AirPods 4 vs AirPods 4 Active Noise Cancellation: Everything You Need to Know

Apple has officially expanded its AirPods lineup with two new options: AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). Both offer upgraded sound, comfort, and smart features but they’re designed for slightly different types of listeners. If you’re deciding which one to get, we will break down the key differences to help you choose the perfect pair.

AirPods 4: Differences in Features

No matter which AirPods 4 you choose, you get the core features that make AirPods stand out:

H2 Chip — Powerful audio performance, improved call quality, and efficient Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity.

Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking — Immersive, surround-like sound for music, movies, and video calls. 

Adaptive EQ — Clearer, richer, and more balanced audio than previous AirPods.

Comfortable Fit — Lightweight, semi-in-ear design that’s perfect for all-day use.

Dust, sweat, and water resistant (IP54) — Dust, sweat, and water resistance, suitable for workouts, commuting, or light outdoor use.

Why Active Noise Cancellation Makes a Difference

The AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation includes additional features that make it perfect for noisy environments, delivering clear audio, immersive music, and seamless calls, allowing you to focus and enjoy your listening experience anywhere.

It also offers Transparency Mode to let you hear your surroundings when needed, Conversation Awareness to automatically lower audio when you speak, and a wireless/MagSafe charging case for extra convenience. These features make it ideal for commuters, travelers, office workers, or anyone who wants premium audio and noise control in every situation.

Note: Using AirPods 4 Active Noise Cancellation slightly reduces battery life about 4 hours per charge compared to 5 hours on standard mode.

AirPods 4 vs AirPods 4 With Active Noise Cancellation: Differences

Features	AirPods 4	AirPods 4 With Active Noise Cancellation
Chip	H2 Chip	H2 Chip
Active Noise Cancellation	No	Yes
Adaptive Audio and Transparency mode	No	Yes
Conversation Awareness	No	Yes
Battery Life	Up to 5 hours of listening time on one charge Up to 30 hours of listening time with charging case	Up to 4 hours of listening time on one charge Up to 20 hours of listening time with charging case
Dust, sweat, and water resistant (IP54)	Yes	Yes

Read more: Airpods Pro vs AirPods 4: Differences between Airpods Pro vs AirPods 4

Final Thoughts

For everyday use, the AirPods 4 provide comfortable fit, great sound, and effortless Apple device connectivity.

If you want extra control over your environment, especially for commuting, travel, or noisy offices, the AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation is worth the upgrade. Its noise cancellation, adaptive audio, and wireless charging make listening effortless wherever you are.

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