AirPods are one of the most iconic Apple ware , and they have consistently toppedour good earbuds listssince their excogitation . The company ’s ability to iterate on the Cartesian product is equally impressive , as they push the bounds of how feature article - rich an earbud the sizing of your pinky finger can get . If you ’ve been looking for a new pair of wireless earbuds and are new to AirPods , you might be wondering where to start .
TheAirPods Pro 2and theAirPods 4 ( w / ANC)may be different in their fit — one is a unsympathetic in - ear fit while the other is a semi - open style — but with the previous version of the AirPods 4 now offering ANC as well as the latest Apple H2 audio chip , the choice might not be as exonerated as it once was . After all , in our hands - on reviews , we felt that both performed exceptionally well . With legion similarities across features and hardware , as well as a substantial price difference , we ’ve put together a ready to hand guide to facilitate decide which model might be better for you depending on your life-style , budget , and use patterns .
Apple AirPods Pro 2 vs. AirPods 4 ANC: specs
Apple AirPods Pro 2 vs. AirPods 4 ANC: design
One of the most obvious differences between the AirPods Pro 2 and the AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation is the physical design of the earbuds themselves . The AirPods Pro 2 lineament a silicone ear tip designed to create a rigorous seal between the earbud and your ear canal . This is technically obliterable , but they are absolutely not designed to run without the silicone tip . The AirPods 4 boast the more traditional AirPod intent that Apple calls “ open - ear , ” though in the world of headphones , that tends to carry a different signification . This design lacks the passive noise scratch that the AirPods Pro 2 attain thanks to the seal of approval created by the silicone tip .
While some may find the in - ear bakshish intention of the AirPods Pro 2 less prosperous , it ’s important to consider that this pattern help create not only a better stamp for audio , but a tighter primed in your ear . This means the AirPods Pro 2 are less potential to fall down out when you ’re in motion , lay down them a more obvious choice for activitieslike runningor exercising . If a secure , sealed tantrum is less of a anteriority for you , the AirPods 4 might do the magic trick . Apple says they used ripe methods to represent thousands of ear pattern when designing the anatomy of the AirPods 4 , so they may be more well-fixed for the average user .
Apple AirPods Pro 2 vs. AirPods 4 ANC: noise cancellation
From a strictly aim perspective , if you command more inactive stochasticity cancellation because you tend to use your AirPods in loud or noisy environment , or you use them during particularly active movement , the AirPods Pro 2 will likely be a skilful fit . If you ’ve never had a major issue with earbuds fall out , and you do n’t tend to use them in loud environment , then the heart-to-heart - auricle design of the AirPods 4 will suffice .
The real star feature isActive Noise Cancellation , and we were impressed with the ANC performance on both these models during our hands - on review . While quiz the ANC on the assailable - ear AirPods 4 , our reviewer was beyond impressed . Mincing no words , he feel that “ for an earbud that offers far substandard peaceful noise isolation … this is straight - up astounding . ” The noise cancellation was brilliant — perhaps the best ANC in any subject - ear style earbud on the market .
The AirPods Pro 2 still perform better , though , thanks to their far superior peaceful disturbance cancellation . They do a better problem of quiesce your environ environment even when not playing music . Our reader was impressed after extensive testing , explaining , “ when it follow to noise cancellation , there are the AirPods Pro , and then everything else . They ’re just that dominant . ”
Here again , we see that if you ’re taking the odd flight of stairs or infrequently working from a coffee shop , the ANC version of the AirPods 4 should be more than enough . However , if you ’re prone to using your AirPods in noisier environments and looking to drown out more dissonance more often , then springing for the AirPods Pro 2 would be the better choice . If you ’re serious about ANC and want to see what else is out there , check out our usher to thebest randomness scratch earbuds , too .
Apple AirPods Pro 2 vs. AirPods 4 ANC: sound and performance
When tattle about the performance of these two models , it ’s vital to point out that they both use Apple ’s H2 sound recording microchip , so their core functionality and sign processing are effectively identical . Where the differences begin to arise is the physical form and acoustics of the earbuds , and the outcome that passive noise cancellation has on the audio calibre .
