Should You Buy The AirPods 4 With ANC Or The AirPods Pro 2? We Tried Both & Here's Our Verdict - 8days Skip to main content

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Should You Buy The AirPods 4 With ANC Or The AirPods Pro 2? We Tried Both & Here's Our Verdict

AirPods 4 now come with active noise cancellation, and is $100 cheaper than the AirPods Pro 2. Is it still worth splurging more for the Pro? 
Should You Buy The AirPods 4 With ANC Or The AirPods Pro 2? We Tried Both & Here's Our Verdict
AirPods 4 with ANC (left) vs AirPods Pro 2

The AirPods 4 have just gotten a major upgrade — it’s the first pair of open-ear AirPods that come with active noise cancellation (ANC), a feature that was previously only on the AirPods Pro series. Noise-cancelling earbuds are life (as we all know), so does this mean that the AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro (2nd generation) are now on par with each other? 

Price-wise, you’re looking at a pretty huge $100 difference. The AirPods 4 with ANC cost $249, while the AirPods Pro (2nd generation), launched September 2023, will set you back by $349 (both are also available here). 

How else do they match up? Should you go for the newer, cheaper model, or the older, pricier and higher-end option?  

I’ve been using the AirPods Pro 2 for about a year, and they are by far my favourite device that I use daily (okay, besides my phone). But I put them aside for a while to try out the AirPods 4. Here’s my verdict on how they match up.

(Left to right) AirPods 4 with ANC, $249, buy here; AirPods Pro 2, $349, buy here. (Photo: Jasmine Teo)

AirPods 4 vs AirPods Pro 2: Four key differences

#1: Active noise cancellation and sound quality 
The AirPods Pro 2’s noise cancellation prowess is about twice of the AirPods 4 with ANC. Naturally, since the AirPods Pro 2 come with silicone ear tips to seal out more noise, as compared to the open-ear design on the AirPods 4 which provide more comfort (more on that soon). 

AirPods Pro 2: The noise cancellation on this one is fantastic for a pair of in-ear earbuds. It’s my must-have on flights, my trusty companion on noisy public transport, and a total lifesaver on WFH days during the few weeks of heavy drilling when my block was undergoing upgrading. Due to the better noise cancellation, the AirPods Pro 2 has an edge over the AirPods 4 in the sound quality department as well.

AirPods 4: Indoors, the ANC on the AirPods 4 is sufficient for blocking out noise like chatter or the TV. In noisier outdoor settings, the AirPods Pro 2 does a better job. For this reason, I’d prefer the AirPods Pro 2 over the AirPods 4 for a flight, where it can get pretty noisy, even at a cruising altitude. However, if you were upgrading from other open-ear earbuds or the entry-level AirPods, the ANC feature on the AirPods 4 would do the job just fine. 

#2: Hearing health functions on the AirPods Pro 2 
The AirPods Pro 2 will soon be able to act as hearing aids for those with mild to moderate hearing loss and even as earplugs, according to Apple. Hearing tests will also be available. The slew of hearing health functions will feature only on the AirPods Pro 2, not the AirPods 4, later this year. 

#3: Fit
The AirPods 4 is an open-ear design, which put plainly, means it doesn’t have the squishy silicone ear tips that the Pro has. Having used both, I’d say both are comfortable in different ways. The AirPods Pro 2 comes with four different-sized ear tips to suit various ear sizes, so they definitely fit more snugly, and consequently, block out more external sound too. However, if you’re not used to in-ear earbuds, the AirPods 4’s one-size-fits-all fit (albeit an improved version in this latest iteration) could be more suited for you. 

What about using them during workouts? The AirPods 4 stay put during walks and light workouts, while the AirPods Pro 2 have a more secure fit even during more intensive workouts, though they will still fall out occasionally during particularly sweaty and intensive workouts. 

#4: Battery life 
The AirPods Pro 2 boasts a longer listening time of six hours, compared to the AirPods 4’s four hours. With the charging case, both have the same listening time of 30 hours.

AirPods 4 (left) and AirPods Pro 2 (Photo: Jasmine Teo)

Should you get the AirPods 4 or the AirPods Pro 2? 

Get the AirPods 4 if:
-    You’re budget conscious
-    You want a pair of active noise cancellation earbuds for light usage, eg. daily commutes 
-    They’re your first pair of noise-cancelling earbuds 

Get the AirPods Pro 2 if:
-    You’re on an older set of noise-cancelling earbuds, like the first generation AirPods Pro, and are looking to replace them
-    Heavy user or travel frequently and plan to use them on flights. The longer listening time and double noise cancellation would work well on flights  
-    You will be using the upcoming new hearing health features later this year. 

AirPods 4 with ANC are available for $249, buy here; AirPods Pro 2, $349, buy here.

Although all AirPods are available in just one colour at the moment, you can jazz up your earbuds with a range of different cases.

Our articles may contain affiliate links. If you buy through these links, we may earn a small commission. Prices are correct at the time of publishing. 

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