Apple AirPods 4 (ANC) Earbuds

The Apple AirPods 4 with ANC is a unique product in the earbud market — the only open-fit earbud that offers active noise cancellation. Unlike traditional ANC earbuds that seal your ear canal with silicone tips, the AirPods 4 ANC sits comfortably in your ear without creating pressure or isolation, yet still manages to reduce ambient noise meaningfully through Apple's H2 chip processing. Its standout feature is this unprecedented combination of open-fit comfort with genuine active noise cancellation, solving the common complaint that ANC earbuds feel isolating or cause ear fatigue. These earbuds are best for listeners who find silicone ear tips uncomfortable but still want noise reduction for commutes and offices. Compared to the AirPods Pro 2, the AirPods 4 ANC sacrifice ANC strength and sound isolation for significantly better comfort during extended wear. At 4.3 grams with 5 hours of playback, 30 hours total, and IP54 protection for $180, they occupy a category of one.