The Apple AirPods 4 are the latest version of Apple’s open-ear wireless earbuds, redesigned with a contoured shape based on thousands of ear scans and powered by the H2 chip that previously debuted in the AirPods Pro 2. They pair instantly with any device linked to your Apple Account, deliver up to 30 hours of total listening time with the USB-C charging case, and carry an IP54 rating for dust, sweat, and water resistance. This is the standard AirPods 4 model without active noise cancellation, which is available in a separate version at a higher price.
Check Amazon for the Apple AirPods 4 for $99, down from $129, a $30 discount, and 23% off.
An excellent pair of earbuds with fantastic noise cancellation
The H2 chip is the biggest upgrade over the previous generation of AirPods. It processes audio more efficiently, produces clearer sound with better bass response, and enables Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking that adjusts the soundstage based on your head’s position relative to the device playing the content. The result is a three-dimensional listening experience for supported music, movies, TV shows, and games that makes audio sound like it’s coming from all around you rather than from two small speakers in your ears.
Voice Isolation is the call quality feature worth highlighting. The H2 chip uses machine learning to separate your voice from background noise during phone calls and FaceTime, so the person on the other end hears you clearly even in a loud environment. Siri works hands-free, and a Siri Interactions feature lets you nod to accept an incoming call or shake your head to decline without touching the earbuds or reaching for your phone.
When it comes to design, the open ear style of the AirPods 4 lets them sit in your ear rather than being held in place with silicone tips that seal the ear canal. As a result, there is no passive noise isolation, which is great if you frequently need to listen to traffic, co-workers, and announcements. Additionally, with press-based click-style controls on the stems instead of tap-sensitive controls, you have less chance of accidentally entering an input command by simply adjusting how they fit.
The earbuds offer about 5 hours of listening and 4.5 hours of talk time per charge. The USB-C case holds enough power for 30 hours total, and five minutes of charging gives about an hour of playback when you’re in a rush. The case is more than 10 percent smaller than the previous generation and charges through the same USB-C cable you’re already using for your phone, tablet, and laptop.
The Apple AirPods 4 are on sale for $99 instead of the usual $129. Dropping below $100 for current-generation AirPods with the H2 chip, Personalized Spatial Audio, and USB-C charging puts them at the same price as mid-tier earbuds from brands that don’t offer anywhere near the same integration with iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch.