Apple AirPods 4

The AirPods 4 are Apple's open-fit earbuds: the H2 chip, a USB-C case, Personalized Spatial Audio and about 30 hours of listening with the case. For iPhone users who want a default work earbud for calls and music, the standard model is the entry point. The one thing to know is that the standard AirPods 4 have no noise cancellation.

Which AirPods 4 should a business buyer choose?

• Apple's list price is $129 (Apple, Sep 2026) for the standard model; $179 with Active Noise Cancellation.
• The open fit leaks sound both ways in a loud open-plan office; the ANC variant or the AirPods Pro 3 fix that.
• The base case charges over USB-C only, with no wireless charging.
• The battery is not user-replaceable.

The two variants are separate listings, so confirm you are buying the ANC model if you need it. See the AirPods Pro 3 for the sealed, noise-cancelling tier, and browse other everyday tech.

Who should skip it

Anyone working in noisy spaces should pay for the ANC version. Android users lose the automatic pairing and spatial audio features and will do better with a platform-neutral earbud.

Research-based listing — not hands-on tested by Digital4All; details as of September 2026.

What reviewers say

• SoundGuys scored the standard model 6.4/10 and measured 6 h 21 min of playback; the open fit lets in almost all surrounding noise, comfort depends heavily on ear shape, and the microphone rejects background noise well. (SoundGuys, Apr 2025)
• Tom's Guide gave 4/5, saying the AirPods 4 bring Apple's earbuds into the modern day with Pro-level features for less. (Tom's Guide, Sep 2024)
• TechRadar found them good-sounding and secure for tip-less earbuds but concluded "you can do better for the price". (TechRadar, Oct 2024)

Consensus: Reviewers agree the standard AirPods 4 are the cheapest way into Apple's H2 features and that the open design is the whole trade-off: comfortable and aware, but with no isolation. Anyone in a noisy office should look at the ANC variant, which is a separate listing.