As we mentioned before , the silicone tips of the AirPods Pro 2 offer superior peaceful noise cancellation , which helps you hear your music advantageously and at lower volumes . While the AirPods 4 ANC can palm a enceinte pile , you may still be tempted to crank up up the volume to help oneself overwhelm out particularly egregious ambient disturbance . Generally , turn your bulk up too high can direct to more distortion , muddy the sound caliber .
On the AirPods Pro 2 , our commentator think “ the new AirPods bid up a elaborate performance , with plenty of punchy bass , and very clear high frequencies . ” While no set of Bluetooth headphones is peculiarly audiophile - friendly , the well-grounded timber on the AirPods Pro 2 is certain to impress the nifty absolute majority of user .
Now , to be clear , in our critique of the AirPods 4 , we were really impressed with the sound quality at this price point . We felt the sound quality was an unquestionable betterment from the last generation , and found that the sound tone on the AirPods 4 with ANC was even better than on the base model . This is in large part due to “ the fact that they so successfully dispatch outside speech sound from the sonic canvass . ”
view the AirPods Pro 2 retail for $ 70 more than the AirPods 4 , some superiority in legal quality is to be expected , and this mostly portray itself in higher-ranking dissonance cancellation . The closed - spike advance allows the wearer to hear finer detail , more impactful bass , and far less speech sound bleed than on the AirPods 4 . At the risk of infection of sounding like a broken record , we ’ll suggest again that if you use your AirPods in louder environment , you ’ll gain more from the Pro version . If , however , you tend to listen to euphony or take calls in a restrained office or home environment , then you’re able to probably redeem yourself the $ 70 .
Apple AirPods Pro 2 vs. AirPods 4 ANC: premium features
It ’s worth rapidly running through features that both these models share , instead of what separate them . Both model of AirPods feature “ Transparency mode ” for when you need to find out more of the world around you . They both also support personalise spatial audio with dynamical head tracking . Both mannikin ’ cases support wireless charging via an Apple Watch charger or any Qi - license wireless courser . Both example are IP54 dust- , sweat- , and water - resistant .
There are very few way in which they differ substantially when it come to lineament . One is that the AirPods Pro 2 feature of speech ahearing testandhearing care functionthat has been O.K. by the FDA . These workplace when paired with compatible iOS devices . The AirPods Pro 2 also rollick an extra hour of listen fourth dimension on a individual burster , offering 6 hr as match to 5 minute on the AirPods 4 . Truthfully , these differences wo n’t dangle it one way or another for the majority of emptor , though users who benefit from the hearing tending feature have an obvious choice .
Another facet these models divvy up that ’s always worth memory is just how locked into the Apple ecosystem all Apple products are , and the AirPods are no exception . As great as both these model execute , they partake in the same downside of being truly airy for Android user , which is a shame because they are both a bully set of earbuds .
Apple AirPods Pro 2 vs. AirPods 4 ANC: pricing
The AirPods 4 with ANC are the more budget favorable choice here , retailing for $ 179 from Apple , and often find for a morsel less on Amazon or other online retailers . The AirPods Pro 2 on the other mitt are a more premium production , retailing for $ 249 from Apple , costing 40 % more than the non - Pro model ( they are also often found at a bank discount , though ) . We really feel that both pairs extend a decent value , and you feel like you get what you pay for between audio quality , versatility , and overall design . Whichever way you decide to go , you ’ll be pick up a great pair of earbuds either way .
Both are available directly from Apple , as well as major retail merchant like Wal - Mart and Best Buy . They are also both available through various online marketplaces . It ’s deserving noting here that with the next generation of Apple AirPods Pro rumor to be announced later in 2025 , numerous online retailer areoffering steep discountson the AirPods Pro 2 .
Apple AirPods Pro 2 vs. AirPods 4 ANC: conclusion
The AirPods 4 and the AirPods Pro 2 are both telling iterations on an ingenious product that changed what earbuds looked like forever . They are both improvement on their respective late versions , and they showcase the good in Apple figure and murder . The AirPods 4 represent the latest version of Apple ’s received wireless earbuds , and they offer ranking sound quality and public presentation to just about any earbud on the grocery in the same price mountain range . Meanwhile , the flagship AirPods Pro 2 are a processed offer for those finding themselves more often in flash places , like frequent traveller or worker in cheap part surroundings . No matter which model you choose , these are some of the right earbuds on the market today .
