? It can border on shrill. I remember cringing during the snare hits in "Dash Star" by No—every strike felt like a tiny ice pick to the eardrum. With the AirPods 4? Zero issues.
What’s interesting is this: Apple didn’t try to over-engineer the sound. They went for balance. And in most real-world scenarios—commuting, working from a café, light gym sessions—that balance works. You get enough low end to feel the rhythm, enough clarity to hear every lyric, and none of that fatiguing sharpness that makes you yank your earbuds out by lunchtime.
Could they compete with Sony’s XM5s in a blind test? Probably not. But for an unsealed design at this price point? They punch way above their weight.
2. ANC That’s “Just Right”—Not Too Loud, Not Too Quiet
Now, let’s talk noise cancellation. Or rather, thoughtful noise cancellation.
The AirPods Pro 3 boast industry-leading ANC—up to 90% noise reduction in lab tests. That’s insane. But in practice? It’s almost too good. Walking down a busy street in Manhattan with them in feels like floating through a silent void. Cars? Gone. Sirens? Muffled into oblivion. It’s peaceful… until you almost get clipped by a bike messenger because you didn’t hear them coming.
That’s where the AirPods 4 with ANC surprised me.
Because they don’t use ear tips, they can’t form a perfect seal. Apple admits this: their ANC only reduces ambient noise by about 53% on average. But here’s the twist—that’s actually a feature, not a bug.
When I wore them on the subway (yes, even the screechy old SkyTrain cars in Vancouver—I’ve commuted there too), the ANC didn’t silence the world. It softened it. The rumble of the tracks became a distant hum. Chatty passengers turned into muffled background noise. And crucially—I could still hear a car horn, a shout, or my own name if someone called out.
To me, that’s the sweet spot. I don’t always want total isolation. Sometimes, I just want to hear my podcast clearly without cranking the volume to ear-damaging levels. The AirPods 4 with ANC hit that balance beautifully.
And let’s not forget: because they sit more shallowly in the ear, they feel less intrusive. No pressure, no “plugged-up” sensation. Just… presence.
3. The Most Comfortable AirPods I’ve Ever Worn
I’ve tried every AirPods model since 2016. The originals? Felt like plastic toothbrushes dangling from my ears. AirPods 2? Slightly better, but still precarious. AirPods 3? A step forward, but they’d slowly migrate out during a brisk walk.
Even the Pro models—despite their stellar performance—never quite stayed. During pull-ups or heavy deadlifts, I’d feel them wobble. One particularly enthusiastic burpee sent my AirPods Pro 2 flying across the gym (thankfully, they survived).
But the AirPods 4 with ANC? They stuck. And not in a painful, jammed-in way—but in that elusive “I forgot I was wearing them” kind of way.
The redesigned stem and subtle curvature nestle into the concha of my ear like they were molded for it. No slipping. No adjustment needed. Even during a sweaty HIIT session, they held firm.
Now, I’ll be the first to say: ear anatomy is wildly personal. My colleague Sarah tried them and said they felt “like they’d fall out if I sneezed.” But for my ears? They’re perfect.
If comfort is your top priority—and you’ve struggled with in-ear fatigue or slippage—this might be your holy grail.
So… Why Didn’t I Switch Full-Time?
As much as I adore these earbuds, there are three nagging issues that keep me from making the leap. And honestly, two of them feel like missed opportunities.
1. ANC Falls Short in Truly Noisy Environments
Let’s be real: if you’re boarding a cross-country flight or working next to a construction site, the AirPods 4 with ANC won’t save you. That unsealed design simply can’t compete with the acoustic seal of the AirPods Pro 3 or even over-ear headphones like the Bose QC Ultra.
On a recent red-eye from JFK to SFO, I tried them out of curiosity. Within minutes, I swapped back to my Pro 3s. The engine drone was still loud enough that I had to max out the volume—defeating the purpose of ANC altogether.
So while they’re fantastic for city strolls, office chatter, or light commutes, they’re not a travel essential. If your life involves planes, trains, or loud workshops, you’ll want something with better isolation.
2. No Hearing Protection Mode—A Real Miss
Here’s something not enough people talk about: the AirPods Pro 2 and Pro 3 double as impromptu ear protection. At concerts or clubs, you can activate “Hearing Protection” mode, which attenuates loud sounds while preserving speech and music clarity.
I’ve used this at underground raves in Berlin and outdoor festivals in Austin—it’s a game-changer. Protects your hearing without turning the experience into muffled silence.
But the AirPods 4 with ANC? No such feature. None. Not even a basic attenuation setting.
Given how well they stay in during movement, this feels like a glaring omission. Imagine: secure fit + hearing protection = the ultimate festival or gym earbud. Instead, Apple reserved it for the “Pro” tier—clearly a segmentation tactic.
Still, it stings. Especially because the hardware is likely capable. They could have included it. They just chose not to.
3. You Can’t Swipe to Adjust Volume—And That Bugs Me More Than It Should
Okay, this one’s petty. But it’s also so Apple.
The AirPods Pro 2 and 3 let you swipe up or down on the stem to adjust volume. It’s intuitive. Effortless. Essential when your phone’s buried in a gym bag or winter coat.
The AirPods 4 with ANC? Same stem design… but no swipe. None. To change volume, you’ve got three lousy options:
- Say, “Hey Siri, lower the volume”—three times in a row because Siri mishears you.
- Dig your phone out of your pocket mid-set.
- Use your Apple Watch… if you own one.
During a recent deadlift session, I had to drop a 60-pound dumbbell just to fiddle with my phone. Not ideal.
What’s baffling is that this isn’t a technical limitation. The sensors are there. Apple just disabled the feature—likely to protect the Pro line’s premium status.
But here’s the thing: convenience isn’t a luxury. It’s the difference between using something daily… and leaving it in a drawer.
So—Should You Buy the AirPods 4 with ANC in 2025?
After a year of on-and-off use, here’s my take:
Yes—if you value comfort, natural sound, and situational awareness over absolute silence.
They’re not the most powerful. They won’t replace your over-ears on a long flight. But for everyday life—walking, working, light workouts—they strike a rare balance between performance and presence.
Think of them as the “Goldilocks” earbuds: not too isolating, not too loose, not too bassy, not too bright. Just… right.
But if you need max ANC, hearing protection, or on-ear volume controls, stick with the Pro line. The AirPods 4 with ANC are excellent—but they’re not everything.
Final Thought: Sometimes, Less Is More
I’ll be honest—when I started this review, I thought I’d be writing a polite “meh” about a forgettable product.
Instead, I found myself genuinely conflicted. These earbuds made me rethink what I actually need from my daily audio companion. Do I always need fortress-like silence? Or do I just need to hear my music clearly—without losing touch with the world around me?
In a tech landscape obsessed with “more,” the AirPods 4 with ANC whisper a different truth: sometimes, the best innovation isn’t adding features—but knowing what to leave out.
And for that, I’ll keep them on my shelf. Not as my primary… but as my peaceful alternative. The earbuds I reach for when I want to listen—not just to music, but to life.
Maybe that’s enough.
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